CONNECTION
A digital magazine for and about County of Orange
employees
COUNTY
DECEMBER 2019
3 Frankly Speaking
4 Employee Profile
Roger Yee - John Wayne Airport
6 Centers to Revolutionize Voting in
Orange County
Feature
8 The Holiday Season Has Arrived at John
Wayne Airport
Feature
10 HRS News You Can Use
12 Around The County
News and happenings from the County of
Orange departments and agencies
18 OC History
Rudy Boysen's Boysenberry
20 Cybersecurity Corner
The Dangers of Using Public USB Charging
Stations
21 Safety Spotlight
Holiday Safety Tips
22 Service Awards
December 2019
23 Career Pages
24 OC Events Calendar
COVER PHOTO - A passenger airliner lands at John Wayne Airport.
CONTENTS
2
County Connection
a message from CEO Frank Kim
FRANK KIM
It’s hard to believe 2019 is almost over, harder still to realize we are entering a new
decade.
2020 will see us continue to improve the Civic Center as crews work to demolish the
buildings along Civic Center Drive in preparation for building County Administration
North. The Board of Supervisors also voted to move forward with plans for the Yale
Transitional Center, which will eventually replace the Courtyard Transitional Center.
In South County, the Laguna Niguel Town Center Partners LLC will begin to shape
property at the Alicia and Crown Valley parkways into a mix of retail, office and
residential space, as well as restaurants, a specialty market, food hall and a community
event space.
Other improvements across the County include increased flexibility for voters
thanks to Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley rolling out vote centers in the March primary
elections. Turn to Page 6 for more information on how this is the biggest change to
voting in Orange County since the late 1800s.
Roger Yee, Manager of Maintenance Operations at John Wayne Airport, details
changes he has seen since joining the County more than 25 years ago after an internship
gave him direction for his career on Page 4.
As we close this year, I am proud of all we have accomplished in 2019 and look
forward to all we will do in 2020. Enjoy the holiday season with your friends and loved
ones.
3
December 2019
EMPLOYEE PROFILE
ROGER
YEE
JOB TITLE:
Manager of Maintenance Operaons
YEARS WITH
THE COUNTY:
25+
DEPARTMENT:
John Wayne Airport
BEST PART OF YOUR JOB:
Proud to be part of a team that delivers
PLEASE SEND PROFILE SUBJECTS
FOR COUNTY CONNECTION!
Send submissions to jamie.cargo@ocgov.com.
4
County Connection
Operations is no easy job. As one of the three branch managers
in the division under Maintenance Deputy Airport Director, Kevin
Flynn, Roger is responsible for overseeing the execution of tasks and
maintenance procedures for the entire in-house team. The team
provides 24/7 maintenance, so Roger has to juggle and prioritize
projects to keep his team on track and perform as efficiently as
possible.
Despite all the challenges that the team faces, Roger is incredibly
proud to be a part of a team that delivers whenever duty calls. One
of the best things about his job, he says, is the feeling that the work
he and his team perform directly impacts the flying experience for
the traveling public. Roger and his team strive to create the most
positive travel experience for the airport guests, knowing that even
the smallest things that they do can have a ripple effect throughout
the national air transportation system.
Having been with JWA for over 25 years, Roger has also seen
quite a bit of change over the years. “9-11 turned things upside
down,” he recalls. After the tragic event, airport safety and security
were the No. 1 priority. Non-ticketed individuals could no longer
wait inside at the gates, and thorough checked baggage screening
was implemented as an effort to tighten security. “Those that had
badges,” says Roger, “were considered the eyes and ears of the
area,” and everyone was working together to keep JWA safe.
Roger’s favorite memories include the many film shoots that
happened before 9-11, including “Up Close and Personal” (1996)
with Michelle Pfeiffer and “Jerry Maguire” (1996) with Tom Cruise.
When he’s not working, Roger spends time with his family watching
his daughter play high school basketball. “I’m also an avid tennis
player,” he says.
In 1992, Roger Yee secured an
internship at John Wayne Airport. Having
earned a bachelor’s degree in genetics,
he was pursuing an MBA. To help Roger
explore potential career options, his
professor connected him with a former
MBA program student, Jan Mittermeier,
at JWA. Through Jan, Roger took on an
internship opportunity at the airport,
where he has served for over two and a
half decades.
Roger interned and then worked
for several years under former Airport
Director Alan Murphy. With Murphy’s
guidance, Roger had the opportunity
to see how the airport is kept up and
running and how every maintenance
task fits into the bigger picture of airport
maintenance and guest experience.
Now, as the Manager of Maintenance
Operations, Roger leads an in-house team
of 34 specialists, including electricians,
plumbers, mechanics and technicians.
He is always on his feet, making sure that
his team has the resources they need to
complete their tasks. Though Roger and his team have their regular
work hours, they’re always ready for emergency situations such as
power outages or natural disasters.
A typical day on the job for Roger includes managing the
execution of maintenance requests. “We take care of everything
that doesn’t fly,” he says, and that includes providing maintenance
and assistance with building electrical, plumbing and mechanical
equipment and systems throughout the airfield, terminal complex
and parking structures. Roger’s team executes all planned
maintenance work and corrective maintenance requests on the
equipment and systems sent their way.
In addition to fulfilling preventative and corrective maintenance
requests, Roger and his team also manage set up for special events
at the airport.
In mid-November, Vice President Mike Pence made a stop in
Orange County as part of a fundraising campaign; this was where
Roger and his team came in. Before Pence landed at JWA, the
maintenance team provided support setting up security perimeter
barricades, assisting with and securing locations for the overnight
staging of motorcade vehicles, and providing additional manpower
and vehicles to the team overseeing the VIP visit.
“Besides the more obvious electrical and mechanical plumbing
equipment and systems at the airport, the Maintenance Division
also provides the upkeep of our Access Control (security) system,
the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system, the fire alarm system,
and the Public Address system. We maintain all of the hardware
elements of those systems spread through the entire terminal and
parking structure complex,” he says.
With so much on his plate, being the Manager of Maintenance
5
December 2019
The Registrar of Voters (RoV) is looking to hire more
than 1,000 extra-help workers to staff new vote centers
coming online in March.
The positions’ top priority? Customer service.
“Vote center representatives will have almost a week
of paid training,” says Registrar Neal Kelley. “Half of that
training focuses on customer service.” Other training
topics include laws, and policies and procedures.
With the new centers, voters will no longer be restricted
to voting on one day at a specific polling place. Instead,
they can stop by any of the nearly 200 vote centers across
Orange County up to 10 days before Election Day. This
gives voters flexibility and staff time to hone their skills.
The change starts with the March election. Voters can
choose to visit a center, drop off their mail-in ballot to one
of more than 100 ballot drop boxes up to 30 days before
Election Day, or simply mail their mail-in ballot.
Voting at the centers starts with an electronic check-in, which should speed up the process. A vote center
representative can search for the voter by name, address and other options. This is what allows voters to visit any vote
center, providing more flexibility. Eligible residents can also register to vote at the centers, including on Election Day.
“The beauty of the real time electronic check-in is we will know if someone has already voted,” says AnnaSophia
Servin, Training and Special Projects Manager.
Once the voter is checked in, her ballot is printed out for her to mark her choices. When she’s finished, she feeds
the ballot into a scanner, which places a photo of the ballot onto a USB drive. The system uses paper with a digital
record as a back-up.
For voters needing accommodations, a vote center
representative will set up a machine where voters can
select whether they want audio only, a screen and audio,
or a screen only. The screen is adjustable for both color,
contrast and text size. The voter can change those elements
at any time.
RoV staff are finalizing the locations for the voter
centers, centering them around places voters are familiar
with, are near transportation hubs or areas with high
population. If a voter can’t make it to a center, he still
has the option to use his mail-in ballot, which all Orange
County voters will now receive.
Pilot vote centers in 2012, 2016 and 2018 have provided
positive feedback so far. RoV staff will use lessons learned
in the March election for vote centers in the November
2020 election, including which locations were popular.
“We have a robust program to survey voters,” Neal says of making improvements in the future.
He has spoken with several colleagues about the changes, knowing many are watching Orange and Los Angeles
counties. He studied how Colorado made the transition, having started using vote centers more than a decade ago.
All counties in Colorado made the switch by 2014. In California, for the 2020 elections, 15 counties will be using vote
centers. In 2022, it’s anticipated 25 of the state’s 58 counties will be using the same system.
“I’m looking forward to this change in voting,” Neal says. “I’m excited because it’s becoming tangible. Voters will
engage with the fruits of our labor come March.”
For more information on the extra-help positions, visit . For more information about the vote
centers, including locations, how to provide feedback and a calendar, visit .
CENTERS TO REVOLUTIONIZE VOTING
IN ORANGE COUNTY
Voters will check-in with a vote center representative who will then print out
the appropriate ballot.
Once a voter has made her selections, she feeds her ballot into a scanner,
which then puts the paper copy into a locked container. Digital copies
serve as back-up to the paper ballots.
6
County Connection
HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIPS
Airports across the country are anticipating another
year of record passenger volume now that the busy holiday
travel season is in full swing. John Wayne Airport (JWA)
passengers are encouraged to plan accordingly to avoid
delays and enjoy stress-free holiday travel. Here are some
tips to go from curbside through security checkpoints to
arrive at your gate efficiently.
ARRIVAL:
• All passengers are encouraged to arrive 90 minutes
to two hours before scheduled departure times for
domestic flights and three hours for international
flights to find parking, check luggage and go through
security screening.
• Arriving guests should be aware of ride app pick-up
locations on the Departure (upper) Level in Parking
Structures A2 and B2 directly across from the Riley
Terminal and in Parking Structure C on Level 3 next
to the Southwest ticketing area. Ride app drop-off
locations are curbside on the Departure Level. More
information is available here.
• Airport parking structures are likely to reach
capacity during peak travel periods. Travelers
should plan to check real-time parking availability
online here or by calling 949-252-5200. Curbside
Valet Parking is available for $30/day and is located
on the Departure (upper) Level curbside between
Terminals A and B or Terminals B and C. Additional
information about Valet, off-site or electric vehicle
parking is available here.
SECURITY CHECKPOINTS:
• Know the Transportation Security Administration’s
for carry-on bags. Traveling with food tip: If you can spill it, spread it, pump it or pour it, the
TSA considers this item a liquid. While wrapped holiday gifts are permitted, they are not encouraged as the item
may need to be unwrapped for inspection. View a list of frequently asked TSA questions here.
• Members of can expedite the screening process in Terminals A, B and C.
• There are specific rules and exceptions for passengers traveling with infant care items. Visit
with Children for more information.
For more travel tips and additional information about John Wayne Airport, visit .
THE HOLIDAY SEASON HAS ARRIVED
AT JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
8
County Connection
714-544-7725
for more information
Saturday
January 11
2:00pm
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
Books will be
available for
purchase through
Creating Conversations,
a Mysterious Galaxy
partner
Meet the Authors
PAMELA
PAU L
PAMELA
PAU L
and
MARIA
RUSSO
MARIA
RUSSO
OC Read Presents
9
December 2019
HUMAN RESOURCE
SERVICES
A section for news regarding wellness, benefits and other employee services
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Million Steps Challenge
Opportunity Drawing Winners Goal Getters
We are winding down another year of the Million Steps Challenge program. All parcipants have done an amazing job. From February 1,
2019, to November 1, 2019, 848 employees have acvely parcipated in the challenge and have walked a combined total 1.4 million steps,
which is equal to 686 thousand collecve miles. In addion, 563 employees have reached or surpassed 1 million steps, 301 employees
have surpassed 2 million steps (211 employees in 2018), 97 employees have surpassed 3 million steps (43 employees in 2018) and 31 have
surpassed 4 million steps (14 employees in 2018)! Congratulaons to all of our 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-million step employees.
• Taylor Adray - Social Services Agency
• Kristen Bright - Superior Court
• Lisa Tran - Health Care Agency
• Marika Paerson - Sherri Court Operaons
• Elida Gonzalez - Assessor
• Shirley Nong - Treasurer Tax Collector
• Christa Tipton - Social Services Agency
• Vivian Geske - Superior Court
• Noemi Villalba - Public Defender
• Allison Koga - Social Services Agency
Each of our winners received a wellness-related prize courtesy of
our County health plans.
In addion, each month we drew 10 names from those
parcipang in the Million Steps Challenge.
• David Delacruz - Sheri-Coroner
• Maricela Villa - Social Services Agency
• Florena Moore - Sheri-Coroner
• Michele Marnez - Health Care Agency
• Hugh Boggs - Social Services Agency
• Gillian Marnez - Clerk-Recorder
• Erin Batchelor - Health Care Agency
• Maria Melchor - Assessor
• Krisne De Leon - OC Housing Authority
• Stephanie Garcia - Social Services Agency
• Sara Ochoa - OC Superior Courts
• Edward Burruel - Sheri-Coroner
• David McRae - Social Services Agency
• Blanca Valdovinos - Social Services Agency
• Ruben Marchan - Social Services Agency
• Rebecca Perez - Probaon
• Crisna Hamilton - OC Public Works
• Cesar Ramirez - Superior Court
• Linda Moz - Superior Court
• Olivia Sorensen - OCCR - Library
The following employees have recently reached either 1, 2, 3 or
4 million steps and have agreed to have their names published in
County Connecon:
• Daniel Bae - Social Services Agency
• Jamie Cargo - CEO Communicaons
• Jim Carter - Social Services Agency
• Michael Farole - Social Services Agency
• Rebecca Galindo - Superior Court
• Katherine Hayes - OC Public Works
• Elaine Hernandez - Sheri-Coroner
• David Holtman - OC Public Works
• Tanya Longoria - CEO/HRS - Employee Benets
• Gregory Manning - Social Services Agency
• Ana Paola Molina - Social Services Agency
• Jasmine Ochoa - Child Support Services
• Carol Taylor - Social Services Agency
• Laura Turtzer - Social Services Agency
• Candace Alas - CEO - Human Resources
• Kevin Hatanaka - Reprographics ISF
• Jennifer Kuo - Social Services Agency
• Joyce Kwak - Social Services Agency
• Tricia Landquist - John Wayne Airport
• Carolyn Miller - Social Services Agency
• Marika Paerson - Sherri Court Operaons
• Jennie Phuong - Auditor Controller
• Roque Rios - District Aorney
• Andrea Singleton - Social Services Agency
• Apryl Staord - Sheri-Coroner
• Zullihey Ayala - Community Services Program
• Jessica Good - Health Care Agency
• Michelle Manchester - Health Care Agency
• Marivic Nazario - Sherri Department
• Mary Ann Priore - District Aorney
• Josie Ramirez - Child Support Services
• Carlota Serna - Child Support Services
• Sharon Boles - Health Care Agency
• Janice Murguia - Social Services Agency
• Martha Schlegel - Health Care Agency
Congratulaons to our 1-million-plus step achievers! If you have
met the Million Steps Challenge and want to have your name published
in County Connecon, send an email to
.
10
County Connection
"I took this photo of the rainbow around the sun while walking at Mile Square
Park on December 1, 2019 that lasted only one-hour."
SUBMIT PHOTOS TO TRAVIS.LARIVIERE@OCGOV.COM
PARTING SHOT #1
CHRISTINE TRAN
OC Auditor-Controller
11
December 2019
AROUND THE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
13 Health Care Agency
- Help Make Orange County Stigma Free
13-14 John Wayne Airport
- Holiday Music Program
15 OC Veterans Services
- Vice Chair Surprises Veteran Employees
15 OC Waste & Recycling
- Ambassador Program Expands Opportunities
for Employees
16 Social Services Agency
- Board of Supervisors Recognize Adoption
Awareness Month
COUNTY
12
County Connection
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
Help Make Orange County Stigma Free
Holiday Music Program
The Orange County Board of Supervisors issued
a resolution recognizing the official launch of
in partnership with the OC
Health Care Agency (HCA) and the OC Mental Health
Board.
The debut of has created
an opportunity to focus on community outreach
and public education regarding mental illness. The
website features ongoing stigma-reduction efforts
happening in Orange County and a robust toolkit that
visitors can use to take action in building momentum
around this important movement.
According to the National Institute of Mental
Health, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental
illness in a given year, yet more than half will not
seek treatment due to stigma. We can all help
normalize these real and treatable conditions by
starting conversations around mental health using
the toolkit’s easy-to-share ideas for spreading the
word and pre-written #StigmaFreeOC social media
posts.
John Wayne Airport travelers and guests are
invited to enjoy the sounds of the season as Orange
County high school musical groups bring 23 live
holiday music performances to the Thomas F.
Riley Terminal from December 13 to 20, 2019. All
performances take place in Baggage Claim on the
Arrival (lower) Level of Terminals A, B and C.
To learn more about the Holiday Music Program
and view videos of 2018 performances, visit
.
additionally includes local
resources available to support individuals and
families struggling with mental illness and substance
use disorders. The site’s calendar enables visitors
to view a list of upcoming activities that promote
wellness and recovery, or submit their own for
posting. As the movement progresses, residents can
come back to the site often to check the current
pledge tally, view the website’s interactive pledge
map and learn about new ways to become involved.
Help turn Orange County lime green, the national
color for mental health awareness, by visiting
today and pledging your support.
Irvine High School Advanced Choir students during their December 2018 performance in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal.
13
December 2019
Continued from page 13
JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT
DECEMBER 13
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. San Clemente High School Orchestra Terminal C
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saddleback High School Chamber Singers Terminal C
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Costa Mesa High School Jazz Band Terminal A
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Troy High School Vocal Ensemble Terminal A
DECEMBER 16
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Fountain Valley High School Jazz Band Terminal C
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Valley High School Golden Blues Jazz Ensemble Terminal A
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Villa Park High School Holiday Ensemble Terminal C
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Portola High School Orchestras Terminal A
DECEMBER 17
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Fountain Valley High School String Orchestra Terminal C
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. El Modena High School Chamber Singers Terminal A/Statue
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Fullerton High School Jazz Ensemble & Woodwind Choir Terminal C
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Edison High School Varsity Choir Terminal A
DECEMBER 18
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Fountain Valley High School Chamber Strings Terminal C
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Marina High School String Orchestra Terminal A
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Segerstom High School Chamber Singers Terminal C
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Estancia High School Varsity Choir Terminal A
DECEMBER 20
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Sunny Hills High School Chamber Singers Terminal A
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Westminster High School Abbey Singers Terminal C
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Irvine High School Advanced Choirs Terminal C
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Esperanza High School String Quartet Terminal A
DECEMBER 19
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Foothill Hill High School Dickens Carolers Terminal C
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Magnolia High School Chamber Singers Terminal A/Statue
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Santa Ana High School Jazz Band Terminal A
14
County Connection
On November 12, a surprise Veteran Appreciation
Breakfast Potluck was held for veteran employees of
OC Community Services (OCCS) in honor of Veterans
Day. During this time, Vice Chair Michelle Steel,
Second District Supervisor, recognized the Orange
County Veterans Service Office’s (VSO) seven veteran
team members. Vice Chair Steel presented the
veterans with Certificates of Recognition to highlight
their continued dedication and all the great work
they do for Orange County’s veteran and military
connected population. “Being treated to a Veterans
Breakfast at OCCS/VSO was widely unexpected.
What totally blew my mind was seeing and meeting
Vice Chair Steel. It felt great knowing that she
came out to show her gratitude and appreciation
for my fellow veterans and myself here at OCVSO.
She shared her personal experience with family
abroad in the military. Pretty awesome day if you
ask me,” said Hector Valdivia, an office specialist for
the VSO and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
When OC Waste & Recycling hosted its annual
recycling and eco-friendly collection event in November,
the success of the activity hinged on a crew of department
employees whose jobs have nothing to do with public
outreach.
They’re called the OCWR Ambassadors. They assist
the Strategic Communications team in educating the
public about the department’s essential public services
and how to recycle right as key players in today’s waste
stream. In exchange, the Ambassadors gain valuable
experience working outside their normal jobs, working
with others in completely different fields of work.
“Our ambassador program includes staff from across
the agency to give us more reach and expertise when
engaging the public,” says Irene Alonso, Community
Programs Manager. “We have participants ranging from
laborers and equipment operators from the landfill
sites to accounting staff, engineers, safety managers,
office services staff as well as our executive team.”
Collectively, about 25-30 ambassadors are available to
help the department reach its outreach and education
goals annually through numerous events and public
engagement.
At the November 2 Eco Challenge Day collection event,
ambassadors performed such duties as traffic control,
logistics, running the recycling game at the OCWR booth,
talking to residents about the landfills composting, and
helping Wild Wing, the mascot of the Anaheim Ducks,
distribute prizes and educational materials.
Their efforts contributed to nearly 13,000 pounds
of goods collected in two hours that might otherwise
have wound up in the landfill. More than 400 attendees
learned about options available for disposal of organic
waste and how to prevent contamination of green waste
and other recyclables.
“Some of our ambassadors have been with us for years
and are familiar faces with the public. It’s great to see
them return and help recruit new staff for the experience.
Overall, it’s a win-win on all sides,” Irene says.
Vice Chair Surprises Veteran Employees
Ambassador Program Expands Opportunities for Employees
OCCR - OC VETERANS SERVICES
OC WASTE & RECYCLING
Vice Chair Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor, middle, presents
Certificates of Recognition to veteran employees at the Orange County
Veterans Service Office. The following veterans were recognized, from left
to right: Richard Smith (U.S. Navy), Eric Ensley (U.S. Navy), Hector Valdivia
(U.S. Marine Corps), Eddie Falcon (U.S. Navy), Victor Lopez (U.S. Marine
Corps) and Joe Ford (U.S. Marine Corps). Not pictured: Jerry Seiden (U.S.
Navy)
The OC Waste & Recycling Collection Event Ambassador team (left to
right): Alex Brown, Steven Halligan, Danielle Williams, Tia Jorgensen, Brian
Booth, Jordan Young, Peter Sanchez, Kevin Gaxiola, Irene Alonso, Aimee
Halligan, Ruth Wardwell and Michael Bittner
15
December 2019
On November 19, the Orange County Board of
Supervisors proclaimed November 2019 as Adoption
Awareness Month, presenting a resolution to the OC
Social Services Agency and recognizing resource and
adoptive parent Vanessa Acosta for her significant
contributions to support and mentor adoptive
families.
From July 2018 to June 2019, 282 adoptions were
finalized in Orange County.
SSA Children and Family Services Division Director
Anne Bloxom and Vanessa attended the meeting
and received the proclamation on behalf of adoptive
families in Orange County.
Vanessa, a teacher in Los Angeles, and her
husband, Jesus, began the process of becoming
a resource family in 2011 after a speaker at their
church explained the specific needs of foster
youth in an effort to recruit new resource families.
Dreaming of a large family of their own, Vanessa and
Jesus completed the licensing process and fostered
more than 20 children in Los Angeles and Orange
Counties. The Acostas adopted four children and are
in the process of adopting two more of their foster
children; the children range in age from 8-13.
Sadly, Jesus passed away unexpectedly in May.
While this devastating loss has shaken the entire
family, Vanessa remains resolute in finalizing the
adoption of the two foster youth she currently cares
for. She and her children continue to persevere,
growing even closer and honoring Jesus’ legacy of
love. Under Vanessa’s watch, all six children are
being raised to treat others with respect, to work
hard in school and to focus on remaining grateful
that they are connected as family. Vanessa said her
children have shown remarkable resiliency.
“Although it has been a sad and difficult time
for my family, I’m very appreciative of the support
we have received from the Social Services Agency,
my social workers, the Foster Care Auxiliary and my
church,” she said at the Board meeting.
For more information on becoming a Resource
Family, please call (888) 871-KIDS or visit
.
Board of Supervisors Recognize Adoption Awareness Month
SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY
Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District, resource parent Vanessa Acosta, Supervisor Doug Chafee, Fourth District, Social Services Agency Children
and Family Services Division Director Anne Bloxom, Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District Supervisor, and Supervisor Andrew Do, First District, pose for
a photo during the November 19 Board meeting.
16
County Connection
"I was walking at the Aliso & Wood Canyon Wilderness Park, I stopped to
view the beauful sunset at the Top of the World in Laguna Beach."
SUBMIT PHOTOS TO TRAVIS.LARIVIERE@OCGOV.COM
PARTING SHOT #2
VINEETA CHOPRA
Accounting Specialist - OC Probation
17
December 2019
18
OC H ISTORY
RUDY BOYSEN'S BOYSENBERRY
by Chris Jepsen
Rudy Boysen poses at Anaheim’s City Park, about 1948. He went on
to develop La Palma Park and the beginnings of Anaheim’s city park
system.
A Kno’s Berry Farm menu from circa 1951 depicts a boysenberry and
berry elds.
PHOTO COURTESY OF UCI SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
PHOTO COURTESY OF OC ARCHIVES
“great big berries” down by the creek. Boysen went to look
and found one of the plants producing flavorful berries
that were nearly 2-inches long. Later that year, Boysen
took cuttings from the plant with him when he moved to
the Fullerton ranch of his mother-in-law, Alice Brunton. He
planted the cuttings near a ditch at the back of the Brunton
orange grove (now the Fullerton Hotel’s parking lot).
Boysen brought his berry to the attention of nurseryman
Douglas Coolidge of Altadena. Coolidge’s attempts to
market the berry failed, but he wrote an enthusiastic letter
about the berry to George Darrow at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. The letter languished in a Washington, D.C.
Although Walter Knott famously popularized the
boysenberry, few know the story of the berry itself or the
man who created it.
Around 1922, young farmer Rudy Boysen was working
on the Lubben ranch in Napa Valley. Something of a
self-schooled botanist, he spent some of his free time
experimenting with the hybridization of berries — just for
fun. He blended pollen from various berry varieties and
used the mixture to hand-pollinate blackberry plants. He
planted the resulting seeds by a nearby creek.
Eventually, these plants were mostly forgotten. But in
1925, someone came to Boysen’s door and asked about the
In 1927, the City of Anaheim hired Rudy Boysen within a year he was
promoted to superintendent of the City Park. The park is now named
Pearson Park, and Boysen’s rock and cactus garden, which he is seen
here building circa the 1930s, is sll a key feature.
The new boysenberry is compared with other variees in the Orange
County Agricultural Extension’s 1934 annual report.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
PHOTO COURTESY OF OC ARCHIVES
18
County Connection
Workers harvest berries in Buena Park around 1934, the same year, May 22 to be exact, that the rst commercial picking of boysenberries occurred
at Kno’s berry farm.
file drawer for several years.
In 1927, the City of Anaheim hired Boysen and within a
year he was promoted to superintendent of the City Park.
The park is now named Pearson Park, and Boysen’s rock
and cactus garden is still a key feature.
Meanwhile, Boysen had largely forgotten about the
hybrid berry. In 1930 his mother-in-law’s land was sold and
the neglected plants were left behind.
In 1932, George Darrow — now the only person with an
interest in the berry — was on vacation in California and
went to see Coolidge. But Darrow learned that Coolidge
had died, as had his sample berry plants. Darrow continued
his search by driving to the Buena Park home of Walter
Knott, the area’s leading berry grower.
Knott had heard of neither the berry nor Boysen, but
quickly found him in the Anaheim phone directory and
called him. Boysen said the berries were already nearly
dead when he sold the property, but Knott asked if they
could go have a look anyway.
The new residents had no objection to a few men poking
around the ditch behind their grove, so Boysen took Darrow
and Knott out to see what was left of the long-untended
plants. Knott looked at the scraggly, fruitless, weed-choked
mess of berry plants and was prepared to drop the subject.
But Boysen spun an impressive story as they stood in
the grove: “They grow big. The berries were as big as my
thumb.”
With Boysen’s blessing, Darrow convinced Knott to
“layer a few canes and report the resultant plants and
fruit” to him at the USDA. This probably didn’t require too
much arm-twisting, as Knott already had a fondness for
experimenting with new plant varieties on his farm.
Knott began reviving the six berry plants by cleaning,
weeding, fertilizing and spraying the vines. He returned to
the grove in the proper season and took cuttings which he
then planted on his own farm.
Soon after, Knott wrote to Darrow, asking to have the
berry registered. Darrow suggested the name “Knottberry,”
but Knott said that the berry should be named for Boysen.
The first commercial picking of boysenberries occurred
at Knott’s berry farm on May 22, 1934 and Knott immediately
began a vigorous marketing campaign. The rest, as they
say, is history. Almost every boysenberry plant in the world
today can trace its roots to that neglected handful of vines
in a Fullerton orange grove.
Boysen went on to develop La Palma Park and the
beginnings of the Anaheim city park system. He was
also helped run the city’s annual Halloween festival and
managed the event’s community breakfasts for more than
two decades. During World War II, he coordinated and
oversaw the community Liberty Garden and helped Anaheim
residents create and maintain additional Liberty Gardens in
their own yards. Any excess produce was generally given
to the needy, including families in Anaheim’s La Fabrica
neighborhood. He was known and liked by the whole
community — especially the children who came to play in
his parks.
Rudy Boysen left a formative impact on the character
and identity of the sleepy agricultural town of Anaheim,
which would soon grow into a large modern city. But it’s
the boysenberry that will secure Boysen’s name in the
public mind forever.
(A much longer and annotated version of this article
appeared in the 2016 issue of the Orange County Historical
Society’s journal, Orange Countiana.)
or
PHOTO COURTESY OF OC ARCHIVES
19
December 2019
The Dangers of Using Public USB Charging Stations
During the holiday season, almost everyone is out shopping, travelling or meeting with friends and families. While
enjoying the festivities, many depend on mobile devices to pay, get directions, or call each other. But what happens
when your mobile device battery is low or dying? You can probably find a public USB charging station nearby. Shopping
areas, airports, hotels, coffee shops and even some restaurants. Marketers had made it convenient for you to be able
to charge your mobile device almost anywhere.
These pubic USB charging stations, especially at airports and hotels, have been reported from different sources as
a high security risk. Cyber criminals can modify the USB connections to install malware on your device or download
data without your knowledge. The malware may lock your device, intercept calls and export the data to the cyber
criminals. This attack is known as “juice-jacking.” Local law enforcement agencies have been warning travelers to
avoid using public USB charging stations whenever possible.
• Use a wall charger plugged into an AC power outlet instead of a USB charging station.
• When traveling, bring your own wall and car chargers for your devices.
• Consider buying a portable charger for emergencies.
• Keep your devices up to date with the latest security patches and updates.
• When possible, configure your device to always require a password when enabling the data transfer features.
• Carry an extra fully charged battery.
• Install and implement mobile device management (MDM) for your organization.
• Lock the bootloader if possible.
If you have any questions, please email .
CYBERSECURITY CORNER
20
County Connection
Holiday Safety Tips
Winter holidays are times to devote with families and friends. Stay safe on the roads and at home by taking basic
precautions below to ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions
for number of light strands to connect.
• Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
The holidays should be a festive and happy time spent with loved ones, but drinking and driving can put a damper
on the merriment. As more people gather at parties and celebrate festivities, more drinking and driving occur over
the holidays. More highway deaths related to alcohol occur during the holidays than at other times of the year.
Use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs can make driving a car unsafe – just like driving after drinking
alcohol. It is difficult to determine how specific drugs affect driving because people tend to mix various substances,
including alcohol. Even a small amount of some drugs can have a measurable effect on drivers. As a result, some
states have a zero-tolerance laws for drugged driving.
• Drive sober; never drive impaired.
• Buckle up, every time.
• If you do drink, plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or use a ride service.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with the location,
make, model and license plate number of vehicle.
Thank you for your continued commitment to safety awareness.
For more information, go to:
SAFETY SPOTLIGHT
21
December 2019
35 YEARS
30 YEARS
25 YEARS
20 YEARS
OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES
ONTIVEROS, EDDIE M
ESCOBAR, ROSALINDA O
ASSESSOR
MAXWELL, STACEY L
SALDIVAR, ALEJANDRA
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE
DEBAUN, SUSAN M
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
ROCKER, THELMA R
GONZALEZ, ANGIE N
LIZOTTE, MICHEL K
OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES
EDDY, DEBRA F
KIRK, FREDERICK W
VELICK, JOHN C
ONUMA, KEVIN M
WOOD, MARK A
PUBLIC DEFENDER
PUGLIA, DANIEL M
GAGE, EDITH L
ZAMAITAT, SYLVIA G
BROWN COOKSEY, CYNTHIA D
OCHOA, SONIA
OCERS
GUEVARA, SANDRA
PROBATION
BYRD, THOMAS L
CASTILLO, MA DOLORES T
DIAZ, SUSANA
LARIOS, JUANA
SCHULTZ, DANA
WILLIAMS, YURI O
PUBLIC DEFENDER
PADILLA, MELISSA A
SALDIVAR, CHRISTINE M
SHERIFF CORONER
FLAHERTY, MICHAEL A
JACQUOT, MATTHEW B
JAMILI, DAPHNE L
KETRING, KURTIS M
KLEE, ERIK S
LOSOYA, MELISSA A
MANN, JASON E
NARKSUWAN, JOHNNY P
NGUYEN, PAUL HUNG N
PADILLA, MICHAEL J
SANCHEZ, OLIVIA
STOUT, MICHAEL W
BANFIELD, KIMBERLY
BARCELOS, ROXANNE M
DELAFOSSE, BRYANT
HANANIA, LINDA
HERNANDEZ, CAESAR
HERNANDEZ, MADELINE O
MAGCASI, MARTHA
MARTINEZ, MELINDA C
MORALES, GERARDO A
MORALES, IADIRA
MURILLO, JUAN
NINH, DEWEY D
OCHOA, MARYHELEN
QUAN, LANNIE U
RAMIREZ, ROSA
TARIN, IMELDA C
TOPETE, CLAUDIA
LEACH, ALEJANDRA
BUI, ZERDELL A
ESQUIVEL, LAURA
GARCIA, RUBEN
MCKEE, MARY E
NGUYEN, KIMBERLY
NGUYEN, NHU N
PROBATION
BOLTON, MATTHEW R
BARON, ALISON M
CHISHOLM, GEORGE H
NIEBLA, GARY A
KORSON, MICHELE M
AUDITOR CONTROLLER
LUA, AYDA
CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES
BANKOVICH, BRANDON J
UNTALAN, PHILIP C
CLERK OF THE BOARD
GALVAN, OLIVIA
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE
BEREA, BRYAN
BLANCO, LILIA
CHOPRA, JAGDISH R
FULTON, LISA L
LIM, BELINDA
LIZARDO, GRACE-AILEEN
LOPEZ ESCAMILLA, AZAHAR
LUNA, YESENIA V
MALDO, ALBERT L
UBINA, ELEONOR R
VALDIVIAS, ROSIE
WEBER, DIANA L
OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES
HARRIS, DENAIR D
NGUYEN, TYLER L
TAPIA, CONNIE
IMANI, HAMID
If you would like to have your name
not printed in the Service Awards
secon, email
If you believe there has been an error
or omission in reporng your years of
service, please email
Recognizing our long-serving employees and their years of dedicaon to the County of Orange
SERVICE AWARDS - December 2019
To view the December list in its enrety, which also includes
recipients of 5-, 10-, 15-year Service Awards, please click here.
22
County Connection
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Calendar online!
Student Art Contest
Health Care Agency
Photo with Santa
OC Animal Care
Photo with Santa
OC Animal Care
Pawliday
OC Animal Care
Photo with Santa
OC Animal Care
EVENTS CALENDAR - DECEMBER 2019
24
County Connection
A rainbow over the 401 building.
SUBMIT PHOTOS TO TRAVIS.LARIVIERE@OCGOV.COM
PARTING SHOT #3
ALEX REDD
ASR Coordinator - OC Community Resources
25
December 2019
THANK YOU FOR READING
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MISSION STATEMENT
COUNTY OF ORANGE
MAKING ORANGE COUNTY A
safe, healthy, and fulfilling place to
live, work, and play,
TODAY AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME,
by providing outstanding, cost-effective
regional public services.
