I was elected about 18 months ago after a two-year campaign, so it feels like I’ve been on the job much longer; and I had to work very hard to get here. The campaign was the most expensive in U.S. history for a County Supervisor race, with a combined total of $6 million, of which $2 million was spent by me.

Knowing the cost and the two-year effort I put forth, I’m often asked, "Is it everything you expected?" Best said it’s much more than I expected! Since taking office, I have been on the front lines of a number of firestorms, both literally and figuratively:

l The raging wildfires in the 3rd and 5th Districts late last year, which threatened many homes and lives.

l The emotional firestorms that included federal charges against our former Sheriff; as well as issues regarding our Treasurer and the County’s investments;

l And if all that wasn’t enough, along came the Ladera Ranch Peaker Plant!

With most of these issues coming to a conclusion, I expect this year’s ‘hot spots’ will begin to shift to traffic congestion and transportation; and future governance issues for South County unincorporated areas, in particular Ladera Ranch.

Allow me review and share some perspectives on a few topics that are of the highest interest in the Fifth District and greatest importance to the State of our South County Community.

Many people I speak with are still somewhat confused about the Board of Supervisors’ role in selecting the former Sheriff’s successor, a process as you know culminated in the selection of LA County Sheriff’s Dept. Division Chief Sandra Hutchens.

When Sheriff Carona resigned, it set in motion the Board’s move to select a replacement through the appointment process. To that end, we hired an executive search firm that specialized in law enforcement; and many candidates applied.

Forty-eight candidates had very impressive credentials. The list was narrowed to nine who made the cut for interviews.

These interviews were conducted in public at a Board meeting on May 27.

The following week in June, the list was narrowed to two top candidates – Chief Hutchens, and Chief Paul Walters of the Santa Ana Police Department.

After four and a half months of study, reviewing resumes, and conducting interviews I joined my Board colleagues Janet Nguyen and John Moorlach in selecting Chief Hutchens.

As Orange County’s new Sheriff, she will complete the former Sheriff’s term, which extends to January 2011. She will need to run for election in the 2010 election to keep the job for another term.

Many asked who was the most qualified, and whether the selection was gender-driven. To some, it would seem that I was not supposed to vote for Hutchens because she is a woman, as am I. Both finalists are highly qualified and if you focus solely on qualifications, there is no gender issue.

Chief Hutchens has 31 years experience at all command levels at least equal to or exceeding that of all the candidates. Hutchens was in charge of sworn and non-sworn personnel in numbers exceeding most of the competition. Hutchens managed a division budget of four hundred million dollars, which is a budget exceeding most of those managed by her competitors.

I could easily go on as there is much more about the career accomplishments of our new Sheriff. I urge you to check her out as you will have the final say in the 2010 election.

On to another hot topic: The Peaker Plant.

This remains in litigation, so I must refrain from any extensive discussion of the particulars. This issue, which caused significant division in your community, is a classic example of what happens without clear and concise communication between developers, the government permitting agency and the public.

There was a failure of this process, which caused an unnecessary and costly controversy. The government process should be transparent and provide the project proponent and the community the opportunity to review, dialogue, debate, and reach a consensus or compromise.

While this was not accomplished in this instance, it is my understanding the legal process is moving toward a more amicable solution for all parties.

I raise the issue of the importance of communication in dealing with government because your collective input on the other two hot topics that will involve the community are coming into the scene. These include transportation issues and the issue of future governance of South County unincorporated communities.

Briefly, on transportation:

Following the Coble tragedy last year, I held extensive meetings with transportation and other governmental stakeholders to identify ways to expedite congestion relief projects, specifically I-5 choke points that have been on the books, but mov-ing slowly due to technical construction issues and lack of adequate funding.

Today, I am pleased to report that as a result of discussions my office has had with the California Transportation Commission (CTC), the Oso Parkway/I-5 interchange improvements project is on target for accelerated funding by the CTC this month.

My office has worked diligently with Caltrans to ensure this project remains a top priority for the Commission and with no further delays. If this does not happen, we will need to raise our collective voice to Caltrans and CTC officials.

I am also happy to report that Caltrans has begun improvements at the intersection of the southbound I-5/Crown Valley Parkway off-ramp. Construction should be completed by the end of the year. In addition, ongoing Crown Valley Parkway widening projects, which will greatly aid your commute to and from the I-5, are scheduled for total completion by fall, 2008.

Another transportation issue of the utmost importance that we need to continue to be involved with is the proposed completion of the 241 Toll Road.

The 241 Toll Road extension, which would connect to the I-5 just south of San Clemente, tackles the traffic challenges facing South County in the next decade by creating a desperately needed alternative to the I-5.

As you know, the Coastal Commission voted against the project. However, TCA remains committed to completing this project and filed an appeal to the Secretary of Commerce, requesting the Coastal Commission vote to be overturned. The appeal will likely be resolved in late 2008. There will be a Public Hearing and I urge you to get involved as this road is essential to traffic congestion relief for your commute.

Another traffic congestion relief project proposal that is very important to Ladera Ranch residents is how to provide another east-west connection between the 241 Toll Road, the I-5, and the 73 Toll Road.

Proposals are under study as part of the South Orange County Major Investment Study of which I am chairperson. These include widening Ortega highway to six lanes and creating a four lane arterial somewhere between Ladera Ranch and the Rancho Mission Viejo project. This arterial alternative will be studied as a partial tunnel to minimize impact to sensitive habitat and residential zoned areas

Discussion on when and how to proceed on these will not be without controversy and debate, so I urge you to attend the ongoing community presentations on these proposals.

You may join me at Mission Viejo City Hall, Wednesday, July 14 at 8 AM, where will we review the proposals and commentary provided by technical experts and public opinion gathered by OCTA officials from their City Council presentations.

The final 2008-2009 hot topic is governance options for South County unincorporated areas. Most important regarding your Ladera Ranch future is – What do you want to be when you grow up?

A city by yourself and/or combined with the impending Rancho Mission Viejo development at build out and/or combined with the Las Flores community?

These issues will be under discussion at the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) this year; so I have asked LAFCO staff to initiate a discussion with Ladera Ranch and Las Flores to beginning charting your own destiny.

As soon as I receive a response from LAFCO on the process and date for beginning these discussions, I will be contacting your interested community leaders.