Juneteenth Event Honors Civil Rights Pioneer

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Civil rights pioneer and civic leader Leon Williams spoke at the County Administration Center June 17, 2016.

Submitted by the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE)

On June 17, the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) Employee Resource Group celebrated the 151st anniversary of Juneteenth at the County Administrative Center (CAC). Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

This year’s event was dedicated to honoring local civil rights pioneer and civic leader Leon Williams. Leon Williams was the first and remains the only African American Supervisor for the County of San Diego. He was also the first African American San Diego City Council member. Williams is known for his pioneering work in supporting public health efforts in AIDS prevention and smoking cessation, transportation, community safety and smart growth.

The hour long program focused on the rededication of the Leon Williams plaque in the east plaza of the CAC and announcement of the AAACE Leon Williams Scholarship. During the program County Supervisor Greg Cox (District 1) recounted the contributions that Mr. Williams made while serving on the Board and highlighted several ways that the he made a difference in the region.

Supervisor Cox also presented AAACE with a proclamation honoring Juneteenth.

In closing, the 90-plus-year-old civic leader encouraged all attendees to focus on what matters most—family and civic duty. 

Sign Up Now for Live Well San Diego 5K

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A scene from last year's Live Well San Diego 5K. This year the event moves to the Waterfront Park.

Register now for the 2016 Live Well San Diego 5K!

This year, the event takes place on Saturday, July 30. The 2016 race will begin and end at the County Waterfront Park, which will be the location of an Expo featuring exhibits hosted by Live Well San Diego recognized partners and County departments, as well as other interactive displays, including a Kids’ Zone, an Innovation Zone, and a Pet Zone.

Proceeds from the Live Well San Diego 5K will benefit the lifesaving work of the San Diego Blood Bank.  Enjoy a fun-filled morning with County colleagues, Live Well San Diego partners, and the community as we come together to promote a healthy, safe and thriving region.

For more information visit livewellsd5k.com.

 

Sign-up for Healthy Cooking Classes

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If you are looking for some new healthy recipes to spice up your summer, sign up for a Healthy Cooking Class. Employee Wellness is offering two lunch and learn classes this quarter.

For more information and to register for the June 21 class, visit Employee Wellness and click on the Lunch and Learn tab on the left. To register for the July 14 class at the COC, send anemail request. 

Philippine Independence Day Celebrated at COC

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The County of San Diego Filipino American Employees Association hosted a lively Philippine Independence Day Celebration at the County Operations Center Friday. The festivities included cultural performances, Filipino food, resource booths, an opportunity drawing and book drive.

If you missed out on the fun, watch these videos:

Learn more about the County’s Employee Resource Groups on InSite.

ERGs Share Statement on Orlando Attack

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All County employees are shocked and saddened by the attack in Orlando, Florida. Members of the County’s LGBT & Allies and Middle Eastern Employee Resource Groups have together provided the following statement and resources.

 

The LGBT & Allies and Middle Eastern ERGs would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the recent tragedy in Orlando. LGBTA & MEERG stand together in condemning this senseless and violent attack against our brothers and sisters in Orlando that occurred during LGBT Pride month and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. We are committed to working together with all groups to build diversity, inclusion and respect in our workplace and peace in our communities. Please reach out to us if you need further support. 

LGBT & Allies ERG | Middle Eastern ERG

Resources

  • County-provided EAP Program: website or call 888-777-6665
  • The LGBT Center also has behavioral health counselors ready to assist. You can email onduty@thecentersd.org or call 619-692-2077, ext. 208
  • For young LGBTQ people struggling they can visit The Trevor Project or call 866-488-7386
  • The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ local chapter  is offering support and assistance: website or call 858-278-4547

 

Responses

MCC condemns the Florida Nightclub Shooting (San Diego, CA 06/12/2016)

On behalf of the Greater San Diego Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Santa Luz, San Diego County, we express our heartfelt condolences for the victims and their friends and families in this tragic event that happened early morning in Orlando, Florida.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and the injured.

We condemn this heinous act of senseless violence against innocent people.  Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance.   Under the teachings of Islam, every life is sacred regardless of individual beliefs and practices.  We stand with our fellow Americans in protecting this principle.

We reiterate our commitment to peace, safety, and security of our nation, as well as our solidarity with fellow Americans.

 

San Diego LGBT Community Center Responds to Orlando, Florida Shooting

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their friends and families. This weekend, and over the coming days, our community around the country will hold vigils and other commemorations of support, solidary and strength.

In light of this tragic event, the San Diego LGBT community and its allies will gather together at The Center, 3909 Centre St., on Monday, June 13 for the San Diego United: #OrlandoStrong rally.
 
The doors to The Center will open at 6:30pm, with a short program, followed by a candlelight vigil stopping at the Hillcrest Pride Flag and ending at Rich's nightclub. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to join us to stand together and unite in support of all those affected by this tragedy. For more information, call (619) 692-2077.

  • If you wish to donate money, Equality Florida has a GoFundMe and all funds will go directly to victims and families.


 “Listen with ears of tolerance. See through eyes of compassion. Speak with the language of love.”
–Rumi, 13th Century Persian Poet

County Employees Earn CSAC Credential

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Several County employees earned a special recognition Friday at the County Operations Center for their dedication to expanding their knowledge of effective government.

Fourteen staff members completed 60 hours of coursework as part of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Institute for Excellence in County Government credential program, which focuses on professional development in the areas of leadership and policy.

Geoff Patnoe, director of Office of Strategy & Intergovernmental Affairs, helped bring the CSAC Institute to San Diego County in 2014. It was the first year CSAC held courses outside of Sacramento. Since then, 20 courses have been held at the COC—allowing more San Diego and other Southern California county officials and senior staff to attend training closer to home.

Don Steuer, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, applauded both CSAC’s willingness to bring its unique training on the road and the larger number of local participants.

“This is an investment not only in our employees, but more an importantly it is an investment in the future of our organization,” Steuer said.

Nearly 300 County employees have taken at least one CSAC course in the last two years. Ten received certificates last year and another 14 earned the distinction on Friday.

Past courses covered topics such as financial reporting and budgeting, building and maintaining a team culture, and managing crises and emergencies. 

2016 CSAC Institute awards were given to:

  • Jessie Bishop, PSG Executive Office

  • Melanie Caramat, Purchasing and Contracting

  • Charles Cinnamo, Sheriff’s Department

  • Thomas Ledford, Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs

  • Richard McWilliams – HHSA Executive Office

  • Mel Millstein – District 3

  • Nadia Moshirian-Binderup – CSG Executive Office

  • Jessica Newmyer – HHSA Central and South Regions

  • Giang Nguyen – HHSA Executive Office

  • Haley Peterson – District 5

  • Damien Quinn – FG3 Executive Office

  • Dustin Steiner – District 5

  • Amber Tarrac – Auditor and Controller

  • Candyce Yee – District 5

In addition, Linda Holt, Group Human Resources Director with the Community Services Group, received the CSAC Institute Fellows recognition. Holt, who completed the CSAC Instiute credential last year, has since completed additional coursework– examining enduring problems facing California counties.  She focused her efforts on the Advanced Recovery Initiative, which gets County employees prepared to fill a variety of roles in a disaster response.

Employee Hits $440K Powerball Jackpot

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Yeessss. Kevin Heaton came to work last Thursday.

Yeessss. Kevin Heaton came to work last Thursday.

That’s always one of the first questions, isn’t it? “If you won the lottery, would you go to work the next day?”

So that was a normal thing to wonder after the California State Lottery announced Wednesday that Heaton had won a $439,691 Powerball lottery — right?

Actually, Heaton — a longtime hydrogeologist with the Department of Environmental Health who spends his days overseeing environmental investigations and hazardous materials cleanups — said he’s known about his big win for about three weeks now.

He said the lottery folks didn’t put out their press release until they did their regular background checks.

“I’m not sure the reasons (they do the background checks),” he said with a chuckle, “they probably check to make sure you’re not a deadbeat.”

Heaton, who said he doesn’t always play the lottery but “dabbles,” bought the winning ticket last month, using numbers his girlfriend recommended, while doing some routine Friday-night shopping at Vons on the way home from work.

And then, he promptly forgot about the tickets — until his girlfriend heard days later that a winning ticket had been sold in their area.

“I came home on Monday, or maybe Tuesday, and my girlfriend asked if I had bought the tickets. I looked on the Internet and I did a double-take!” Heaton said.

“I said, ‘you won’t believe this’ …” he remembered. “It was shocking. That’s a fair thing to say.”

Heaton said he actually bought two winning tickets, flipping the Powerball number on the second ticket. The first ticket had four winning numbers and $160 win. But the second one with the flipped Powerball number had five winning numbers — and the $439,691 win!

Heaton said one of the first things he did was contact his certified public accountant to figure out what the ramifications of his lottery win would be.

Heaton said the federal government immediately took 25 percent of the win as a partial payment for taxes and that he figures that will increase to about 35 percent. The state doesn’t take any taxes because it was the state’s lottery.

That still leaves a pretty nice chunk of change! But he said the win isn’t really changing his life.

“No, I planned to retire in about a year and a half,” he said. “This doesn’t change my plans. It does make things a little less stressful. I have some debts to pay off and this will make a nice nest egg when I retire.”

Heaton, who’s pretty low-key, actually hasn’t gotten the real check yet. He said he’ll get to pick that up in a few weeks, that he’s gotten over the shock and “gotten accustomed” to being a lottery winner.

So — it won’t change his life. Won’t he even have a celebratory dinner when he picks up the check?

“Oh we’ve already had a couple of those!” he said with a laugh.

Summer Slam Salad Cook- Off Contestants Announced

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Lettuce whet your appetite with a berry tasty announcement. The Summer Slam Salad Cook-Off contestants were named this week!

The 12 fabulous finalists each used a recipe of success to win their regional salad-making competition and advance to the finals. They will now compete in the Grand Summer Slam Salad Cook -Off at the County Operations Center Plaza on June 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Come out to watch the live showdown.

The contestants will use produce provided by the Farmers Market Stand and have 30 minutes to “shop” and prepare their fresh dishes. Salads will be judged on taste and presentation.

The 12 finalists are:

  • Brenda Alcasid, Sheriff’s Department
  • Margaret Cacho, Facilities Records and Documents Services, HHSA
  • Daniel Cajina, Access, HHSA
  • Azucena Cisneros-Torres, Live Well Center at Chula Vista
  • Phil Espinosa, Auditor and Controller
  • Virginia Exner, Human Resources
  • Ieecha Harvey, California Children’s Services, PHS HHSA
  • Ruth Hurtado, Behavioral Health Services, HHSA
  • Mercedes Neder, Probation
  • Debbie Ordonez, FSSD/Fiscal, HHSA
  • Saharina Orduna, North Central Family Resource Center, HHSA
  • Kevin Till, Edgemoor, HHSA