Happy New Year, However You Say It!
/We boast many different cultures, here at the County. Many of us speak various languages, but we all have one common wish for our colleagues: a happy New Year!
Sidewalk Survey App Walks Away with IT Innovation Award
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Gary Ross (left) and Mikel Haas (right)
Our 2016 IT Innovator of the Year is helping to make the County more pedestrian-friendly.
Gary Ross, a senior GIS analyst, was recognized earlier this month for creating an app that greatly streamlined an evaluation of the walkability of more than 800 miles in the County’s unincorporated area.
In July 2015, the Department of Public Works was tasked with evaluating existing sidewalks and pathways around areas such as parks, schools, libraries, shopping centers and community centers. It required surveyors walk all those miles to examine and record the conditions. But rather than have them log observations in the field then re-enter the info back at the office, DPW teamed up with Ross in Land Use & Envirnoment Group's GIS unit to customize an existing software application to capture survey data in the field. So now there’s an app for that!
“I listened to what DPW needed and modified the app to collect the data we truly needed,” said Ross. “Surveyors could easily gather information on sidewalk materials, widths, grades, obstacles, driveway cuts and ramps along County-maintained roadways.”
A prototype of the app was developed over six weeks and tested by staff in Alpine over the summer. During testing, staff identified missing field entry options and coordinated with the LUEG GIS team to further enhance the app.
With the final app version completed and in hand, literally, four contract surveyors walked the routes with tablets and entered data into the app. The exact geolocation was determined with the use of a high power GPS unit connected to the tablet. Surveyors shared data collected daily with DPW through Wi-Fi and in just seven months all 800+ miles were covered.
In addition, the app helped increase accuracy of the recorded data and cut the labor costs for processing it.
Chief Information Officer Mikel Haas said the survey seemed overwhelming in scope—but with this application went from a “slog to a sprint.”
“Obviously a couple of field workers with clipboards wasn’t going to cut it,” said Haas.
Haas said that by sharing ideas, collaborating between departments, thinking innovatively, and using knowledge and skill, Ross came up with a solution and that makes him the IT Innovator of the Year.
The survey results were just the first step for DPW. The department has used the data to create a priority project master list and sidewalk improvements started last month. Crews began patch work on existing sidewalks throughout the County.
In addition, DPW has used the analysis results to apply for grant funding. It recently received notice that it was awarded a $7 million Caltrans grant for pedestrian and bicycle lane improvements in Lakeside.
Time is Running Out!
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Don’t forget to spend any remaining Flexible Spending Account dollars and Health Reimbursement Account dollars. Expenses for approved medical and dependent care expenses must be made by Dec. 31, 2016. See the list of qualified expenses, and make sure claims and receipts are submitted to ASI Flex by March 31, 2017. Also, you may be able to roll over some of your unspent 2016 Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Reimbursement Account. Find out how.
Maintain, Don't Gain Results
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More than 1,600 participants recorded their steps, water consumption and weight over eight weeks during the “Maintain, Don’t Gain” challenge. The Employee Wellness program recommended healthy habits to get us through the holiday season. More than 80 percent of the participants that logged a final weight maintained or lost pounds.
Check out the successes of the fourth quarter program above and visit Employee Wellness on InSite for additional information on programs.
Shoutout to DPW Road Crews
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While most of us were nestled all snug in our beds, Public Works' road crews were working long shifts over the holiday weekend, clearing mountain roads of snow and other messes left by the storm.
Probation Delivers Holiday Cheer
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San Diego County Probation officers delivered holiday meals and gifts to several good boys and girls on Thursday. Chief Adolfo Gonzales and the department partnered with the National Latino Police Officers Association, the Lowrider Community of San Diego, and Foodland store to donate and collect the items. Probation officers then surprised 12 families selected by San Marcos Elementary in San Marcos, Lincoln Acres School in National City and Montgomery Elementary School in Chula Vista.
Probation adopted the three schools in an effort to encourage education and school attendance, and build relationships in the community.
County Meteorologist's Holiday Weekend Forecast
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Rand Allan, DPW meteorologist
The Department of Public Works has its own meteorologist as part of its flood control staff. Here's Rand Allan's forecast for today and the rest of the holiday weekend.
Residual moisture from yesterday’s storm continues the chance of rain this morning, mainly in the form of widespread drizzle. Radar shows scattered showers approaching from Los Angeles in advance of a major winter storm, to arrive late morning/early afternoon.
Rainfall chances increase through the evening with heavy rain arriving later in the evening and continuing overnight. With the soils already saturated from yesterday’s rain, localized flooding during the early morning hours may be more of a problem with this storm.
Rain switches to showers mid-day on Saturday switching to showers mid-day and ending late Saturday night. The snow level falls rapidly with this storm, with snow levels near 5000’ overnight falling to 3000’-3500’ tomorrow afternoon. Snow amounts will generally be 2”-4” from 3500’ to 5000’ and 4”-8” above 5000’.
On County News Center: Be Prepared if You're Headed to the Snow
Strong winds will likely create blizzard-like conditions in the mountains with wind-chill temperatures well below freezing. If you don’t have to go outside during this storm….DON’T. Also, if you are out and about during the storm and encounter flooded roads or streams flowing over low water crossings, Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Expected rain amounts will be around 1” coast to 2”-3” mountains, and ½” deserts.
Christmas Day will be partly cloudy and cold (white Christmas in the mountains!). Temperatures will slowly increase throughout the week. Weather models show a cutoff low pressure system drifting down the West Coast on Monday to settle offshore from San Diego. There is too much uncertainty in the models at this time to know when or if we will get any rain from this system.
Below: A DPW snowplow drive talks about keeping roads clear during snow earlier this year.
Gallery: ERGs Party for the Holidays
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County Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) had a jolly good time at a joint holiday party this weekend. The joyous festivity was open to all employees. If you missed all the merrymaking, take a trip down candy cane lane and view the gallery. Learn more about the nine ERGs on InSite.
Board of Supervisors Honors Group of San Diego Prosecutors for Excellence
/The San Diego County Board of Supervisors honored seven prosecutors with proclamations recognizing their outstanding contributions to public safety through the successful prosecution of several high-profile criminal cases. The proclamations were announced at Tuesday morning’s board meeting.
“I’m very proud of the outstanding achievements of these Deputy District Attorneys,” District Attorney Dumanis said. “They truly represent the dedication and quality of our entire prosecutorial team throughout the office. Their exemplary work throughout complex and lengthy cases further demonstrates our commitment to justice and to keep our communities safer.”
The Deputy District Attorneys honored by the Board for their commitment to public safety include:
DDA Garrett Wong
During the infamous case of People v. Lopez, Maraglino, and Perez for the murder of Brittany Kilgore, DDA Wong had to deal with many complexities of a circumstantial evidence murder case where victim was murdered after the defendants tortured her for sadistic sexual purposes. DDA Wong was present at the crime scene in Riverside County and the autopsy, and he remained engaged with the case as it moved from investigation to trial. Wong’s mastery of the voluminous cell phone/GPS/cell site evidence and cross examination of the defense experts was essential to the successful prosecution of all three defendants. He also handled many other crucial elements including the testimony of the medical examiner which established the crime of torture through evidence of strangulation and other injuries to the victim’s body. All three defendants were convicted.
DDA Steven Schott
During the last year, DDA Schott has tried nine felony trials to verdict. He has tried multiple robbery cases, a residential burglary, and a high profile case, People v. Jones that involved the attempted murder of two San Diego Firefighters. Schott prosecuted the case under intense media scrutiny and the San Diego Fire Department expressed their gratitude for his preparedness and prosecution of the case. In addition to his regular Superior Court assignments, Schott also handles a large number of manslaughter and murder cases for the DUI Homicide team. He is frequently called out to the scene where his legal advice has proven to be a great asset to law enforcement.
DDA Gina Darvas
In the case People v. Young, DDA Gina Darvas faced lengthy investigative work before the case could be filed against a fake doctor who preyed on desperate cancer patients, charging them exorbitant fees for his bogus treatment. Once the case was issued, the defense attorney stalled through numerous continuances of the preliminary hearing that ultimately lasted nine days. Once the trial started over a year later, DDA Darvas worked nights and weekends for the duration of the trial which lasted nearly six weeks. Young was convicted of two counts of treating the sick without a license, but the jury hung on five of the counts, for which trial is set to commence in 2017.
DDA Shawn Tafreshi
DDA Tafreshi successfully prosecuted two cold case homicides. In People v. Burquez, Celaya, and Matthews, three defendants were convicted for the killing of 14-year-old Richy Carrillo. Tafreshi reviewed thousands of Facebook pages from City Heights Junior gangsters to develop a network of juvenile informants that provided valuable information. He also expertly used cell tower records, phone records, computer records, jail calls, and more. After a five week trial prosecution the defendants were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. In the case of People v. Ortega, Tafreshi accomplished he conviction of the defendants for murdering Jesus Enriquez and attempting to murder his sister, Isabel Enriquez. The case was six years old when Tafreshi began working on it and he had to handle many complex legal issues, including complex DNA testimony and even the defendant’s hit order on a gang detective. Ortega was ultimately sentenced to 87 years-to-life in prison.
DDA Susan Gust
The case of People v. Dikes is one of the worst the Family Protection unit has seen, where the defendant married a woman with two daughters he molested. After countless hours of investigation, DDA Gust found five previous victims of the defendant in Alabama, who wanted nothing to do with this case at first; however, through her persistence and excellent rapport with them, the Alabama victims came to San Diego to testify against the defendant. Throughout the prosecution there were many challenges, including the attempted suicide of the 13 year old victim, whom Gust spent hours with afterwards until she was able to take the stand and describe the horrific acts. After a six week trial, the defendant was convicted of 22 counts of various acts of child molest.
DDAs Chris Lawson and James Simmons
In the case of People v. Simpson, et al. DDAs Lawson and Simmons had a colossal undertaking with 18 defendants, hundreds of witnesses and complex legal issues. Between January 2012 and April 2014, members of the “Hit Squad,” a subset of a street gang in Southeast San Diego, committed 17 gang shootings primarily against members of rival Crip sets in San Diego. Led by defendant Dionte Simpson, members of the Hit Squad conspired to kill their Crip rivals, posting their plans, taunting and intimidating witnesses via social media. Through the use of wiretaps, surreptitious recordings, jail calls, and the large quantity of social media postings by members of the gang, DDAs Lawson and Simmons were able to establish conspiracy to commit murder and the little used gang conspiracy making these defendants culpable of the crimes the boldly bragged about online. Three separate preliminary examinations were held, each lasting several weeks, after which 15 of the 18 defendants admitted various offenses, including the conspiracy charges, attempted murder and assault with a firearm. The remaining defendants, including the gang’s shot caller, Dionte Simpson, went to trial. After nine weeks in trial, Dionte Simpson, Nicholas Hoskins and Victor Ware were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and gang conspiracy, each facing life in prison.
CECO Bake-off Winning Recipe
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CECO Treasurer Detra Williams, Bake-Off winner Margarita Flores, Bake-Off judge Tom Montgomery and CECO Vice President Nadia Moshirian-Binderup.
Come and get it! The San Diego County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO) Bake-off winning recipe is now ready to be served.
Margarita Flores, a Human Services Specialist with Access Customer Service Call Center, was crowned the 2016 champion earlier last month at the annual CECO Bake Sale at the County Administration Center. Flores won with her beautifully layered carrot cake cheesecake.
The competition and bake sale are a sweet way to fundraise and showcase great bakers. Dozens of employees donated homemade cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, biscuits and breads.
In the holiday spirit of giving, Flores shared her delicious recipe. It may seem a little tricky, but it’s really as easy as pie (with just more steps). Be sure to read through to the end before starting.
To help you out, Flores broke up the recipe into three sections: the carrot cake bottom, cheesecake middle and icing on top. She said while the carrot cake layer is in the oven, start on the cheesecake. And while the cheesecake layer is baking, start on the icing. This will cut down on time in the kitchen and you’ll be able to enjoy eating this scrumptious dessert that much sooner.
You can have your cake and eat it too! Fill your belly with carrot cake cheesecake and heart with the joy of giving. Make a donation to CECO this holiday season. Their annual campaign ends this week. Help them reach their goal! To learn how to donate to CECO, visit them online.
Margarita Flores’ Carrot Cake Cheesecake Recipe
Carrot Cake Ingredients:
1 cup ground walnuts divided and save ¼ for cake topping
1 cup of regular flour
1 tsp baking powder
¾ tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp salt
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 ½ cup of shredded carrot
Carrot Cake Instructions:
Preheat oven at 350.
Spray 9-inch spring form pan with baking spray.
In a large bowl mix together walnuts, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt by hand.
In a separate bowl whisk vegetable oil, sugar and eggs. Then add shredded carrots and whisk again.
Combine both bowls of ingredients and mix until well blended.
Add batter to spring form pan making sure it’s even.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and wrap bottom and sides in heavy foil.
Cheesecake Ingredients:
24 oz. cream cheese
2/3 cup sour cream
2/3 cup white sugar
3 whole eggs
1 tsp lemon Juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp flour
Cheesecake Instructions:
Blend cream cheese, sour cream and sugar for 3 to 4 minutes until creamy.
Add eggs, lemon juice, vanilla extract and flour to cream cheese mixture and continue mixing for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until well blended.
Add cheesecake mix on top of the baked carrot cake.
Place spring form pan in a baking dish and fill dish with water halfway.
Bake for 1 hour at 350.
Remove spring form pan from baking dish and remove foil.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
Remove cake from spring. (Tip: run knife around side to ensure it doesn’t stick.)
Icing Ingredients:
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Icing Instructions:
Whisk ingredients together
Add icing to top of the cake and sprinkle with leftover ground walnuts.
Enjoy!
