Restrictions Eased for Restaurants, Other Businesses

After seven weeks of closures, restaurants, museums, theaters and other businesses can resume outdoor operations immediately under state guidance. Learn more.

Picture Perfect Snow at County Park

Supervising Park Ranger Nick Sloan captured a photo of the snow at Palomar Park on Sunday.

Did you visit the snow?

Pause to Disrupt Bias

Bias isn't always obvious. It can show up in all kinds of subtle ways. Pausing can disrupt our biases and make sure that they don't get in the way of the decisions we make. Pause to watch this short video.

Does this video get you thinking? Read more in the D&I Digest.

Remembering Lives Lost to COVID-19

The County Administration Center was lit-up in amber Tuesday night to remember the lives lost to COVID-19.

Registrar Michael Vu Named ACAO

A face familiar to many in election and media circles, Registrar of Voters Michael Vu is now taking on the responsibilities of Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for the County of San Diego.

Vu began his new role Jan. 8 after working for the County for nearly 14 years, the last eight as Registrar.

The Chief Administrative Office is responsible for implementing policy decisions from the Board of Supervisors. The office also manages day-to-day operations.

CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer praised Vu for working tirelessly to engage the San Diego community in a way that represents County values. 

“Not only has he enjoyed taking on new challenges, but he has been innovative and resourceful in responding to them,” said Robbins-Meyer. “For this, he has gained the respect and trust of many within our community, including community-based organizations, advocacy groups, elected officials and the media.”

“I am eager to contribute in any way to the goals of the County and to work with Helen and the Board of Supervisors on the most pressing issues that the County faces.” said Vu. “Having dedicated myself to public service for 24 years in conducting elections, I am looking forward to bringing those experiences with me in this new role.”

As Vu takes on his new responsibilities, he will also continue to lead the Registrar of Voters particularly now that a special vacancy election is expected for the 79th Assembly District. Assistant Registrar Cynthia Paes will serve as the Acting Registrar.

Vu succeeds Tracy Sandoval as Assistant CAO. Sandoval left the County last October to become the Chief Executive Officer for the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA).

Hit the Road to Better Health

Join Employee Wellness’ next challenge. The online program will have you tracking health habits with coworkers, family and friends! Register now through Jan. 29. The challenge runs Feb. 1 through March 14.

Ask The Expert: Nutrition Panel

Let’s make 2021 the year we change the conversation around food, nutrition and health! Join Employees Wellness’ livestream conversation about what it means to eat well for real people with real lives. The forum, with a "Culinary Medicine Team,” will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19 on Microsoft Teams.

Join this live event through your Microsoft Teams application or through the Chrome web browser.

PerkSpot: Start Your Year Saving

You can save big without working up a sweat! Shop deals for workout equipment for the home, vitamins, fitness trackers such as Fitbit and Garmin, and even grocery delivery through PerkSpot.

PerkSpot offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers. Go to sdcounty.perkspot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Each month, one of the most popular PerkSpot deals will be highlighted on InSite.

CAO: Join Me in Reflecting on the Work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

We’re heading into a long weekend, and I hope you’ll enjoy the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. I also hope you’ll take a few moments to reflect on the messages and work of the man whose memory we honor.

The example he set with his leadership grows more inspiring to me with each year. He faced daunting challenges in his fight for racial justice, but always took them on with hope and optimism. He stood fearlessly in the face of violence, but always carried out his actions peacefully.

Nearly six decades after he so evocatively and passionately described his dreams for racial equality in America, we have not realized them. Yes, we’ve made much progress. But last year, the country was forced to confront the gap that still exists between the values we espouse and the reality too many members of our society live. We’ve recommitted to closing that gap, or, using Dr. King’s words, to living out the true meaning of our creed. That work will continue to reshape our operations at the County going forward. We’ll draw again from Dr. King’s dedication and sense of purpose as a model for tackling the tasks ahead.

Dr. King left us so many stirring words and deeds that echo with such force into the present. I want to share a clip of one speech he gave. He reflects on a few of his most significant achievements, events that changed countless lives. But he also talks about how much one note of encouragement meant to him. It’s a reminder that all movements, all great things, result from reaching one person at a time, then uniting them in common cause. Each of us can celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by pledging to work together toward his vision of a just and equitable community.    

Dr. Wooten Honored with MLK Human Dignity Award

San Diego YMCA will pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King at their Annual Human Dignity Award Event on Thursday, Jan. 14. This year’s Human Dignity Award winner is our County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten, who has led the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch the live broadcast of the virtual event at 6 p.m. on this page.

Congratulations, Dr. Wooten!