The latest newsletter is available.  Go to the Newsletters menu and select the item under 2018 Q4.  There is a message from our President, Stan Ness, as well as articles on SB10 (Bail Reform), and an update on “open” Recommendation responses from the 2016/17 Grand Jury reports by the Tracking and Implementation Committee.  We hope you find the articles informative.  Also, for recent OCGJ Alumni, if you are interested in helping the Tracking and Implementation Committee pursue “open” recommendations from your reports, please contact Diana Merryman (dgmerryman@gmail.com) who’s leading-up the effort.

Also, be looking for a write-up and pictures from our 2018 Holiday luncheon.  Our newest Board members were sworn-in, and we enjoyed a very enlightening talk by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter.

Our September luncheon speaker was Assistant Professor Georgiana Bostean (Ph.D.) of the Department of sociology and environmental science & policy at Chapman University.  She presented a talk that stems from her research into Vaping & e-Cigarette use by minors. The title of the talk was: “Vape Stores and Tobacco Control in Orange County”.  The topic was very timely, indeed on the day prior to our luncheon, the media were reporting about the FDA’s growing interest in vaping among minors and proposed legislation underway in many states. Dr. Bostean’s talk presented analysis from her research that was very revealing as to the current practices of the vaping/e-Cig industry.  Simply mapping the locations of such existing establishments against the location of schools is an eye-opener and suggests a sales strategy of attracting minors.

The luncheon also confirmed the appointment of 6 board members to terms starting in January 2019.

Some photos from the luncheon are below.

Our June luncheon was well attended and MC’ed by President pro tempore Stan Ness.  Our speakers highlighted what various OC cities are doing to address the homelessness crisis. Our featured speaker was Mr. Ken Domer, City Manager of the City of Fullerton. In addition, the Interim City Manager of Anaheim, Ms. Linda Andal and Stanton City Manager, Jim Box attended.  We also had some researchers from Chapman University in attendance:

• Dr. Lisa Leitz, Chair of Peace Studies, Chapman University
• Georgiana Bostean, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Environmental Science & Policy Program

who are conducting research in the area of e-Cigarettes/Vaping on youth and adolescents.  Finally, Mr. Kostas Kalaitzidis, Public Information Officer of the OC Superior Courts attended too. Mr. Kostas is Gwen Vieau’s replacement and works with the Court and sitting Grand Jury to help recruit Grand Jurors. It was a pleasure to have all of these folks in attendance and to have their contributions to the discussion on homelessness.

Some photos from the luncheon are below.

On Saturday, 9 June 2018, family, friends and colleagues met at the lovely Presbyterian Church of the Masters in Mission Viejo to remember GJAOC President Roy Baker.  The Celebration of Life with full military honors was well attended and our GJAOC Board Vice President, Stan Ness gave a beautiful eulogy.  After the event, the attendees enjoyed each other’s company at a reception hosted by the family.  We have included some photos of the reception below.

For those who have already renewed their GJAOC membership for 2018, Thank You!  For those who have yet to do so, please be on the look-out for an email from our email-blaster or from Membership coordinator, Alf Lyle.  Your membership is critical to helping the organization to remain vibrant and to fulfill its mission.  Please consider renewing your membership today!

Also, the organization is looking for volunteers to join the Board of Directors.  We have 2 open Board seats, and 1 open Officer position (that of Secretary).

If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors and thereby helping to set the direction of the organization, please contact Board President, Roy Baker at bakerrb3@cox.net