Our December luncheon is always very popular since it helps launch the Holiday season for a lot of our members. This year was no exception with 54 GJAOC members, guests and invitees attending.  The December luncheon also serves as the venue for the swearing-in of our rotating Board of Directors.  As in past years, the swearing-in honors were conducted by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter who also served as our featured luncheon speaker.

While recognizing that his work with regards to the O.C. homelessness issue is at a critical point, and that he thus needed to circumspect in his comments, he none-the-less provided us with insights into tangible successes achieved and his vision of how much progress can be made when all stake-holders are given a chance to have their concerns heard, and the County and Cities work together to address the problems linked to homelessness.  He quoted the figure that a homeless person in a Permanent Supportive Housing program costs O.C. taxpayers approximately $53,000 annually, while a similar homeless person living on the streets costs over $100,000 (police, emergency room, etc).

Ex-marine that he is, it is clear that he takes a ‘tough love’ approach towards people experiencing homelessness; that along with the rights they receive, come responsibilities.  He commented that the best circumstance for all stake-holders will be when all Cities in O.C. step-up and provide facilities & services for their local homeless, for then, local ‘public order’ laws can and should be vigorously enforced (laws such as anti-camping, anti-panhandling etc), equally across the board, leading to a better quality of life for everyone, not least the tax payer.

6 of the Board of Directors sworn-in on this date will serve a 2-year term starting 1 Jan 2019.

Also, as a reminder its time to renew your GJAOC membership for 2019 if you haven’t already done so. The membership rate remains just $20, and can be paid via cheque or cash (at a future luncheon). If paying by cheque, make it out to:  GJAOC and send it to:

Alf Lyle

11511 Gilbert Street
Garden Grove, CA  92841

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.