The Deal on the Seal

It adorns our buildings, letterheads and even the top of this webpage, but do you know the history behind the County seal?

Paul Yale, who works in the Health and Human Services Agency, recently asked about the seal. He writes:

“I am a proud county employee and was recently looking at our famous County logo one day. Then it dawned on me that I don’t really know a lot about it. Who created it? When was it created? What do the various items mean? I have asked many of my fellow county employees and no one seems to know. I was just curious at first, but now this looks like it could be a topic that all county employees can appreciate and may want to know as well.”

We couldn’t agree more, Paul. Let’s find out what each part means and breakdown the County seal, which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 1937 (replacing the 1933 version) and designed by CAC architect Samuel Hamill.

All information about the County Seal can be found online in the interactive history book on the San Diego County Administration Center Bridging the Centuries: The Jewel on the Bay.

Central Element: Double-headed Axe and Dolphins

The main element in the seal is shown as a double-headed axe rising from a bundle of sticks, which was used in ancient Rome as a symbol of authority.

Behind the double-headed axe, stars and stripes, representing the American flag, sit proudly.

At the base of the axe sits horns of plenty, which represent the fruits of the land. On the left horn, a stylized dolphin is incorporated into the design, representing fruits of the sea.

Left Element: Air and Sea

A clipper ship, seen riding the waves, is a nod to San Diego’s naval and trade history. And that airplane you see flying high? It represents looking into the future, while also recalling the area's aviation history, including Charles A. Lindbergh’s take-off from San Diego in 1927 as he flew to New York to begin the first solo, non-stop transatlantic flight.

Point Loma Lighthouse can be seen on the cliffs behind the ship.

Right Element: Land and Sky

One of San Diego’s most famous landmarks, Palomar Observatory sits proudly on the County seal, representing a world-renowned achievement in science, as well as San Diego’s position on the threshold of scientific history.

On the seal, the observatory is overlooking an orange grove, which represents the rich agricultural industry found in the County.

County Motto: “The Noblest Motive is the Public Good”

Our County motto comes from the wise words of Roman poet Virgil and was chosen by the Building Committee of the Civic Center in 1933.

MDCCCLI

This Roman numeral represents the year 1851, when San Diego County was admitted to the state of California.

Momentum Building for New Asian Pacific Islander Group

It’s an idea more than three years in the making.

After much behind-the-scenes work, a group of employees is getting close to launching the County’s newest Employee Resource Group: the Asian Pacific Alliance of County Employees (APACE).

So far, they’ve got a core group of leaders. They’ve got the support of top County officials. And they’ve built an InSite page, website and a Facebook page.

Now, organizers are seeking input from you, their colleagues. They want to know how many of you may be interested in joining or even serving in a leadership position? Which kinds of activities are you interested in going to?

Organizers said APACE is asking employees to participate in this brief survey by Feb. 14.

“We’re trying to gauge interest in the group, and what employees are interested in” so that APACE’s leadership can plan effectively, said APACE Interim Secretary Mary Grace Sadile.

So far, in addition to a “core committee” of 20 employees, another 60 employees have expressed interest in joining.  

APACE Interim President Thai Sukrachan said organizers hope to expand that list in the coming months, leading up to a planned kickoff event in May, which is Asian Pacific American Heritage month. It’s still a ways away, but Sukrachan and Sadile said the event will offer multicultural food and costumes. Official elections and a meet-and-greet event are expected to take place next month. They are also starting to pursue non-profit corporation status.

“The momentum is continuing to build,” Sukrachan said. “It’s definitely a journey we’re on.”

The idea for the group first came about three years ago. That’s when Jose Mallari, a Filipino-American and an Administrative Analyst II in the Department of Public Works, first thought how great it would be to see a group of Asian Pacific Islanders, alongside the other employee resource groups at the County. Then, last year, he noticed the growth spurt of ERGs and decided to make the idea happen. Mallari is the group’s Interim Vice President.

The term Asian Pacific Islander describes people who come from or whose ancestors come from the Asian continent (including China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand), as well as Hawaii, Guam, Samoa and other Pacific Islands.

To participate in the survey, visit APACE’s survey website and for more information, visit APACE’s website or email them at APACE@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Shining a Spotlight on African-American Culture, History

Supevisor Greg Cox presented a proclamation to (from left to right) Zenobia Howard, Toroshinia Kennedy and Debrah Champion, all of the African American Association of County Employees.The County’s new African-American employee resource group was recognized by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning, less than a year after forming.

Supervisor Greg Cox presented a proclamation to the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) declaring February Black History Month in San Diego County. As part of the honor, he commended AAACE for its “outstanding leadership” in the short time since it formed in 2013.

“We’re delighted to have such an active and vibrant group of County employees that are focusing on encouraging employees in San Diego County to get training programs and to progress into leadership positions in the County,” Cox said. “It’s nice to have such strong representation of African-American employees in the County.”

A few AAACE leaders accepted the honor, including Interim President Zenobia Howard, Secretary Debrah Champion and Vice Chair of County Initiatives Toroshinia Kennedy.

Howard said she was elated when Cox’s office first invited her to accept the honor.

“I was just excited and honored all together,” she said.

Howard said the 121-member organization is thrilled to have such strong support from the Board of Supervisors and other top County officials.

Howard encouraged County employees to learn more about African-American culture and history this month by attending one of a few events planned in the coming weeks. This Saturday, Feb. 8, the San Diego County Library, AAACE and other sponsors will put on a Black History Month celebration at the Spring Valley Library from 1-4 p.m. The event is free. AAACE is also planning a Black History celebration Thursday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the County Operations Center’s plaza area. The events are open to everyone.

Employees can also visit such websites as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC or the California African American Museum in Los Angeles.

AAACE also suggested the following books about African-American history and culture:

•    “Mirror to America, The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin”
•    “My Bondage and My Freedom,” by Federick Douglass and John David Smith
•    “The Souls of Black Folk,” by W.E.B. Du Bois
•     “The Mis-Education of the Negro” and “The Education of the Negro,” both by Carter G. Woodson
•    “Up from Slavery: An Autobiography” by Booker T. Washington
•    “Army Life in a Black Regiment,” by Thomas Wentworth Higgison.