The 2010-2012 Op Plan

Chief Administrative Officer Walt Ekard presented the proposed 2010-2012 Operational Plan to the Board of Supervisors this morning.

His presentation contained the following video highlighting the accomplishments of the past fiscal year. Times are tough, budgets are tight, but San Diego County has a structurally balanced budget and continues to provide important services to residents. 

Due to its length, the video is in two parts:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Honored

Hundreds of local law enforcement officers gathered outside the County Administration Center today to remember fellow officers who have died in the line of duty.  The annual ceremony's roll call of the fallen included two new names: Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Collier and Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas.  Their names have also been added to the glass wall that makes up the Law Enforcement Memorial, and the ceremony concluded with officers' families unveiling the engravings.

The two officers received a special tribute prior to the main ceremony with the arrival of the United States Honor Flag.  The flag was raised over Ground Zero following the September 11 terrorist attacks and is now flown in honor of members of law enforcement, firefighters and the military.  It was brought to the west side of the County Administration Center, where it was raised then lowered to half staff.  

View a slideshow of the event here.

And watch this CTN.org video:

A Microchip Miracle

Two dogs - a black and silver Shih Tzu and a white and cream Beagle-mix - were rescued by an Animal Control Officer last week after U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a woman on suspicion of human smuggling on Interstate 8 in the Campo area.

Once animals are brought to any County shelter, they are scanned for a microchip. In this case, one was detected on the Shih Tzu. Animal Services staff was able to track the microchip and the dog’s owner. The owner, Patricia Regalado, was contacted and told that her dog was safe and in the care of the County Department of Animal Services. Regalado told the staff that her Shih Tzu, “Baby Vel,” had been stolen from her property in Whittier a year ago and that she was very excited to know her pet was safe and would soon be coming home.

“Having your animal microchipped ensures that your pet has a ticket home,” said Animal Services Director Dawn Danielson.“Animal Services strongly encourages all pet owners to have their pets microchipped as a form of positive identification.

“It’s important for people to know that if they find a stray dog or cat, they should bring it to the animal shelter because there is always a possibility the animal has been microchipped and that we can reunite it with its owner. It’s also a requirement of the law to bring in stray pets.” 

For more information regarding microchips, visit at www.sddac.com.