A Slice of Orange

A Slice of Orange

por Jodi Balma

Política Ciencias Sociales Sociedad y Cultura

Temporada 2

Ray Brown, OC Superior Court Judge candidate

Continuing our judicial candidate series, Jodi talks to OC Superior Court Judge candidate, Ray Brown. Ray Brown is an experienced attorney certified by the State Bar as a specialist in civil trial advocacy with many awards. Many noted his professional demeanor that is perfectly suited for the bench. He approaches the law with reverence and respect. He will serve with humility, impartiality, and decorum to provide fairness and ensure that Orange County courts deliver equal justice under the law. Our Orange County Superior Court is larger than just criminal trials. The incumbent judges are over-represented by the professional experience and background of prosecutors from the OC District Attorney’s Office. Having judicial candidates with diverse backgrounds should be something voters consider. Ray Brown has extensive civil trial experience and will bring that perspective to the OC Court. We think you'll understand why Brown earns our endorsement for Seat #21.

Kathy Heard, June Elections with Orange Juice Blog

On this episode, Jodi speaks about all things you should know about the incoming ballots you'll be receiving! She speaks with Kathy Heard, a redistricting commissioner on the board of education and an educated local politics resource. Listen to learn how you can prepare your vote for the upcoming election!

Dr. Al Mijares, Candidate for Orange County Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Al Mijares was appointed as Orange County superintendent of schools in August 2012 and elected to full terms in 2014 and 2018. He previously served for six years as vice president of the College Board, where he worked to expand the high school-to-university pipeline as part of an effort to promote college readiness and success for all students. Before joining the College Board, Dr. Mijares served for more than 11 years as superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District, which received national recognition for successfully meeting the needs of a large and diverse student body. He has also served as superintendent of the Bakersfield City and Coachella Valley Unified school districts and as a principal in the Moreno Valley Unified School District in Riverside County. Dr. Mijares is treasurer of Comunidad Latina Federal Credit Union, a member of the Board of Trustees for Biola University, a past member of the advisory council of the Tiger Woods Learning Center Foundation, a member of the advisory board of Public Schools for Tomorrow, and former first chairman of the Santa Ana Empowerment Zone board of directors. He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the American Association of School Administrators Leadership for Learning Award, the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2005 Educator of the Year Award, the League of United Latin American Citizens’ 2004 Excellence in Education Award, the Association of California School Administrators’ Diversity Award, and the California School Board Association’s Merit Award for Outstanding Leadership. Dr. Mijares earned his bachelor’s degree in child development/special education from California State University, Northridge. While working in the San Francisco Bay area as a project specialist for physically disabled children in public schools, he earned his master’s degree in social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley. He went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and he holds several education credentials, including school psychology and school administration. Al and his wife, Jackie, are the proud parents of five grown sons, all of whom attended public schools and have graduated from college.

Marc Gibbons, Candidate for Orange County Superior Court

Listen as Jodi interviews Marc A. Gibbons, local attorney running for OC Superior Court Judge, Seat 11. was born in Los Angeles and raised in La Mirada. Marc attended Beatitudes of Our Lords Catholic School, Brethren Junior High School, and Servite High School. He was admitted to practice in 2001, eventually opening up his own law office in 2002. He is also a member of the bar of the United States District Court, Central and Eastern Districts of California. Listen as he shares why he is running in the upcoming election.

Sherine Smith, OC Board of Education

In this episode, Jodi speaks with OC Board of Education candidate Sherine Smith. Sherine earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Education Leadership from Pepperdine University, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, She has had many jobs in the field of public education, such as deputy superintendent where she had direct oversight of all K-12 schools and programs, including preschools and adult education. Sherine capped her career as the superintendent of Laguna Beach Unified School District. Listen to see why she is a running candidate for OC Board of Education.

Paulette Chaffee, OC Board of Education

Paulette attended and received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Redlands in Communicative Disorders as well as a California Lifetime Teaching Credential. She has worked in public schools as a teacher and later as a speech therapist. She is a huge believer that all children deserve a quality education. For years, she has been actively involved both professionally and as a volunteer in public education. Being a mother of two young men who attended public schools and she has been an active volunteer with the PTSA groups and in the classrooms. She was also awarded the Above & Beyond Award from the Fullerton School District for her work with children. Her involvement with Science Olympiad, All the Arts for All the Kids, First Five Orange County, and Legislative Advocacy Groups has given her insight into best practices for quality education. Sound fiscal management is a top priority for quality education. It is vital to ensure that all children benefit from an education system that puts the children’s needs first. Children are our future and educating our children is of the utmost importance.

Sunny Park, OC Supervisor District 4

Sunny Park is the first Asian American to serve as Mayor of Buena Park. In addition to serving as mayor, she represents her community on the Orange County Fire Authority and the Southern California Associations of Governments on the Community Economics and Housing Development Committee. She was recently appointed to serve on the Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee for the California League of Cities, API Caucus. Prior to her election to the Buena Park City Council, she served as a California state commissioner on the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) regulating certified public accountants licensed to practice in California. Ms. Park is the director of the Orange County Korean American Citizens’ League and the Buena Park Noon Lions Club. She is a longtime advocate for inclusiveness and mentorship. She led the city’s 2020 Census drive for complete count with great success. To combat social and racial inequity, she created the Human Relations Committee for Buena Park consisting of 7 city commissioners and has been leading the committee. She led pro-bono legal clinics and mentorship programs as president of Orange County Korean American Bar Association. She earned her L.L.M. in Tax Law from New York University School of Law, her J.D. degree from Golden Gate University School of Law, and her B.A. degree from Yonsei University. She is a long-time, devoted resident of Orange County, a proud mother to her daughter Lauren, and a loving wife to her husband Eugene.

Kimberly LaSalle, Candidate for OC Superior Court

In this episode, Jodi speaks with Kimberly LaSalle, a candidate running for OC Superior Court. Kimberly has appeared before our courts as an attorney for 25 years. Additionally, she has I served our two largest counties as both a Deputy District Attorney and a Deputy Public Defender for almost a decade. After almost a decade of public service in the criminal law arena, Kimberly entered private practice to raise a family and represent those in need. She advocates for children with autism and other disabilities, including one of her own sons.

Scott Sanders, Deputy Public Defender

Scott Sanders graduated from the University of Wisconsin and Emory University Law School. He is an Assistant Public Defender with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. He is currently in his 30th years working for the office.

Tony Saavadra, OC Register

Tony Saavedra is an investigative reporter specializing in legal affairs for the Orange County Register. His work has been recognized by the National Headliner Club, the Associated Press Sports Editors, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association and the Orange County Press Club. His stories have led to the closure of a chain of badly-run group homes, the end of a state program that placed criminals in inappropriate public jobs and the creation of a civilian oversight office for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, among other things. Saavedra has covered the Los Angeles riots, the O.J. Simpson case, the downfall of Orange County Sheriff-turned felon Michael S. Carona and the use of unauthorized drugs by Olympian Carl Lewis. Saavedra has worked as a journalist since 1979 and has held positions at several Southern California newspapers before arriving at the Orange County Register in 1990. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton, in 1981 with a bachelor of arts in communication.

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