Orange County Government proudly participated in the national initiative, Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, and hosted the children of dozens of employees at a number of offices and locations across the County.<\/p>\n
Following the morning activities held at various offices, including Corrections, Environmental Protection, Fire and Rescue, and Customer Service 311, participants gathered in the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) chambers for a special mock BCC meeting hosted by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow wonderful to see so many bright young faces exploring the different jobs here at the County,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said during her welcome remarks. \u201cWhat I want you take away from today is because of the hardworking, conscientious people working here in Orange County \u2013 your parents \u2013we have things like parks, fire rescue, water coming out of the faucet, schools and playgrounds to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Jacobs hosted a special mock, 30-minute BCC hearing to provide the children a firsthand look at how government impacts society. Six \u201ckid\u201d commissioners sat in the District chairs in the BCC chambers and discussed the possibility of a new hospital replacing a small shopping area. Children lined up to give public comment in support of and against the development from the speaker\u2019s podium, coached by planning department employees. Despite hearing complaints about noise, lights and traffic, the \u201ccommission\u201d voted unanimously to approve the zoning change.<\/p>\n
This is the first time a mock hearing has been added to the tradition of hosting the children of employees from Orange County Government. Human Resources Director Ricardo Daye said the interactive experience would likely be a featured event in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole day was a wonderful experience for the kids, extremely valuable and successful,\u201d Daye said. \u201cThe Mayor\u2019s presence at the BCC meeting meant a lot and they loved seeing how Orange TV televises the hearing to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
Orange County employee Ivon Rodriguez, a 26-year veteran of the corrections department, has brought one of her nine grandchildren every year for the last five years to the event. Granddaughter Maya Garcia, 12, served as District 3 Commissioner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started this morning with CPR training, karate instruction, a tour of fire trucks. Now, she gets to be a commissioner,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cThis is a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work program, in its 22nd year, demonstrates the value of education and provides a glimpse of the future in a hands-on environment. This year\u2019s national theme was #MPOWR \u2013 Knowledge + Choice = Strength.<\/p>\n