The Year in Review, and Other News from Sen. Blakespear

Greetings!

When I get to this time of year‚ I’m amazed at how quickly the year flew by. And‚ of course‚ I’m scrambling to get ready for the holidays!

But the break from work that most of us get this time of year‚ and the additional time with family‚ provides a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and what lies ahead in the year to come.

After two years in the State Senate‚ I remain thrilled and honored to represent you. One of my goals‚ as a believer in representative democracy and a former journalist‚ is to be as transparent as possible with you about what I am doing and what I am working on.

That’s the idea behind this newsletter‚ and indeed many of my communications‚ from press releases to social media postings to speeches I give throughout the district.

I have also produced a “Year In Review” video (below)‚ summarizing my work over the past year in less than 4 minutes. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch it.

If you have questions‚ please email me at Senator.Blakespear@senate.ca.gov. I always welcome your feedback and engagement.

Lastly‚ I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy time with friends and family. Please be safe‚ and considerate and supportive of those who are less fortunate.

Merry and Happy Everything to Everyone!

 

​

Click on the image above to watch the video.

 

​

I enjoyed talking with constituents (left) at my Laguna Hills District Office Open House last week. Before hosting the event‚ I joined district office staff for a photo in front of the building’s Christmas tree. In the right photo‚ left to right‚ are Paige Apperson‚ Alex Davis‚ Kim Carr‚ myself‚ my Chief of Staff Jack Christensen‚ Maia Meunier and office intern Brooke McNeill.

I held an Open House at my Laguna Hills District Office on Dec. 10‚ after holding a similar event at my Encinitas District Office on Dec. 5‚ to provide an update on what I’m working on‚ connect with constituents and partner with the California Highway Patrol to collect toys for CHiPs for Kids.

The toys are being provided to military families based at Camp Pendleton. Thanks to all who donated!

It was fantastic to meet the Orange County residents who attended. I am always interested in talking with you and hearing your concerns‚ and how I can best represent you.

Thank You for Your Public Service!

This is the time of year when newly elected members of city councils take their seats‚ and many leave office after years of public service.

My staff team and I were honored to celebrate and recognize some of the outstanding city council members who ended their time in office. I spent eight years on the Encinitas City Council‚ including six as Mayor‚ and I know how demanding and time-consuming serving as a local elected official can be‚ and what a commitment it takes.

​

My District Director Francine Busby (left photo) presented a Senate Resolution to outgoing Del Mar Mayor Druker to honor his service. Senior District Representative Fernando Hernandez (right photo) was on hand to recognize Vista City Councilmember Joe Green for his eight years on the council.

​

My District Representative Maia Meunier (right) honored Aliso Viejo Councilmember Ross Chun with a Senate Certificate of Recognition for his 12-year run during which he served as Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor twice. His founding of “Feeding Aliso Viejo” during the pandemic demonstrated his compassion and drive to support his community’s most vulnerable residents.

​

In Encinitas‚ we bid farewell to Mayor Tony Kranz after 10 years on the council and two years as Mayor‚ as well as Councilmembers Kellie Hinze and Allison Blackwell. Thank you for your hard work‚ dedication and service. Left to right: Allison Blackwell‚ Tony Kranz‚ me‚ and Kellie Hinze with beautiful art created by local artists of local landmarks.

There are many other outgoing officials at all levels who deserve recognition‚ and I wish I could highlight them all. Serving the public good is a noble calling. I’m grateful to all our local elected officials and am proud to recognize their contributions to Senate District 38’s communities.

 

​

I was delighted to present Jeffrey Olsen with a Senate Certificate of Recognition.

I was proud to select Jeffrey Olsen‚ affectionately known as “The Toy Man of Vista‚” as my December Champion of the Month in the 38th Senatorial District.

Jeffrey has dedicated himself to bringing smiles to the faces of underprivileged children‚ military families and veterans in our community through his extraordinary toy‚ clothing and food donations. He follows in the footsteps of his mother Olga Olsen and his grandmother‚ who helped those in need during the Depression.

For over four decades‚ Jeffrey has collected and distributed more than 20‚000 toys annually to children in need. His toy drives‚ partnerships with local businesses‚ and personal commitment to refurbishing donated toys have spread the holiday spirit year-round. He has even auctioned off his personal sports memorabilia collection to support gifts for military families.

Jeffrey’s work goes beyond toy distribution. He has fostered a spirit of giving within our community‚ inspiring others to volunteer and contribute to his cause. His tireless efforts have not only brought smiles to thousands of people each year but have also strengthened the bonds of our community. His work reminds us of the profound difference one person can make in the lives of many.

In 2024‚ Jeffrey was awarded the “Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award” by President Biden for his humanitarian work and advocacy for underprivileged youth and those affected by homelessness. We are fortunate to have such a compassionate and committed individual in our district‚ and it is with great pleasure that I recognize him as District 38 Champion of the Month.

 

​

​The California Energy Commission (CEC) last week approved a $42 million grant to build a long-duration energy storage project at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. I’m proud of this partnership between the State of California and the Department of Defense. It’s a great model happening right here in our community.

The project will provide electricity to the statewide grid and backup power to the base for up to 14 days during power outages. The battery system will help enhance the resiliency of California’s electricity grid‚ the region and the base‚ providing a model that can be replicated and applied broadly.

I am excited about this‚ because Long-Duration Energy Storage is crucial‚ as we move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is essential in our quest to combat climate change.

 

I got a firsthand look at the technology and devices produced by Leica. Brian Cox (right)‚ the company’s Senior Director of Product Development and Operations‚ and Ammar Qadan (center)‚ Senior Vice President of Market Access and Government Affairs‚ gave me an informative tour and answered my questions.

The life sciences industry is a big part of California’s economy‚ especially in San Diego County. As the state’s second-largest industry‚ it pays over $57 billion in wages to the 441‚000 Californians directly employed in it.

I am always eager to learn more about this growing sector of the economy and how I can support it. I was glad to get a recent tour of Leica Biosystem’s facility in Vista.

Leica is a medical devices company with facilities across the globe. Its digital pathology technology is transforming cancer diagnoses and making them faster and more accurate.

Leica is one of the many life sciences companies in San Diego County doing groundbreaking work to improve health care and the quality of life for all Californians. I was happy to pass a Senate Resolution earlier this year designating August California Life Sciences Month.

​

I also had the opportunity to visit the San Diego facility of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical corporations‚ Novartis. From left to right are Erin Guerrero‚ Associate Director‚ State Government Affairs for Novartis; Fred King, Director‚ High-Throughput Biology for Novartis; myself; Sarah Rue‚ Director‚ Assay Development and Automation for Novartis; Anthony Orth‚ Director‚ Functional Genomics for Novartis; and Claire Conlon‚ Senior Director of State Government Affairs for Biocom.

 

​

I attended the ceremony with my husband Jeremy.

It was truly wonderful to join the San Juan Capistrano community for its charming annual tree lighting ceremony at the Historic Town Center Park. This cherished tradition that has been illuminating the city for over 30 years!

The ceremony included delightful performances by the Capistrano Valley High School orchestra and Mariachi Correcaminos. The holidays remind us of the importance of our communities‚ and the value of community spirit‚ in all its forms.

​

At the tree lighting with (left to right) San Juan Capistrano Mayor Sergio Farias‚ Councilmember John Taylor and Councilmember Howard Hart after we welcomed the very large crowd to the event.

 

​

The holidays are a great time to read a book and here’s a good one‚ California Against the Sea‚ Visions for our Vanishing Coastline by Rosanna Xia. We’re reading this now in my book club.

Los Angeles Times reporter Rosanna Xia tours the coast from the Oregon border to Imperial Beach to examine the impact of ocean rise on coastal and near coastal lands. This book is easy to read and has lots of facts and interesting interviews with coastal citizens. It will give you a new perspective on the challenges California faces along the coast.

My “Our California! Book Club” aims to explore books that impact and reflect on the California experience and how it informs the work of the state government. Click on the link below to sign up!

• What: Zoom meeting to discuss California Against the Sea‚ Visions for our Vanishing Coastline by Rosanna Xia
• When: 10 a.m.‚ Saturday‚ Jan. 11.
• Details: Sign up here to get the Zoom link and additional book club details

Thank you for your support. I am honored to serve you.

 In partnership,

 

To learn more about what I am doing, follow me on social media.

Email me at Senator.Blakespear@Senate.ca.gov

Call my Encinitas district office at (760) 642-0809

Call my Laguna Hills district office at (949) 598-5850

Call my Capitol office in Sacramento at (916) 651-4038