Foley sworn in to Board of Supervisors, announces O.C. fairgrounds will host COVID-19 vaccine site

Newly elected County Supervisor Katrina Foley presented a vision Friday of her first 100 days in office during a virtual swearing-in ceremony in which she announced Costa Mesa’s Orange County fairgrounds would host the county’s next COVID-19 vaccination site.

Foley, who stepped down last week from her elected post as mayor of Costa Mesa, said officials with the Orange County Health Care Agency were anticipating a grand opening as soon as Wednesday.

“I’m working with them to make sure we have extended hours,” she said, “so people who are working, especially in our hospitality community, working in our hotels, working in our restaurants, our theme parks and our fair have a chance to go and get vaccinated at a time when they don’t have to take off from work and they don’t have to lose wages.”

Representatives with the county confirmed Wednesday’s opening date in an email Friday but said exact plans were still being determined. Other vaccine super PODs (points of dispensing) include Disneyland in Anaheim, Aliso Viejo’s Soka University and the Anaheim Convention Center.

Foley introduced her new deputy chief of staff Nicholas Anas, a former staffer for state Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove), announcing he would also serve as chief COVID-19 recovery officer.

In addition to helping drive Orange County closer to the realization of “Operation Independence” — a countywide effort to vaccinate most residents and workers by the Fourth of July holiday — Foley said she plans to focus on housing and homelessness, assist veterans and labor groups and create comprehensive climate action policies.

Another priority the new District 2 supervisor identified Friday was transparency, something Foley said during her campaigning for the March 9 special election was lacking at the county level. She described the formation of a new constituent services team that would collaborate with citizens, cities and educators on a weekly basis.

“We will answer questions for you, and we will be more transparent about what’s happening in Orange County and our Board of Supervisors,” she said. “I can’t promise you we’ll be perfect, but we will be better.”

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.