Reappointment to Orange County Human Relations Commission

[Josh Ravitch]





Dear members of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners: I have enjoyed my time as an OC-HRC commissioner since my appointment in March, 2023, and have proven to have my eyes and ears open to issues of interest and importance to county residents since that time.

One of my first major roles occurred early in my tenure, when I had the opportunity to bring in Charles Jacobs, who rescued 1000’s of slaves from sub-Saharan Africa, to talk about his work. One of the slaves whom Jacobs’ freed was Francis Bok, author of the book “Escape from Slavery,” which I convinced the local libraries to stock in quantities for our kids to read and learn.

More recently I’ve transitioned to show my connections to the local Jewish community by working with the BOCC to create and approve a proclamation honoring Jewish-American Heritage Month (thanks much for all your efforts on that project!).

Since last autumn, when I had brain surgery to stabilize Parkinson’s disease, followed by other disabling surgeries and sequelae this winter and spring, I’ve come to realize that I could greatly benefit the OC-HRC and BOCC by spending time with the disabled citizens of our county and bringing recommendations back on the special needs of these local people (many of whom vote).

That’s why I’m writing to you, to ask if you could reappoint me to the HRC to finish the 33 months left on my second term.  If you deem it worthwhile, I could commit much of my time and effort towards broadening the connections between the local disabled community and the HRC, which to the best of my knowledge has no disabled representation.

Yours…Josh Ravitch