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COSTA MESA COUNCIL MEMBER IS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

OCC Reports:

Katrina Foley, Costa Mesa City Council member, will be recognized Thursday, May 27th, at Orange Coast College’s 62nd Commencement Ceremony as 2010 Citizen of the Year for her contributions to the community, including work with Orange Coast College.

The 2010 Citizen of the Year was a member of OCC’s Presidential Search Committee, and she also served as chairman of Coast Community College District’s Measure C Citizen’s Oversight Committee, which monitored implementation of a $370 million bond approved by voters in 2002.

Foley, who was elected to the City Council in 2004 and is serving her second term, is committed to building relationships and creating opportunities so people can be successful, especially children and families.

“It’s quite an honor to be recognized by Orange Coast College,” said Foley, who attended OCC before transferring to UCLA. She met her husband, Casey Swanson, while they were both students here. Foley eventually earned a juris doctorate degree from Seattle University.

Her connection to OCC continued when her children attended OCC’s Harry & Grace Children’s Center.

“OCC has always been a great partner,” the councilwoman said. Foley is exploring internship opportunities with OCC’s early childhood education program. “There are ways to do these things,” said Foley, who admits that she tries to see the positive side of things, even when the news is bad. “Sometimes crises provide opportunities to do things better.”

Foley firmly believes that community colleges play an important role, not only for transfer students but also for career training. Foley’s mother, who never graduated from high school but earned a GED degree, attended community college after raising her family. As a result, she runs a small business that creates websites for bed and breakfasts. Foley’s office manager is studying at OCC to become a paralegal.

An attorney, Foley is president of the Foley Group, a professional law corporation in Newport Beach that provides services in artist and athlete management, employment litigation and non-profit compliance matters.

She and her husband, a teacher, have two sons, ages 10 and 12. As a community leader, her focus is on making Costa Mesa better for families. She volunteers her time for numerous civic organizations including Costa Mesa Pop Warner and the Sonora Elementary School PTA, where she is president.

Most recently, Foley is facing the challenge of avoiding layoffs of city staff to reduce a projected $16.4 million budget deficit next year. “I am doing everything I can to prevent people from losing their jobs,” the councilwoman said. City services may be decreased to 1970 levels despite the fact that Costa Mesa has grown, she warned.

“Loss of city jobs will bring a dramatic change to our city,” Foley said. “Cuts include after school and recreational programs…hundreds of kids will have nowhere to go.”

She also hopes to keep the Orange County fairgrounds under city stewardship. “It goes back to families and kids. There are 300 vendors; all those people will lose their livelihood. It’s all about jobs, family and creating a better life for our community.”

The Citizen of the Year Award is most recent among a long list of kudos on Foley’s resume. They include Orange County Trial Lawyers Association Board Member of the Year recognition for her work on the Pediatric Cancer Research Gala Fundraiser; Advocating Health Families Super Star Award from the Health Funders Partnership of Orange County; Childs Pace John Upton Award for her efforts to enrich and lighten the load of families in Costa Mesa; and Remarkable Women Awards from Women in Leadership and the National Association of Women Business Owners.

“I have a disease…it’s called “I don’t know how to say ‘no,’” joked Foley, who somehow manages to juggle civic, business and family responsiblities. “I get excited if someone asks me to do something.”

She admits she’s an optimist. “I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do if you try.”

Find full story at Orange Coast College: COSTA MESA COUNCIL MEMBER IS CITIZEN OF THE YEAR