Yearly Archives: 2005

Nearly $25 Million Awarded for Port Security Upgrades

The Los Angeles / Long Beach Port Complex will soon benefit from nearly $25 million in federal grants for fortifying security throughout the port facilities.

The grants were announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP). The award for the Long Beach port area is $12,768,629. Another $11,447,716 is heading to the Port of Los Angeles. PSGP funds address key national priorities by helping to protect ports against small craft and underwater attacks and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.

This Grant is another strong recognition by Homeland Security about the importance of ensuring the safety and security of our port complexes in Los Angeles County. We must ensure the continuous, uninterrupted flow of commerce through our ports and this funding will help us do exactly that, said Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe.

In order to receive funding, eligible port terminals requested funding for eligible projects – especially projects addressing port security priorities. All applications were reviewed by the local United States Coast Guard port captains and scored on uniform rating criteria.

In addition to the awards announced this week, over the past five years, the Grant Program has provided $489 million to enhance dockside and perimeter security in our nation’s seaports.

Supervisor Knabe Honors Kiwanis Club Volunteers

Supervisor Don Knabe presented scrolls of recognition to Maxine Burkhammer, Joann Ferrin and Elaine Liston of the Lomita-Harbor City Kiwanis Club for making over 100 handmade dolls for young patients at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Burkhammer, Ferrin and Liston spent over 150 hours hand making over 100 dolls to give away to children undergoing cancer treatment, surgery and other medical care at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. The dolls are 12 inches long and come dressed in hospital caps and gowns. The women have plans to make an additional 400 dolls by the end of this year.

What these three women have done is absolutely remarkable. said Supervisor Knabe. Maxine, Joann, and Elaine have brought comfort and understanding to children and families that are going through very difficult times, and we are grateful for their passionate and dedicated spirit.

Board of Supervisors Appoints Ann Franzen of Bellflower to Commission for Children and Families

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the Board of Supervisors has appointed Ann Franzen of the City of Bellflower to the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families.

Franzen is a retired day care provider who worked extensively with Day Care Licensing and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. As a day care provider, she helped find state money for mothers who could not afford day care and worked with young children that had speech and physical development problems.

Ann’s significant experience as a child care provider has given her excellent insight into the various issues that children and families go through on a daily basis, said Supervisor Knabe. Her knowledge will be a great asset on this important commission.

Board of Supervisors Recognizes Whittier Area First Day Coalition

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors presented a scroll to the Whittier Area First Day Coalition to acknowledge the outstanding work that the organization has done to engage the homeless issue in Whittier.

The Whittier Area First Day Coalition has a mission to help the homeless and other at-risk individuals transition toward self-sufficiency. The Coalition achieves this difficult task by providing various programs for individuals and families throughout the Whittier Area. The Job Club Program, the Recovery from Homelessness Program and the Health and Wellness Program are a few of the comprehensive programs that the Coalition offers.

The Coalition has also developed a recovery model called the Reciprocal Community Engagement Model. This innovative model was designed to give local communities a strategy to build a network of programs that creates natural interaction between people. This interaction seeks to bring the homeless out of their isolation and reintegrate them back into their communities.

With over 90,000 homeless identified across the County, local involvement in addressing homelessness is more important than ever, said Supervisor Knabe. What the First Day Coalition is doing in Whittier is a shining example for the rest of the County.

Bobbi Jean Tanberg Honored as Los Angeles County Employee-of-the-Month

The Board of Supervisors today honored Bobbi Jean Tanberg as the June 2005 Employee-of-the-Month.

Tanberg is a 15-year county employee and she currently serves as an Occupational Therapy Assistant with the Department of Health Services at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey. There, she provides a wide range of services for both children and adults with physical disabilities.

Tanberg, an enthusiastic sports fan, set her sights on making the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team in 2000, and after many years of hard work she made the team. Her positive outlook on life makes her instrumental in the Positive Self-Image Life Coach Program and she also serves as an excellent role model at Rancho.

On her personal time, Tanberg is a passionate community advocate for the disabled. In 2004, she developed and implemented the spinal cord injury helpline which helps spinal injury patients locate much needed community resources. Bobbi’s tireless work in the community is a tremendous inspiration to us all," said Knabe. We are very lucky to have such a devoted person working at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

New Dockweiler Recreational Vehicle Park Set to Re-Open for Summer 2005 Season

Supervisor Knabe today announced that the Dockweiler Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park will reopen at noon on Friday, May 27 at Dockweiler State Beach, 12001 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey, after several months of renovations.

" Dockweiler Beach is one of the many beautiful beaches that line our coastline in Los Angeles County and we are excited to be able to open up just in time for summer recreational activities," said Knabe.

The $11 million project, funded by County of Los Angeles Proposition A and State of California Proposition 40 bond funds, includes the replacement of restroom buildings, an entry kiosk, maintenance and lifeguard facilities refurbishment, parking lots, a concession building and new landscaping.

The newly renovated RV Park offers 117 spaces complete with water, electric and sewage hookups including 35 new back row hookups with full utilities for recreational vehicles up to 37 feet in length. Other amenities include laundry facilities and hot showers.

Dockweiler RV Park visitors can enjoy beachfront views, utilize the fire pits on the beach, hang glide off the nearby bluffs, bike along the 22-mile long Los Angeles County Beaches coastline bike trail, or take a trip to any of the numerous Los Angeles area attractions.

Reservations for Dockweiler Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park are being accepted now for the summer 2005 season, by dialing (800) 950-7275.

For additional information regarding Dockweiler Recreational (RV) Park dial (310) 322-5008.

New Irrigation Renovations at Los Verdes Golf Course

Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that Los Verdes Golf Course would receive an estimated $2 million dollars to renovate the irrigation system.

The funding will provide for a more efficient system that will be able to determine the optimal times for irrigation to be conducted. It can also turn the system off during rainy weather to avoid over watering to make optimal use of resources.

"As the only golf course located in Rancho Palos Verdes overlooking the stunning vista of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island, Los Verdes is a wonderful asset to the County’s recreation facilities," said Knabe.

The system will include the installation of new main lines, laterals, valves, irrigation heads and a controller. A wash area clarifier at the maintenance yard will connect to the existing sewer system. In addition to gauging water needs, the new system will be capable of injecting fertilizer into the turf.

"We are so excited to move forward on this project," said Knabe. "This new efficient irrigation system will help update and maintain the stunning grounds for golfers."

The estimated two year project will not affect the public’s use of the golf course.