Yearly Archives: 2011

Supervisor Knabe to Welcome Families to 10 Year Anniversary of Safe Surrender Program

Out of what could be a tragic outcome of abandonment or death, 87 newborns have been given a chance for a healthy and happy life thanks to the Safe Surrender program which was established in LA County ten years ago.  Supervisor Don Knabe will recognize the importance of the program, celebrate the families and promote increased outreach to provide an option for mothers in desperate situations.

When:  Wednesday, September 28, 2011; 11:30a.m.  Program begins at noon.

Where:  Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street; 8th floor balcony,  Downtown Los Angeles 90012.

Who:  Supervisor Knabe celebrates the children and their families created by the Safe Surrender program, along with firefighters and hospital personnel who have been involved in a Safe Surrender.

Also speaking are Debi Faris, founder of the Garden of Angels, and Yoli Flores, who helped spearhead the program.

Background:

The Safe Surrender Program, based on the statewide Safe Haven Law, was developed and championed by Supervisor Don Knabe and unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2001.  The program’s purpose is to protect newborns from being hurt or killed because of abandonment. Safe Surrender allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially handover an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room, fire station or other designated Safe Surrender site.  As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person may surrender the baby without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment.

Please RSVP to 213-974-4444.

Small Businesses Get a Boost in Los Angeles County

At its September 13, 2011 meeting, the Board of Supervisors increased the County’s bid preference from five percent to eight percent for certified, local small businesses which bid on county contracts.  The change goes into effect November 1.

Local small businesses are currently eligible for a bid price reduction or ‘preference’ on the cost component of their submission.  The County is required to select the lowest responsible and responsive bid for projects and services.  Today’s Board action lowers the bid of a small business by eight percent.  This preference is used only to determine the lowest bid during evaluation and does not change the amount of the contract award.

“Small businesses are a huge employer in Los Angeles County and play a vital role in our economy,” said Supervisor Don Knabe.  “During these challenging times, when jobs are absolutely critical, we know that two out of three jobs in this County are created by small businesses.  Our action today will help small vendors who want to do business with the County and we’re going to see them get more contracts. This supports small businesses, encourages them to hire more employees and boosts our local economy.”

Other County incentives for small businesses include a 15-day prompt pay turnaround on invoices for certified vendors. Also, County buyers are authorized, on a spot purchase basis, to acquire up to $5,000 in goods or services without getting the required three quotes only if purchased directly from a certified local small business.

Several small business programs are administered by the County Office of Small Business which conducts training and workshops for local businesses, as well as certifies small businesses to be eligible for bid preferences and other benefits of the program.  More information is available at Office of Small Business’ website at www.laosb.org  or 855-230-6430.

Tragedy Brings Out the Best of the American Spirit

Twenty-five years ago … 10 years ago… it has been a time of remembrance here in the Fourth District and across our nation.

Last Wednesday, we held a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Cerritos Air Disaster. I was the Mayor of Cerritos at the time, and the horrific images and life-changing experiences of that day will stay with me forever.

Now, we are only a few days away from the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The memories of 9/11, like those of the Cerritos Air Disaster, will remain with me forever.

We all remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we heard the news.

I was on my way to the airport, headed to Washington D.C. for one of our Board of Supervisors’ lobbying trips. Two of my colleagues were already there, and former Supervisor Yvonne Burke and I were supposed to be on the same plane.

Then we got the call. New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania were under attack.  Our flight was canceled and we immediately headed to the County’s Emergency Operations Center, where we spent the rest of the day coordinating with emergency officials around Los Angeles County.  The following day, we were scheduled to be in meetings at the Pentagon, not too far from where Flight 77 struck.

In the aftermath of the attacks, we grieved and we felt the loss of our fellow Americans … average citizens and first responders. The pain and suffering, and the sense of vulnerability, was unlike anything most Americans had ever felt.

The shock of 9/11 changed America and the world forever. We moved into a post 9/11 world, with a global war on terror, new airport security measures and increased travel restrictions.  Our nation adjusted its focus and our daily lives changed.

While the immediate response to the Cerritos Air Disaster and 9/11 was the necessary clean-up and efforts to return to some sense of normalcy, for the families and loved ones of those who died, normal life was forever altered.  In the years that have passed, many of us have experienced weddings, graduations, and the births of grandchildren.  We grieve for those who never experienced such joy, and recognize the on-going pain for those left behind, unable to share these special memories with those most important to them.

While there are many heroes of 9/11, over the course of the last 10 years, thousands of Americans have sacrificed their lives because of what occurred that day.  While we go about our daily routines, we cannot forget our troops, who put themselves in harm’s way around the world, fighting to preserve our freedom and ensure we never again face the horrors of that day.

The experience of tragedy in our local community and our country has shown us the best of the American spirit.  While we may argue about how to tackle the challenges we face, we always come together in times of crisis as one nation. As we remember 9/11, I encourage you to share that spirit of America by flying our great flag.

May we never forget the lives we lost, the victim’s families and loved ones, and the men and women who fight to keep us safe.

God bless our troops, and God bless the United States of America.

Newborn Boy Safely Surrendered in Torrance

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the fourth time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on August 24, 2011 at a hospital in Torrance.

The mother gave birth to the baby boy at the hospital and informed the hospital social worker that she would like to surrender the infant. As is standard practice, the baby boy is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter what the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands and to protect a baby from abandonment,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby boy has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future.”

This is the fourth Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 87th since the program began ten years ago. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. It allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

Cerritos Park Wins 2011 Sprite Spark Parks Project Grant

Supervisor Don Knabe is proud to announce that Cerritos Regional Park has been named one of 21 winners of the Sprite Spark Parks Project, and will receive a $20,000 grant that will be used to refurbish the park’s basketball courts.

Cerritos Park was nominated for consideration in the contest, and through online voting, was one of 14 winners of a $20,000 grant. The grant funds can be used to purchase basketball items such as new rims, backboards, blacktop surfaces and even art installations by local artists.

“This is an incredible opportunity for us to improve our facilities at Cerritos Park,” said Knabe. “The newly renovated basketball courts will give our residents greater access to recreational activities and inspire young kids to be more active and creative.”

The Sprite Spark Parks Project is a multi-year commitment to build and restore play environments where teens, families and neighbors can get outside and be active. The Coca-Cola Company is investing $2 million into building or revamping more than 150 basketball courts, community spaces, playgrounds, and athletic fields in at least 40 American cities throughout 2011.

County Launches Pilot Program to Address Infant Deaths Due to Unsafe Sleeping Practices

In a motion by Supervisors Don Knabe and Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County will develop a two-year pilot program at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center that will address the staggering number of infant deaths that have occurred due to unsafe sleeping practices and head trauma.

The program, modeled off a similar pilot program in Baltimore, Maryland, will focus on educating parents and hospital workers on safe sleeping practices, proper handling of fragile infants and the risks of shaking newborns. The Baltimore program, Infant Safe Sleeping and Abusive Head Trauma Pilot, led to four years without a single abusive head trauma death and a decrease in the rate of sleep-related deaths.

“Infant deaths resulting from unsafe sleeping practices or Shaken Baby Syndrome are a preventable tragedy,” said Supervisor Knabe. “It is important that we educate parents on how to safely care for their newborn before they take their infants home from the hospital.”

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center was selected for the pilot program because of its strong pediatric department. Approximately 900 live births occurred at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center last year.

At least 140 infants in Los Angeles County have died in the past two years due to unsafe sleeping practices, while others have died or been disabled by Shaken Baby Syndrome, which occurs when an infant is forcefully shaken. Half of children affected by Shaken Baby Syndrome die, while survivors may require lifelong medical care.

The program will be operated by the Inter-Agency Council on Abuse and Neglect (ICAN), part of the Department of Health Services, which also operates the Safe Surrender program.

Redistricting: Moving Past Racial Politics and Partisanship

This week, the Board of Supervisors began its review of the Plan A2 Redistricting Map, which was approved by the Boundary Review Committee.  Let me start by saying:  Wow!  I want to thank all of you who took the time to come downtown to testify.  I know it was a long day for many of you.

As we have been discussing and was certainly evident on Tuesday, the Fourth District is the most vulnerable to dramatic changes.  Under another alternative discussed, over 1 million residents would be shifted into or out of our district.  As many of you said, that will destroy the connections and relationships we have built over decades.

Some of the discussion and news coverage have turned redistricting into a racial divide.  But they are getting the story wrong; it’s not about race.  The Fourth District is the most diverse in the County, with Whites, Latinos, Asian-Americans, African-Americans and many other minority groups. Under the plan I submitted on Tuesday, Latinos represent the largest population at 43% of our district.  I have always welcomed diversity in our district and loved getting to know the many cultures we have in our communities.  My staff and I have worked hard to gain your trust, learn your issues and be as responsive as we can be.

While I really appreciate the very kind words that were said at the hearing, it’s also not about me.  It’s about you and your neighborhoods, communities and cities.  You’ve been loud and clear that you do not want to be moved, and I agree with you.  I can’t support splitting up longstanding communities of interest just because some lawyers say we might get sued.

In fact, the County’s independent legal counsel has determined that Plan A2 clearly meets the County’s obligations under the Voting Rights Act.  As such, any dramatic changes are unnecessary and undeserved.  We’ve heard a clear message from all of you that have come down and testified and written nearly 1500 letters that you don’t want to be needlessly reassigned to different districts.  We should respect those wishes and side with the people of Los Angeles County.

Our next review meeting is September 6th.  It is my hope that we will move past the racial politics and partisanship and focus on what you elected us to do: solve problems and help those in need.

As always, thank you so much for your support!

Summer Festival Returning to South Whittier

The 5th Annual “South Whittier Educate & Celebrate Festival” is returning to Adventure Park on Saturday, August 13, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.

The “South Whittier Educate & Celebrate Festival” is once again expected to draw thousands from the community.  There will be over 100 vendors in attendance that will have booths set up in the park for the event. There will also be a Health Fair, Job Festival and Food Drive between the hours of 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Adventure County Park is located at 10130 Gunn Avenue, Whittier, CA 90605.  Other activities available at the festival will include:

  • Interview and Resume Workshop
  • Various Health Screenings
  • College Town
  • Local Youth Entertainment
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Kids Zone
  • Many Local Non-Profits
  • Petting Zoo & Pony Rides
  • Bouncers and Face Painting
  • Los Angeles County Resources
  • Local Community Based Organizations
  • Free Food Drive

“This event continues to be a fantastic community festival that I am always thrilled to be a part of,” said Supervisor Knabe. “The response that we received from the community following last year’s event was incredible, and now with even more support, we expect this year’s to be even better.”

Free parking and shuttle service to the festival will be available at the parking lot located at Telegraph Road and Gunn Avenue.

The festival is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. Other sponsors include: Pizzamania Whittier, Burrtec Waste Industries, Orchardale Water District, and Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary. For more information on the festival, please call Adventure Park at (562) 698-7645.

Reward Authorized For Information Related to Fatal Hit and Run

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe to extend the offer of a $10,000 dollar reward for information regarding a Hit-and-Run incident in the City of Downey.

On May 20, 2011, a 58 year old Downey resident was struck by a car while walking in the roadway. The suspect immediately fled the scene, leaving the victim lying in the roadway.  Downey Fire personnel responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. The suspect vehicle is described as a white SUV with collision damage to the front portion of the vehicle.

Investigators believe it would be beneficial to offer a reward in this case, which may prompt reluctant witnesses to come forward and provide information to identify the individual(s) responsible for this crime.

Contact:

Det. Jeffrey Griffin; 562-904-2339 or Sgt. Daniel Murray; 562-904-2342

Downey Police Department
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Post Office Box 7016
Downey, California  90241-7016

Or anonymously call Crime Stoppers (800) 222-TIPS (8477)
Or text TIPLA, plus your tip, to CRIMES (274637)
Or by using the web site http://lacrimestoppers.org

Bellflower Symphony Orchestra to Perform Free Summer Concert

The Bellflower Symphony Orchestra will present their Annual Free Summer Concert int he Park on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at 7:00pm on the patio of Ruth Caruthers Park, 10500 Flora Vista Street, Bellflower. The theme will be “RHYTHM and BLUES” and will include the vocal stylings of Lyria Pegram, and Linda Jackson.

The summer concert is a traditional one that will end with the Bellflower Symphony Baton Auction. The winner of the Baton Auction will conduct (or will choose someone to conduct) Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The concert is sponsored by Supervisor Don Knabe and the City of Bellflower. The Woman’s Club of Bellflower will provide refreshments and baked goods for sale.