Yearly Archives: 2013

Knabe Responds to ALUC Decision on LAX Plan

The Los Angeles County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) today, on a split vote, deemed “consistent” a very limited package of City Plan Amendments submitted by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). The amendments relate to LAWA’s future efforts to modernize Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  The Commission was comparing the plan amendments with the adopted Airport Land Use Plan.  Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement:

“The vote before the Commission was not an endorsement of the LAX Modernization Plan, but a limited, piecemeal review of an incomplete application.  Our residents and businesses are not being given a clear picture from LAWA on its priorities for LAX and the region.  In 2006, we were promised regionalization of air service and traffic relief through a direct transit connection.  However, instead of seeing concrete results, we are getting more piecemealed, bureaucratic plans.”

“The Commission should have been given a complete plan to review, including the report on airport regionalization that Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and I requested on February 26, 2013.  My concern is that LAWA is being intentionally misleading because they have been ignoring regionalization and the City of Ontario’s request to assume control of its airport.  Enough of the limited and confusing information; I want to see the air cleared and promises kept.”

My response to the ALUC’s decision on the future of LAX

The Los Angeles County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) today, on a split vote, deemed “consistent” a very limited package of City Plan Amendments submitted by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA). The amendments relate to LAWA’s future efforts to modernize Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  The Commission was comparing the plan amendments with the adopted Airport Land Use Plan.

The vote before the Commission was not an endorsement of the LAX Modernization Plan, but a limited, piecemeal review of an incomplete application.  Our residents and businesses are not being given a clear picture from LAWA on its priorities for LAX and the region.  In 2006, we were promised regionalization of air service and traffic relief through a direct transit connection.  However, instead of seeing concrete results, we are getting more piecemealed, bureaucratic plans.

The Commission should have been given a complete plan to review, including the report on airport regionalization that Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and I requested on February 26, 2013.  My concern is that LAWA is being intentionally misleading because they have been ignoring regionalization and the City of Ontario’s request to assume control of its airport.  Enough of the limited and confusing information; I want to see the air cleared and promises kept.

Knabe Proclaims April as “DMV/Donate Life California Month”

Supervisor Don Knabe again proclaimed the month of April 2013 as “DMV/Donate Life California Month,” in an effort to urge Los Angeles County citizens to save lives by signing up with the Donate Life California Registry when they apply or renew their driver’s license or ID card through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

“Making the noble decision to donate can be difficult, but there is no greater expression of compassion than making the life-giving act of organ and tissue donation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Giving the gift of life through organ and tissue donation provides a measure of comfort to a bereaved family. I encourage everyone in Los Angeles County to consider signing up for the Donate Life California registry.”

A single donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives and a donation of tissue can save and heal up to 50 others. Nearly 100,000 individuals nationwide and more than 20,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant wait list and every 90 minutes, one person dies while waiting for a donated organ. Each year, nearly 30,000 lives are saved and the quality of life for many hundreds of thousands more is enhanced by organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

To sign up for the Donate Life California Donor Registry, please visit DonateLifeCalifornia.org

Long-Time Marina Manor Public Housing Development Resident Turns 103

With her family and friends by her side, Lillian Thompson, a long-time resident of the Marina Manor Public Housing Development, and one of the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles’ (HACoLA) first Marina Manor residents, was honored by HACoLA’s Resident Council at a “Celebration of Life” event as she turned 103 years old.

Lillian Thompson has lived at Marina Manor, located in Marina del Rey, since HACoLA acquired the property in 1984.  Before moving to Marina Manor, which consists of 183 public housing units for senior and disabled residents, she was offered other public housing units, but she loved the Marina del Rey community and knew it was the place for her.  Looking back, Lillian says living at Marina Manor for the last 29 years was a “Godsend.”  HACoLA describes Lillian as a model resident, truly loved by her neighbors, and comments that over the last 29 years, she has never been late on her rent.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1910, Lillian never graduated high school, but instead got married and moved to Minnesota in 1948.  Through her resilience, at age 50, she received her GED.  She believes that the key to a happy life and longevity is “eating slowly, constantly drinking water, and walking.”  In her early years, she would take long walks and utilize public transportation whenever possible.  At the age of 90, Lillian was in a bus accident, and after a difficult surgery, could no longer partake in her much enjoyed strolls.

Lillian now enjoys playing bingo, but her son Koyayi Ampah and six grandchildren are what bring her constant joy.  Koyayi says his mother is still very self-sufficient and knows how to take care of herself.  She spends her time watching Love and Hip Hop, Mob Wives, and any “judge” show on television, and appreciates a good piece of chocolate or anything with shrimp.

Lillian is proud to say that her greatest inspiration is President Obama, and advises current Marina Manor residents to “always speak your mind.”  HACoLA applauds Lillian for the contributions she has made to the quality of life at Marina Manor over the past 29 years, and is happy to join in the celebration of this wonderful milestone.

Knabe Statement on Future of Clean Water, Clean Beaches Initiative

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, in a joint motion with Supervisor Gloria Molina, today put forth a motion to stop the Clean Water, Clean Beaches initiative in its current form and work with stakeholders to develop a new measure that addresses the concerns voiced by the public over the last several months. The Board also asked for quarterly progress reports and a target election date of June or November 2014. He issued the following statement on its approval:

“While I have long supported efforts to ensure clean water and beaches, I have been against this measure from the beginning as it was not fair and transparent in content or process,” said Supervisor Knabe. “We must start over. Unfortunately, our stormwater problem is exacerbated by the expensive, and often unrealistic, demands placed on us by the Regional Water Quality Control Board which increased the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) from two pollutants in the old permit to 33 pollutants, which would cost this region tens of billions of dollars to comply with in the next 20 years alone.

A regional, integrated approach to this issue is absolutely critical to develop an economically feasible solution. However, the current measure did not outline a specific list of projects. Voters have a right to know where their money is going. Also, it was a fee with no end date. I believe more accountability is necessary for voters to support this program. That is why I asked that our Department of Public Works continue its outreach to cities, school districts, non-profits and the business community, our job creators, to address their concerns about rate reductions and double-taxation issues on those already making efforts to capture and clean their storm water under existing State and Federal mandates.

Finally, should this Board in the future decide to move forward with a new Clean Water, Clean Beaches measure, it should be put before the voters in a general election ballot and not through a mail-in ballot, as was originally proposed. I appreciate the public taking the time to attend our board meetings and voice their concerns through the many messages and phone calls to our offices. The approval of today’s motion shows that you were heard.”

Rancho Los Amigos loses a Guardian Angel

I am shocked and saddened by the passing of world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist Dr. Jacquelin Perry, MD. Dr. Perry was the “Guardian Angel” for Rancho Los Amigos.  She revolutionized orthopedic medicine and rehab therapy over the course of her incredible medical career, while giving hope and opportunity for recovery to every patient she treated.

Dr. Perry was an expert in Polio and post-Polio recovery, inspiring Rancho patients to overcome this crippling disease and go on to live normal lives. She was also a critical part of the foundation that built Ranch Los Amigos into the hospital of miracles it is today. Dr. Perry left a remarkable legacy on Rancho, including the Jacquelin Perry Neuro-Trauma Institute and Rehabilitation Center, where many patients begin their journey to recovery. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Perry’s family and friends. She will truly be missed.

The Downey Beat has compiled an incredible list of all Dr. Perry’s accomplishments throughout her 50-year career.

Why the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure should not move forward

The public hearing on the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure is set for tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12 at 11:00am in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room.

Over the past few months, you’ve heard me talk a lot about the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure, which imposes a parcel fee on all Los Angeles County property owners to generate funding to complete projects that protect public health, and increase drinking water supplies, by cleaning up our rivers, lakes, bays, beaches and coastal waters.

From the very beginning I have opposed the inconvenient, non-transparent and process by which this measure was being managed in order to get it passed. This was the largest protest hearing process that Los Angeles County has ever undertaken, and originally there was no online option to submit a protest form!

I want clean water, and I think everyone else does too, but this measure has too many flaws. There is no specific project list, no sunset date, and it would be voted on by property owners by mail-in ballot, instead of being voted on by everyone.

That is why, tomorrow, Supervisor Gloria Molina and I will put forth a motion at the Board of Supervisors meeting to not proceed with the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure at this time.

Currently the measure does not have the full support of our cities or the public and should not be moved forward at this time. We understand that this issue of water quality cannot be ignored, and we must continue to look for ways to refine and improve this proposal.

If you have not already done so, please download a copy of the official protest form, fill it in with your address and Assessor ID Number and email it to WQFI.Info@dpw.lacounty.gov to have your voice heard.

Coming down to voice your opinion at the last public hearing in January made a huge difference when we voted to extend the hearing process, and we need you to do it again to ensure that our motion goes through.

New Permanent Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Center Opening in Signal Hill

Los Angeles County Public Works Department will celebrate the opening of its second permanent household hazardous and electronic waste collection center at EDCO Recycling and Transfer Center, 2755 California Ave, Signal Hill CA 90807, tomorrow, Thursday, March 7, 2013. The center will open the 2nd Saturday of every month starting March 9th from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., providing a free, convenient and environmentally safe way for County residents to drop-off their HHW/E-Waste.

WHAT:          

  • EDCO Recycling and Transfer Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

WHEN:         

  • Thursday, March 7, 2013, at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:       

  • 2755 California Ave, Signal Hill CA 90807

WHO:            

  • Supervisor Don Knabe, Fourth District, LA County
  • Mayor Tina Hansen, Signal Hill
  • Mayor Bob Foster, Long Beach
  • Director Gail Farber, LA County Public Works
  • Chief Engineer and General Manager Grace Chan, Sanitation Districts
  • of Los Angeles County
  • CEO, Steve South,  EDCO

VISUALS:    Ribbon-cutting ceremony, facility tour, and mock drop-off of hazardous waste.

Media Contact:       

Natalia Jimenez, Environmental Affairs Section, Manager

Los Angeles County Public Works Department

Office – 626- 458-3530

Cell 626-759-6465

Board of Supervisors Supports Tougher Penalties for Gang Members Convicted of Human Trafficking

On a motion from Supervisor Don Knabe, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to support and co-sponsor legislation that would add pimping, pandering, and human trafficking to the list of crimes that are associated with gang activity.

“Untold numbers of children fall victim to predatory adults, many of whom have ties to criminal street gangs,” said Supervisor Knabe. “They are sexually exploited and abused in unspeakably brutal ways, all for commercial gain. Criminal street gangs have embraced human trafficking as a lucrative revenue source; as sex trafficking now rivals narcotic sales as the major source of revenue for many gangs.”

Senate Bill 473, authored by Senator Marty Block and sponsored by San Diego County would create tougher penalties for gang members convicted of human trafficking, including adding a three year prison sentence for anyone convicted of a human trafficking crime that occurs on or within 1,000 feet of a school.

“This legislation would be a major step forward in putting an end to the physical and mental abuse of these young girls,” said Knabe.

To learn more about sex trafficking in Los Angeles County, visit http://youtu.be/tJlkLFSmbb4.

Gangs embracing lucrative human trafficking business

Over the past several years, Los Angeles County has seen a significant increase in the number of sexually trafficked youth and is now recognized as one of the major hubs for sex trafficking in the state and nation.It is sickening that children, some as young as 10 years old, are forcibly coerced and manipulated into selling their bodies.

Untold numbers of these children fall victim to predatory adults, many of whom have ties to criminal street gangs. They are sexually exploited and abused in unspeakably brutal ways, all for commercial gain. Criminal street gangs have embraced human trafficking as a lucrative revenue source; as sex trafficking now rivals narcotic sales as the major source of revenue for many gangs.

As a way to combat the sex trafficking of young girls by gang members, I will ask the Board of Supervisors this week to support and co-sponsor legislation that would add pimping, pandering, and human trafficking to the list of crimes that are associated with gang activity.

Senate Bill 473, authored by Senator Marty Block and sponsored by San Diego County, would create tougher penalties for gang members convicted of human trafficking, such as adding a three year prison sentence for anyone convicted of a human trafficking crime that occurs on or within 1,000 feet of a school.

This legislation would be a major step forward in putting an end to the physical and mental abuse of these young girls.