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New Transit Services Comes to South Whittier

On the morning of Saturday, January 21, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will participate in the inaugural ride and dedication ceremony for the new South Whittier Shuttle Service. The new community shuttle will make stops at more than three dozen locations between the Whittwood Town Center and Sorensen Park. The service will also connect to other transit systems run by the MTA and other local cities.

This is a true milestone for the South Whittier community, said Supervisor Knabe. We are adding a valuable service for hundreds of families, workers and residents who will be able to access this shuttle service.

The $811,225 contract cost to fund the route will be spilt between two sources. 75 percent, or a little over $600,000, was approved by Supervisor Knabe from his Proposition A transit funds. The remaining 25 percent was contributed by Supervisor Gloria Molina. An additional $400,000 was appropriated by Congresswoman Linda Sanchez for the purchase of the two 29-seat, propane powered buses that will be used on the route.

The shuttle dedication will happen as part of a larger transit fair Saturday morning at the Community Resource Center at 10750 Laurel Avenue in South Whittier.

The transit fair begins at 9 a.m. with the actual dedication ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m.

The first week of shuttle service will be free to the public. After January 18, rides will cost 25 cents per trip. More information about the shuttle is available online at
http://www.southwhittiershuttle.info

Knabe to Announce New South Bay Job Training Program

On Friday, January 20, Supervisor Don Knabe will kickoff Career Pathways, a new employment pilot project designed to provide scientific training and high-income job opportunities for foster youth, dislocated workers and disadvantaged adults.

Program participants will receive free college-level training in basic skills and industry-specific training, as well as free supportive services such as child care and employment counseling. If participants successfully complete the training, they will be guaranteed a job at corporate sites like ConocoPhillips, BP, Valero and Exxon-Mobil. Funding for this pilot project was provided by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s discretionary Workforce Investment Act Fund.

This program represents an outstanding model of how to connect low-income residents with high-income jobs and the expertise training that goes with it, said Supervisor Knabe. I am happy to be a part of this pilot program and look forward to finding ways to expand it throughout the County.

Supervisor Knabe will be joined at the event by Patrick Henning, Director of the California Department of Employment Development, as well as executives from ConocoPhillips and other participating refineries.

This program provides access for those from the local community who need a helping hand to get started on a very challenging and well paid career in the refinery industry, said Jay Churchill, Los Angeles Refinery Manager for ConocoPhillips.

Supervisor Knabe Reappoints Two Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commissioners

Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that Lawrence T. Gentile and Arthur E. Herrera have been reappointed to the Los Angeles County Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Commission (NDDC).

Gentile, a resident of Torrance, is currently the President/CEO of Behavioral Health Services, Inc., which is an agency that provides drug and alcohol treatment recovery and prevention services. He also serves on the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, and he has served on the NDDC for over twenty years.

Herrera who resides in Diamond Bar is a retired Commander of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a member of the California Gang Investigations Association, and after having served in the Sheriff’s Department for 35 years has an incredible knowledge of this field. The illegal use of narcotics and dangerous drugs is a plague in our communities, said Herrera who has a deep desire to alleviate this problem.

Arthur and Lawrence are both extremely qualified, said Supervisor Knabe. We are very lucky to have their extensive knowledge and experience on this most important commission.

Rosecrans Avenue to be Widened in the City of Manhattan Beach

The Board of Supervisors approved a project that will widen Rosecrans Avenue from Douglas Street to 300 feet west of Aviation Boulevard in the City of Manhattan Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

This project is part of a larger overall project to widen the entire intersection at Aviation Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, which will also include moving the overhead utilities in the area. The County’s contribution to the project will be approximately $300,000 and will come from the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Construction Program.

Today’s unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors approves the joint financing and construction agreement between the County and the City of Manhattan Beach needed to complete the project.

By widening this street, both the residents of Manhattan Beach and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel on Rosecrans Avenue will benefit, said Supervisor Knabe.

Rosecrans Ave. to be Widened in the City of Manhattan Beach

The Board of Supervisors approved a project that will widen Rosecrans Avenue from Douglas Street to 300 feet west of Aviation Boulevard in the City of Manhattan Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

This project is part of a larger overall project to widen the entire intersection at Aviation Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, which will also include moving the overhead utilities in the area. The County’s contribution to the project will be approximately $300,000 and will come from the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Construction Program.

Today’s unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors approves the joint financing and construction agreement between the County and the City of Manhattan Beach needed to complete the project.

By widening this street, both the residents of Manhattan Beach and the nearby unincorporated County areas that travel on Rosecrans Avenue will benefit, said Supervisor Knabe.

Knabe Backs LAX Settlement Proposal

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe offered his support and cautious optimism today to a tentative settlement reached by parties involved in litigation over the expansion of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Under the settlement, the City agreed to halt so-called yellow-lighted projects until such time as the projects could be reexamined for future benefit to LAX. One such project was a controversial remote passenger check-in facility east of the airport. Other green-lighted projects will move forward, such as the realignment of the south runway complex and construction of the West Terminal and an automated people mover.

The operation of LAX impacts a vast community that extends beyond the borders of the City of Los Angeles, said Knabe. The massive expansion originally envisioned for LAX would have caused an unacceptable encroachment not just in Los Angeles, but also Inglewood and El Segundo and Culver City and other neighborhoods nearby. This settlement represents a balanced approach to the future of LAX, as well as addressing the concerns expressed by the County and the cities surrounding the airport.

Knabe also offered his thanks to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his desire to explore the need for a stronger regional network of airports.

We cannot put all of our air traffic and air cargo at a single facility. The future success of our region’s ability to move goods and passengers through our airports rests solely on taking a regional approach to our airports, said Knabe. This settlement is a first step to ensure that we have several strong airports regionally, not just a single, overburdened facility.

Boy Scout Zach Ewald of Hacienda Heights is Honored for Risking is Life to Save a Drowning Child

Los Angeles – Supervisor Don Knabe presented a scroll today to Zach Ewald, a Boy Scout from Troop 684, in recognition of his heroic act of rescuing a small child that was drowning.

Last August, while camping with his family in Yellowstone National Park, Zach risked his own life to save a young child from drowning after the child fell into a dangerous section of the Gardner River.

Zach was awarded with the Medal of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America. The Medal of Merit is bestowed upon those who display an outstanding act of service, of exceptional character, that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others. Zach is currently a Life Scout which is one step away from Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout’s highest achievement.

Zach did an incredibly brave thing to save the life of this child, said Supervisor Knabe. Zach is a true life Hero.

Photos of this Board Presentation are available. Any media outlet interested in obtaining copies can call (213) 974-1095.

Knabe Announces Street Improvements in Rowland Heights

Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that numerous street landscaping improvements will soon be made to a busy Rowland Heights roadway. The announcement comes after the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the proposal today.

Under the plan, landscaping improvements will be made to Fairway Drive, between Walnut Drive and Colima Road. The estimated cost of the project is between $195,000 and $225,000. Funding will come from the County’s Fiscal Year 2005-06 Road Fund Budget. The project will include the reconstruction of the center medians, including the construction of colored concrete pavement, installation of an irrigation system and the planting of trees and shrubs.

It is important that we constantly upgrade and improve our streets and roadway infrastructure, said Knabe. This project is a perfect example of this commitment.

With today’s approval, the project now moves to the bid phase. Constructions bids are due back to the Department of Public Works by December 29th.

Stormwater Discharge Improvements Planned for Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach

Supervisor Knabe joins Hermosa Beach city and community leaders at the rededication of the Hermosa Beach Pier and Lifeguard Headquarters.

The previous, outdated lifeguard headquarters stood for over 30 years and the 3-phase pier project, which included the new facility and equipment storage yard, began 6-years ago. Construction on the final phase lasted 13 months. The County of Los Angeles provided $1.9 million in funding for the project.

By uniting together from different agencies and backgrounds we have ensured a bright and safe future for the residents and tourists who will visit Hermosa Beach, said Supervisor Knabe.

Cerritos Regional Park to Receive Renovation Overhaul

Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the Board of Supervisors has accepted a $20,000 gift for the Paramount Public Library from the City of Paramount. County law requires that donations over $10,000 be accepted by the Board.

The Paramount Library will use the funds to expand both the library’s children and adult collections by purchasing more English and Spanish books and materials. In addition, the money will also be used by the library to give extra support to the Children’s Homework Center.

I would like to personally thank the City of Paramount for such a generous donation to the Paramount Public Library, said Supervisor Don Knabe. These funds will be used by the library to purchase needed books and materials, as well as, provide enhanced customer service for the public.