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Newborn Baby Boy Safely Surrendered in Mission Hills

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the second time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby boy. This most recent safe surrender occurred on April 12, 2013 at a hospital in Mission Hills.

As is standard practice, the newborn is in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“After the horrifying news in December of a baby being found at a recycling center, I am relieved to hear that this newborn is safe and will be part of a loving family,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I’m thankful that this mother decided to surrender her baby, rather than put him in a harmful situation. As word spreads about the Program, mothers in desperate situations can make the right choice for their babies and themselves, because of Safe Surrender.”

This is the second Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 105th since the program began over eleven 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.

Fiscal prudency pays off Los Angeles County

This week, Los Angeles County released its draft annual budget, totaling nearly $24.7 billion. Our biggest areas of spending  remain public safety, healthcare and public assistance.  I’m pleased to report that again this year, this budget does not include any cuts to County services or any employee layoffs.

While the County is required to balance its budget, for the first time since the start of the worst economic crisis since the great depression, we will operate on a budget that does not require the use of reserve funds to plug shortfalls.

We would not be in this position without our focus on fiscal prudency, as well as the partnerships we have with our labor unions, who have forgone cost of living increases to avoid furloughs and layoffs.  I want to thank our department heads and hard-working County employees for working with us to make significant, across-the-board budget cuts over the last several years.

While other municipalities deal with layoffs and cuts to critical services, Los Angeles County has remained dedicated to providing important services our residents have come to expect.  In some cities, they can’t even fill the potholes and pave the streets. At the County we continue to invest in our infrastructure, knowing that investments today will pay off tomorrow.

We are in no means out of the woods, but with the significant budget cuts we have made and some uptick in revenues, things appear more stable.  However, I remain concerned about significant future financial obligations, such as the Affordable Care Act and Realignment. We must continue to work with our colleagues at the state and national level to ensure that Los Angeles County receives the funding necessary to continue providing mandated safety net services for our residents.

Our frugality has paid off through the rough economic times.  As we see improvements, however we must remain as disciplined and continue to operate within our means.

 

New, Larger Sunshine Shuttles Launch Into Service

Supervisor Don Knabe joined officials from the Department of Public Works and members of the community to celebrate the dedication of two new Sunshine Shuttle buses. The new, larger shuttles will join the existing fleet to accommodate more riders during the peak morning and afternoon hours and allow more passengers to be transported to and from our regional transit connections.

“The addition of these new shuttles will vastly improve the quality of life for our community,” said Supervisor Knabe. “The residents of unincorporated Whittier will gain greater access to local and regional destinations including libraries, schools, parks, medical and social service providers, youth and senior community centers, and major shopping centers.”

The new Sunshine Shuttles were paid for with a $580,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (2009 Call for Projects), a $50,000 a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and approximately $250,000 from the Fourth District Proposition A Local Return Transit Program.

For more information about the Sunshine Shuttle buses, please visit LADPW.org.

Local High Schools to Compete in 16th Annual ‘Knabe Cup’

High school golfers from across Los Angeles County’s Fourth District will tee-off on April 10, 2013, at Supervisor Don Knabe’s 16th Annual Knabe Cup Golf Tournament.

Thirty six high school teams, comprised of four players per team, will compete at Lakewood Country Club in an individual and team tournament for individual honors and a chance to dethrone defending team champion Mira Costa High School.

“It constantly amazes me how the competition has gotten better and better as the years have gone on,” said Supervisor Knabe. “I am excited that this tournament is viewed as the precursor to the league and CIF Championships.”

The tournament, sponsored each year by Supervisor Knabe, allows student-athletes to engage in friendly competition, regardless of their high school’s respective league affiliation.  Each player receives a free lunch provided by Piazza McDonald’s, range balls and tee prizes.  Additionally, the first place finishers receive trophies and windbreakers.  Supervisor Knabe will speak with players at 12:45 p.m., followed by the shotgun start at 1 p.m.

Paid Summer Arts Internships Available for College Students

Summer job opportunities for 74 college students are now available through the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program. Detailed descriptions, including contacts, for the internship positions are available at www.lacountyarts.org, click on “Internships.” Interested students are encouraged to apply immediately for these highly competitive, limited number of internships at arts organizations throughout Los Angeles County. Students apply directly to the organization offering the internship not the Arts Commission. Internships begin June 3, 2013.

Graduating seniors who complete their undergraduate degrees between May 1 – September 1, 2013 are eligible, as well as undergraduates. Applicants must have completed at least one semester of college by June 2013 and be currently enrolled in a community college or a four-year university. Applicants must be a resident of and/or attending school in Los Angeles County. Students who have previously participated in the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program are not eligible to participate a second time.

The positions are for 10 weeks and pay $350 per week. Interns also take part in educational and arts networking activities generously funded by The Getty Foundation. Through the program, interns gain a deeper understanding of the work involved in nonprofit arts administration and the role of the arts in a community and develop business skills that can be put to use in their future careers. Internship host organizations help mold and shape potential new arts leaders who may go on to hold positions on staffs, boards or as volunteers.

To support the internships, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, on behalf of the County, has given grants totaling $250,000 to 74 arts organizations throughout the region.

Organizations in the County’s Fourth Supervisorial District offering arts internships include:

 

 

As unemployment numbers rise, LA County must become more business friendly

Over the weekend, California’s Employment Development Department released a report showing that the state’s unemployment rate remains stagnant.

Here in Los Angeles County, the numbers tell a similar story.  Though there have been signs of economic improvement, unemployment in Los Angeles County still remains above the national average.

Locally, the unemployment rate crept up to 10.9% as of the beginning of the year.  Some people have been out of work for extended periods of time, with few prospects in sight.  We need to do everything we can to attract new businesses and retain the valuable businesses we have – or they will flee LA County and take precious jobs with them.

As other cities and states develop more and more incentives to bring in business, we must do a better job of supporting our local businesses  and making Los Angeles County more business friendly. That means we must prevent higher taxes and other anti-business measures which keep our local economy from blooming. These new employment numbers continue that cautionary tale and show us that we still have a lot of work to do to make Los Angeles County more enticing for businesses.

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.