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Road Improvements Announced For Santa Fe Springs and Unincorporated Whittier

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced today a road improvement project for eight miles of roadway on Gunn Avenue and Du Page Avenue, in the communities of Santa Fe Springs and unincorporated Whittier. Scheduled to begin in August, the project will cost about $2.5 million and is expected to be completed in February 2012.

The project includes rebuilding roadway and repairing damaged sidewalks, driveways, curbs, gutters and curb ramps. The project will utilize rubberized asphalt, a technology developed by the Department of Public Works, which will extend the road life by more than 40 percent and reduce its replacement cost by 60 percent.

“This project is about making long-term investments in our County infrastructure and our communities,” said Supervisor Knabe. ”By making these improvements to Gunn Avenue and Du Page Avenue, not only will those in Santa Fe Springs and South Whittier benefit, but so will the residents of neighboring cities and our other unincorporated communities who drive these routes every day.”

The project is managed by LA County’s Department of Public Works. Residents seeking more information may contact Area Supervisor, Matt Bradley, at (626) 458-4941 or kalqam@dpw.lacounty.gov.

Junior Golfers Can Play at County Golf Courses for $1 During July

In a motion by Supervisor Don Knabe, July 2011 has been declared “Junior Golfers Appreciation Month” throughout Los Angeles County, and to salute the County’s young golfers, green fees have been reduced to $1.

During the month of July, at all 17 County golf courses, junior golfers (18 and under) can play golf for $1, after 12:00 p.m., when accompanied with a regular adult fee, senior fee, twilight fee or super-twilight fee.  In addition, each golf course will hold a free “Special Skills Day” including activities such as free lessons, clinics, skills challenge contests, and other such events that will improve and promote junior golf participation.

“Youth sports programs have traditionally been valuable recreational activities for the young residents of Los Angeles County.  Not only do they offer an opportunity for kids of all ages to learn new physical, social, and mental skills, but youth sports also serve as a crime deterrent,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “This is a great way for us to show our appreciation to all of our junior golfers who use our County golf courses.

For more information on “Junior Golfers Appreciation Month” contact your local County golf course.

Los Angeles County Golf Courses

Alondra Golf Course: (310) 217-9919
Altadena Golf Course: (626) 797-3821
Diamond Bar Golf Course: (909) 861-8282
Eaton Canyon Golf Course: (626) 794-6773
El Cariso Golf Course: (818) 367-6157
Maggie Hathaway Golf Course: (323) 755-6285
Knollwood Golf Course: (818) 363-1810
Lakewood Golf Course: (562) 429-9711
La Mirada Golf Course: (562) 943-7123
Los Amigos Golf Course: (562) 869-0302
Los Verdes Golf Course: (310) 377-7370
Marshall Canyon Golf Course: (909) 593-8211
Mountain Meadows Golf Course: (909) 623-3704
Santa Anita Golf Course: (626) 447-2331
Victoria Golf Course: (310) 323-4174
Chester Washington Golf Course: (323) 756-6975
Whittier Narrows Golf Course: (626) 288-1044

Supervisor Knabe Proposes Plan to Combat Youth Unemployment

In response to the overwhelming rate of youth unemployment in California, which has reached an all-time high of 26.9 percent, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, in a joint motion with Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, introduced a motion today that would create employment opportunities for at least 2,200 economically disadvantaged youth Countywide.

“The unemployment rate among young people is staggering,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “Hopefully, we can provide more opportunities for young people to learn skills, build confidence and develop work experience that will benefit them for a lifetime.”

Through Knabe’s advocacy efforts, the County has provided funding that created almost 17,000 employment opportunities for young people in the past five years.  The motion will be voted on at the Board of Supervisors’ next meeting on Tuesday, June 28th.

County to Distribute Canvas Bags Ahead of July 1 Plastic Bag Ban

Attention Shoppers! Starting July 1, 2011, carryout plastic bags will be history in stores located in unincorporated Los Angeles County! Bring your reusable bags every time you shop to avoid a 10 cent charge for paper bags.

Staff from the Department of Public Works will be on hand at several Fourth District supermarkets to hand out canvas bags on a first-come first- serve basis from 10:00am to 3:00pm. For more information, visit About the Bag.

Supervisor Knabe Statement on the Passing of the State Budget

Yesterday, the California state legislature passed a 2011-2012 budget reflecting funding cuts and revenue increases that close the state’s remaining $9.6 billion deficit.  The legislature had a constitutional deadline of midnight to approve the budget or their salaries would be docked for each day it was late.  The budget now moves to Governor Jerry Brown, who had already signed $11.2 billion in cuts to shrink the deficit by more than half.

“We’ve been working with the Governor and the legislature on this budget for over six months and it comes to an end with a rush job to push something through at the final hour.  Unfortunately, the legislature appears more concerned about getting their salary than getting their job done.  The approved budget is chock full of deferred payments, unrealistic projections and other financial gimmicks that do not address the fundamental structural issues California faces in delivering services to its residents.  And who pays in the end?  Local communities, which will foot the bill to preserve state-mandated public safety programs, while absorbing the impact of underfunded schools, decimated children’s programs and slashed redevelopment efforts.  We implore Governor Brown to find a compromise position that guarantees funding to local governments for the services we will now be asked to provide.  They cannot just dump their problems and cross their fingers – it will spell disaster for local governments.”

Marina del Rey WaterBus Cruises Into Summer Service

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced the return of the Marina del Rey WaterBus summer weekend service, launching Friday, June 24th through September 5th.

Hours

General: Fridays 5p.m.-midnight, Saturdays 11a.m.-midnight and Sundays from 11a.m.-9p.m.

Holiday: 4th of July, 11a.m.-9p.m.; Labor Day, September 5 from 11a.m.-9p.m.

Concerts: 5p.m.-midnight during the Marina del Rey Summer Concerts on July 7 and 21, as well as August 4 and 18.

Boarding Locations

Riders can access the WaterBus by heading to any boarding location where a dock attendant will radio the next available WaterBus.    There are seven Marina boarding locations:

  • Fisherman’s Village at 13755 Fiji Way
  • Burton Chace Park at 13650 Mindanao Way
  • Waterfront Walk/Fire Station #110 at 4433 Admiralty Way
  • Mother’s Beach at 4101 Admiralty Way
  • Dolphin Marina at 13900 Panay Way, Dock Gate #C-200
  • Esprit I at 13900 Marquesas Way, Dock Gate #B-401
  • Del Rey Landing at 13800 Bora Bora Way, Fuel Dock Gate

The Marina Harbor stop on Tahiti Way has been eliminated to improve passenger delivery times.  All boarding locations are fully ADA compliant except Fisherman’s Village.

Tickets are available for purchase at all boarding locations for $1.00 per person, one-way.  Season passes are available for purchase at Fisherman’s Village for $30.00.

Parking is available at Los Angeles County lots located throughout Marina del Rey for a minimal fee.

In addition to WaterBus service, the free, clean fuel, landside Beach Shuttles will circulate between Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and the Venice Beach Pier on summer weekends and during the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series.

Visit the Beaches and Harbors website at www.marinadelrey.lacounty.gov to download a WaterBus schedule.

Newborn Girl Safely Surrendered at Torrance Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the third time in the month of May with the report of a safely surrendered newborn. This most recent safe surrender occurred on May 31, 2011 at a hospital in Torrance.

The mother gave birth to the baby girl at the hospital and asked to surrender the infant.  As is standard practice, the baby girl is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

“I am incredibly pleased to learn of our third Safe Surrender in the month of May,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “While these situations could end in disaster, instead we are given hope that an infant will have a healthy and happy life.  I am confident that as word continues to spread about Safe Surrender, mothers in desperate situations will see that secure and anonymous options are available for them and their babies.”

This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2011, and the 86th 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.

Knabe Announces Plan to Restore Early Opening Beach Restrooms

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement addressing recent complaints about beach restrooms:

“Over the last week, there has been considerable media attention on the County’s beach facilities, in response to the suggestion at the last Board Meeting that there are issues with the cleanliness of our restrooms that could lead to a health crisis.  In fact, a review of the Department of Beaches and Harbors’ complaint log shows that no calls had come in regarding restroom cleanliness at our beaches.  Rather, patrons were frustrated that the restrooms were not open early enough, a schedule change that had been made over the last month due to severe budget cuts.

As of Saturday, June 4, the Department of Beaches and Harbors has realigned some employee schedules to open up the most high-traffic restrooms (see list below) by 7:00a.m.  Within 30 days, the Department will hire the staff necessary to open as many restrooms as possible in the early morning.  At our Board meeting next Tuesday, the Department will outline the details of its plan.  In the meantime, the County remains committed to ensuring a clean, pleasant and enjoyable visit for our millions of beach visitors as the summer season gets underway.”

Restrooms to Open by 7:00a.m.

Los Angeles: Will Rogers at Temescal

Malibu: Zuma #6 and Point Dume

Manhattan Beach: El Porto and 26th Street

Redondo Beach: Knob Hill

San Pedro: White Point

 

Statement on the Passing of Matt Fong, Former California State Treasurer

I am saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend Matt Fong, former California State Treasurer.  Matt was a model public servant, principled and committed to representing the peoples’ best interest.  A longtime leader in California politics, he was respected on both sides of the aisle for his hard work, dedication and sense of duty to all those he served.  He was a loyal friend and supporter and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Paula, and their two children during this difficult time.

Young Anglers Get Ready For Fishing Derby at Cerritos Regional County Park

Nearly 1,000 children will be angling for a prize catch at the 2011 Cerritos Kids Fishing Derby at Cerritos Regional Park on Saturday, June 4.  The annual event is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, along with the City of Cerritos, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, the Cerritos Rod and Gun Club and the California Department of Fish & Game.

“This fishing derby is always a fantastic event that children and families look forward to every year,” said Supervisor Knabe.  “Even if a child has never fished before, there will be volunteers on-hand to show them the art of fishing.”

The event begins at 7:00 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast, followed by the fishing derby from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Children can participate in free fishing and angler safety lessons.  Each child will also receive a free t-shirt (while supplies last) and be eligible to compete for a trophy in various age categories.

Approximately 1,000 children attend the fishing derby annually, including nearly 200 foster children and over 100 children being transported in from parks throughout Supervisor Knabe’s District.

Cerritos Regional Park is located at 19700 Bloomfield Avenue in the City of Cerritos.  For more information, call (562) 924-5144.