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Knabe Statement On Proposed 2009-2010 Los Angeles County Budget

Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, issued the following statement on the 2009-2010 County Budget proposal:

The Chief Executive Officer’s plan for the Los Angeles County 2009-2010 Budget reveals that our County is not immune to the financial shortfalls and challenges that are facing other levels of government, but fortunately, Los Angeles County is on better financial ground right now than many cities and counties because of our purposeful planning and financially conservative budgeting practices.

Even so, our conservative budget planning is not enough. Revenue is declining dramatically and we do not have enough money to pay for ongoing services and programs. So far, the County has been able to absorb many of the hits to our budget in the current year without resorting to any personnel reductions or reductions in services.

Unfortunately, the upcoming fiscal year will require some cuts to departments to help close our General Fund operating deficit and we will have much more work in the months ahead in order to close our financial shortfalls. The County is not immune from the perils of our current economy and additional cuts may be needed to continue on an ongoing basis until our economy recovers.

Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors will adopt a budget that will be balanced and on-time, just as it is every year. The County does not have the luxury the Federal or State government has with continued deficit spending. The County must, by law, adopt a balanced budget ever year on time. We will do that again this year, but it will require some creative ideas and shared sacrifice. For example, many of the County’s partners in delivering service, our public safety labor groups, have already signed a one-year extension to expiring contracts with no increases to salary or benefits. More of this type of shared sacrifice will be required going forward to ensure our balanced budget protects critical programs and has the least possible impact to services.

County Debuts New Solar Mapping Program

Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, announced a new Internet-based technology today that will allow businesses and homeowners to determine if their properties are good candidates for solar power.

The new website, available at http://solarmap.lacounty.gov went live today. It is the largest solar map in terms of geographic area in the world, covering 3,000 square miles. The program uses roof size, pitch and shading from nearby trees, buildings and mountains to provide a building’s solar potential and the potential value of installing solar panels.

By typing in an address, a person will learn the property’s roof size, area suitable for solar panels, electricity produced, electricity savings, carbon reduction, nearby solar installations and case studies, available rebates from utility companies, and information about installers.

The level of detail provided means that residents and solar installers do not need to go up on every roof to see if it can support solar, saving time and money. Solar installers will be able to give more detailed estimates based on specific situations, but the solar portal provides generally accurate guidelines of what can be expected. The ultimate goal is to make the website a one-stop solar shop for residents and businesses.

The solar website, developed at a cost of $93,500, was generated from high-resolution imagery and elevation information acquired in 2006 which included roof-top and ground elevation every five feet. It calculates and ranks incoming solar radiation every 25 square feet, using roof pitch, orientation, and shading from surrounding structures and trees to provide the best estimate possible.

The project will be of great benefit to the County itself, as it includes high resolution – three-dimensional modeling of 800 County buildings. These detailed analyses will be used to evaluate and implement cost-effective installations, including solar power and solar water heaters. The County is a major electricity user, with facilities spread over a wide geography, operating in more than 3,000 buildings that comprise more than 60 million square feet.

The County is also developing a program that would assist homeowners and businesses in financing solar panels. On April 14 the Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Ridley-Thomas’ motion to create by July a program that would allow property owners to finance energy-efficiency upgrades by borrowing money from the County and paying it back through their property tax bills.

County Presents First Green Leadership Awards

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on April 21 will recognize five community groups selected as recipients of the inaugural Green Leadership Awards. The County created the program in 2008 to recognize outstanding energy conservation and environmental efforts made by individuals, public agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Green Leadership Awards will be presented at 10:00 a.m. during the Board of Supervisors regular meeting at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Los Angeles. The five recipients are: Interior Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Project, Interior Removal Specialist, Inc., South Gate; Planet Pals, Grand View Elementary School, Manhattan Beach; Citizens for a Cleaner City, Old Torrance Neighborhood Association, Torrance; City of Monrovia Environmental Accords, City of Monrovia; and On-Line Green Training, Planning and Development Department, City of Pasadena.
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said the projects benefit the residents of Los Angeles County by creating opportunities to inspire other organizations to adopt the best green practices in their communities.
This County program is very important, said Supervisor Knabe. It helps promote environmental awareness and responsibility for the sustainability of communities, and enhances the County’s role as a leader by honoring local outstanding environmental programs.
The five award-winners were selected for the following accomplishments:
Interior Removal Specialist, Inc., South Gate Interior Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Project
Interior Removal Specialist is the leader in Los Angeles County in diverting and recycling materials such as drywall, carpet, ceiling tile and manufactured lumber. Its 80% diversion efforts extend the life of existing landfills and reduce the environmental impact of construction and demolition debris. Additionally, the donations made by recycling furniture and other materials reintroduce nearly 100 tons of materials back to the community.
Grand View Elementary School, Manhattan Beach Planet Pals Project – Trash Free Tuesdays
Students at Grand View Elementary School bring their lunches to school in reusable trash-free lunchboxes each Tuesday. This, as well as composting and recycling measures, enabled the school to generate a record low of one-half bag of trash for more than 700 students, opposed to 40 bags previously. Grand View has diverted more than 1,500 large bags of trash from landfills. This program has been rolled out to seven other elementary schools, reaching 8,500 kids. Old Torrance Neighborhood Association, Torrance Citizens for a Cleaner City Project
Residents of Torrance accepted the mayor’s challenge to contribute to a safe, clean and well-maintained city. Volunteers from age 6 to 85 began a bi-monthly Saturday clean-up day concentrating on the highest payoff areas, such as entrance and exit areas to the city. Since 2006 they have removed more than two tons of trash and debris and recycled items like aluminum cans. The cost benefit to the city is evident by the number of volunteer hours donated, freeing city employees to take on other essential services. This is a model program for other cities. City of Monrovia Environmental Accords
The City of Monrovia created a Green Team responsible for implementing green projects and policies. In less than two years, the city reduced lighting energy consumption by 20% by replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps. The city installed cool roofs at their historic museum and the police department, reducing air pollution and smog formation. Installation of 22 waterless urinals in city facilities led to an annual savings of 888,000 gallons of water. The newly built energy-efficient library provides an improved working environment for library patrons and staff and sets the precedent for future construction trends.
City of Pasadena On-Line Green Training project
Through an interactive, Internet-based design, Pasadena’s 1,880 full-time employees receive training on the Green City Action Plan while receiving inspirational and practical tips for going green at work and at home. The city benefits from having a workforce educated and engaged in environmental stewardship. Visitors who complete the green training gain knowledge about available local resources, services and rebates that will help them reduce their utility bills, eliminate waste, and cut their transportation costs.

Famed Red Diamond Returns To Natural History Museum

The Kazanjian Red drew thousands of visitors when it first appeared at the Museum last October. It left four months later, stopping in Carlsbad, California where it was scrutinized by gem experts at the Gemological Institute of America. Now the diamond has returned for a second engagement in the Museum’s Gem and Mineral Hall. It will be on view from April 6 to May 29, 2009.

Though there are many diamonds with a pink hue, true blood-red diamonds are the rarest of gems – only three large stones are known to exist. And of that trio, none has as fascinating and exciting history as the Kazanjian Red.

Found around 1927 in the diamond fields of South Africa, the red diamond was a sensational discovery. During World War II, it was stolen in Arnhem during Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and hidden in a salt mine with other looted treasures. When it was recovered by American soldiers, it was initially mistaken for a ruby.

The diamond’s original owners did not survive the war and the gem was eventually sold. It passed through several hands, including those of mining entrepreneur Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, until it was purchased by a private collector in 1970. There it remained hidden until 2007 when it was purchased by Los Angeles-based Kazanjian Bros. Inc. This is its first exhibition in the U.S.

Founded in 1918, Kazanjian Bros. Inc. is a family business that started in New York, established a Los Angeles salon in 1928, and moved to Beverly Hills in 1969. James Kazanjian’s lifelong search for unusual and exquisite gems took him all over the world. During his worldwide travels, he was able to acquire jewels from the Maharajahs in India, the largest rubies and sapphires in the world, and other historical jewels from a variety of luminaries. Through the display and sale of private jewelry collections, the company’s Kazanjian Foundation raises funds for scholarship programs for underprivileged youths.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is located at 900 Exposition Boulevard. The Museum is open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $6.50 for students and seniors; and $2 for children 5-12. For 24-hour Museum information please call (213) 763-DINO or visit www.nhm.org

Clifton Brakensiek Library

Monday, April 20 at 4:00 p.m.

Hawaiian Gardens Library
Tuesday, April 21 at 6:00 p.m.

Alondra Library
Tuesday, April 28 at 6:00 p.m.

Rowland Heights Library
Thursday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m.

South Whittier Library
Saturday, May 2 at 2:00 p.m.

For information on library locations or future programs, please call

(562) 940-8422, or visit the County Library Web site at www.colapublib.org

C-17 Critical To Protecting Jobs And Homeland Security

Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angles County Board of Supervisors, denounced a decision by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to end purchases of the C-17 cargo aircraft after 2010.

Knabe will be calling on his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors in opposing the suspension of the C-17 program by introducing a formal motion of opposition next week.

At a time when the Federal Government is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into efforts to protect jobs and shore-up the economy, it is counterproductive and foolhardy to cut a program that employs 5,000 people at the C-17 plant in Long Beach and another 30,000 people at supplier facilities across the nation, said Knabe.

Beyond the economic impact from losing these jobs, the C-17 continues to prove that it is needed in the battlefield. Now we need to continue the fight in the political battlefield. This airborne workhorse is critical to U.S. forces and to our homeland security. The C-17 has shown its value many times in Iraq and Afghanistan and its usefulness closer to home during disaster relief missions.

Knabe Will Again Oppose Legislation That Will Negatively Impact The Safe Surrender Program

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, renewed his opposition for the fourth time to new legislation by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) that will fundamentally alter the rules of the highly-successful Safe Haven Law.

Under the proposed legislation, AB 1048 will extend the newborn surrender period to 30 days. Currently, the program allows mothers of unwanted newborns to surrender their babies at Safe Surrender sites, such as Fire Stations and Hospitals, up to 72 hours after the child’s birth. Access to quality medical care in the first hours of life is a critical component that could be placed in jeopardy if this legislation passes. Many infants who are safely surrendered have received no prenatal care or medical care at all – services that are critical for these newborns to receive in the first hours after birth. Extensive research has shown that the 72 hour window works.

Similar bills have been introduced each of the last three years by Assemblyman Torrico. All three attempts, AB 1873, AB 81 and AB 2262 were vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This was an unnecessary bill the first three times, and it remains unnecessary, said Supervisor Knabe, who championed the Safe Surrender Program, the Los Angeles County version of the Safe Haven Program, over six years ago. There is no data showing that an extension to the 30 days proposed in Assemblyman Torrico’s legislation would improve this successful program, and we cannot allow an arbitrary number with no scientific basis to compromise the safety of these babies. The only window that has irrefutable evidence is the 72 hours, and changing it is a risk that we simply cannot afford. I vow to fight this bill every step along the way.

Los Angeles County has been at the forefront of implementing the Safe Haven Law. Since its enactment in 2002, 70 babies have been safely surrendered in Los Angeles County – more than one-third of all the newborns saved in California.

Three County W.A.T.E.R. Camps Begin Next Week

The Water Awareness, Training, Education and Recreation (W.A.T.E.R.) Program of the Department of Beaches and Harbors is offering its popular aquatic sports camp that young people can take part in during their spring break.

The following three camps are available for the spring program: surf camp, ocean-sports camp, and beginning sailing.

Surf Camp (Ages 11-17)
Dockweiler Bluffs in El Segundo on April 6-10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ocean-Sports Camp (Ages 7-14) Dockweiler Bluffs in El Segundo on April 6-10 and at the Venice Pier at Washington Boulevard on April 13-17. Both camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Beginning Sailing Camp (Ages 11-17
Marina del Rey Boathouse in Burton Chace Park on April 6-10, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The W.A.T.E.R. program, designed to raise awareness of ocean and beach safety through aquatic-related sports activities, is conducted by County Ocean Lifeguards who have received special training in working with young people.

Youngsters must pass a swim test in order to qualify for the camps. All equipment is provided and fees range between $115 and $150 for the week-long sessions. Financial aid is available based on family income. Free transportation is also provided from inner city areas for young people whose parents are unable to drive them to the camp locations.

For program registration, swim tests, or to request an application, call the W.A.T.E.R. Youth Program at (310) 305-9587 or visit http://www.beaches.lacounty.gov

LACMA Hosts Late Night Art Event Celebrating Berlin

On Saturday, April 4, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will host Late Night Art: Berlin 1945-2009, the third in the museum’s nighttime art events this year. Visitors can view exhibitions, listen to live music, attend readings in the galleries, and more. German-inspired food and drink will also be available.

On view will be the museum’s critically acclaimed exhibition Art of Two Germanys/Cold War Cultures, along with Franz West, To Build a House You Start with the Roof: Work, 1972-2008.

The event runs from 8 p.m.-12:00 a.m. at LACMA. The museum is located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard and tickets are $10.

Assessor’s Website Now Includes Homes Under Review For Decline In Value

Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach announced that property owners can find out if their home or condominium is one of the approximately 500,000 properties involved in a decline in value review, which could lead to lower property taxes without needing to file any forms.

Logging on to the Assessor’s website at www.assessor.lacounty.gov and entering an address or Assessor Identification Number (AIN) will show whether a single-family home or condo is part of the review which includes properties purchased primarily between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2008. In some particularly hard hit areas of the county, the review will include properties purchased as far back as 2000.

There is no charge for this review and no forms to file. Owners of property included in the review will be notified of the results by mail before the end of July.

It is my responsibility to make sure that no property owner pays more than their fair share of taxes, Auerbach said. Not everyone will be eligible for a reduction, and not every home will be reviewed, but we have identified those homes that could possibly warrant a reduction.

Auerbach noted that some private companies are charging up to $190 to request a review on behalf of homeowners. These private solicitations may violate laws that require very specific language and disclaimers that they are not being sent by a government agency, he said. Besides, there is no reason to pay for a review that will be done for free.