The Honorable Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board – Supervisor, 4th District:
"The critical services provided by having a well-functioning hospital and emergency room in South Los Angeles are far too important to be lost forever. As private hospitals continue to close and we keep losing inpatient beds, having this public hospital open is critical to the safety net of our entire County Healthcare Network. This partnership with UC is an important first step in ensuring that we get MLK Hospital back on its feet and back open for business."
The Honorable Gloria Molina – Supervisor, 1st District:
"From the moment Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital closed its doors, my colleagues and I committed ourselves to reopening a hospital withcritically needed inpatient beds and Emergency Services for the community of South Los Angeles. I am pleased and optimistic that our goal for a partnership with the UC Systemis one step closer to making that vision a reality."
The Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas – Supervisor, 2nd District:
"The matter of health care in LA County is urgent. Therefore, the announcement of this proposal marks a significant step toward restoring quality patient care at the Martin Luther King Medical Center. The public-private partnership approach we are taking is prudent, feasible, scalable and potentially catalytic in ways that improve the health care outcomes in the region. I commend the governor, the UC and County CEO for their hard and diligent work, and the Board of Supervisors for their critical support. I am hopeful that any remaining details can be successfully resolved in a timely manner. Time is of the essence as communities with very deserving patients impatiently await the reopening of this important medical center."
The Honorable Zev Yaroslavsky – Supervisor, 3rd District:
"The reopening of MLK Hospital is the County’s most important health care priority today. The partnership between the University of California and the County of Los Angeles is the best hope for restoring critically needed hospital and emergency room care at the high level of excellence our citizens deserve. I salute Governor Schwarzenegger, the University of California leadership and our own County team for their persistence toward getting this done. Since the UC/L.A. County relationship was first proposed last May [2008], we have come a long way. There is a lot of work yet to be done, but the finish line is now in sight."
The Honorable Michael D. Antonovich – Supervisor, 5th District:
"It is vital that a reestablished hospital serving this community is held to the highest standard of quality medical care. While I have questions about the details of its proposed structure, I wholeheartedly support a cooperative partnership with the University of California and look forward to reviewing the proposed details."
Good Government
County To Begin Preparing Businesses For Shovel Ready Projects
Supervisor Don Knabe has joined with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works to announce that six free outreach events will be held this month to advise interested business owners about available contract opportunities in the following areas: roads, bridges, buildings, airports, flood controls, energy and consulting. The Department of Public Works will also be providing an update on the Economic Stimulus Package Funding.
The six outreach events will be held throughout the County of Los Angeles at the following locations between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted:
March 18, 2009 – The Centre at Sycamore Plaza, 5000 Clark Avenue, Lakewood, 90712. Parking available behind the building.
March 19, 2009 – Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, 90037. Parking is $8.00.
*Start time – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
March 20, 2009 – Conference Room A-B at Public Works Headquarters, 900 South Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, 91803. Parking available on-site.
March 25, 2009 – Hart Hall at William S. Hart Park, 24151 San Fernando Road, Newhall, 91321. Parking available on-site.
March 26, 2009 – Board Room at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, 4232 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, 91302. Parking available at Church of the Canyon.
March 27, 2009 – Community Meeting Room at East Los Angeles Library, 4837 East Third Street, Los Angeles, 90022. Parking available on-site
For additional information call Emma Ayala at (626) 458-4093 or click here.
Knabe Seeks To Create Thousands Of Local Jobs
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, is seeking to create as many as 10,000 temporary jobs in Los Angeles County thanks to funding available in the Federal Stimulus Package. Knabe introduced legislation this week that would utilize over $100 million in federal funding to create subsidized employment opportunities in County departments, private sector employers, non-profit organizations, and in cities across Los Angeles County.
There is a limited timeframe when this federal funding is available, so we have no time to waste to make sure our unemployed residents can benefit from the thousands of jobs we can create right here in Los Angeles County, said Supervisor Knabe. Our local unemployment rate is hovering around 10-percent and we have a major opportunity to help our residents by creating immediate jobs thanks to this funding.
The goal of the motion is to place 10,000 unemployed local workers in financially subsidized positions from May 2009 through March 2010. The funding would come from the federal Emergency Temporary Aid for Needy Families Contingency Fund and would provide a minimum of $100 million to the County to create temporary jobs. The federal portion of the funding provides 80-percent of the subsidy, and the County would have to provide a 20-percent share.
Subsidized employment is one of the major priorities of this fund, and we intend to take full advantage of the significant network we have in place to provide training and employment to ensure this funding gets out the door and put towards jobs, said Knabe. We cannot do this alone – we will be engaging both our County Workforce Investment Board, as well as the other eight Workforce Investment Boards across the County to help us employ these folks.
Under Knabe’s motion, the County’s Chief Executive Officer will determine the feasibility of creating and coordinating employment opportunities that are possible through the available federal funding.
County Announces Contract Extension Agreement With Union Partners
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, announced a major agreement today regarding recent negotiations with the public safety unions representing over 17,000 County employees. Under the agreement, all six of the County’s public safety bargaining units, plus two other justice-related unions, have agreed to a one-year, no change extension of their current contracts. The extensions include no cost-of-living increases or salary increases for the next year.
The eight unions that agreed to the extension are Firefighters (Local 1014), Supervisory Firefighters (Local 1014), Peace Officers (ALADS), Beach Lifeguards (LACOLA), Supervising Beach Lifeguards (LACOLA), Supervisory Peace Officers (PPOA), plus Deputy Probation Officers (AFSCME, Local 685), and Public Defender Investigators (Peace Officers Counsel of California).
Current contracts with the eight unions had originally expired between December 31, 2008 and January 31, 2009. Under the extension, labor leaders from the County and the public safety unions will now avoid having to negotiate in the midst of the County’s current financial challenges. With the extensions in place, labor leaders from the County and the unions recognize the County is facing significant fiscal challenges and have agreed to work with the County.
Los Angeles County is in difficult financial times right now, between diminishing tax revenue from the local economy and round after round of funding hits from the State of California, said Supervisor Knabe. We are all in this together and I am extremely proud that our partners in the public safety unions recognize these challenges and are supporting this one-year extension.
As partners with the citizens of Los Angeles County, the Firefighters recognize the current economic stress the County is under, and we are ready to step up and help, said Dave Gillotte, President, Los Angles County Fire Fighters Local 1014, representing over 3,100 County firefighters and paramedics.
Knabe Advocating For Infrastructure Funding
Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is in Washington, D.C. today meeting with legislative leaders about local infrastructure improvements as part of the federal stimulus debate for a nationwide, multibillion dollar investment in public works projects.
Included in Supervisor Knabe’s schedule today are meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers, the offices of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. In addition to discussing County infrastructure projects, Knabe was also advocating for projects that would benefit Metro and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Although the details of a federal economic stimulus package are only in discussion, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works still has over $485 million in infrastructure improvements projects ready to begin if a national public works investment becomes a reality. Other County agencies, including the Department of Beaches and Harbors and the Department of Parks and Recreation have also identified tens of millions of dollars in additional projects.
Included in the list of proposed local projects are $28.1 million in improvements to the County’s five general aviation airports, $122.3 million in road improvements spread over 80 separate projects that would resurface dozens of miles of County roads, $258 million in watershed and flood control projects, and $76 million in green technology and environmental improvements.
Among the largest proposals is a $20 million plan to replace residential water meters with wireless water meters, eliminating the need to drive to 65,000 homes monthly to read water meters. The wireless infrastructure will eliminate the pollution associated with driving the required 141,786 miles and 6,000 gallons of fuel annually. A $35 million project would create wetlands to treat stormwater runoff from 2.2 square miles of the Sun Valley Watershed on a 46-acre site while incorporating open space, habitat and recreation. The treated stormwater will be recharged in to the underground aquifer in Sun Valley.
"A large-scale national investment in infrastructure improvements could have the serious positive impact our economy needs, said Supervisor Knabe. Our plan for Los Angeles County will benefit the public, and more importantly create numerous jobs and businesses locally.
Supervisors Fund Two Projects On Catalina Island
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors allocated nearly $1 million in funding today that will benefit two projects underway on Catalina Island.
The first project allocates $415,000 in Cities Excess Funds to the City of Avalon to continue the restoration of Joe Machado Field, a community park that was damaged by mudslides and flooding following a wildfire on Catalina Island in May 2007. The total cost of the restoration is estimated at $1.4 million and will be completed in four separate phases. The first phase, removal of debris and demotion of the damaged areas of the park, is currently underway.
In exchange for the $415,000 allocation, the City of Avalon will return an earlier grant for the exact same amount of money that had been previously given to the City. In June 2005, the County committed $415,000 to Avalon from the 1996 Safe Neighborhood Parks Proposition fund. That initial grant was to be used for the construction of a community center, but the project was postponed due to lack of additional funding. Because of the community center postponement, the City of Avalon will return the initial $415,000 grant to the County in exchange for today’s new grant for the same amount of money. The funds from the new grant can then be applied to the restoration of Joe Machado Field.
The second project allocates $500,000 from Fourth District Capital Project funds at the request of Supervisor Knabe to help the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy complete road improvements across portions of Catalina Island. The money will be used for making all-weather improvements to roads that are currently unsealed and dirt roads.
Veterans To Receive Half Off Green Fees
In honor of Veterans Day, all veterans with proper military identification will receive a fifty percent discount on green fees (excluding tournament play) all day on Tuesday, November 11.
Click here for a map of Golf Courses
As Veterans Day approaches, it is important that we recognize the many contributions that Veterans have made for our great County over the years, said Supervisor Knabe. We owe them many freedoms that we have today and they truly deserve the honor and respect of their fellow Americans.
For more information on Veterans Appreciation Day 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
Department Of Children And Family Services Looking For New Hires
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will host a Job Fair on Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at its Torrance Office, 2325 Park Del Amo Street. The Job Fair is open to the public. Anyone committed to changing the lives of children by working as a Children’s Social Worker or in a supportive clerical role is invited to attend.
DCFS offers multiple positions in a variety of fields including clerical, nursing and social work. A Children’s Social Worker II can earn as much as $66,068 annually and Children’s Social Workers Trainees can earn up to $41,140 annually. Additionally, the County of Los Angeles offers an excellent benefits package, retirement plan and 10 paid holidays per year. At the Job Fair, free educational workshops will touch on topics such as the Education and Licensure Program and A Day in the Life of a Social Worker.
DCFS uses leading-edge social work practices that are family-strength based. The department’s three key goals of increased permanency, increased safety for children and reduced reliance on foster care are aimed at improving the lives of children and families in both the Santa Clarita area and greater Los Angeles County.
Applications and information regarding minimum requirements for available positions can be found online at www.lacdcfs.org in the careers link, by calling the DCFS Job Hotline at (213) 351-6417 or by visiting DCFS Headquarters at 425 Shatto Place, Room 105, in Los Angeles. Applications and information will also be available at the Job Fair, along with technical assistance in completing the necessary forms.
Education Overhaul Approved For County Juvenile Justice System
Supervisor Don Knabe’s proposed overhaul of educational opportunities in Los Angeles County’s juvenile camps and halls was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors today. The reforms were proposed by Supervisor Knabe in June 2007 after a study revealed students were seriously underserved by the schools designed to teach children incarcerated in the Los Angeles County juvenile justice system.
Among the reforms will be the creation of charter schools in the probation system. The reforms will also customize educational opportunities based on the individual needs of the student, including a vocational education path, a college-bound path, and a GED completion path, among others. Additionally, the reforms will now tie education in the camps and halls with education in school districts across the County so that students leaving the juvenile justice system will have better continuity and consistency when they return to regular schools.
The implications of today’s actions matter to every resident of our County because of the long-term goals of these reforms, said Supervisor Knabe. By improving access to educational opportunities in the juvenile justice system today these kids are less likely to commit future crimes tomorrow and end up in and out of our justice system throughout their life.
According to the 2007 report by the Children’s Council of Los Angeles County, education is the area most in need of improvement in the juvenile justice system.
Among the report’s findings:
– In 2004, 74 percent of juvenile justice students did not pass the California High School Exit Examination.
– 20 percent of all Probation students require special education programs; double that of the general school population.
– School attendance records for Nidorf Juvenile Hall reveal that on one particular day in April 2007, 14% of students in the hall were not enrolled in the on-site school and only 78% of the enrolled students attended that day.
– Students in some high-risk units received little more than one hour of educational instruction a day.
We have nearly 3,000 children enrolled in our probation schools and we have an obligation to provide each and everyone one of them with access to educational opportunities, said Supervisor Knabe. If we want to keep these kids from returning to the probation system or from ending up in County jails later in life, then access to quality schooling must be a critical component of how we are serving children in our camps and halls.
Knabe To Change Vote On Transit Sale Tax Issue
Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe has announced that at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors, he will enter a motion to reconsider the Board’s previous vote on the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) sales tax measure. Supervisor Knabe has also decided that at the time of the reconsideration he will change his vote from ‘no’ to ‘yes.’
Supervisor Knabe’s planned reconsideration and intention to change his vote effectively means that the MTA sales tax measure now has the three votes it needs to pass the Board of Supervisors and go before the voters as part of the consolidated November 2008 Presidential Election ballot, and not as a totally separate election.
This morning, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk informed the Board of Supervisors that the costs of a concurrent election, with the MTA sales tax appearing as a totally separate ballot in the November election, would cost taxpayers an additional $10.3 million. If the MTA measure were included as part of the main ballot, the cost would be $7.2 million, instead of the $17.5 million estimated for a separate ballot.
Additionally, the MTA measure would have to be setup as a completely separate election that would be conducted on the same day as the November 4, 2008 general election. Polling places would require additional staffing and voters would get separate ballots, sample ballots and voter guides for both elections.
I remain absolutely opposed to the MTA sales tax measure and I plan to spend my time and effort campaigning against it, said Supervisor Knabe. The plan is not equitable for all County residents and this is the wrong time to burden people with even higher taxes.
Although I am against the sales tax plan, I cannot in good conscience burden County residents with over $10 million in higher election costs. The taxpayers will have to pay for these costs, and that is something I will not allow to happen. Additionally, the separate ballots, voter guides, and other resources needed to conduct a separate election on the same day as the Presidential Election could cause unnecessary confusion and challenges for voters. This upcoming election is the most important in many years, and voters deserve better than a potential disaster at their polling place.