Issues

Knabe Calls for More Jobs Programs for Young People and CalWorks Recipients

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved additional funding for a summer jobs program for low-income youth at its 2013-2014 budget review meeting.  The Board also approved a motion by Supervisor Don Knabe to seek funding from the State for subsidized employment for those on public assistance.

“While we are seeing improvements in the unemployment rates across California and in the overall economy, too many people are still struggling to find work or are underemployed,” said Knabe.  “A few years ago we launched my 10,000 Jobs Program, which utilized federal stimulus dollars to create temporary subsidized jobs for 11,000 adults and 15,000 disadvantaged youth.  The program was one of the most successful uses of stimulus funding in the nation.  However, that money has dried up and we still have too many people who have been looking for work for too long.  That is why I have asked our Department of Public Social Services to look into funding that has been set aside at the State level, through CalWORKS, to continue subsidized employment programs.”

The Board also approved $2 million for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which provides low-income youth with invaluable job experience.  Positions will be located throughout Los Angeles County at sites including County departments, local cities, non-profit, and for-profit organizations and will include clerical, maintenance, grounds keeping, child care, teacher’s aide, and librarian assistance work.

“Young people have been hit particularly hard over the last few years and have really struggled to find work experience that gets them on the path to their futures,” said Knabe.  “This program will give them that experience and life skills, while providing local organizations with invaluable resources and support.”

Knabe Proclaims July 2013 as “Junior Golfer’s Appreciation Month”

In a motion by Supervisors Don Knabe and Mark Ridley-Thomas, July 2013 has been declared “Junior Golfer’s 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 Golfer’s 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

Knabe Calls for Support of Local Control of Ontario Airport

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today approved a motion to support the transfer of Ontario International Airport (ONT) to local control.  Currently the Ontario Airport is managed by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the City of Los Angeles; the City of Ontario has requested control

Supervisor Knabe issued the following statement: “I am not at all surprised at the City of Ontario’s desire to get back control of its airport.  We have seen significant reductions in passenger traffic at Ontario, which cannot all be explained away by the economy.  LAWA has not shown a good faith effort to regionalization, which would benefit all of Southern California.

In 2006, LAWA made a commitment to mitigate the impacts on LAX operations on traffic, noise, health risks and quality-of-life in communities surrounding LAX by relieving the pressures for future growth at LAX through a regional effort to meet air transportation demand at other airports in the region.  It’s time they did that by negotiating a solution that would allow for local control of ONT.”

With today’s approval, a letter confirming support for this key action to regionalize air travel will be sent to the Mayors of the Cities of Los Angeles and Ontario, Los Angeles World Airports, and other affected agencies.

A report on airport regionalization from the County’s Chief Executive Office will be discussed at the May 14, 2013 Board of Supervisors meeting.  Knabe, along with fellow Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, requested the CEO report in a motion passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on February 26, 2013.

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.

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:

 

 

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.”

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

Knabe Statement on Future of Clean Water, Clean Beaches Initiative

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, in a joint motion with Supervisor Gloria Molina, today put forth a motion to stop the Clean Water, Clean Beaches initiative in its current form and work with stakeholders to develop a new measure that addresses the concerns voiced by the public over the last several months. The Board also asked for quarterly progress reports and a target election date of June or November 2014. He issued the following statement on its approval:

“While I have long supported efforts to ensure clean water and beaches, I have been against this measure from the beginning as it was not fair and transparent in content or process,” said Supervisor Knabe. “We must start over. Unfortunately, our stormwater problem is exacerbated by the expensive, and often unrealistic, demands placed on us by the Regional Water Quality Control Board which increased the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) from two pollutants in the old permit to 33 pollutants, which would cost this region tens of billions of dollars to comply with in the next 20 years alone.

A regional, integrated approach to this issue is absolutely critical to develop an economically feasible solution. However, the current measure did not outline a specific list of projects. Voters have a right to know where their money is going. Also, it was a fee with no end date. I believe more accountability is necessary for voters to support this program. That is why I asked that our Department of Public Works continue its outreach to cities, school districts, non-profits and the business community, our job creators, to address their concerns about rate reductions and double-taxation issues on those already making efforts to capture and clean their storm water under existing State and Federal mandates.

Finally, should this Board in the future decide to move forward with a new Clean Water, Clean Beaches measure, it should be put before the voters in a general election ballot and not through a mail-in ballot, as was originally proposed. I appreciate the public taking the time to attend our board meetings and voice their concerns through the many messages and phone calls to our offices. The approval of today’s motion shows that you were heard.”

Board of Supervisors Supports Tougher Penalties for Gang Members Convicted of Human Trafficking

On a motion from Supervisor Don Knabe, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to support and co-sponsor legislation that would add pimping, pandering, and human trafficking to the list of crimes that are associated with gang activity.

“Untold numbers of children fall victim to predatory adults, many of whom have ties to criminal street gangs,” said Supervisor Knabe. “They are sexually exploited and abused in unspeakably brutal ways, all for commercial gain. Criminal street gangs have embraced human trafficking as a lucrative revenue source; as sex trafficking now rivals narcotic sales as the major source of revenue for many gangs.”

Senate Bill 473, authored by Senator Marty Block and sponsored by San Diego County would create tougher penalties for gang members convicted of human trafficking, including adding a three year prison sentence for anyone convicted of a human trafficking crime that occurs on or within 1,000 feet of a school.

“This legislation would be a major step forward in putting an end to the physical and mental abuse of these young girls,” said Knabe.

To learn more about sex trafficking in Los Angeles County, visit http://youtu.be/tJlkLFSmbb4.

First Safe Surrender of 2013 Occurs at Van Nuys Hospital

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce the County’s Safe Surrender Program celebrated success for the first  time this year with the report of a safely surrendered newborn baby girl. This most recent safe surrender occurred on February 10, 2013 at a hospital in Van Nuys.

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 her 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 first Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2013, and the 104th 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.