Issues

Protect Your Pets On Fourth Of July

The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC). Dogs and cats can become startled and disoriented by the loud noises of fireworks. Pets may panic and attempt to escape your property. To ensure the safety of your pets, here are a few tips:

• Make sure your dog’s license is current and be sure the tags are securely affixed to your dog’s collar.
• Keep your pets indoors in a cool, comfortable place.
• Do not keep your pets in the backyard, even if they are tied up. Dogs, in particular, can break free from restraints and jump fences when frightened.
• Do not take your pets to community fireworks events. Most events do not allow pets, and the noises are terrifying for pets.
• If you are leaving town for the weekend and cannot take your pets with you, make sure you leave them with someone who will be cautious during the Fourth of July celebrations.

If your pet becomes lost over the Fourth of July weekend, DACC will be maintaining its regular shelter hours to accommodate pet owners. The hours for the Fourth of July weekend are as follows:

• Saturday, July 3, & Sunday, July 4, 2010: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, and
• Monday, July 5, 2010 between the hours of 12:00 PM-7:00 PM.

The addresses to the shelter locations are:

1. Agoura Animal Shelter- 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 91301
2. Baldwin Park Animal Shelter- 4275 N. Elton St., Baldwin Park, 91706
3. Carson Animal Shelter- 216 W. Victoria St., Gardena, 90248
4. Castaic Animal Shelter- 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Rd., Castaic 91384
5. Downey Animal Shelter- 11258 S. Garfield Ave., Downey 90242
6. Lancaster Animal Shelter- 5210 W. Avenue I, Lancaster 93536

If you have any questions, you can visit our website, http://animalcare.lacounty.gov or contact your local animal shelter.

Father’s Day at Paramount’s Fire Station 31

It was baby Marvin’s eight-month birthday recently when his parents took him to Los Angeles County Fire Station 31 in the City of Paramount to meet the station’s crew but that was not the real reason for their visit. Baby Marvin and his parents, Daniel, 26, and 29-year-old Marvin, domestic partners and adoptive parents to the baby, were there to officially thank the firefighters who found newborn Marvin abandoned last October outside the front door of the Paramount fire station curled up in a Reebok shoe box.

Marvin and his parents first gathered inside the station’s front office together with Assistant Chief Gerry Heinzel, Battalion Chief Dan Ertel, Fire Fighter Paramedic Phil Muller, Fire Fighter Jeramy Virgin, and Community Services Representative La Fonda Riggins. Virgin was the first to discover the baby last year when he peered into the box and found him lying inside, wrapped in a towel and seemingly healthy, with a five-inch umbilical cord, unclamped.

Fire Station 31 members were returning from a call on October 9, 2009, when they saw a young female dressed in a hooded pullover sweater at the station’s front door. She was there to surrender Marvin under California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Law, they now know, but after parking rigs in the apparatus bay and walking out to the front door, they realized that she had departed and only the shoe box remained, which is considered to be an abandonment. The law requires the surrendering adult to physically hand the baby to firefighters on duty or to hospital staff if the baby is taken to a hospital.

Both of Marvin’s parents praised the firefighters and their own Los Angeles County social worker for going beyond the call of duty, as they described. I am really proud of this fire station, said Daniel, and of our own L.A. County social worker for the way that we and Marvin have been treated. Marvin’s doctors have declared him a fully healthy young baby boy. But for now at least, the firefighters were excited, the parents were gracious and Marvin was all smiles as the group gave thanks that a potentially tragic situation resulted in such a happy ending.

Knabe Statement On Probation Credit Card Fraud Allegations

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement regarding new allegations of credit card abuse within the County’s Probation Department:

The decision to have criminal prosecutors investigate these allegations of credit card fraud by a handful of individuals within the Probation Department is absolutely the right thing to do and a justified move. I fully support the District Attorney’s effort to swiftly respond to this criminal activity.

The minute you begin issuing credit cards under the name of a government agency, you start a slippery-slope that can often lead to exactly this type of fraud. Credit cards need the tightest of controls and checks, and that clearly failed here. Government employees need to have the highest responsibility for every taxpayer dollar they spend, and even more so in times of extremely tight budgets such as this.

Fortunately, we have appointed new leadership within the Probation Department over the last several months. Chief Blevins and his team are strong reformers and have been given a clear mandate and power to take disciplinary actions and make the changes needed to bring this type of mismanagement to a swift end.

County To Improve South Bay Groundwater Monitoring System

Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the Board of Supervisors approved Phase 2 of the communications system for the West Coast Basin Barrier Project. This project will greatly enhance the County’s ability to protect its groundwater supply from seawater intrusion.

The $3.41 million project will create an Automated Data Acquisition and Telemetry System that will enable the County’s Department of Public Works to remotely collect, store and analyze information on the operational conditions at facilities associated with the project. By creating a unified communications system between the wells, engineers can control the West Coast Basin Barrier remotely from a centralized monitoring facility. This will allow for more rapid changes in the injection system and better monitoring of the groundwater supply in the underground aquifers.

The West Coast Basin Barrier is comprised of 153 injection wells that stretch from the Palos Verdes Peninsula, north to Los Angeles International Airport. By injecting water into these wells, seawater from Santa Monica Bay is prevented from seeping into the critical freshwater aquifers underneath the Los Angeles Basin. Seawater intrusion is the movement of ocean water into fresh groundwater, causing contamination of the groundwater by salt.

In Phase 1 of the project, which was completed in April 2010, the County constructed a 12-inch-wide underground conduit which the future telecommunication controls of Phase 2 would eventually run through. The West Coast Basin Barrier Project is located in the Cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. Access to adjacent properties will remain open during construction and traffic impacts will be minimal.

Knabe Applauds Sheriff’s Department As Overall Crime Continues To Decline

Supervisor Don Knabe is pleased to announce that as of May 31, 2010, preliminary crime data shows that criminal homicides in Sheriff’s patrol areas have decreased by 17.24 percent, compared to last year. This follows a five-year continuous decrease, resulting in nearly half as many homicides as there were five years ago and the lowest homicide rate since 1975. Most notable were decreases in homicides in the Century Station area and Compton Station area. Century Station had 16 homicides during the same period last year, as compared to 10 homicides this year, for a 37.2 percent decrease. Compton Station homicides have reduced by 38.2 percent, with 21 homicides last year compared to 13 this year.

I am pleased with the overall hard work and commitment of our Sheriff’s department, said Knabe. They passion and dedication continues to protect our citizens and keep our communities safe from crime.

Reported incidents of violent crimes have declined 7.19 percent, and serious property crimes have declined by 4.73 percent in Sheriff’s patrol areas countywide, compared to last year. Sheriff’s stations experiencing the most significant decreases in overall violent crimes over the same period last year included Walnut Station at 46.2 percent, Industry Station at 31.2 percent, and Norwalk Station at 17 percent.

Voting Hours Extended For In-Person Early Voting

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean Logan reported that In-Person Early Voting hours at the RR/CC Headquarters in Norwalk have been extended the following two weekends leading up to the June 8, 2010 Statewide Direct Primary Election.

We are committed to providing options to LA County voters to give them every opportunity possible to cast a ballot. The option to vote on the weekend is a service much appreciated by many, whose hectic schedules do not provide that opportunity on Election Day, said Logan.

To vote early, voters can visit the 3rd floor of the RR/CC Headquarters located at 12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA, through June 7. In-person Early Voting will be available Monday thru Friday during regular office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the weekends of May 29-30 and June 5-6 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Logan also reported that on April 9, the RR/CC began processing Vote by Mail ballot requests from voters wishing to cast a ballot by mail for the June 8 Election. To date, over 752,000 voters have been issued Vote by Mail ballots, and nearly 95,000 have returned their voted ballot by mail or in-person to the RR/CC, stated Logan.

Voters who requested a Vote by Mail ballot can check the status of their request using the RR/CC’s online look-up. Visit www.lavote.net and click on the Vote by Mail button in the Quick Links box located on the main page. Voters may also call the RR/CC at (562) 466-1323.

In order to be counted, ballots cast by mail must be returned with sufficient time for mail delivery to the RR/CC by 8:00 p.m. on June 8, 2010 (postmarked ballots will not be counted). Vote by Mail ballots may also be returned in person to the RR/CC Headquarters, or delivered to any polling place in Los Angeles County before the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. A voter may authorize a designated family member to return the voted ballot to a polling place or to the RR/CC in accordance with the procedures outlined on the Vote by Mail ballot return envelope.

Further information, regarding early voting and Vote by Mail services, can be obtained by going online at www.lavote.net or by calling (800) 815-2666.

Public Invited To Share Ideas On Transportation Study To Reconnect Los Angeles And Orange Counties

In an effort to collect community ideas about ways to reconnect Los Angeles and Orange counties, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) will hold a series of community meetings this month. The public meetings are part of a 22-month long transportation study to explore the re-use of the West Santa Ana Branch of the existing–but unused –20 mile-long Pacific Electric (PE) railroad right-of-way.

Sponsored by SCAG in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the aim of the study is to identify new transportation options, station locations, and recreational and economic development opportunities. The study, will also examine tradeoffs associated with different types of transportation, including light rail, street cars, dedicated bus lanes, commuter rail and high speed rail options. Community input is central to the study.

Community Meeting Schedule

  • Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Garden Grove Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840
  • Wednesday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Huntington Park Community Center, 6925 Salt Lake Avenue, Huntington Park, CA 90255
  • Thursday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630
  • Saturday, June 19, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Cerritos Park East Community Center, 13234 East 166th Street, Cerritos, CA 90703
  • Tuesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Progress Park Plaza, West Auditorium, 15500 Downey Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723
  • Wednesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Stanton Council Chambers, 7800 Katella Avenue, Stanton, CA 90680

Community input received in these meetings will lead to identification of an initial set of alternative transportation strategies, and the criteria for evaluating these strategies as part of the technical analysis. A second round of community meetings is slated for fall 2010 to present a recommended set of possible transportation alternatives, including station locations. A technical assessment of the alternatives will be performed and the resulting information, such as engineering viability, estimated capital costs and environmental issues will also be presented. In fall 2011, a third set of community meetings will solicit input on the “preferred alternative.”

Councilmember Diane DuBois of Lakewood, Co-chair of the Steering Committee for the study, says, “We urge everyone to join us at these public workshops. We want to encourage the community to look at this resource with new eyes and realize that the possibilities are significant – access to more jobs, along with recreational, educational, and economic development opportunities when cities need it most.”

Steering Committee Co-chair, Mayor Art Brown of Buena Park, adds, “If we can come up with a regional solution to relieve traffic congestion, meet the travel demands of residents, and serve as a catalyst for economic development for cities spanning from Santa Ana to Union Station in LA, we will have met our charge and more.”

For more information, visit the project website at www.scag.ca.gov/perow or call Philip Law, SCAG Corridors Program Manager, at (213) 236-1841.

Public Invited To Share Ideas On Transportation Study To Reconnect Los Angeles And Orange Counties

In an effort to collect community ideas about ways to reconnect Los Angeles and Orange counties, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) will hold a series of community meetings this month. The public meetings are part of a 22-month long transportation study to explore the re-use of the West Santa Ana Branch of the existing-but unused -20 mile-long Pacific Electric (PE) railroad right-of-way.

Sponsored by SCAG in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the aim of the study is to identify new transportation options, station locations, and recreational and economic development opportunities. The study, will also examine tradeoffs associated with different types of transportation, including light rail, street cars, dedicated bus lanes, commuter rail and high speed rail options. Community input is central to the study.

Community Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Garden Grove Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840

Wednesday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Huntington Park Community Center, 6925 Salt Lake Avenue, Huntington Park, CA 90255

Thursday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630

Saturday, June 19, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Cerritos Park East Community Center, 13234 East 166th Street, Cerritos, CA 90703

Tuesday, June 22, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Progress Park Plaza, West Auditorium, 15500 Downey Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723

Wednesday, June 23, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Stanton Council Chambers, 7800 Katella Avenue, Stanton, CA 90680

Community input received in these meetings will lead to identification of an initial set of alternative transportation strategies, and the criteria for evaluating these strategies as part of the technical analysis. A second round of community meetings is slated for fall 2010 to present a recommended set of possible transportation alternatives, including station locations. A technical assessment of the alternatives will be performed and the resulting information, such as engineering viability, estimated capital costs and environmental issues will also be presented. In fall 2011, a third set of community meetings will solicit input on the preferred alternative.

Councilmember Diane DuBois of Lakewood, Co-chair of the Steering Committee for the study, says, We urge everyone to join us at these public workshops. We want to encourage the community to look at this resource with new eyes and realize that the possibilities are significant – access to more jobs, along with recreational, educational, and economic development opportunities when cities need it most.

Steering Committee Co-chair, Mayor Art Brown of Buena Park, adds, If we can come up with a regional solution to relieve traffic congestion, meet the travel demands of residents, and serve as a catalyst for economic development for cities spanning from Santa Ana to Union Station in LA, we will have met our charge and more.

For more information, visit the project website at www.scag.ca.gov/perow or call Philip Law, SCAG Corridors Program Manager, at (213) 236-1841.

Nominations Now Being Accepted For 29th Annual Music Center Bravo Awards

The Music Center of Los Angeles County, a national leader in arts education, is seeking nominations for its Annual Bravo Award, honoring teachers and schools for exemplary arts education. The nomination acknowledges the hard work and dedication these educators have given to their students, their profession and their communities.

Teachers and schools can be nominated in four categories: School, School Arts Program, Generalist Teacher, and Arts Specialist Teacher. The Bravo Awards is a two-step process involving the completion of a nomination form and an application form. In order to be considered for a Bravo Award, arts educators must first be nominated by principals, faculty committees, superintendents, parents or through self-nomination.

Nominations are open to Los Angeles County educators and schools who deliver arts education programs during the regular school day. Nomination forms are available at www.musiccenter.org/education or by calling (213) 972-3387.

All those nominated will be invited to attend an information meeting offered to assist in the completion of the applications which will be reviewed by a judging committee of educators and artists. Nomination deadline is October 15, 2010. Completed applications are due November 1, 2010.

Upon completing an application, teachers and schools will participate in an extensive review process including site visits and feedback by the judging committee, as well as an invitation to participate in a winter forum addressing key topics in arts education. All Bravo Awards applicants will be recognized at an event to be held at the Music Center in spring 2011.

The Music Center Bravo Awards program was established in 1982 to recognize teachers and schools for innovation and excellence in arts education. It honors educators who use the arts to revitalize teaching, enhance student achievement and foster self-esteem, teamwork and cross-cultural communication and understanding.

Knabe Will Not Support Motion To Boycott Arizona

The Board of Supervisors today will consider a motion by Supervisors Gloria Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky to boycott the State of Arizona. In response to the motion, Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement.

While I agree with my colleagues on the Board that our national immigration system is broken and in desperate need of repair, I do not agree with their response to Arizona’s recent legislation (SB 1070), and I will not support their motion on Tuesday. To simply call for a boycott of an entire state is a rash and misguided reaction to what they view as a bad law.

Los Angeles County is currently facing tremendous fiscal challenges with our own dysfunctional State government, which we are attempting to work through. This motion takes away from these efforts, and will distract from what we are elected to do for the residents of this County. This motion will not put one more Sheriff’s Deputy or Firefighter on the street, or keep open one more library, park, or health clinic. That is our elected responsibility – not to tell Arizona or any other State how to run their government. I would not want them to tell us how to run Los Angeles County.

This motion will come and go, and we will still have a State with a $20 Billion hole, which they are trying to fill with dollars from Cities and Counties due to their inability to balance California’s budget.