Issues

Plans Halted For Transit Maintenance Yards In El Segundo And Westchester

Proposals to build a massive light rail maintenance facility and service yard in El Segundo, as well as an alternative site for the facility in Westchester, have been permanently halted, thanks to an effort by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and other local community and government leaders.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is in the initial design and environmental review process for the Crenshaw Corridor – a $1.7 billion mass-transit proposal that would run nearly 10 miles through Central Los Angeles, Inglewood, Hawthorne, connecting to the existing Green Line near LAX. Four sites were under consideration for the large maintenance yard needed for the transit line, including a 15 acre site in El Segundo near Sepulveda Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue, and a 16 acre site along 83rd Street in Westchester.

The El Segundo site had significant community opposition, including official opposition adopted by the El Segundo City Council last week, citing negative impacts the City’s economic development and traffic improvement efforts. The Westchester site would have required significant demolition of existing buildings and a large amount of community disruption.

Supervisor Knabe, who also serves as Metro’s First Vice Chair, shared the communities concerns and brought forward a motion which was amended and approved today, removing the El Segundo and Westchester sites from any current or future consideration.

Metro planners will now begin reviewing two other proposed sites that were already under consideration, as well as examining other possible sites for the maintenance yard.

Marijuana Dispensary In South Whittier To Close After County Wins Legal Effort

A Medical Marijuana dispensary operating illegally in unincorporated South Whittier will be forced to close immediately after Los Angeles County successfully won a preliminary injunction against the dispensary’s operators.

The Starlight 420 Center had been operating at 15640 Leffingwell Road for more than six months. The County sought to close the dispensary because of multiple code violations, including proximity to children’s play areas. The dispensary opened without obtaining or applying for a legally required business license or a conditional use permit. Additionally, the dispensary was operating 285 feet from a McDonald’s playground and 595 feet from a child care center. The County’s zoning ordinance for marijuana dispensaries was adopted in 2006 and prevents dispensaries from operating within 1000 feet of facilities for children.

The County began legal action against the dispensaries operators after receiving complaints from neighbors in July 2009. Complaints included comments about noxious odors because of poor ventilation and children having to pass by the dispensary in order to reach the playground next-door. Additionally, neighbors said they witnessed adults handing marijuana purchases to children waiting outside the dispensary.

Judge Ralph Dau of the Los Angeles Superior Court granted the County’s request for a preliminary injunction against the dispensaries operators. This injunction prohibits the owners and their employees from operating a marijuana dispensary or possessing, giving away, or selling marijuana at their location on Leffingwell.

Judge Dau also granted an extension on the prohibition in all of the County’s unincorporated areas, meaning the owners of the Starlight Center won’t be able to pick up and move into another unincorporated area without a proper license or permit. This injunction will remain in effect until a trial date. This ruling will shut the facility down once the plaintiffs are officially served.

This is a big victory for the County, said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. This ruling is not about whether medical marijuana is right or wrong – the voters have already answered that question. What is most important is ensuring the safety of our children and our communities, and ensuring that properly-permitted dispensaries operate within the law. Closing this dispensary was a high priority and ensures we are keeping our neighborhoods safe.

Reminding Shoppers To Check Receipts

"It’s Your Turn" is the theme of the 50th anniversary celebration of the country’s largest multicultural holiday show, the Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration. Patrons are invited to carol and dance on the Music Center Plaza before the show, while the six-hour spectacular on the Dorothy Chandler stage will include surprise opportunities for audience interaction.

The Holiday Celebration celebrates 50 years of seasonal joy from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center. The show is a holiday gift from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the community. Admission to all activities and the show is free as is the parking at the Music Center.

Among the groups performing, four are based in the Fourth District: the Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, the Christian’s Community Center Cathedral Choir, Klezmer Juice, and Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.

This year, there are more ways than ever to enjoy this music and dance extravaganza featuring over 1,000 performers. The L.A. County Arts Commission, the show’s producer, is expanding the reach and format of this popular holiday staple. As it has for 44 of the show’s 50 years, KCET will broadcast the show live, and it will also be screened on the JumboTron on the Music Center Plaza. For the first time, the celebration will be streamed live on the Web via kcet.org. The audio portion will be simulcast on KPFK, 90.7 FM on the dial.

Holiday Celebration information is available online at www.holidaycelebration.org
or by calling 213-972-3099.

Doors open at 2:00 p.m. Patrons may come and go throughout the six hour performance. Reservations for tickets to the show or parking are not necessary.

Supervisor Knabe Provides Funding To Support Future Automotive Partnership Building At Cerritos College

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe presented a check for $100,000 to Cerritos College on Monday, November 30. The funds will support the automotive partnership building, Southland Cerritos Center for Transportation Technologies, which is scheduled for completion in February 2010.

The new $6 million automotive partners building will be a unique facility serving the college and its private/industry partners.

Northwood University’s west coast program center, which offers a bachelor’s degree in automotive management for full-time students and working adults, will be using the classrooms in this facility. Meeting rooms and show rooms will be used by car dealers to provide ongoing training for their employees and conduct new vehicle model presentations.

When completed in 2010, the center will give the students exposure to the real life experiences of their chosen profession and perhaps provide an opportunity for student placement within the industry.

Knabe, who has been a great supporter of the college for many years, is impressed by this private/public partnership mode which brought many auto dealers together in support of this project.

This is a visionary kind of project, said Supervisor Knabe. Competing auto dealers are coming together in support of the new automotive partners building. This will play a large role in filling the ever-changing, highly-skilled employment needs of the auto industry. I’m glad to be part of this great project.

We appreciate the commitment and continued support from Supervisor Knabe, said Dr. Linda Lacy, Cerritos College President/Superintendent. We are excited about this partnership which will allow us to educate and train tomorrow’s automotive industry workforce.

Cerritos College has offered automotive technology training since the college was established in 1955. Each year nearly 1,000 students seek certificate degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technologies, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and hybrids, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the United States.

As one of ten state Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Initiative Centers, the Cerritos College Automotive Technology Program continues to be recognized as a regional and state leader.

Cerritos College’s Automotive Technology Program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, Chrysler and import vehicles, and operates a California Advanced Transportation Technology Center partially subsidized by the state to encourage development of alternative fuel sources.

Community Leaders Gather For Dedication Of Bellflower Bike Trail Pedestrian Path

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe joined community leaders on Monday, November 30 in the City of Bellflower for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony of the new Bike Trail and Pedestrian Path.

The new 2.3-mile path, which runs along an abandoned rail Right-of-Way from Lakewood Boulevard to Caruthers Park, is now open to walkers and bicycles. Horses and motorized vehicles are not permitted.

The project budget was over $2 million, and Los Angeles County was able to help out with a large portion of that – with $400,000 coming from Proposition A funds and an additional $100,000 coming from Supervisor Knabe’s Competitive Grant Program.

I’m so pleased to have been part of the project that encourages fitness and strengthens the community, said Supervisor Knabe. I want to encourage other cities to add on to it to increase access for bike paths and connectivity with the San Gabriel and Los Angeles River Bike Paths.

Knabe To Help Rebuild Long Beach Community Garden

Just a little more than a month after ground was broken on the Termino Avenue Storm Drain Project, Supervisor Don Knabe announced that he will be providing $10,000 to help reestablish a community garden that will be need to be destroyed to make room for the project.

The Wild Oats Community Garden is located between 10th Street and Anaheim Street, and unfortunately, the Termino Drain construction will require the temporary destruction of the garden. The community partners and those who have plots in the garden realize that the temporary disruption of the garden is for the long-term benefit of an entire community and for the environmental health of an important watershed.

Supervisor Knabe understands that it’s vital to reestablish this community garden once the two-year Termino Drain project is complete, so he will be contributing $10,000 to Long Beach Organic for the specific use of rebuilding and reestablishing the community garden.

The Termino Avenue Drain project is a $23 million effort to improve flood control and water quality in several neighborhoods around Colorado Lagoon and Belmont Heights. Nearly 90-percent of the costs are being covered by the County. It’s an effort that the City, County, and community have been working on for nearly 20 years.

Road Reconstruction And Resurfacing Project In Hacienda Heights Receives County Funding

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a project today to reconstruct and resurface several roads in the unincorporated community of Hacienda Heights, Supervisor Don Knabe announced.

The project, which is entirely in the community of Hacienda Heights, will reconstruct and resurface the roadway pavement on Countrywood Avenue, Barford Avenue, Charlemont Avenue, Falstone Avenue, Pepper Brook Way, and various other roads, and will cost an estimated $2,800,000 to $3,200,000. The funding is available from the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Construction Program in the Fiscal Year 2009-10 Road Fund Budget. It is estimated that the project will start in March 2010 and be completed in August 2010.

It is important that we are constantly looking for ways to improve the roads throughout the County, said Supervisor Knabe. By improving roads like Countrywood Avenue, the residents of Hacienda Heights, along with the residents of nearby cities and unincorporated County areas that travel these roads will benefit.

Knabe To Fund A New $10.3 Million Family Service Center In Whittier

On Wednesday, November 4, during his State of the County address, Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, will announce that he will be funding $10.3 million towards the construction of a new family service center in Whittier. The project is part of a larger investment of that Knabe will be announcing at the event.

Supervisor Knabe will provide $10.32 million for the construction of the Whittier Area Recreation and Family Services Center at the Sheriff’s Training Center. The 11,000-square-foot project will include youth and adult job training programs, recreation programs, classrooms, and child care services. It will be operated by Helpline Youth Counseling, one of our local community-based organizations, which will also have office space inside.

Supervisor Knabe’s commitment of $12.9 million in capital project funds for the South Bay is part of a series of projects the Supervisor will be funding across the Fourth District this year, totaling nearly $42 million in construction projects that will lead to hundreds of jobs and many new community facilities for recreation, social services, and public safety. Supervisor Knabe will announce all the projects and the funding levels during his annual State of the County address at the Long Beach Convention Center on November 4.

For the first time, Supervisor Knabe’s speech will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.knabe.com. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., but the Internet broadcast will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m., once the Supervisor actually begins his speech. Viewers can log on to on www.knabe.com on Wednesday, November 4, beginning at 12:30 p.m. to see the Supervisor’s speech.

Knabe To Announce $9.2 Million In Long Beach Area Projects

On Wednesday, November 4, during his State of the County address, Supervisor Don Knabe, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, will announce that he will be funding $9.2 million towards two capital projects in the Long Beach area. The projects, which are the improvement of the Lakewood Golf Course and the refurbishment of the San Gabriel River Bike Path, are part of a larger investment of that Knabe will be announcing at the event.

Residents in Cities of Long Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Artesia, Cerritos, Bellflower, Norwalk, Whittier, and Downey will soon be able to enjoy vast improvements to the San Gabriel River Bike Path. $3.57 million will be invested to refurbish and rebuild nearly 8 miles of the path, from Del Amo Boulevard to Florence Avenue.

In addition, the Lakewood Golf Course will receive $5.63 million in upgrades for additional storage, numerous handicap access improvements, and junior golf access.

Supervisor Knabe’s commitment of $9.2 million in capital project funds for the Long Beach area and the Gateway cities is part of a series of projects the Supervisor will be funding across the Fourth District this year, totaling nearly $42 million in construction projects that will lead to hundreds of jobs and many new community facilities for recreation, social services, and public safety. Supervisor Knabe will announce all the projects and the funding levels during his annual State of the County address at the Long Beach Convention Center on November 4.

For the first time, Supervisor Knabe’s speech will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.knabe.com. The event begins at 11:30 a.m., but the Internet broadcast will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m., once the Supervisor actually begins his speech. Viewers can log on to on www.knabe.com on Wednesday, November 4, beginning at 12:30 p.m. to see the Supervisor’s speech.

County Waives Park Fees For Veterans, Military Personnel And Their Families

In honor of Veterans Day, admission fees and vehicle entrance fees have been waived to the regional park facilities on November 6-13, 2009, for Veterans and their families. The motion, introduced by Supervisor Don Knabe, was unanimously approved today by the Board of Supervisors.

As Veterans Day approaches, it is important that we recognize the many contributions that Veterans and their families 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.

All Veterans, military personnel and their immediate families are invited to visit the following Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation facilities from November 6 through November 13, 2009, free of charge with proper identification:

Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park

120 Via Verde Drive

San Dimas

(909) 599-8411

Castaic Lake Recreation Area

32132 Castaic Lake Drive

Castaic

(661) 257-4050

Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

4100 North La Cienega Boulevard

Los Angeles

(323) 298-3660

Santa Fe Dam Regional Park

15501 East Arrow Highway

Irwindale

(626) 334-1065

Schabarum Park

17250 East Colima Road

Rowland Heights

(626) 854-5560

Whittier Narrows Regional Recreation Area

750 South Santa Anita Avenue

South El Monte

(626) 575-5526

Arboretum of Los Angeles County

301 North Baldwin Avenue

Arcadia

(626) 821-3212

Descanso Gardens

1418 Descanso Drive

La Canada Flintridge

(818) 952-4400

South Coast Botanic Garden

26300 Crenshaw Boulevard

Palos Verdes Peninsula

(310) 544-6815

Virginia Robinson Gardens

(310) 276-5367

By appointment only