Transportation

Santa Returns To Whittier Parks

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe will join Mr. and Mrs. Claus and other special passengers on Thursday, December 18 when they board the Here Comes Santa Holiday Train – an annual event that brings presents and fun in the snow to three locations in the Whittier area.

Every year this is a great occasion for families to come down and enjoy the spirit of the Holidays, said Supervisor Knabe. The kids have a great time visiting with Santa and playing in thousands of pounds of real snow.

The Holiday Train pulls into its first stop on December 18 at Amigo Park at 3:30 p.m., and then makes a stop at Parnell Park at 5:00 p.m.; finally it’s off to Adventure Park at 6:30 p.m. At each stop children will receive presents, get a chance to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus play in real snow. Over 3,000 children, parents and community members are expected to attend throughout the night.

Here Comes Santa Holiday Train Locations:

3:30 p.m. @ Amigo Park, 5700 Juarez Avenue, Whittier, 90606

5:00 p.m. @ Parnell Park, 10711 Scott Avenue, Whittier, 90604

6:30 p.m. @ Adventure Park, 10130 South Gunn, Whittier, 90605

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.

Supervisor Don Knabe’s Board of Supervisors Chairman’s Speech

Thank you. Even though she’s now officially enjoying retirement, I’d first like to begin by thanking Supervisor Burke for her service as Chair of the Board over this last year.

Her many years leadership and grace guided the County through very challenging times and all of us appreciate her work on behalf of the 10 million people that call our County home.

Now looking towards the future, it is my privilege to welcome our new colleague, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

I thank you again for the invitation to speak at your swearing-in ceremony yesterday and I look forward to working with you.

I am certain that your talents and passion on the issues will be of great benefit to this Board in the years ahead.

If there is ever anything my staff or I can do for you or your staff, please don’t hesitate to ask.

I would also like to thank my colleagues on the Board for this opportunity to once again serve as Chairman.

We have been through a lot as a board over the last several years, the ongoing health care crisis, the state budget crunch and labor negotiations.

And I know we have many more challenging days ahead of us.

But I believe that if we continue to work together as a strong, cohesive group, we will get the job done.

I appreciate the efforts of Sachi and the Board of Supervisors Executive Office staff and that of our CEO, Bill Fujioka and his staff.

I look forward to working with every one of our departments as we chart the course for the County of Los Angeles over the next year.

In my opinion, charting that course is straightforward and uncomplicated.

It doesn’t require long speeches, rhetoric, or partisanship.

As we establish the vision of this Board and this County for the year ahead, I want to remind everyone that the answers to some of life’s most complicated questions are rooted in common sense solutions.

I believe the same can be said for the challenges that face Los Angeles County.

We need to ask ourselves:

Are we being thrifty with County tax dollars?

Are we being helpful and courteous to the customers of

County government?

Are we prepared to meet the needs of our citizens and seize new opportunities when they surface?

And are we brave enough to make the hard decisions even when they are not popular or politically advantageous?

I want to commit to you now as Chairman of the Board, the answers to those questions will be yes.

I also pledge that there will not be a Democrat or Republican solution to the challenges faced the County in the year ahead.

But, there will only be solutions that benefit our customers… the taxpayers and residents of Los Angeles County.

There is no denying that the current economic challenges facing our nation also going to have a significant impact on the County of Los Angeles.

With that in mind, I am not going to lay out a list of goals or projects for you today that I intend to achieve this year.

As it is, we face a myriad of tough decisions to ensure our County will continue to be the excellent service provider it has been in years past.

The one critical goal I do want to address today is in the area of healthcare.

As a Board we must continue to work with the Department of Health to solve their predicted budget deficit in the coming years.

I have said it before and I will say it again, we need to re-prioritize and find creative solutions to health care to make the system work and work efficiently.

And a critical part of ensuring our healthcare system is working efficiently is ensuring that we get MLK Hospital back on its feet and back open for business, serving the critically underserved residents of South Los Angeles.

In just a few weeks, our County leaders will begin working with a new Legislature, a new Congress, and a new White House.

But regardless of the party affiliation of our new leaders – our attitude of working together must transcend party lines.

As Chairman of this Board of Supervisors, I assure you I will be working hand-in-hand with elected officials from every level of government, no matter what political party they may be affiliated with, to find solutions to our challenges.

It is from this effort that we can forge an environment where Los Angeles County can continue to flourish.

As I said during my own swearing-in ceremony ten days ago, an attitude openness and cooperation must exist across our entire County workforce – from management, to the individual departments, to the thousands of employees represented by our Union partners.

Cooperation thrives in a climate of open, honest dialogue.

Political rhetoric for the sake of private goals pollutes the atmosphere and blocks out progress.

Our competition is NOT with each other, or the next County, or the other party.

Instead, the competition is to ensure the success and ensure the future of Los Angeles County.

My friends, we have a lot of work to do.

Let’s begin now.

Thank you.

Supervisors Oppose City Of Los Angeles Sewer Project In Marina Del Rey

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voiced unanimous opposition today to a City of Los Angeles sewer expansion project that would have significant negative impacts to the residents and businesses in Marina del Rey.

The letter of opposition, authored by Supervisor Don Knabe, is over the Venice Dual Force Main Sewer Line Project, a planned expansion of the City of Los Angeles sewage system capacity by building a redundant sewer line in the Venice area that would transport sewage south to the Hyperion Treatment Plant. Although there are three possible routes for the sewer line, the City’s preferred route is by digging up streets in unincorporated Marina del Rey, going south down Marquesas Way and Via Marina.

The easiest and cheapest route is to run the expanded sewer line directly under Venice Beach, where the existing sewer line currently runs. The third route is down the middle of Pacific Avenue in Venice, inside the City limits.

The City of Los Angeles prefers the sewer route inside Marina del Rey because it impacts City residents the least. Never mind that this construction route benefits City residents at the expense of our residents in the Marina, said Supervisor Knabe. Our opposition to this route and the impact it would have on Marina del Rey is steadfast. I am pleased to have the unanimous support of the Board of Supervisors.

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

6th Street Off-Ramp Over Shoreline Drive In Long Beach To Be Retrofitted

The 6th Street off-ramp over Shoreline Drive will be seismically retrofit, after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $2.7 million construction contract to strengthen the bridge in the City of Long Beach, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

This $2,708,671 project is a part of the Federal Highway Bridge Program. Under this program, Federal funds are allocated to local agencies and are used to finance 88.53 percent of the eligible costs of bridge seismic retrofit projects. The remaining 11.47 percent of the cost of the project will be financed with State Proposition 1 B funds. Additional funding for this project is provided by the Fourth Supervisorial District’s Road Construction Program.

By retrofitting this bridge, both the drivers and pedestrians who use the bridge will benefit by crossing a safer bridge, said Supervisor Knabe.

Construction on the project should begin in December 2007, and the estimated completion dated is July 2009.

Marina del Rey Maintenance Dredging To Begin Soon

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Los Angeles District, awarded a $1.8 million contract to CJW Construction, a small business firm from Santa Ana, to dredge material from the South Entrance Channel at Marina del Rey.

CJW Construction will remove approximately 50,000 cubic meters of material in and around the South Entrance Channel. Material will be hydraulically pumped down the beach to Parking Lot 3 on Dockweiler State Beach where the contractor will separate the clean sand from the chemically challenged fine grained material.

The process incorporates hydocyclone technology to produce high quality beach sand that can be used to nourish down coast beaches. Dredged material from this location is typically unsuitable for open water placement or beach disposal, hence the need for a cost effective treatment process. The hydrocyclone technology was produced over several years by a team of state, federal and local agencies, including Heal the Bay. The team was led by USACE and Anchor Environmental, an architect/engineer firm with headquarters in Seattle, Washington.

The application of this technology could change the dredging industry throughout the world, so we’ll be monitoring this project closely, said Jim Fields, Corps project manager.

The Marina del Rey harbor is vital to the safety and security of Los Angeles International Airport and the region with supporting elements of the United States Coast Guard, Los Angeles Sheriffs’ Harbor Department, and the Los Angeles County Lifeguards. Marina del Rey is also home to over 5,000 boaters with everything from recreational boating to commercial fishing and charter operations.

"The County of Los Angeles is excited about the opportunities this project offers in finding a long term solution for removing contaminated sediments in the Marina del Rey harbor south entrance as well as in converting much of that material into clean sand that can be placed on our beaches," said Supervisor Knabe.

Dredging is scheduled to start in late October; project completion is expected in February 2009. For information on other Corps of Engineers projects or to learn more about the Los Angeles District visit our website at www.spl.usace.army.mil

New Series Of Property Tax Assessment Seminars Set

The County of Los Angeles is sponsoring a series of free seminars during October, November and December to assist property owners who feel their taxes should be lowered due to a decline in the value of their property. The 90-minute seminars will be offered six times at six locations: Culver City, El Monte, Glendale, Lakewood, Lancaster and Van Nuys. Additional meetings will be scheduled throughout the County on a year-round basis.

The meetings are intended to help taxpayers better understand the assessment appeals process, which many find confusing. The seminars will be of value to homeowners who are interested in learning about the assessment appeals process and to those who have already filed an appeal. The seminars will cover taxpayers appeal rights and when to file an application for reduction in assessment. The seminars will also cover how to prepare for a hearing, what qualifies as admissible evidence, what will happen at the hearing and what to expect after the hearing.

The dates, times and locations of the sessions are:

Lancaster – Lancaster Library, 23743 Valencia Boulevard, October 15, 10:00 a.m.

Free parking at the library.

Glendale – Glendale Library, 222 Harvard Street, October 22, 10:00 a.m.

Parking at the corner of Maryland and Harvard.

El Monte – Crippen Senior Center, 3120 Tyler Avenue, November 20, 10:00 a.m.

Free parking at the center.

Culver City – Dixon Library, 4975 Overland Avenue, November 24, 10:00 a.m.

Free parking behind the library.

Lakewood – Iacoboni Library, 4900 Clark Avenue, December 15, 10:00 a.m.

Parking at corner of Clark and Del Amo.

Van Nuys – Bernardi Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Avenue, December 17, 2:00 p.m.

Free parking on Hamlin.

Persons with disabilities who believe they need reasonable accommodation or help in order to attend a seminar may call (213) 974-1431. Hearing-impaired persons with TDD equipment may leave a typewritten message by calling (213) 974-1707 (TDD). Schedules for meetings may be obtained by calling (213) 974-4240 or on the Internet at http://bos.co.la.ca.us/SCRIPTS/publiced.htm

Street Signs Upgraded In East Whittier

Supervisor Don Knabe unveiled new street signs this week that will be placed throughout the unincorporated community of East Whittier. The upgrades are part of a project currently underway by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

The project is part of a Countywide program to increase the visibility of street name signs along roadways with speed limits of 30 mph or greater. These new signs will have larger lettering and will be easier to read at night, increasing safety and mobility on the major streets of the East Whittier community.

The signs will include the community name along with the Los Angeles County Seal as a symbol of community unity already strong in East Whittier. Over 114 signs will be installed along the major streets in the community.

Supervisor Knabe was joined by Whittier-area community leader Jean Wall to unveil an installed sign at the intersection of Tigrina Avenue and Imperial Highway on August 27. Public Works expects to complete this project by end of fall 2008.

Gale Avenue Improved In Hacienda Heights

The County of Los Angeles has completed the construction of a roadway improvement project on Gale Avenue in the unincorporated community of Hacienda Heights, Supervisor Don Knabe announced today.

The $2,467,046 project focused on the resurfacing, reconstructing and slurry sealing of the roadway; the construction of a curb and gutter, sidewalk, curb ramps, cross gutters, alley intersections, storm drain, catch basins, and connector pipes; and the installation of new striping and pavement markings.

It is important that we constantly look for ways to improve the roads in the County, said Supervisor Knabe. By improving Gale Avenue, the residents of Hacienda Heights, along with the residents of nearby cities and unincorporated County areas that travel this route will benefit.