Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the following statement today in response to the County’s Chief Executive Officer’s recommendation to close and/or reduce clinic services throughout the County, as a means to balance the County’s Department of Health Services Fiscal Year 2008-09 Budget:

In the upcoming fiscal year, our Department of Health Services is looking at a budget shortfall of up to $300 million. In an effort to balance the budget, the CEO has brought forward a recommendation that calls on this Board to close or reduce services at most of our health centers and comprehensive health centers throughout the County. And although, this is only a starting point of the conversation, I am shocked by the proposal and deeply concerned by it.

It is true that this plan will generate millions in savings, but what it fails to address is the effect that closing clinics will have on our already overworked emergency rooms. With the recent overcrowding issues at Harbor-UCLA and the closures of the emergency rooms at King-Harbor and Daniel Freeman Hospitals, the system can ill-afford any further strain. The emergency care system at both private and County hospitals is already in a fragile state, and further increasing the workload of our emergency rooms is creating a time-bomb waiting to explode. We need to be opening more clinics in the County, not closing them.

I will be introducing a motion at Tuesday’s Board Meeting that will ask the CEO to come up with a comprehensive list of all possible options to balance the Health Department’s budget. We have some very difficult decisions on the horizon, but this proposal should be viewed as our last resort and not just a quick fix.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Boston Red Sox for a pre-season exhibition game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, March 29, 2008. Those who are planning to attend the game should arrive early and expect delays.

Exposition Park has limited parking and will most likely be filled early. It is strongly recommended that patrons park at Dodger Stadium (call for reservations) or on the USC Campus. Please see below for available parking and transportation options for the game, and for more information please visit
lacoliseum.com

Exposition Park

Lots open at 8:00 a.m.

$25 per parking spot

39th and Figueroa

Martin Luther King Jr. and Hoover

Additional Entrances as needed

USC Campus

Lots open at 10:00 a.m.

$25 per parking spot

Figueroa and McCarthy

Jefferson and McClintock

Flower and Exposition

35th Street east of Grand

Additional Gates as needed

Dodger Stadium

Lots Open at 11:00 a.m.

Free to the public

Sunset/Elysian Park Gate

Shuttles depart from Dodger Stadium regularly and drop off at Coliseum at Exposition and Figueroa.

For reservations: (323) 224-1507

METRO

Numerous local and express bus lines service the Exposition Park Area:

Local Lines: 40, 42, 81, 102, 200, 204, 381, 550

Rapid Lines: 740, 745, 754

For further information or to plan your trip:

www.metro.net or (800) COMMUTE

A recently completed traffic signal interface between the City and County of Los Angeles will dramatically improve traffic flow throughout the region.

The new interface links the City’s Advanced Traffic Control System with the County’s Information Exchange Network, and will enable a two-way exchange of traffic signal data, including congestion and incident information. It will significantly enhance the ability for both agencies to work together to ensure their traffic signals remain coordinated across City boundaries. Operators in both agencies will be able to monitor the operation of each agency’s signals and make adjustments to ensure the routes are synchronized.

The total cost of the project was approximately $1.41 million, with funding provided by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the City and County of Los Angeles.

The Department of Beaches and Harbors is once again offering its popular Outdoor Adventures programs in Burton Chace Park, located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. Bird Watching, Harbor Kayaking, and Surf Kayaking will offer exciting experiences for individuals and families.

Bird Watching will take groups to various sites in the Ballona Wetlands, where they will have the opportunity to observe various bird species compete for resources in the shoreline and vegetation habitat. They will also be taken to areas where they can observe Great Blue Heron and Black Crowned Night Heron nesting sites. 2008 dates and times are: March 27, 4:00 pm; April 24, 9:00 am; May 15, 4:00 pm; and June 26, 9:00 am. Excursions are presented at no cost, but pre-registration is essential. Each outing is approximately two hours long.

Harbor Kayaking offers leisure kayaking outings in the Marina harbor for anyone 10 years and older, including families, for whom double kayaks are available. Class size limited to 15 participants. Outings are from 11:30 am to 1:45 pm. Dates are March 29, April 26, May 17, June 28, September 27, October 25, and November 22. Cost per outing is $25.00 from 10 to 18 years of age, and $30.00 for participants 19 or older.

Surf Kayaking will provide participants with the opportunity to kayak through the Marina del Rey harbor and head out to the North Jetty, where they will surf the waves aboard sit-on-top kayaks. Los Angeles County Lifeguards will instruct the outing. Pre-registration is a must, as class size is limited to 10 participants. All classes held on Saturdays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Dates are March 29, April 26, May 17, June 28, September 27, October 25, and November 22. Cost per outing is $25.00 ages 10 to 18 years, and $30 ages 19 and older.

For the bird watching program, call (310) 628-2135 and for the kayaking programs call (310) 305-9587 to register or to obtain additional information.

Acting Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan detailed plans this week to move forward with counting the maximum number of cross-over votes possible from the February 5th Presidential Primary Election. In a letter to the Secretary of State and in a report before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Logan outlined the criteria that will be used to determine voter intent and to include votes not previously counted in the certified results of the election.

"This is about restoring public confidence and ensuring that Los Angeles County voters know that their votes are counted," said Logan. "It is an important message to send to the thousands of new voters who were drawn into the electoral process in this historic Presidential election year."

In the weeks since the election, Logan has worked closely with the Secretary of State, the Board of Supervisors and community stakeholders in pursuit of legal options to allow the County to discern voter intent and to count votes cast by non-partisan voters who chose to cross-over and vote in the Democratic and American Independent party Presidential contests, but who missed an instruction to first mark a party selection choice on their ballots.

In addition to presenting a resolution for including votes cast by DTS voters in the certified election results, Logan re-affirmed his commitment to providing an improved ballot layout in future primary elections. "We very clearly understand the need to revise the ballot layout and to offer voters the least confusing method possible for making their selections," Logan said. The new format will be introduced in the June 3rd State Primary Election.

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk staff is completing a 28-day detailed vote canvassing period this week involving a multitude of tasks to process all valid ballots and to account for thousands of election supplies and equipment before certifying the election. Additional activities necessary to add the votes cast by DTS voters will take place this weekend and early next week. The final results will be certified on March 4th.

Logan conveyed appreciation to voters and stakeholders who called upon the County to ensure the votes were counted. "I thank the voters of Los Angeles County for their patience and participation. We will continue in the weeks and months ahead to ensure a voting experience that is efficient and effective in June and November."

The Water Awareness, Training, Education and Recreation (W.A.T.E.R.) Program of the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is offering three of its most popular aquatic sports camps for boys and girls during spring break.

The camps available for the spring program are surfing, ocean-sports, and beginning sailing. To be eligible for the camps, boys and girls must have passed the W.A.T.E.R. Program’s required swim test. The W.A.T.E.R. Program, designed to raise awareness of ocean and beach safety through aquatic-related sports activities, is conducted by Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguards who have received special training in working with young people.

Surf Camps – Ages 11 to 17

Venice Beach Pier: March 17-21 and March 24-28 from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.

Manhattan Beach Pier: April 7-11 from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.

Ocean-Sports Camps – Ages 7 to 14

Venice Beach Pier: March 17-21 and March 24-28 from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.

Manhattan Beach Pier: April 7 -11 from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.

Beginning Sailing Camps – Ages 11 to 17

Marina del Rey Boathouse: March 17-21, March 24-28, and April 7-11 from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm

All equipment is provided and fees range between $100 and $135 for the week-long sessions. Financial aid is available, based on family income, and free transportation is provided from non-beach areas during camp weeks. For information or to request an application, please call the W.A.T.E.R. Youth Program at (310) 305-9587.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) welcomes all of L.A. to its Free Community Weekend, celebrating the opening of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), and other key features of Phase I of LACMA’s ongoing transformation.

During the weekend-long extravaganza Saturday, February 16 through Monday, February 18 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, visitors will explore BCAM, the BP Grand Entrance, outdoor works by Chris Burden, Robert Irwin, Jeff Koons, and Charles Ray, as well as LACMA’s newly installed modern art galleries and the reconfigured Atrium in the Ahmanson Building. The rest of LACMA’s galleries of European, American, Asian, Islamic, and Indian art will also be open free of charge for all to enjoy. A full schedule of entertainment is planned as well. LACMA’s Free Community Weekend is sponsored by Target.

While all three days of LACMA’s Community Weekend are free, tickets are required. Tickets can be reserved by calling the LACMA box office at 323 857-6010, or by visiting www.lacma.org

The following entertainment will be presented throughout LACMA on all three days of the Free Community Weekend:

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Live music & performance, sound artists, artist-led workshops – Hancock Park

LACMA’s backyard comes alive with a variety of sights and sounds. Artist Hadley Holliday will be holding a weekend-long workshop where she’ll ask participants to engage in a special group sculpture. On Monday, artist Peggy Hasegawa will lead an origami-like paper architecture workshop.

Monday will also feature live musical performances by bands Ars Poetria at 11:00 pm and the Aquabats at 2:00 pm. All weekend long visitors can enjoy and participate in the eclectic sounds of Alan Nakagawa and his fellow sound artists who have made unique instruments out of recycled materials. While guests are in the park, they can also sign kids up for LACMA NexGen, the nation’s only free youth membership program.

11:00 am-4:00 pm

Los Angeles Contemporary Dance – South Plaza

This innovative, culturally influenced dance troupe will be performing short, art-inspired dance sets in response to Chris Burden’s outdoor artwork, Urban Light, and Robert Irwin’s palm garden.

All Day

Roaming Performers – Throughout LACMA

Avant Garde stilt-walkers, head-dress-making balloon artists, and magicians will wander LACMA’s campus. Visitors will also see intricate, artist-designed bird puppets soaring through the crowds.

All Day

Photo Booth – Los Angeles Times Central Court

Guests can make their museum memories last by hopping into LACMA’s specially designed photo booth for commemorative snapshots.

All Day

Live Deejays – North Plaza

Deejays will spin throughout the day for those who love to dance or just relax to the sounds on LACMA’s outdoor plaza.

All Day

Construct – Boone Children’s Gallery

Kids’ imaginations can run wild in Construct; an exhibition that lets children paint, sculpt, draw, and even design buildings in the Renzo Piano-inspired architectural square.

Los Angeles County Supervisors

Don Knabe and Gloria Molina announced recently that the much anticipated new trash collection service in South Whittier begins April 1, 2008. An exclusive Franchise Agreement has been provided to Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc. for solid waste collection services to residents in South Whittier.

This agreement will allow us to offer better trash and recycling services to the residents of South Whittier, said Supervisor Knabe. The agreement will help the County provide more efficient service while reducing service fees. Additionally, working with individual haulers will help us keep better track of our residential waste diversion rate, which is important as the state enforces minimum rates.

The County’s new Franchise system is helping us better serve our unincorporated communities. A binding agreement between the County and Burrtec will provide efficient and cost-effective trash hauling services to our residents and hold the trash hauler accountable for quality customer service, said Supervisor Molina. South Whittier residents will also now pay a lower rate than those offered by previous trash haulers.

Prior to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW) call for proposals, the department spent several years working with trash haulers throughout the County to ensure an adequate process was established for the development of the County’s Trash Franchise system.

A competitive process was used for selecting the exclusive waste hauler, and proposals were evaluated based on the rate, work plan, experience, financial strength, and other criteria received by residents during community meetings and a survey in 2005.

In addition to reporting, screening protocols and un-permitted waste and safety requirements, the South Whittier franchise agreement at a $17.67 monthly rate includes:

– Once-a-week automated trash collection

– One 96-gallon refuse, one 96-gallon green waste, and one 96-gallon recycling containers

– One extra green waste container and/or recycling free of charge upon request

vAdditional refuse containers at $5 per container per month upon request

– Free Holiday tree collection

– Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

– On-call bulky item collections twice a year in unlimited quantities (including electronic waste

– Four special community clean-up events per year

– Free roll-out services for elderly and/or disabled

– Customer Education Program

– A 25 percent senior discount for residents 62 or older who either (1) qualifies for utility rate discounts based on financial need and is the head of household, or (2) generates small amounts of waste and uses 32-gallon containers

– Annual curbside clean-up event (including electronic waste)

– On-call bulky item collections in unlimited quantities (twice per year, including electronic waste)

The recycling programs, such as Universal/E-Waste cleanup events, Sharps Program, illegal dumping prevention and cleanup activities, and others will provide residents with convenient opportunities to dispose of hard-to-handle wastes. It will also increase recycling and assist the County in meeting the State’s 50 percent waste reduction mandate (AB939) and avoid penalties.

Another benefit to the community is cleaner air and less pollution from gas emissions because all residential refuse and recycling service trucks in South Whittier will use Alternative Fuel Vehicles for operation. These vehicles will operate under a liquid natural gas (LNG) or a compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system.

For more information, contact the Franchise Hotline at (800) 993-5844 or www.888CleanLA.com

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed the past week as Preteen Vaccine Week to highlight the importance of immunizations and regular doctor visits for 11 and 12-year-olds.

California’s youth are our greatest asset, and protecting their health is our responsibility, says Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and County Health Officer. Parents of preteens are urged to schedule a wellness check-up with their child’s doctor to make sure immunizations are up-to-date. This visit is a great opportunity for youth to receive any shots they might have missed, and to receive any other immunizations that can protect them against serious diseases.

It is recommended that all 11 and 12-year-olds receive a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster to protect against whooping cough and a meningococcal vaccination. Meningococcal infection can be very serious, and can rapidly progress to meningitis, pneumonia, and even death. Among infected teens, the disease is fatal in about 10% and another 15% will have a long-term disability because of it. A vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), which helps protect against cervical disease and cancer later in life is available for girls.

For more information on preteen vaccines, visit the Public Health’s Immunization Program at www.lapublichealth.org/ip

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has teamed with the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court, the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families, hospitals associated with Los Angeles County medical hubs and a variety of other external partners to create a Juvenile Obesity Workgroup to help tackle the issue of obesity among children, especially those in foster care.

The workgroup will collaborate to connect resources educating caregivers about proper nutrition and exercise for youth.

Coordinated by Juvenile Court Presiding Judge Michael Nash, the Juvenile Obesity Workgroup members also include representatives from the Association of Community Human Services Agencies (ACHSA), the DCFS Training section and the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department.

Part of the workgroup’s agenda will include increasing the awareness and training for social workers and public health nurses regarding nutrition. The workgroup also aims to identify resources and services to refer caregivers and children to such as treatment centers that have expertise in dealing with childhood obesity. In addition, the workgroup will collaborate with group home providers to address the nutritional status of children in group homes and look at their exercise programs in order to provide suggestions and help.

The workgroup will also work closely with community providers associated with the County’s Healthier Communities, Stronger Families, and Thriving Children (HST) and Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project to streamline information to the community and reinforce early education about nutrition and exercise.

"This is a growing problem nationwide," said Dr. Charles Sophy, DCFS Medical Director and a member of the County’s Juvenile Obesity Workgroup. "We at DCFS are charged with protecting vulnerable children in Los Angeles County and part of that protection includes raising the awareness level about the health needs of foster children so we can better serve them."