Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the Board of Supervisors approved his motion to extend an employment invitation to medical professionals impacted and displaced by the recent natural disasters to hit the United States.

As part of the motion, the Los Angeles County Medical Association (LACMA) will work with other regional medical groups to determine if there is any interest by these displaced professionals to work in Los Angeles County. LACMA will also identify any steps that must be taken to quickly license these medical professionals to work in California. A report is expected back before the Board of Supervisors in 30 days.

My hope is that we will allow quality doctors and nurses who have been uprooted from their homes to quickly find work within our healthcare system, said Supervisor Knabe. This is a win-win situation. These displaced healthcare professionals will have quick access to a job and we will be getting experienced medical professionals.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe made a presentation today to recognize the Whittier Union High School District for receiving the most improved A.P.I. (Academic Performance Index) Scores in the County.

The A.P.I. was the cornerstone of California’s Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999. It measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic measures. The California Department of Education uses it as one of their most useful tools of determining the academic success of a school.

For seven consecutive years, Whittier Union High School District has sustained significant academic achievement gains at all of its high schools, which include: California, La Serna, Pioneer, Santa Fe, and Whittier.

This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Whittier Union, said Supervisor Knabe. I commend the Superintendent, the Board of Trustees, the teachers, the staff, and most of all the students, for their hard work and dedication.

In attendance to receive the scroll was Whittier Union High School District Superintendent Sandra Thorstenson. Along with the superintendent were several members of the School District Board of Trustees including: President Jeff Baird and Clerk Leighton Anderson. Photos of this Board Presentation are available. Any media outlet interested in obtaining copies can call (213) 974-1095.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe announced today that the Board of Supervisors has appointed Ann Franzen of the City of Bellflower to the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families.

Franzen is a retired day care provider who worked extensively with Day Care Licensing and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. As a day care provider, she helped find state money for mothers who could not afford day care and worked with young children that had speech and physical development problems.

Ann’s significant experience as a child care provider has given her excellent insight into the various issues that children and families go through on a daily basis, said Supervisor Knabe. Her knowledge will be a great asset on this important commission.

The Board of Supervisors today honored Bobbi Jean Tanberg as the June 2005 Employee-of-the-Month.

Tanberg is a 15-year county employee and she currently serves as an Occupational Therapy Assistant with the Department of Health Services at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey. There, she provides a wide range of services for both children and adults with physical disabilities.

Tanberg, an enthusiastic sports fan, set her sights on making the U.S. Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team in 2000, and after many years of hard work she made the team. Her positive outlook on life makes her instrumental in the Positive Self-Image Life Coach Program and she also serves as an excellent role model at Rancho.

On her personal time, Tanberg is a passionate community advocate for the disabled. In 2004, she developed and implemented the spinal cord injury helpline which helps spinal injury patients locate much needed community resources. Bobbi’s tireless work in the community is a tremendous inspiration to us all," said Knabe. We are very lucky to have such a devoted person working at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

Supervisor Knabe today announced that the Dockweiler Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park will reopen at noon on Friday, May 27 at Dockweiler State Beach, 12001 Vista del Mar in Playa del Rey, after several months of renovations.

" Dockweiler Beach is one of the many beautiful beaches that line our coastline in Los Angeles County and we are excited to be able to open up just in time for summer recreational activities," said Knabe.

The $11 million project, funded by County of Los Angeles Proposition A and State of California Proposition 40 bond funds, includes the replacement of restroom buildings, an entry kiosk, maintenance and lifeguard facilities refurbishment, parking lots, a concession building and new landscaping.

The newly renovated RV Park offers 117 spaces complete with water, electric and sewage hookups including 35 new back row hookups with full utilities for recreational vehicles up to 37 feet in length. Other amenities include laundry facilities and hot showers.

Dockweiler RV Park visitors can enjoy beachfront views, utilize the fire pits on the beach, hang glide off the nearby bluffs, bike along the 22-mile long Los Angeles County Beaches coastline bike trail, or take a trip to any of the numerous Los Angeles area attractions.

Reservations for Dockweiler Recreational Vehicle (RV) Park are being accepted now for the summer 2005 season, by dialing (800) 950-7275.

For additional information regarding Dockweiler Recreational (RV) Park dial (310) 322-5008.

Supervisor Knabe announced today that Adventure County Park will celebrate its Grand Opening Ceremony on Wednesday July 28, 2004 at 3:30 p.m.

The $4.2 million project, which commenced in June 2003, both expanded and renovated the current park to include new recreational facilities, additional parking as well as a kitchen designed to accommodate a Meals on Wheels program.

"After a year of construction, the new gymnasium at Adventure County Park will become a valuable community center for the people of Whittier," said Knabe. "With all of its new additions, the modern recreational facility will be able to host organized competitions, educational classes, community meetings and social functions."

The County’s youth workers demolished existing benches, planter areas, and chain link fences to help out with the construction project. The following new additions and renovations were made to the facility: basketball court, weight room, 2 ball fields, restrooms, office, shower rooms, enclosed courtyard, concrete walkways, 2 parking lots, and 22 new trees (to replace those removed previously).

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Don Knabe announced plans to contract for construction of flood control improvements in the Cities of Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. Improvements will include construction of a device to divert low water flows in the existing storm drain along Herondo Street between Monterey Boulevard and Valley Drive, a sediment separation device, a reinforced concrete sump with pumps, discharge pipes, and supporting structures.

This project is part of the County’s extensive stormwater program and will provide improved water pollution control by diverting non-storm runoff to a sewage treatment plant.

The County Department of Public Works will open bids May 11 on a contract to perform the work. Public Works expects the work to start in July and take 45 working days to complete the project, ending in October. Once work begins, traffic may be mildly disrupted.