JULY 29, 2011 PUBLICATION

Off Street Café
celebrates ribbon cutting with Cerritos Chamber



By Randy Economy

This has been a whirlwind month for Robin Vandenberg and Rose Viscolu the owners of the Off Street Café on Artesia Boulevard and Studebaker Road in Cerritos.
Earlier this month, the landmark eatery was given a complete head to toe make over by world famous chef Robert Irvine and the Food Network’s mega hit show “Restaurant Impossible.”
On Wednesday members of the Cerritos Regional Chamber of Commerce, including Chamber President Ann Smith, and Vice Mayor Jim Edwards, and representatives from California State Senator Alan Lowenthal and US Representative Linda T. Sanchez presented Off Street with several awards and certificates at a special “Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.” Also joining in the celebration were several members of the Cerritos Regional Chamber Board of Directors, community leaders, and representatives from Cerritos City Hall.
Vice Mayor Jim Edwards told the crowd of well wishers at the Chamber event that everyone has been “thrilled” to see the changes to Off Street during this past month and said it was “exciting” to be part of the recent taping of the “Restaurant Impossible” production.
He presented Vandenberg and Visscolu with a special proclamation on behalf of the Cerritos City Council.
On Thursday night, the entire Cerritos City Council recognized Off Street and their staff at the City Council Meeting for their longtime commitment to the residents and to celebrate their “new look” and menu.


Eighty-eight players turn out for
Hawaiian Gardens Golf Tournament


By Larry Caballero and
Jerry Bernstein



Eighty-eight players participated in Hawaiian Gardens 12th Annual Donald E. Schultze Memorial Golf Tournament held at Westridge Golf Club June 22 in the city of La Habra.
First Place Team with a score of 56 went to Knabe, Garza, Espenzoa and Guiller. Placing second with a score of 57 was Knabe, Gomeaz, Nava and Patrick. Third Place team with a score of 61 included Parker, Harnis, McDougal, and George. Honesrty Award with a score of 85 went to Sandoval, Eggart, and Casimira.
Longest Drive went to Dan Gonzalez on the 17th Hole and Roberta Abner on Hole Number Five. Closest to the Pin was won by Danny Yoguez on Hole 11 and Donna Schultz on Hole 15.
Attending the tournament was former Mayor Betty Schultz and family. The annual tournament, is named after her late husband Donald, who also served on the city council and was a community leader for many years.
Mary Lou Landes was the honoree at this year’s tournament where more than 180 dignitaries and friends recognized her for her dedication and commitment to improving the lives of families in Hawaiian Gardens and surrounding communities.
Landes served five years on the Senior Advisory Board, Chairperson of Southeast Regional Collaborative Board for 10 years, Cerritos Chamber Board of Directors, worked with the Head Start Program both educationally an socially, Board of Directors for Little League and Pop Warner Football, and active with ABCUSD School Board with issues pertaining to Hawaiian Gardens schools.
Landes grew up in Georgia, attended the University of Georgia and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Georgia Baptist Medical Center in Atlanta. She came to California and worked in Berkeley for 10 years before moving to Long Beach in 1969.
She specialized in Behavioral Health Nursing, holding various administrative positions in hospitals, where her specialty was opening and developing Mental Health Units.
She was recruited to Bellwood Health Center in Bellflower where she met and worked for Art Gerrick, who would later bring her to Tri-City Regional Medical Center in Hawaiian Gardens to work as Director of Community Relations/Business Development.
She has been a recipient of many awards and commendations including Human Services Association Person of the Year, Senator Alan Lowenthal’s Women Who Make a Difference Award, Assemblymember Tony Mendoza’s Women of the Year Award and commendations from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and the ABC School Board.
She feels one of her most fulfilling accomplishments is her Little League team in Hawaiian Gardens that she lovingly calls “Her Boys” of 10 who she has sponsored/mentored since 7th grade and who are now seniors in high school.
Hawaiian Gardens Mayor Mike Gomez said, “Winning championships in baseball was great, but keeping them focused and out of gangs through adolescent years, and having them pursuing educational/professional goals took patience and perseverance, but she has been successful and most proud of her title Mom Mary Lou as the boys call her.”
She currently lives in Los Alamitos with her cat “Sir James Harden” known as Jamie.


Optimist guest speaker discusses Therapeutic Riding Program for those with disabilities

By Jerry Bernstein

Speaking to members of the Cerritos Optimist Club at their June 21 dinner meeting, Darlene Harman, President and Founding Director of “Ride Your Horse Therapeutic Program” located at B&B Stables in Cerritos said the goal of the program is to provide quality equine-assisted activities to individuals of all ages with disabilities and encourage self-growth through physical, cognitive, social, emotional and educational benefits. She described the connection between the rider and the horse as being amazing.
“Therapeutic riding can help those with various disabilities. The horses’ rhythmic movements stimulate the rider’s muscles and joints and can lead to improved balance, coordination, muscle strength and increased self-confidence.
She said many people believe any horse can be used. “That’s not the case at all. We need horses that can walk, trot and canter. They need to be trained and have the right disposition that’s needed to work with riders who have disabilities. In addition, our own people need to be trained in order to work with the horses and their riders.”
She said volunteers are also an important and essential part of the program. They provide emotional support and unconditional acceptance both to the rider and horse as they work closely with instructors to ensure lessons are safe and enjoyable. They not only assist with lessons but also lead the horses, talking to it and encouraging the rider when necessary.. She said in some cases it takes three volunteers for a rider to have a safe, beneficial lesson. “Without volunteers many of our riders would not be able to ride,” she exclaimed. “Not only does the instructor need to know the horses but the volunteers as well.”
Harman said their kids are unable to go out and play soccer or baseball. The only way they can contend is riding the horses. They are very proud when they can go out and compete on their horses, inviting their parents and family to come out and watch them. It’s difficultd for them in the beginning but they work hard and have the determination to succeed, “Most of all it doesn’t matter how old you are,” she said.
Harman concluded by saying, “At the end of the day it’s nice to know that when you go home at night, you have made somebody smile.”





LBS Financial
Credit Union Awards 32 Student Scholarships




Long Beach, CA – June 27, 2011
At the close of the 2011 school year, LBS Financial Credit Union awarded scholarships to 32 students in Long Beach, Lakewood, Cerritos and surrounding communities.
Each year LBS Financial encourages local area high schools, adult schools and community colleges to participate in their scholarship program by recommending students for an award. This year, 28 high school, 2 college and 2 adult school students were awarded scholarships. The credit union works directly with each school counselor to receive their recommendation for a worthy student recipient each year.
The credit union also offered a $1,000 scholarship in 2011 that could be applied for by any LBS Financial member in their final year of high school or first three years of college. One winner for the $1,000 scholarship is selected by a credit union employee committee each year and will be formally announced later this summer.
“Education is at the foundation of our credit union,” said LBS Financial’s President and CEO Jeffrey A. Napper. “With the rising cost of college, we hope our scholarship program helps these outstanding students towards reaching their educational goals.”
Throughout May and June 2011, scholarships were presented, along with a plaque, to students at their school’s award ceremony.
LBS Financial, founded in 1935 as the Long Beach School District Employees Federal Credit Union, is a member-owned cooperative providing savings, checking, Visa®, money markets, certificates, IRA, insurance and investment services. LBS Financial also offers personal, vehicle, boat and home loans. Their field of membership encompasses fifty cities surrounding the greater Long Beach area, as well as Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego Counties. They currently service over 115,000 members with six branch office locations, convenient electronic access (ATMs, online banking) and are part of the CU Service Center network. LBS Financial Credit Union has $1 billion in total assets.

Walker Junior High School Representatives Win at Jostens
Renaissance National Conference

By Larry Caballero


La Palma Walker Junior High School students and staff recently returned from the 2011 Jostens Renaissance National Conference held at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim July 15-17 where the 20th annual conference provided a wide variety of ideas, tools, and recognition models to help improve overall academic performance. Over 1,000 participants from all over the United States and Canada participated.
Jennifer Sasai, teacher and Renaissance adviser, was honored with the Coordinator of the Year award. Only four educators in the United States are honored with this prestigious award each year.
Walker Junior High School took home for the second consecutive year the “Spirit Award” during the conference for demonstrating enthusiasm and purpose. It is a major accomplishment that a junior high chapter won this award over all the secondary schools in the nation.
“I am proud of how our students represented our school at the conference. We learned new ideas to implement at our school and also were able to share what we have done to promote student success at Walker Junior High School in front of a national audience. I was honored to be named a Jostens Renaissance Coordinator of the Year and be able to celebrate with my students at the conference,” said Sasai.
“Schools that have integrated Jostens Renaissance into their curriculum have seen noticeable improvement in students’ academic performance,” said Charley Nelson, Director, Educator Services, Jostens. “By implementing the program, students receive the extra push and recognition they need to improve their academic skills and develop self-confidence.”
Calissa Jones, an eighth grade student, who has attended the Jostens Renaissance National conference for two consecutive years commented, “Both years that I have attended the conference, I’ve been incredibly inspired to make a difference in my community.”
The conference featured guest speakers NBA star Bill Walton, and Liz Murray, a homeless child of drug-addict parents and a Harvard grad winner of the Oprah Winfrey’s “Chutzpah Award,” and subject of the Lifetime film Homeless to Harvard.
Ron Hoshi, assistant principal at Oxford Academy, who served as a chaperone remarked, “Ms. Murray is one of the most inspirational speakers I have ever heard in my career as an educator.”
At Walker Junior High School, two high-energy Renaissance rallies are held each year. The fall rally honors eighth graders for grades earned the previous year. The spring rally honors both seventh and eighth graders for grades earned during the first semester.
“Renaissance is more than a program. It is also a process that encourages academic excellence, improvement, and citizenship,” said Sasai.
Founded by educators in 1988, Jostens Renaissance is the first and only national education-focused program created to recognize and reward the academic achievements of students from elementary school through college. Its primary goals are to increase student performance and teacher enthusiasm, and to raise the level of community participation in schools.



Nine Year Old Discovers Strange
Plant in Family’s Garden

By Andrew Perry


Austin O’ Malley, nine years old, noticed an odd looking flower growing in the family garden, along 183rd Street in Artesia. The flower was not intentionally planted there, yet it was attractive enough to convince Austin to continue caring for it. That was back in March. Today the flower, a hollyhock, is now 13 feet, 8 inches tall.
Austin’s father, Sean O’ Malley, thinks that a bird must have dropped the seed at its prominent spot at the forefront of their garden. “It’s a few feet away from the world record,” said Sean O’ Malley. According to the 1982 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records, the tallest hollyhock reported was 24 feet, 3 inches tall, grown by W.P. Walshe of Eastburne, East Sussex, United Kingdom in 1961. Again, this was reported however but not photographed. The tallest confirmed flower was 19 feet, 7 inches, grown by George Palmer of West Clandon, Surrey, in the United Kingdom, during 1978.
While it may be too late for this hollyhock flower to outgrow the world record, the two O’ Malleys seemed intent on pursuing the record next year. They said they have saved the seeds and are making a plan for next year’s flower.




City Council Health Insurance and
Benefits Differ From City to City

By Jerry Bernstein

Editor’s note: This is the second article concerning health insurance and benefits for area City Council members, many who are considered part-time employees. The question being asked- should cities pay for the insurance, which usually covers dependents or should members of the city council pay a portion of the premium. The previous article covered the cities of Artesia and Cerritos.

An ongoing LCCN investigation has found that health insurance and benefits vary from city to city. The majority of the cities provides health insurance not only for the council members but their families too. In addition some cities continue coverage after a councilmember goes off the council. In Artesia however, the health insurance ends once the councilmember is no longer on the council.
In the city of Hawaiian Gardens each councilmember and family member receive health insurance. The insurance stays in force until such time as the member goes off the council unless he is vested (on the council for more than five years, is retired, and is over 55 years in age.)
If a councilmember declines to take the insurance he or she receives nothing. If the insurance fee is in excess of the normal fee that is governed by CALPERS, the councilmember must pay the difference, which is usually for dependents.
Two members of the Hawaiian Gardens council, Mayor Mike Gomez and Mayor Pro Tem Michi Oyama-Canada, are not covered by the city because they have their own medical insurance.
Norwalk city council members and their families receive health coverage. This ends when the councilmember leaves the council. The coverage does not include dental care. If a councilmember is 65 years he or she has a choice of basic health or they can go on Medicare provided they are not employed.
The City of La Palma does not provide any health insurance coverage for its councilmembers,
Councilmembers in the city of Cypress pay no premium if the coverage is just for them. If the councilmember includes family members they have to pay the difference. Councilmembers have several medical plans to pick from. They include PERS Care (Blue Cross), PERS Choice (Blue Cross), PERS Select (Blue Cross) BLUE SHIELD HMO Coverage, BLUE SHIELD Net Value Coverage, and Kaiser HMO Coverage.
Councilmembers also have two Dental Plans to choose from: Delta Preferred and Delta Care, which the premiums are paid for by the city. However under Delta Preferred the council members pays $41.12 for one dependent and $105.66 for two dependents. Under Delta Care one dependent is $13.90. Two dependents are $29.95. Councilmembers who chose to waive dental coverage receives $5 per month.
There is also city paid life insurance coverage in the amount of $10,000 through Sun Life Insurance Company of America and a Vision Service Plan (VSP) where the council- members pays a $10 co-payment for self and each dependent. The councilmember may also elect to enroll as an “Optional” member in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) with 2 percent @ 55 formula, single highest year calculation and survivor benefit. DEFFERED COMPENSATION is available to all Council Members.
The last city surveyed was Santa Fe Springs. Like all employees, members of the City Council receive medical, dental, and life insurance while in office. There are different types of medical plans available, so it depends on what plan the person chooses if their dependent(s) are to be covered.
Up until last year, dependents were eligible for coverage on most insurance policies until 18, or 21 if they were full-time students. Under a new law, passed by President Obama, dependents can now stay covered on their parents' medical plans until they reach the age of 26. To date Santa Fe Springs has never had a Councilmember retire with dependents that qualified to be on their plans; most are over the age to be covered. Spouses however could be covered if that type of plan is chosen.


West Nile virus
cases jump
dramatically in
Cerritos

By Randy Economy

The number of dead birds confirmed to have the deadly West Nile Virus in Cerritos has now risen to 12, according to latest data from officials with the Los Angeles County Vector Control District.
At a community meeting held at the Skyline Room at the Cerritos Library last week, authorities from GLACVCD said that the number of dead birds with WNV has actually doubled in the past two weeks alone.
Cerritos now accounts for nearly 60% of all confirmed cases in all of Los Angeles County of dead birds that have fallen from the virus.
As of last week, Vector Control officials said that 21 dead birds have been found throughout Los Angeles County who died from the killer virus, and of those 12 were found in Cerritos, or roughly 60% of all cases to date.
Vector Control officials also reported that 36 mosquitoes have been found in traps throughout Los Angeles County, and of those five were found in Cerritos.
Los Angeles County has reported the highest number of West Nile virus (WNV) positive dead birds so far this year when compared to all other counties in California, and Cerritos has the most recorded cases in Los Angeles County according to the latest statistics.
Overall, Vector control districts in L.A. County have reported 26 of the 69 West Nile virus positive dead birds that have been recorded statewide. Within one week, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) has identified an additional eight West Nile virus positive dead birds bringing the District’s total to 21 for the year. Of the eight new WNV positive dead birds reported.
Councilman Mark Pulido, and around 20 local community members attended the briefing at the Cerritos Library.
Pulido interjected that he has personally seen "thousands" of black crows that have been flocking in “clusters” in areas around the Cerritos Civic Center.
Crystal Brown, an official with Vector Control, said that there is a "cause for concern" since so many cases are located in a dense area here in Cerritos.
"This is very alarming, and concerning, and now is the time for everyone to get educated and to take precaution," she told the community meeting.
Longtime Cerritos resident Don Faisy, a teacher in the ABC Unified School District said he found at least three dead black crows in his back yard over the "past few days alone." Faisy said the only way he learned about the outbreak was from a recent series of articles in the Los Cerritos Community News. "If it wasn't for LCCN reporting on this, I am afraid no one would get this information," Faisy said.
The newest locations where the dead birds with the West Nile Virus found in Cerritos during the past few days were found at the 16000 block of Winward, 12000 block of Edgefield, 13000 block of Park, and the 17000 block of Stark.
Officials said that they are working to get an "interactive map" to be placed on line that will that will provide "real time" confirmed case data, and where it is located.


State claims CRA’s have been using
accounting gimmickry for decades

By Randy Economy


California Attorney General Kamala Harris has filed a response with the California Supreme Court on Wednesday in the legal battle to eliminate Community Redevelopment Agency’s in the Golden State.
In the 85 page response that was filed on Wednesday in San Francisco, Harris claims that CRA’s have relied of “accounting gimmicks, illusory spending cuts, and improbable revenue projections.”
Here is the full text of the response:
“In 1945, the California Legislature passed legislation authorizing the creation of Redevelopment Agencies ("RDAs"). Over time, hundreds of RDAs were created, and they grew to control many billions of public dollars each year. As the percentage of public funds controlled by RDAs grew, the portion available to fund crucial local services like schools, transportation, and fire protection dropped.”
“During most of the past decade, even as RDA funds grew, California struggled with massive budget deficits. These deficits were extended and exacerbated by budgeting practices that relied too heavily on borrowing, accounting gimmicks, illusory spending cuts, and improbable revenue projections. Making matters much worse, the Great Recession reduced the state's revenue base by 30 percent.”
“When Governor Brown took office, California's immediate and long term fiscal problems were immense. A $25.4 billion budget deficit existed for 2011-12 and an annual structural deficit of up to $21.5 billion was projected into the future. Time had come for the Legislature and the Governor to confront difficult policy and spending choices and enact an honest and fiscally responsible budget. For the first time in many years, they did so when they passed the 2011-12 FY Budget. This budget not only closed the fiscal year's $25.4 billion imbalance, but it also reduced the structural deficit by more than $15 billion.”
As part of this budget, the Legislature passed legislation which eliminated RDAs and called for their operations to be systematically wound down. Simultaneously, the Legislature created an alternative, voluntary scheme for cities and counties to use should they wish to continue pursuing redevelopment. Through this petition, RDA supporters seek to have the Legislature's actions declared Unconstitutional.
The petition alleges that state constitutional provisions which limit the Legislature's ability to tamper with the stream of income flowing into and out of RDAs also preclude the Legislature from terminating the RDA program through AB IX 26. This contention is meritless. RDAs are creatures of statute—not the state constitution—and the Legislature may dissolve them. Proposition 22 does not change this analysis and did nothing to limit the Legislature's power to dissolve RDAs.
The petition also claims that AB1X 27, which created a new and voluntary redevelopment program, violates Proposition 22. This contention is also without merit. Proposition 22 blocks forted shifts and transfers from RDAs. AB1X 27 is voluntary and does not force RDAs or cities and counties to do anything. Although respondent 1 does not agree that the statutes are infirm, she does agree that the issues presented are of sufficient importance to warrant resolution by this Court in the first instance, preferably on an expedited basis.
Finally, the Court should not issue a stay of these critically important pieces of the state's current budget framework. AB IX 26 and AB1X 27 are essential parts of the budget solution crafted by the Legislature and the Governor, and a stay would harm the public interest. Further, petitioners cannot make an adequate showing that they will be harmed without a stay.”
To view the entire response from Attorney General Harris, please visit the Los Cerritos Community News Web Site at www.loscerritosnews.net


Fall election
candidates begin
stacking up for
November balloting

Six candidates in Hawaiian
Gardens City Council, area school and college trustee
campaigns taking shape.

By Randy Economy

Candidates continued to file this week for local city council campaigns in Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens as well for seats on area school and college boards of trustees.
At Hawaiian Gardens City Hall, six candidates have begun the formal nomination process according to City Clerk Sue Underwood.
As of 10 a.m. Thursday, challenger Kathy Trimble has filed the required documents for the November 8th election.
Also taking out nomination papers are Mayor Mike Gomez, Councilman Victor Farfan, and challengers Janeth Arias, an Attorney at Law, Adrian Avelar, and Mauricio Arroyo.
In Artesia, incumbent Councilman Tony Lima has taken out nomination papers for reelection as has challenger Miguel Canales. Lima, who is finishing his first full four year term on the Artesia City Council, did confirm with the Los Cerritos Community News on Thursday morning that he will seek a second term.
For the ABC Unified School Board of Education, incumbent Board President Maynard Law has filed for reelection as well as Vice President Armin Reyes and Member Sophia Tse. Retired Cerritos businessman and community leader Mansour Meisami has also entered the campaign.
In addition, a special election will be held to fill the unexpired two year term of former board member Mark E. Pulido who was elected to the Cerritos City Council in March. So far, Ernie Nishi, a Cerritos attorney has been issued nomination papers and he told the Los Cerritos Community News on Wednesday that he will “definitely” be a candidate.
Rio Hondo College incumbent Gary Mendez has filed for reelection to his Area 4 district that includes Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and Los Nietos. Mendez, who is seeking his fourth four year term on the Rio Hondo College Board is being challenged by Little Lake City School Board Ronald Lawrence.
In the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District campaign, incumbent school board member Karen Morrison has filed for reelection and challenger Jesse Urquidi has pulled nomination papers. Incumbent Lorraine Neal has yet to pull nomination papers.
Detailed information regarding the candidate filing process is available on the Registrar Recorder/County Clerk website www.lavote.

Hawaiian Gardens City Council debates
warrants and how they should be paid

Financial and Personnel Audit Requested.

By Jerry Bernstein

The discussion that keeps cropping up at the Hawaiian Gardens City Council meetings has to do with Warrants.
Should these bills be paid before the council approves them or after council approval? Warrants have been described as routine. They include payment for work that has been completed for the city under contract as well as miscellaneous fees such as insurance premiums. and expenses.
At its July 26 meeting the council gave its approval to pre-issued warrants and regular warrants in the amount of $2,041,222.51 with Mayor Mike Gomez, Mayor Pro Tem Michi Oyama-Canada and Councilmember Victor Far Fan approving them. Councilmembers Reynaldo Rodriguez and Barry Bruce abstained , commenting there was some warrants they agreed with and others they questioned. They did not want to go on record voting against all of them. They said they believed the council should review them before they are paid.
Bruce said he would like to see a financial and personnel audit and requested that it be put on the agenda for the council’s Aug. 9 meeting. He expressed his disconnect with approving pre-issued warrants and said there should be a committee to review all warrants before they come to the council for approval. “I don’t think this is fiscally responsible thing for us to do.” He said the council had discussed doing a fiscal and financial audit last year and he still feels one should be done now, especially since it looks like redevelopment money will soon be “out the door.” He said it was time for the council to become responsible and seriously look at the city’s finances, see where we can cut and if better fiscal planning is needed.
Councilmember Reynaldo Rodriguez agreed and said this was a huge amount of money. He asked what the monthly average was. Finance Director David Sung said it was not more than $1 million.
Councilmember Victor Farfan said he believes the city has been moving in a responsible direction, He said the council approved a balance budget,. “Right now we have $6 million in our rainy day fund. He also noted that in the budget the council voted to increase the amount being put into the city’s reserve was raised to $1 million annually. He said the city is doing due diligence in terms of financial planning. He said,” We have done this without sacrificing programs for our residents, and layoff employees. “In terms of financial responsibility we’re headed n the right direction.”
Rodriguez said he believes reviewing the warrants prior to their approval could save the city more money. “It looks good now, but we don’t know what the Governor may do in the future.”
Mayor Mike Gomez said Hawaiian Gardens has not had to lay off any city employee or put them on furlough similar to what other cities have done. “We have worked hard to cut expenses.” He said to say we have been neglectful is incorrect. Commenting on the Sports Complex under construction at Fedde Middle School, he said “Yes, the cost was estimated at $8 million, but $3 million was raised through grants and donations.” He said he understands when completed it will be under budget by $1 million. He said concerning warrants He believes that is standard in every city. Bruce disagreed saying he understands many cities review the warrants before approval is given.
In other business the council approved an amendment the city code requiring retailers to have a license before they can sell tobacco retailers. The council also approved the installation of eight stop signs on Belshire Avenue between 221st street and Brittain Street and painting 15 ft. of red curb approaching the intersection and 10 ft. of red curb leaving the intersection for the entire segment of Belshire Avenue and 221st Street to Brittain Street.

RESIDENTS
ACCUSE
LA PALMA POLICE
OF MAFIA TYPE
SHAKEDOWN

Community divided over labor
negotiations.

By Larry Caballero

During the Oral Communications at the July 19 La Palma City Council meeting, police and residents again shared a variety of opinions and concerns about labor negotiations with the police department.
Comments ranged from “We need our dedicated police officers, and we get our money’s worth with the police department,” to one resident stating residents were feeling like victims and experiencing “a mafia type shakedown.”
One officer said, “We are below the median in comparable cities for salaries and medical.” As for a resident’s concern about his and his family’s safety for speaking out on police pension reform, the officer said, “We are about righting wrongs and not perpetrating them.”
Resident Noella Lew asked the Council, “If you were burglarized, who would you call…we should be thanking our police department.”
Resident Robert Carruth again spoke about the need for the Council to support pension reform and “do what was fair, efficient and affordable while not impacting public safety.” He also reminded the Council, “Bad things happen to good people when they don’t live within their means.”
Long-time resident Cheryl Pappas expressed concern about previous comments by police officers that she considered to be “angry and confrontational” and questioned Officer Les Parsons who said that police could not afford to live in La Palma.
Pappas disagreed. “With a salary and benefits at more than $120,000 and a wife who is an attorney and a teacher, he earns more than the citizens of La Palma whose median level is $80,000.”
Pappas said that residents were feeling like victims and experiencing “a mafia type shakedown” when the police tell citizens how necessary they are in protecting the community, and how deserving they are of their salaries and benefits.
“Do the numbers,” said Pappas, “they do not lie.”
One of the last residents to speak had a daughter in law enforcement, and she expressed her admiration for the police department, yet she considered the comments of police officers at a recent Council meeting as “intimidating” to residents, and she was disillusioned with what she heard that night.
“I almost didn’t come back after what I had experienced. Intimidation should not be a part of La Palma.” She said that the City owed the residents, who brought up concerns about police benefits, “a debt of thanks for coming forward,” and she didn’t see the need for the police officers to feel the need “to extol their virtues” to the residents.
Former La Palma Mayor Keith Nelson said that he was disappointed with “the tone, tenor and content” of the last meeting. “It was embarrassing,” said Nelson. He reminded the Council that everyone who lives in the City is positive about the police department.
“The only negative comments have come from the police. Of late, a movement is at foot in the police association that’s disturbing. It’s a choice they made to become police officers, and they are compensated very well.”
Nelson reminded the Council that police have earned a 16% raise over the last three years, and officers earn more than $100,000 a year with salary and benefits. “We cannot continue to fund their pension program going forward. We just can’t afford it. Where are you going to get the money?”
Nelson encouraged the police department “to step back and see what is going on in the real world,” and reminded the Council that they represent all 16,000 residents of the City, and not only 24 police officers.
Former La Palma Mayor Larry Herman said that “no one is advocating the replacing of the police department with any thing else,” but since the other labor bargaining units have already settled with the City and accepted pension reform and a second tier in the salary structure, so should the police.
“It’s only fair,” said Herman. Herman concluded by warning everyone present that prolonged negotiations with the police association “is dividing the City.”