October 2001

Yaroslavsky Urges High-Risk People to Seek Flu Vaccinations - Noting that the annual flu season has arrived, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky is urging all people in high-risk categories to contact their physicians to schedule flu vaccinations. The County of Los Angeles provides flu vaccinations free of charge to those otherwise unable to receive them. High-risk patients include people over 65, those subject to respiratory ailments including asthma, those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, and those with compromised immune systems such as people with HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy patients, and recent organ transplant recipients. For further information, click on County influenza campaign and press release.

Yaroslavsky Announces Board Approval of Counter-terrorism Security Measures - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has announced that on Tuesday, October 23, the Board of Supervisors approved a $6.8 million package of security enhancements designed to better protect County residents against potential terrorism and security threats in the wake of the September 11 World Trade Center attacks. The measures include additional investigators for the sheriff and district attorney to assist in counter-terrorism probes, beefed-up public health funding for the County health department including decontamination equipment, resources to combat potential cyber-terrorism in the County's computer networks, barriers for public buildings, and increased staffing for the County's Human Relations Commission to handle a crush of hate-crime reports. 

Yaroslavsky Calls for Improvements in Jail Inmate Health Services - Citing longstanding deficiencies which have been the subject of numerous reports and investigations over the years, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky won approval for his motion directing the County's Chief Administrative Officer to hire consultants to guide the development and implementation of a plan to improve health services to County jail inmates. Yaroslavsky noted that reports on the rising cost of County liability for inadequate jailhouse medical care, as well as investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, had criticized various aspects of that treatment including its management, administration, oversight and quality.

Yaroslavsky Wins Passage for Program to Implement the Santa Monica Mountains North Area Plan - Calling it " a great victory for the environment in that part of the County after seven years of hard work," Supervisor Yaroslavsky won unanimous approval on October 23 for his motion directing County attorneys and Regional Planning staff to draw up a detailed program and accompanying ordinances to implement changes in the Santa Monica Mountains North Area Plan. Adopted in October 2000, the plan guides development and land-use decisions in the 32-square-mile unincorporated County area including the Santa Monica Mountains and the region surrounding the incorporated cities of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and Hidden Hills. The North Area Plan was designed to preserve ridgelines, open space and wildlife on 21,172 acres of Los Angeles County territory in the northwest County area. The plan also limits density in areas close to the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area and state parks.

Board Adopts 2001-2002 County Budget - Yaroslavsky announced that the Board of Supervisors has given final approval to its spending plan for the current 2001-02 fiscal year, although funding uncertainties in the wake of the September 11 terrorist assaults dictate that the Board will have to revisit the budget in December. Among the highlights are increases in health spending, tighter security for County dams, airfields, and water systems, and $9 million to improve the County's probation facilities. For additional details, click County budget, and CAO recommended budget revisions.

Yaroslavsky Thanks Donors for "Flying the Flag" - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky proudly thanks all those who are purchasing American flag lapel pins now on sale from his downtown and district offices. At $2.00 apiece, the sales have grossed more than $2,370 in charitable proceeds, 100% of which will be donated to relief efforts to assist the September 11 victims and their families.

Yaroslavsky Urges Residents to Stay Calm and Get Accurately Informed About Potential Bioterrorism Threats - Noting the recent increase in public anxiety and runaway rumors about potential bioterrorist threats in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky is urging residents to stay calm and consult only reliable and authoritative sources, such as L.A. County DHS Bioterrorism Unit or the federal Centers for Disease Control, to accurately inform themselves about potential bioterrorism threats.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky (right) joins County of Los Angeles Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman at a press conference at Hansen Dam Recreation Area to introduce the latest weapon in the County of Los Angeles aerial firefighting arsenal, a pair of new Sikorsky S-70A "Firehawk" helicopters, specially modified versions of Sikorsky's venerable Blackhawk, a mainstay of America's military airpower fleet. (10/3/01)

One of the County's brand new Sikorsky S-70A "Firehawk" helicopters demonstrates its aerial firefighting prowess during a press demonstration at Hansen Dam Recreation Area. The Firehawks can travel at speeds up to 140 miles an hour, bearing three times the water capacity of the County's current fleet of Bell helicopters, and carry 13 passengers. Utilizing powerful pumps and a retractable snorkel, it can refill its 1,000-gallon tank completely in just 55 seconds.

Yaroslavsky Wins Quick Approval to Establish County Bioterrorism Task Force - Acting in response to growing public concern about the potential for bioterrorism attacks, Yaroslavsky won quick approval for an urgency motion directing County health officials to convene a special bioterrorism task force comprising experts in the field both within and outside of the County's health department to assess the County's preparedness level and to make recommendations for improvements.

Draft Comprehensive Financial Analysis for Valley Secession Study Now Available On-Line - Supervisor Yaroslavsky has announced that the entire Draft Comprehensive Financial Analysis for the San Fernando Valley Proposal for Special Reorganization, commonly known as "Valley secession," is now available on-line by clicking on CFA. For further information on the proposed Valley secession issue, click on "current topics" on the Website of the Local Agency Formation Commission. For a list of dates, times and locations of upcoming public hearings on the Special Reorganization of the San Fernando Valley And The Harbor Areas, click LAFCO hearings.

Santa Monica Courthouse Jury Room Project Advances - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky hailed Board approval on October 2, 2001 of a $662,000 contract with GK Construction, Inc. to construct a new jury assembly room for the Santa Monica Courthouse. Yaroslavsky noted that the existing jury room is cramped and uncomfortable. He said the new project would offer approximately 5,600 square feet of jury assembly space, which will relieve the overcrowding problem and meet handicapped accessibility standards.

Board Renews Support for Self-Help Legal Services Center - Supervisor Yaroslavsky praised the Board's October 2, 2001 contract renewal with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County to continue operating the Van Nuys Courts' Self-Help Legal Access Center (SHLAC), a walk-in office for local residents representing themselves in court. Yaroslavsky's accompanying motion noted the program's wide popularity and favorable service evaluation by the UCLA School of Law, as well as a ringing endorsement from Presiding Judge James A. Bascue, who called the program "a tremendous benefit to the Superior Court." The center is located at 6280 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, Rm. 130G, in the courthouse at Sylvan and Sylmar streets, next to the Van Nuys Civic Center. Business hours Monday-Friday are from 8:30 a.m.-12 noon for family law matters, and from 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. for civil matters. The center is open to all, regardless of income level. For more information about the SHLAC operator, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, call (818) 896-5211.

New County Redistricting Plan Goes Into Effect - With the receipt of pre-clearance approval from the U.S. Department of Justice (click Justice letter to view in PDF format), new district boundaries for the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors are now in effect, and may be viewed here by clicking on District maps. Further information on the redistricting process may be found here.

Yaroslavsky Announces Passport Acceptance Service Now Available at Van Nuys Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has announced that the Van Nuys Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office will now offer passport services and accept applications Tue-Thur from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. by appointment. There is a $45.00 fee for the passport, and a $15.00 service charge for each application. Contact the RR/CC Van Nuys office at (818) 374-7176 for further information. For additional assistance, call the U.S. Passport Office at (800) 225-5674, or click State Department to reach the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Yaroslavsky Announces Commission Appointments in October (+ designates reappointments)

10/16/01 Marilyn Fried+, Commission on Aging

10/02/01 Linda J. Loe, Commission on Alcoholism

10/02/01 Hope Warschaw+, Arts Commission

10/02/01 Sheila Wright+, Commission on Disabilities

Home | What's New | Supervisor's Biography | Meet The Staff | District Map & Communities | Press Releases
Transportation | Legislative Accomplishments | Enacted Ballot Initiatives | How To Get In Touch | Archives
L.A. County Online | L.A. County Budget | Delinquent Parents