September Archives

September 2001

Yaroslavsky Condemns Terrorist Attacks, Calls for Assistance, Warns Public to Beware of Charity Scams - The terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11 shocked and saddened all Americans. My sense of anger and betrayal was even more acute because I happened to be in Washington, D.C. as one of the planes struck the Pentagon. From the very first moments, I knew that our nation was being tested - but I also knew with certainty that we would be up to the challenge. What our adversaries cannot understand about our nation is that what binds us together is not religion, ethnicity, race or place of origin. What binds us instead are the ideals of democracy to which all Americans subscribe, no matter who they may be. That ideal is more powerful than any bomb or act of terror. I feel proud and blessed to be a part of this great land, and to have the privilege of upholding and advancing those American democratic ideals which we all share and cherish.

As County officials review and update their own emergency plans, Yaroslavsky urged all residents to contribute as generously they can to the various relief efforts aimed at assisting victims and surviving family members in the attacks. He especially recommended the following "official" sites coordinating relief through the City of New York and local charitable organizations:

nyc.gov, which also includes information on the
Twin Towers Fund, which was set up specifically to aid the families of the hundreds of police officers, firefighters and emergency services personnel who perished in the Towers' collapse;
September 11 Fund, established by United Way of New York City;
The Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles to donate blood, which is always needed to maintain the nation's emergency preparedness.

Lastly, Yaroslavsky reminded well-meaning residents to beware of various scams and ruses that often proliferate at such times to exploit people's generosity. He urged residents to give only to charities that they were familiar with and that are in the disaster-relief business, such as the American Red Cross, United Way, and Salvation Army.

Be careful, he warned, of disaster related emails and telephone solicitors who are unwilling to give their name and call back number or who will not send written information, and never give donations to a runner sent to pick it up. Be wary of out-of state organizations, especially if they only have a P.O. Box.

Check with:

Los Angeles Police Commission, (213) 485-2102
Attorney General’s Office – Charity Registration, (916) 445-2021

to see if a company is registered. Yaroslavsky suggested residents who still harbor doubts should contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs at (213) 974-1452, or click Consumer Affairs for further information.

Board Backs Yaroslavsky Call to Hold Firearms Manufacturers Accountable for Gun-Related Crimes - On September 4, the Board of Supervisors approved a joint motion by Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Gloria Molina to support state legislation, AB 496 (Koretz) and SB 682 (Perata), which would ensure that if a firearm is negligently manufactured, designed or marketed, the manufacturer could be held accountable under California law. The proposed legislation would eliminate the firearms industry's liability exemption under existing law, which was upheld in an August 2001 California Supreme Court decision, Merill v. Navegar, Inc.

California Courts Unveil Website Offering Free Legal Help - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has announced that the California Courts are now offering a new online Help Center to assist residents who have chosen to represent themselves in court. The Online Self-Help Center may be found at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/. With officials estimating that more than half of Californians appearing in court doing so without benefit of an attorney, Yaroslavsky - working with the courts and a local community-based nonprofit organization - in November 2000 established the Van Nuys Courts' Self-Help Legal Access Center, a walk-in office for local residents representing themselves in court. Click Self Help Legal Access Center dedication for a captioned picture. 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 Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, which operates the Center, call (818) 896-5211.

Health Authority Hearings To Be Scheduled - Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky on September 4 won unanimous approval for his joint motion co-sponsored with Supervisor Don Knabe to convene an ad hoc Health Authority Hearing Body to take public testimony and gather information about health-services governance in the County of Los Angeles. The Board vote followed presentation of an in-depth report from the Chief Administrative Office examining various alternative governance structures for public health-services delivery systems. The Hearing Body, comprising a range of health-care experts, is expected to conduct a series of public forums and report back to the Board on December 11, 2001 with an oral presentation and recommendation for the future governance of the County's health system.

Yaroslavsky Announces Public Works Projects - Yaroslavsky has announced Board approval of the following public works projects in the Third District:

repair storm drains in various areas including the City of Los Angeles, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, San Fernando, and Westlake Village, part of the County's program for the repair and rehabilitation of its extensive flood control system. Click west valley storm drain project for further information.