Jan. Archives

January 2004

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, left, recently took note of Cervical Cancer Awareness week to help promote the campaign to improve women's gynecological health. Among those joining Yaroslavsky at an awards breakfast to honor sponsors and participants of the public-education effort were Ellen Eidem, Acting Director, Office of Women's Health Programs for the County of Los Angeles; and Gregory Krikorian, President of Krikorian Marketing Group, which worked to target health messages in the cervical cancer campaign to reach the area's substantial Armenian community. (1/15/04)

SFV MetroRapid Busway Designated "Orange Line" - The San Fernando Valley MetroRapid Busway, a 14-mile long cross-Valley transit project currently under construction to link North Hollywood to Warner Center, will be known as the "Orange Line" under a motion adopted by the MTA Board on January 22, 2004. Sponsored by MTA Board Chairman and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the designation pays tribute to the region's rich history of citrus production in the early 20th century before the post-war housing boom replaced acres of fruit orchards with miles of suburban tract homes.

Topanga Library Project Advances - On Friday, January 16, 2004, the County of Los Angeles officially applied to the State Library Board for its funding grant to complete the Topanga Library Project. In December, the Board of Supervisors approved the effort to seek funding of $5.2 million, or roughly 65% of the estimated construction cost, under Proposition 14, the California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction Bond Act of 2000. The 11,000 sq. ft. library would be built on property owned by the County Waterworks District, currently occupied by the trailer office of the Resource Conservation District. The County portion of the match, roughly $4.8 million, has already been set aside for the project pending state approval. At that point, construction would begin in May 2006, with the completed project scheduled to open in September 2007. Click Messenger library clip for a local perspective on the project from the Topanga community newspaper.

MTA Board Chairman and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, second from left, takes an inaugural ride on the new Crenshaw Metro Rapid Bus, the newest addition to the MTA's expanding grid of special bus lines offering more frequent service, fewer stops, and traffic signal priority that has reduced passenger travel times as much as 25% over conventional bus routes. MTA officials note that the Rapid Bus has boosted ridership as a result, attracting more discretionary riders and better serving those who must depend on public transit to get around. The 18.5 mile Crenshaw Metro Rapid Line 710 serves one of the County's busiest transit corridors, and runs from the Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line Station all the way to the South Bay Galleria. Joining Yaroslavsky, from the left, are MTA CEO Roger Snoble; Councilmember Bernard Parks, 8th District; and Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, 2nd District. (1/29/04)

UCLA Names Yaroslavsky "Local Legislator of the Year" - On January 12, 2004, capping a day dedicated to local government outreach and advocacy, UCLA named Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky as the recipient of the inaugural UCLA Local Legislator of the Year Award. UCLA officials said that the new award is intended to recognize the contributions of an elected official to local government, the community and UCLA. Yaroslavsky, a Los Angeles city councilmember from 1975-94 and a County supervisor since 1994, has represented the area that includes UCLA for almost 30 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history in 1971 and a Master of Arts in history in 1972, both from UCLA. A donation will be made in his name to the UCLA School of Public Policy and Social Research to help support a summer internship for a student whose specific interest is public service.

MTA Update: Bus, Train Operators OK Labor Pact – On Sunday, December 29, 2003, MTA bus and train operators voted to ratify their proposed tentative three-year labor contract, giving the package 87% support among the voting members. Supervisor and MTA Board Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky told the Los Angeles Times that he considered it "a very good package,” saying that "It's fair for the employees; it's fair for the agency. It's fair to our drivers, who provide vital services for our transit system." The package now goes to the full MTA Board for consideration at its monthly meeting on January 22, 2004 at the Gateway Board Room in the MTA Headquarters Building. Click MTA meeting schedule for a roster of the agency’s upcoming public meetings; click MTA home for full information about the MTA’s transit programs and services.

MTA Board Chairman and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, second from right, pays tribute to the legendary Lakers announcer Chick Hearn at a special ceremony to rename the Metro Blue Line Station at Pico and Flower in honor of Hearn, who passed away in August 2002. Joining him for the tribute, from the left, are Hearn's widow, Marge; Mayor James Hahn; and Jeanie Buss, Lakers Executive VP for Business Operations. (1/29/04)

County Health Department Launches New On-Line Database for Apartment Building “Housing Violations” – To assist apartment hunters and condo buyers in evaluating housing units for prospective sale or rent, the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services has launched a new on-line database of apartment building inspection reports from November 1, 2001 – present. Like its restaurant inspection program, the Department’s Environmental Health Division routinely inspects all apartment buildings and condominiums with 5 units or more to ensure that residential housing within Los Angeles County is safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. Click housing inspection reports and enter location data to access the information.

Animal Care and Control Department Offers Amnesty Program for Pet Licenses – The County’s Animal Care and Control Department is now offering a special six-week animal licensing amnesty program from January 1 - February 15, 2004 for residents served by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control. Department officials are reminding residents that a license tag is the surest way to reunite stray pets with their owners, and in the event that a dog bites someone, allows proper follow-up for appropriate medical treatment. For license fees and locations of the nearest shelter, please call (562) 728-4706 for assistance. In the Third District, the County’s Agoura Shelter is located at 29525 Agoura Rd. in Agoura, and is open Monday – Tuesday and Thursday – Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm, and Wednesday 9 am – 7 pm; the number there is (818) 991-0071. Click County Animal Care and Control for the Department’s informative Website.

MTA Board Chairman and County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, left, is joined by other officials for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new $43 million NoHo Tower project in North Hollywood. Located in the burgeoning NoHo Arts District at the corner of Lankershim Blvd. and Cumpston St. across the street from the North Hollywood Metro Red Line Subway station, the 15-story, 191-unit building will be the San Fernando Valley's tallest residential tower. Sitting at the junction where the East-West Orange Line busway from Warner Center will connect to the Red Line subway downtown, and boasting 17,000 sq. ft. of ground floor retail space, proponents hope the project will help cement North Hollywood as a major new commercial core and transit center. Joining Yaroslavsky in the front row, from the left, are Paul Hudson, Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agency Board of Commissioners; Councilmember Tom LaBonge, 4th District; Mayor James Hahn; and Craig D. Jones, President of Santa Monica-based JSM Construction, Inc., the project developer. (1/29/04)