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Public Transportation
Valley's Orange Line Busway
Sets New Ridership Record in March
The San Fernando Valley’s Orange Line Busway set an all-time record in March for weekday and Saturday ridership, according to Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky.
Metro’s (formerly MTA) newly released figures show that last month there were 23,243 daily weekday boardings, topping March 2006 ridership by more than 27%, and breaking the previous record set in May 2006 by 6.5%. Saturday boardings also set a new record at 13,529, representing an increase of more than 25% compared to March 2006. Overall Orange Line boardings for March 2007 rose to 619,875 compared to 498,023 in March 2006---a 24% increase.
Built on a former railroad right of way, the Orange Line guided busway has proven to be one of the most successful lines of its kind in the entire country. Its meteoric success continues to amaze Metro transit planners, who initially projected an average weekday ridership of 17,000 by 2009, rising gradually to 22,000 weekday boardings by the year 2020.
Yaroslavsky, who long championed the project and overcame community skepticism and political opposition to win funding and see it through to completion, noted with pride that the Orange Line has already exceeded its 2020 ridership projections in less than 18 months of operation. Metro currently operates 28 peak period buses (up from 23 when the project first opened in October, 2005) that run every four minutes.
Visit Metro Orange Line for a full schedule and route information.
Land Use
Yaroslavsky Applauds FBI Decision
to Scrap Westwood Headquarters and Calls on West Los Angeles VA to Abandon Its Development Plan
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has applauded the announced decision by the FBI on April 26, 2007 to drop plans for a massive new one-million sq.ft. headquarters building at Wilshire Boulevard and Veteran Avenue in Westwood, but called on the West Los Angeles VA to follow suit and abandon its own development plans for the West LA campus in deference to the needs of the region’s veteran population and the wishes of the surrounding community. In a prepared statement, Yaroslavsky thanked federal and local officials and community leaders for their successful efforts to turn back the FBI project, declaring that "This decision spares the communities of Westwood, Brentwood and West Los Angeles the burden of additional traffic congestion in what is already the most congested region of our County.” But he added, "Now, our attention must turn to stopping the most serious threat to our region--the Veterans Administration's plan to privatize and optimize their Westwood campus for real estate development. These are hallowed lands and should not be exploited for their potential real estate value.” Yaroslavsky urged the VA to follow the FBI’s lead and “heed the call of a united community and abandon their ill-advised plans to develop the West Los Angeles VA property."
Environment
Yaroslavsky Hails State Lands Commission Rejection
of Offshore LNG Terminal Project
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky hailed an April 9, 2007 decision by the State Lands Commission to reject an Environmental Impact Report and deny a requested pipeline lease for a liquefied natural gas terminal off the Southern California coast near Malibu. The proposal was made by Australian firm BHP Billiton.
“The Lands Commission clearly recognized the shortcomings in this project, which many of us have been concerned about for some time,” Yaroslavsky said. “Greenhouse gas emissions and smog-producing air pollution, injurious effects on marine life, shipping safety and national security dangers – you name it, this LNG terminal threatens it. It’s the wrong project in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Yaroslavsky noted that numerous environmental groups have long raised myriad concerns about the Cabrillo Port LNG terminal project, and several local political jurisdictions have gone on record against it.
Yaroslavsky added that only two weeks before, the State Coastal Commission issued a report that found the project failed to comply with state coastal policies because of air pollution emissions.
Supervisor Yaroslavsky Announces
Water Quality Investigation of Two Malibu Beaches
The Board of Supervisors on March 27, 2007 approved a $1 million study by the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project to investigate high bacteria levels at Paradise Cove and Escondido Beach. Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky, representing the Third District that includes the affected area, had requested the investigation, supported by a Task Force comprising the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP), Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, Heal the Bay, the City of Malibu, and the County of Los Angeles departments of Public Works and Public Health.
Researchers will initially collect water samples from 27 predetermined locations within the watershed where water is currently flowing. Those samples will be sent to a Heal the Bay laboratory for initial assessment of bacteria levels, and SCCWRP or its university partners will perform further tests to determine whether the results are of animal or human origin.
Two-thirds of the potential water sampling locations are on privately owned land, and the County has been granted access for that purpose. Officials expect to conclude the study in the fall of 2008. Further details can be found on the project website. Additional information on project partners may be found by visiting SCCWRP and Heal the Bay.
"Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry Immortalized
in Santa Monica Scenic Ridge
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky praised federal officials for officially designating a scenic ridge in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking Fryman Canyon in honor of the legendary “Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry, actor, recording star, businessman, broadcaster and baseball team owner. The action follows Board approval of Yaroslavsky’s motion on September 5, 2006 to name Fryman Canyon’s highest ridge after Autry. Click Autry Museum news and scroll down to the August 14, 2006 entry for an informative local TV news feature on Autry’s career and the scenic ridge that now proudly bears his name.
Board Acts to Reduce Grocery Sack Waste
On April 10, 2007, the Board of Supervisors took action on a joint motion by Supervisors Yvonne Burke and Zev Yaroslavsky to examine ways to increase recycling and reduce the waste generated by environmentally destructive and resource-consuming plastic and paper grocery sacks. The motion orders the development of a plan on ways to reduce grocery and retail sack waste, the impact a San Francisco-type plastic bag ban would have on recycling efforts in Los Angeles County, and any unintended consequences of such a plan. For more information on recycling programs generally, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council recycling web page.
At The County
Yaroslavsky Governance Reform Plan
Wins Final Approval
The Board of Supervisors on March 27, 2007 gave final approval to an ordinance championed by Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky to fundamentally restructure County government and empower the Chief Administrative Officer as a more effective executive post with day-to-day responsibility for the proper functioning of the various County departments, freeing the Board to concentrate on broad policy questions and overall strategic direction. The ordinance will take effect on April 26 2007. The Board also asked that a Charter Amendment making these changes permanent be placed before the voters in Spring 2008.
CAO Unveils Proposed $21.2 billion
County Budget for 2007-08
Chief Administrative Officer David Janssen, the County’s top budget official, has released his proposed $21.2 billion County budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007. On Tuesday, April 17, following Janssen's presentation, the Board provisionally adopted the budget and set May 9, 2007 as the date for public hearings to begin. Final deliberations and adoption are scheduled for June 18. Full details on meeting times, location, policies and procedures may be found here.
Public Safety
Sheriff’s Honor Recruit Recognized
At the April 2007 Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department graduation, Officer Cesar Aguilar of the Pasadena Police Department (second from right) was recognized as Honor Recruit for Academy Class #357, a distinction earned for the highest numerical average based on leadership qualities, social relations and personal traits, practical performance, academic attainment, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the 18-week training period. The honorees’ fellow deputy sheriff trainees nominate the winner during the last week of training.
On hand to present the award, from the left: Sheriff Lee Baca; Deputy Chief Chris Vicino, Pasadena Police Department; and Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky, who delivered the commencement address. (4/13/07)
Building & Housing
Mariposa Place Apartments Groundbreaking
Left to right: Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky and Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) were among those on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Mariposa Place Apartments project in Hollywood, a four-story building that will provide 58 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units for low- and moderate-income families. The project was made possible by Yaroslavsky’s 2004 motion facilitating the sale as surplus property of a small vacant County office building to the non-profit Hollywood Community Housing Corporation to be developed for affordable rental housing. (4/12/07)
Municipal Green Building Conference
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky (center) accepts the 2007 Municipal Green Building Conference and Expo "Building Program Award" in recognition of the County’s energy-saving and resource-conservation initiatives. Yaroslavsky has championed the County’s efforts to incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principles in its building construction. Presenting the award, from the left, are Bharat Patel, Board Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council's Los Angeles Chapter, and Rick Fedrizzi, President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council.
In his remarks, Yaroslavsky cited the tremendous policy impacts of such actions by Los Angeles County, the nation’s largest. He also emphasized the fiscal benefits of building "green” and credited County staff for developing and implementing the County’s energy-saving programs embodied in the Countywide Energy and Environmental Policy adopted on January 16, 2007. (4/12/07)
Visiting Dignitaries
Strolling around the 8th floor balcony of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky points out some familiar city landmarks for the visiting Mayor of Rome, Italy, Walter Veltoni. (2/14/07)
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky shares a copy of the libretto from his favorite opera, "Carmen," in the LA Philharmonic's music library while touring the Walt Disney Concert Hall with visiting Mayor Yervand Zakharian of Yerevan, Armenia. (02/23/07)
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky chats and presents official gifts on behalf of the County of Los Angeles to Berlin, Germany, Mayor Klaus Wowereit during the Mayor’s recent visit to Los Angeles. (3/13/07)
Arts & Culture
Los Angeles County Funds 130 Summer Internships
at 90 Arts Organizations
Paid arts internships for college undergraduates are available for the summer of 2007 in the County of Los Angeles. The Arts Commission has posted on its website descriptions of and contacts for the 130 internship positions. The County's program offers undergraduate students meaningful on-the-job training and experience working in nonprofit arts organizations, while assisting arts organizations to develop future arts leaders. Typical internship opportunities in the Third District include:
• a theatre festival assistant at the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival to help vet potential performers for the 2008 Festival and assist with general administrative, educational programming, development, marketing, and graphic design support duties
• a cultural affairs intern to work at the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division as assistant producer of Jazz on the Lawn, an outdoor concert series and assist in the general operation of the Cultural Affairs Division office
• a public relations and marketing intern to work at the Young Musician’s Foundation to assist YMF executives and staff in crafting and implementing audience-building strategies for the three major performing ensembles of the YMF, creating marketing materials and assisting the Office Manager to put the program into effect
Click on County Arts Internships for general information, and then click on 2007 Internship Database to search out positions by region, arts discipline, professional field and keyword.
Ford Amphitheatre 2007
Summer Season Opens May 11
Known for providing L.A. audiences with adventurous contemporary and world arts programming, the historic open air John Anson Ford Amphitheatre hosts an impressive range of music, dance, theatre, film and family events in summer 2007. The 23-week season runs from May 11 to October 14, opening with a brand new retro-slide show comedy performance by histo-tainer Charles Phoenix and closing with the Ford’s first evening of music from Ghana.
The Ford Amphitheatre season is a program of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and is produced in collaboration with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. Complete 2007 season information is available on the Ford website, or by calling the Ford box office, 323 GO 1-FORD (461-3673). Click chronological listings and select your month of interest, or browse by artistic discipline.
In the Community
Yaroslavsky and Board Mark
“Child Abuse Prevention Month”
Pictured with Supervisor Yaroslavsky (from left to right) are Deanne Tilton, Executive Director of ICAN; Beverly Kurtz, Poster Contest Chairperson for ICAN Associates; and Calvin Huang, 4th grader at Castlebay Elementary School in Northridge, the Grand Prize winner of the ICAN / ICAN Associates 22nd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Month Poster Contest, "Let’s Take Care of Our Children”. (4/3/07) On April 3, 2007, Supervisor Yaroslavsky and his Board colleagues proclaimed April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in the County of Los Angeles, marking the occasion with a scroll presentation to Deanne Tilton, Executive Director of the County’s Inter-Agency Council on Abuse and Neglect. Child abuse and neglect impacts children and families from all cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, leaving lasting scars on victims and communities.
There were 162,711 cases of child abuse and neglect reported to the County’s Department of Children and Family Services in 2006, and countless children are suffering permanent mental and physical disabilities as a result of physical, mental and sexual abuse. Yaroslavsky noted that parents who abuse and neglect their children are often victims of child abuse themselves, and that bringing public focus to the tragedy can help create an atmosphere conducive to preventing such abuse in the future. More information on ICAN’s efforts may be found by visiting ICAN.
Tierra del Sol Honors Yaroslavsky
Sunland-based social service agency Tierra Del Sol recently honored Supervisor Yaroslavsky with its 2007 Community Service Award at the agency’s annual "Changing Challenges to Opportunities" banquet. Founded by concerned parents in 1971, Tierra del Sol’s mission is to serve the community by creating opportunities for individuals with developmental and multiple disabilities to become as independent as possible within their families and community, and establish a valued role in society.
Pictured here with Yaroslavsky is artist Harold Sakamoto,
who created the award for Tierra del Sol. (3/30/07)
Today, nearly 500 individuals obtain year-round training, employment and support services from Tierra's nationally-accredited programs that allow them to work with approximately 20 participating private employer partners in the San Fernando Valley.
They also contribute some 34,000 volunteer hours annually to benefit area residents through organizations and agencies like the American Red Cross in Van Nuys, L.A. County Superior Court – San Fernando & Van Nuys; M.E.N.D., Pacoima; Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, and others.
For information on becoming an employment partner with Tierra del Sol, contact Mazda Lakpour, Community Employment and Resource Developer, at (818) 540-5280 or visit them online at www.tierradelsol.org.
MEND,Valley’s Largest Anti-Poverty Agency,
Dedicates New Headquarters
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky (second from right) joined by, from the left: State Senator Alex Padilla; Robert E. Lee, R E Lee Design and Construction; Steve Brown, a former president of MEND; Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcon, a former president of MEND; Jeff Klein, current president of MEND; and David Fleming, Chair of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. (3/30/07) MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity), the San Fernando Valley’s largest anti-poverty agency, recently dedicated its new $8.5 million, 40,000 sq. ft headquarters, located at 10641 San Fernando Road in Pacoima. The new building will allow MEND to significantly expand its services, which include plans for a partnership with LA Family Housing to launch a "showers to the homeless" program, a larger dental clinic and a partnership with Loma Linda University that will provide dental students to staff the new facility. MEND’s new building also has an on-site food warehouse and a clothing center, freeing up MEND’s previous quarters to re-launch the agency’s furniture distribution services and to expand its education programs.
MEND opened its doors in the early 1970s as a small, volunteer-driven effort to transform the lives of the neediest residents of the San Fernando Valley - poor children and their struggling families. Today, MEND’s more than 2,000 volunteers are assisting nearly half a million clients annually. For more information on MEND’s various programs, including emergency food, clothing, medical, vision and dental care, job skills training and job placement assistance, English as a Second Language classes and youth activities, visit www.mendpoverty.org.
You Can Go Home Again: Supervisor Yaroslavsky
Chats with Fairfax High School Students
About County Government
Supervisor Yaroslavsky visited his alma mater recently to talk with students in April Hall’s government class at Fairfax High School as they learned about county government. The high school seniors asked questions regarding health services, traffic, and the county budget.
Yaroslavsky, who graduated from Fairfax High School in the Winter Class of 1967, is a frequent visitor to the high school. "I love Fairfax," Yaroslavsky said. "There were some truly outstanding teachers there who had a profound influence on me, and I love to come back and try and return the favor." Zev will be the main speaker at this year's Fairfax graduation on June 21, 2007. (3/30/07)
Ellen Hoberman Honored as 2007 Third District
“Woman of the Year”
Pictured here, Ellen (center) receives her plaque from Commission President Charlotte Lesser and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. (3/12/07) At its annual luncheon on March 12, 2007, the County Commission for Women honored Ellen Hoberman of the Third District as one of its 2007 “Women of the Year,” recognizing her service as a longstanding volunteer and Board member for the Los Angeles Free Clinic. Nominated by Supervisor Yaroslavsky, Ellen believes passionately that health care should be a right for all, not a privilege for some, and she was commended for her efforts to keep the community healthy.
Venice Photographer Jim Hubbard Honored
Venice photographer Jim Hubbard, Creative Director of “Venice Arts: In Neighborhoods,” a California-based nonprofit mentoring organization, was honored by Supervisor Yaroslavsky and his Board colleagues on March 13, 2007 for his receipt of the 2007 Distinguished Service Award from the National Child Labor Committee.
Hubbard was recognized for his innovative program in which professional photographers, digital artists, and filmmakers are paired with at-risk, low-income youths, teaching them how to tell their life story through film, assemble a portfolio, and pursue college studies or a professional career in the field.
Hubbard, an award-winning and Pulitzer-nominated social documentary photographer and photojournalist in the tradition of the legendary Lewis Hine, honed his craft over the past 40 years, covering global assignments for UPI such the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the Cambodian genocide by the Pol Pot regime, the death of 10,000 people during a Calcutta cyclone, the siege at Wounded Knee, and countless other events.
His “Shooting Back” photo exhibits have been mounted throughout the world, and his photographs and those of his subjects may be found in the books “Shooting Back,” “Shooting Back from the Reservation,” “American Refugees,” and “American Photography 2003.”
Board Honors El Camino Real Academic
Decathlon Team as State Champions
On April 3, 2007, Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky and his colleagues saluted the El Camino Real High School Academic Decathlon Team as this year’s local, regional and statewide champions. A formidable contender in the national and statewide academic decathlon competitions, the team has already taken the national title in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2005.
It was one of 55 teams competing in this year’s two-day state competition, comprising multiple-choice tests in art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music and science, a Super Quiz oral relay and written contests, interviews, speech and essay contest.
On April 28, 2007, representing the State of California at the 2007 United States Academic Decathlon in Honolulu, Hawaii, the El Camino Real team did it again – finishing in first place to take the 2007 national title. Go, team!
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky is pictured here with the El Camino Real School Academic Decathlon Team as they were honored at the weekly Board of Supervisorsmeeting on Tuesday April 3, 2007. From left to right: Sam Farahmand, Helen Durand, Jiyoung Kim, Jennifer Yoo, Frank Soberanis, Franklin Yu, Shengya Cao, Venus Vakhshori, and their coach Lissa Gregorio.
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