September 2007
On the Westside
Yaroslavsky to VA: Protect These Lands
Testifying on the future of the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs property at the final public hearing of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) community advisory panel, Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky urged federal officials to reject efforts to sell off or commercially develop portions of the campus and instead re-dedicate their efforts toward protecting the property for the exclusive benefit of veterans.
In his remarks, Yaroslavsky noted the land was originally deeded by its private owners to the federal government in 1888 for an Old Soldiers’ Home for veterans of the Civil War. Until very recently, the property had been confined to veterans uses, but since then portions have been leased out for use by Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Fox Studios, among others.
Yaroslavsky expressed the hope that federal legislation sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Henry Waxman would ultimately be enacted to further protect the veterans property against commercial exploitation. (9/6/07)
Transportation
Expo Line Project Passes Two Milestones
Joining Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky (center), from left to right: Richard Thorpe, CEO of the Exposition Construction Authority; Councilmember Bernard Parks, Los Angeles; Pam O’Connor, Metro Board Chair and Councilmember, Santa Monica; Alan Corlin, Metro Board member and Councilmember, Culver City; Councilmember Jan Perry, Los Angeles; Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Councilmember Herb Wesson, Los Angeles; County Supervisor Yvonne Burke; Assemblymember Mike Davis.
The Expo Light Rail Line passed two major milestones this summer. Major construction began with trench work on August 10, 2007 and less than a month later, local officials received the good news that the California Transportation Commission approved the project’s full funding request of $314 million to complete financing for the first phase, taking the line from downtown Los Angeles to Culver City. Phase 2, intended to run from Culver City to Santa Monica, is undergoing environmental review. For more information on the Expo Line project, please visit http://www.buildexpo.org/. (8/10/07))
"Superbus" Joins Orange Line Fleet
On August 27, 2007, Board of Supervisors Chairman and Metro Board Member Zev Yaroslavsky was joined by other elected and transit officials to roll out the latest addition to the Metro bus fleet, the sleek new 65-foot Metro Liner. The supersized demonstration bus is a first-of-its-kind, designed exclusively for operation on the Metro Orange Line, which when fully loaded with up to 100 seated and standing passengers, will carry more riders than any other articulated compressed natural gas bus in operation in North America.
The bus has nearly 20% more ridership capacity and is a full five feet longer than its 60-foot predecessor, only 10 feet shorter than a subway car; yet it weighs and handles comparably to its smaller cousin. Yaroslavsky noted that the 14-mile Orange Line has been one of the most successful mass rapid transit projects ever, and recently logged its 10 millionth boarding since it opened in October 2005. Ridership has nearly doubled since then, with weekday boardings topping 24,000 as of July 2007.
For more details about the new bus, visit Orange Line Metro Liner. For additional Metro information and online transit trip planning, visit http://www.metro.net.
Public Safety
Yaroslavsky Announces Emergency Horse Rescue Microchip ID Program
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky has announced the “Los Angeles County Equine Microchip Project,” a pilot program developed at his request in conjunction with the County’s Department of Animal Care and Control to assist horse owners to identify and better protect their animals in wildfire and other emergency situations.
Yaroslavsky explained that because of the constant threat of wildfires, equestrian owners in the Santa Monica Mountains have long recognized the need to permanently identify their horses. Partnering with Stephanie Abronson of ETI Corral 36, the County has donated over 200 microchips for the horse owners who have signed up to be part of this pilot project. The only charge to the horse owners will be a life-time registration fee of $6.
The tiny microchip affords permanent identification for horses, providing a unique identification number that cannot be altered or changed. Microchips offer horse owners additional benefits beyond proof of ownership, including theft prevention, disaster recovery, protection from slaughter and the ability to track veterinary records.
Yaroslavsky noted that in an emergency or disaster, non-chipped horses typically take longer to be reunited with their owners, and in some cases are never returned to their owners. When a microchip is found in a horse, the horse is only a phone call away from being reunited with his owner. Those interested in participating in this or future projects should contact Stephanie Abronson by fax at (818) 222-1605, or email her at stephanie@abronson.com.
Superscoopers Arrive One Month Early
Two CL-415 Canadair Superscoopers leased since 1994 from the Government of Quebec arrived in the County of Los Angeles and reported for duty one month earlier than usual due to historic dry fuel conditions and fire weather. The two aerial firefighting aircraft, each capable of carrying some 1,600 gallons of water, are custom-designed with a special high-volume siphon pump for quick refilling in only 12 seconds from any suitable body of water as shallow as 6½ feet deep. (photo courtesy of Canadair/Bombardier)
In the Community
Yaroslavsky, Officials Join Long-Term Care Workers for “SuperDivisional” Meeting
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky, left, joins Councilmember Richard Alarcon, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes and State Sen. Jack Scott at the annual United Long Term Care Workers SuperDivisional Meeting, held at Hansen Dam Park in Lake View Terrace. More than 2,000 home support service workers from Los Angeles and Ventura Counties attended, where they heard remarks by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards and various other state and local officials. (8/11/07)
Yaroslavsky’s Charitable Pitch for the Dodgers
Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky took the honors of throwing out the first pitch for the Dodgers at the second of a three-game home stand between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yaroslavsky joined other County officials including Chief Executive Officer William Fujioka and Department of Public Social Services Director Philip Browning in taking a bow for record-setting charitable giving by County employees. The Dodgers went on to beat the D’Backs by a score of 6-2.(9/15/07)
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