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Los Cerritos APRIL 4, 2013 Serving Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, La Palma, Lakewood, Norwalk, and Pico Rivera  45,000 Homes Every Friday  Volume 28, No. 14  LosCerritosNews.net

St. Anthony of Padua Relics on Display at Holy Family Church The Artesia Church will host the relics one day only on Monday, April 15th. By Brian Hews publisher@cerritosnews.net

fter a successful visit to the New York metropolitan area and New Jersey this past February, two important relics of St. Anthony of Padua are returning to the United States for an eight-day tour of Southern California and will be on display at Artesia’s Holy Family Church April 15. On display will be the bust of St. Anthony with a glass case holding two layers of St. Anthony’s cheek, the other relic, a floating rib, will be on display but will not be allowed to be touched. “This is an exciting event,” said Father Raymond, the Pastor of Holy Family,

WIKIMEDIA

Anthony of Padua, O.F.M., also known as Anthony of Lisbon was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. Though he died in Padua, he was born and raised in a wealthy family in Lisbon.

Cerritos College Called ‘Homophobic Institution’ by Faculty Senate President By Randy Economy randy@cerritosnews.net

n an unprecedented rant, a Cerritos College Faculty Senate President called the Norwalk-based campus a “homophobic institution” at this past Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting. Bob Chester, who has been head of the faculty group since 1998, made the comment after he spent nearly 35 minutes speaking in the third person about “concerns he was getting from faculty members about a certain Trustee.” The trustee he was referring to was John Paul Drayer, who is openly gay, and represents District Three that covers Bellflower and parts of Cerritos. “I would say if I am asked another question about this homophobic institution of ours, if I hear of an individual name

attached to these comments, I will urge them to get a lawyer that kind of talk has got to stop. I am asked repeatedly about things, I agree with what the President (Marissa Perez) and Vice President (Dr. Sandra Salazar) that communication is an important thing and perception can quickly become reality,” Chester said. Chester never mentioned Trustee John Paul Drayer by name, but took swipes at the openly gay trustee in a 35 minute report, that at times included a rambling dialogue about how “this Trustee (Drayer) was digging around campus trying to get dirt on people.” Drayer, a popular community leader and educator from Bellflower was overwhelmingly elected over Appointed Incumbent Jean McHatton of Cerritos in last fall’s very first campaign in which

See CERRITOS COLLEGE page 8

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“Saint Anthony and his relics are very wellknown in the community and we thank the Franciscan Friars of the Anthonian Association for bringing the relics here.” The event, organized by the Messenger of St. Anthony magazine directed by the Franciscan Friars of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy, marks the 750th anniversary of the discovery of the Saint’s incorrupt tongue by St. Bonaventure. On the days leading up to the15th of February, the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy buzzes with preparation for the ‘Feast of St. Anthony’s Tongue’. This expression may sound a bit weird, but it recalls a truly extraordinary event which took place in 1263 – thirty-two years after the Wonder-Worker’s death. Anthony’s remains were transferred from the Church of Sancta Maria Mater Domini, where he had originally been interred, to the adjacent and newly con-

ABCUSD SUED OVER CALIFORNIA VOTER RIGHTS ACT By Randy Economy and Brian Hews randy@cerritosnews.net publisher@cerritosnews.net

he ABC Unified School District is being sued on grounds that it broke the California Voter Right’s Act, Los Cerritos Community Newspaper can confirm. On Wednesday, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund announced that they will be “joining” forces with the law firm Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho in the suit against the ABCUSD.

See ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA page 7

See ABCUSD SUED page 7

ANALYSIS: ABCUSD AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT By Randy Economy and Brian Hews randy@cerritosnews.net publisher@cerritosnews.net

study by Los Cerritos Community News has revealed that ABCUSD is likely in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and that the district should be broken into Trustee Areas for future elections. The study was further validated by the lawsuit filed by MALDEF against the district this week. Under the CVRA, local governments can’t hold at-large elections-in which the entire community votes for all elected positions-if that system weakens the ability of minorities to elect candidates of their choice. The CVRA says that at-large elections are illegal when a jurisdiction has racially polarized voting and drawing districts

would give the ethnic group an ability to influence elections. LCCN worked with one of the top CVRA consultants in California who directed LCCN to look at ethnic clusters and the total voting age population within the ABCUSD. Out of a total population of 106,000, 8% were Black, 43% Asian, and 32% Latino. Out of the total voting age population of 64,268, 8% were Black, 42% Asian, and an astounding 23% Latino. The study also showed the district having significant ethnic groups clustered into geographic areas. The maps at upper right show the ethnic populations as they are clustered in parts of the ABC District. Additional Analysis Another method used in CVRA analysis is to show that these ethnic clusters

See ANALYSIS page 9

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Continued from page 1

structed Basilica. Present at this ceremony was St. Bonaventure in his capacity as the Minister General of the Friars Minor. St. Anthony’s coffin was opened, and it was found to contain only bones and ashes with one exception: the Saint’s vocal apparatus was found to be intact, and in particular his tongue was still red and soft. At the sight of this miracle, St. Bonaventure exclaimed in awe “Oh blessed tongue, that ever praised the Lord, and led others to praise Him! Now it is clear how great are your merits before God!” Over the centuries, this precious relic has suffered some of the ravages of time, but it is still on display in the Chapel of Relics in the Basilica. Exactly 750 years have elapsed since that first recognition, and naturally the friars of St Anthony’s Basilica in Padua are preparing to mark this important anniversary with a spate of celebrations and events. Moreover, a number of important relics will be taken to various places around the world so that more of the Saint’s devotees, most of whom are unable to go to Padua, may be given the chance to feel closer to their beloved Saint. But why did God not allow the tongue of St. Anthony to undergo corruption? As a preacher and writer, Anthony was continuously praising the Lord with his tongue or with his pen. Assidua, the first biography of St. Anthony written by an unknown Franciscan friar soon after his death, refers to the Saint’s tongue as “the writing reed of the Holy Spirit,” because it was with his tongue that he converted so many people through the operation of the Holy Spirit: “His powerful words and salutary doctrine so rooted themselves in the hearts of his listeners that large crowds of believers adhered faithfully to the Lord.” The tongue is the physical instrument which transforms thoughts into spoken words, and the spoken word plays an essential role in the history of salvation. The spoken word of God brings about creation; the words of Jesus (the manifestation of the Father) bring about salvation; these words are the ‘Good News’, which is to be announced from the rooftops for all to hear. Anthony’s tongue therefore represents the Saint’s untiring and continuous efforts to know the Word of God, to measure his life against it, and to make it known to others through his preaching and teaching. Our Saint was profoundly convinced that acceptance of the message of the Gospel could change the world. For him, this message led to conversion, a radical change of heart, so that the fruits of truth, justice, freedom, solidarity, and peace could mature in a society that was far from just and peaceful. The good seed sown enthusiastically by our Saint sometimes fell on the hard ground of selfishness, greed and lust for power, and Anthony also experienced many bitter disappointments. He was well aware, however, that the path towards the Kingdom of God was long and arduous, and that all his labours to bring as many sheep as possible back into the fold of Christ were never really in vain. In dying St. Anthony handed over the task of continuing his work to his fellow Franciscan brothers. They have grown in number and, in time, they have found many other ways of spreading the Word of God. At the Basilica in Padua, for instance, the friars try to spread the importance and beauty of Jesus’ message of love through the printed word. In the firm belief that this message is capable of transforming human hearts, they have been producing for the past 118 years the monthly magazine called Messenger of St. Anthony which brings news, information and in-

ABCUSD SUED

Continued from page 1 The suit contends that the Cerritos based public school system “currently uses an at-large method to elect its Board of Trustees, which has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect Board Members of their choice for more than fifteen years.” ABC USD is comprised of Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, part of Lakewood, Long Beach, Norwalk. “With the growing Latino student population nationwide, it is particularly important that our democratic processes work to secure adequate opportunity for the Latino community to elect its repre-

sentatives to participate in school governance,” stated Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF. According to MALDEF, twenty-three percent of the current voting-age population within ABCUSD is Latino. “There is no Latino representation on the seven-member Board of Trustees. ABC USD’s at-large election process does not require candidates to reside in any particular portion or zone of the district, and any eligible voter may vote for any candidate, regardless of where that voter resides. All seven of the current Board members reside in one city, Cerritos, of the seven cities that comprise the ABCUSD,” the statement provided LCCN claimed. MALDEF and Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho argue that this method has led to “vote dilution, and has prevented Latinos from electing candidates of their choice or influencing the outcome of Board elections.” “Moreover, patterns of racially polarized voting in ABC USD elections have been mobilization of Latino voting power, and have allowed the non-Latino super-majority to overcome Latino voting strength,” the statement from MALDEF claimed. MALDEF and Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho argue for the “implementation of a district-based election system, which would provide all voters, regardless

[See ABCUSD SUED page 8]

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ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

sight from a uniquely Catholic perspective to devotees around the world. In a bewildering and changing society where humankind is in danger of losing its true self, the Messenger of St. Anthony can therefore become a sure guide to weather the storm. The 750th anniversary of the discovery of St. Anthony’s tongue is a great occasion to reflect upon a person, a Saint, whose life is still a source of inspiration today, and to meditate upon a message that, more than ever, must take on a leading role in our lives and society.

APRIL 12, 2013

7/21/2011 10:22:59 AM

8 APRIL 12, 2013

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ABCUSD SUED

Continued from page 7 Voting Rights Act because racially polarized voting has resulted in vote dilution for Latino voters and denied them effective political participation in elections to the Board.” Olga Rios, one of the plaintiffs in the suit, attended ABCUSD schools for her entire K-12 education and has two children in the district. Rios applied for an open position on the Board two years ago after then member Mark Pulido was elected to a seat on the Cerritos City Council. Rios, and around a dozen other applicants applied to fill Pulido’s unexpired term and was interviewed. But, MALDEF officials claim, that the

district “decided not to appoint anybody to the position until the next election, despite Olga’s exceptional credentials in education, including a Master’s Degree in education from Harvard University.” Rios said in a prepared statement that, “As much as we all like to dream that we now live in a colorblind society, it has been clear to my community for some time now that the ABC school district’s at-large method of election prevents Latino voters from electing candidates of our choice.” “The right to vote is fundamental to democracy in the U.S., and must be protected for all citizens regardless of race,” MALDEF claims. LCCN will have additional updates on the lawsuit from ABCUSD officials, as well as from elected members of the Board of Education. LCCN will also publish an article on voter patterns inside the ABCUSD this Friday.

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CERRITOS COLLEGE

Continued from page 1 trustees were elected via districts instead of at-large. Drayer was a leading advocate of the movement that forced college officials to change the five decade old election policy. Chester went on, “people were surprised of the amount of ‘pomp and circumstance’ regarding the arrival of the new Trustees. What’s going on with the Trustees? I was being asked over and over again what was going on with the Trustees.” “In my one face-to-face meeting with that Trustee (Drayer), I told him you need know who you can trust around this campus, and who you cannot,” Chester said. “There is a climate change around here. We are trying to get around the idea of making this college better.” “People have asked me questions about what is going on? I said give it time. There have been faculty members saying that a certain board member (Drayer) is looking to cause trouble around here,” Chester told Trustee Carmen Avalos. “It is pretty easy to find out if Mr. Chester is talking out of his ears of some other place (referring to his behind). I have only had negative comments about only one Trustee, and that is the purpose of my report tonight,” Chester said about himself. Marissa Perez, Board President told Chester, “let’s be honest your comments are directed to one particular Trustee (Drayer), let’s make that clear. Your comments reflect poorly on this entire board. At the end of the day, what are you for, and what improvements can be made to move this Board forward?” Perez said. “I did report to the Faculty Senate leadership this past week that if they are

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unhappy with my performance, I will resign but I will serve until they tell me so. Perhaps I wasn’t as clear as I needed to be in my attempts to be diplomatic,” Chester said. Drayer, in an interview with Los Cerritos Community Newspaper on Thursday afternoon said that he “did not think that Cerritos College was a homophobic institution.” “In politics people come with different opinions. We need to move forward. I wanted to find out what the Faculty Senate was doing, and I wrote letters to find out what is happening, that is part of my responsibility as an elected representative of the community,” Drayer commented. “I want to reach out and be positive,” he continued. “I believe in free speech. We need team building here at Cerritos College. We need to talk openly with each other,” Drayer said. “Most of the people I have spoken to have been supportive of me. I am a very hands on person, and I am not going to sit back and just be an observer from the side lines or from the board table,” Drayer said. Drayer, when asked by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper if Chester should be removed by faculty senate members responded, “It is up to the Faculty Senate if he should resign or be replaced. I am not going to weigh in to that decision.” “It was hard to sleep last night. I am trying to let this matter role off my back like beads of water,” Drayer said about the comments hurled at him by Chester. “I want to be a great representative to my community of Bellflower, and for every voter who supported me, and to those voters who do not,” Drayer said. “I am and what I am, and I am willing to fight for what I believe is right and

[See CERRITOS COLLEGE page 10]

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APRIL 12, 2013

ANALYSIS

Continued from page 1 can be seen within election results. Since the Latino clusters were much larger, LCCN looked at the voting patterns on polarizing California propositions and candidates in elections, specifically Prop. 187, and elections between Bustamante vs. Schwarzenegger and Davey Jones vs. Hector De La Torre. The maps at right display the results for ballot measures and candidate campaigns and clearly show the ethnic clusters in the previous study above can be seen in the election results. The Prop 187 voting pat-

tern almost exactly matches the heavy Latino clusters, as do the Bustamante and De La Torre map. Census Blocks Analysis Another analysis that looked at census blocks identified 83 blocks within the ABC, providing a database of 12,000 residents that are on average 93% Latino. From this analyis, a 52% Latino district could be created. “If this is true,” said the consultant, “then the issue isn’t just a California issue - it is also a Federal Voting Rights Act issue.”

Latino

Asian

In looking at the total population in the ABCUSD, the LCCN study showed significant ethnic groups clustered into geographic areas. Heavy Latino clusters on the southern end (dark brown) and very heavy Asian clusters in the middle and northern end (dark green).

Results for ballot measures and campaigns clearly show the ethnic clusters in the maps on top of this page can be seen in the election results. The Prop 187 voting pattern almost exactly matches the heavy Latino clusters, as do the Bustamante and De La Torre map.

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