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LAKEWOOD ADOPTS ‘COMMUNITY REVIEW’ OF SHERIFF’S POLICIES
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LA MIRADA, CA., JULY 17, 2020
ARTESIA CELEBRATES FOURTH OF JULY VIRTUALLY
BY TAMMYE MCDUFF In the wake of the killing of George Floyd on May 25th and the civil unrest that has followed, the discussion of racial equality and community / law enforcement relations has been a first and foremost discussion with the Lakewood City Council. On June 23rd the City Council unanimously approved the signing of a nationwide pledge to have a community review of the ’use of force’ policies carried out in Lakewood by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Council members and city staff are now in the process of reviewing best practices for how to carry out that community review, with the goal of engaging the community in that review beginning in August. The City Council also approved the creation of a Community dialogue that would give all Lakewood residents the opportunity to be heard on the issues of racial equity and the communitylaw enforcement relations, with the goal of making life in Lakewood better and safer for everyone. The Council decided to start that process with the creation of an Interfaith council of religious leaders in Lakewood to help
See LAKEWOOD page 13
DIRTY WATER CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARE RIFE BETWEEN CENTRAL BASIN DIRECTORS OSKOUI AND ARRIGHI BY BRIAN HEWS The city of Downey, incorporated in 1956, has several areas with million dollar homes on 10,000+ square-foot lots. With the plethora of amenities inside its boundaries, and with its own police and fire departments, many choose to move into Downey every year. That is, except for long-time Downey Assistant City Manager and appointed Central Basin Municipal Water Director Joshuana “John” Oskoui. Oskoui has lived in Rancho Santa
See CENTRAL BASIN page 12 ARTESIA RESIDENTS were asked to grab some chalk and create a Fourth of July masterpiece in their driveways or on the sidewalk. Winners received $50 gift cards. Drawing by Binita Rami, photo courtesy city of Artesia. BY TAMMYE MCDUFF Although Independence Day was celebrated a bit differently this year, that did not stop Artesia residents from joining in the virtual activities. Mayor Ali Taj stated, “While we
can’t gather as a community this year to celebrate the fourth of July due to state and county guidelines, we can all still celebrate together with the virtual activities that we have created for our residents.”
See ARTESIA page 7
BELLFLOWER'S SECRET PLACE CHURCH DELIVERS OVER 30,000 POUNDS OF GROCERIES
THE WEEKLY DISTRIBUTION of groceries by the Secret Place Church doubled last week due to a 'blessed overabundance ' of contributions by generous suppliers. Seen here are volunteers from the Secret Place Church and city organizations who came together to assemble and deliver groceries to 'anyone who needs them' said Secret Place Pastor Troy. Story on page 14.
BELLFLOWER WILL OFFER VOTE BY MAIL DROP-OFF BOXES BY TAMMYE MCDUFF This November general elections will be run in a way that will provide voters with several options to safely cast their ballots. All registered voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot and provided with safe in-person voting options. Drop boxes will be available throughout the county to provide voters with CoVID safe alternatives. If approved, the license agreements will allow the Los Angeles County Registrar Recorder / County Clerk [RRCC] to place vote-by-mail ballot drop boxes at Bellflower City Hall and Thompson Park at no cost to the City for five years, extending through the next presidential election cycle. Bellflower’s City Hall and Thompson Park were selected by the County as ideal locations to serve as a drop off locations due to their accessibility. The voting boxes will be placed in a safe and easily accessible external location to ensure that voters can comply with CoVID-
See BELLFLOWER page 11
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