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LA MIRADA, CA., JULY 19, 2013
VOL. 2, NO. 26
Newly Promoted Commander Patrick Maxwell Honored at City Council Meeting Concerts Under The By Kristin Grafft Stars Kicks Off At Patrick Maxwell was honored at the Norwalk City Council meeting on TuesLa Mirada Regional Park day, July 16 for his dedicated service to the Norwalk community after his promotion to commander of the sheriff's South Patrol Division. Maxwell served the past six years as captain of the Norwalk sheriff's station and has been with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 27 years. Mayor Luigi Vernola described Maxwell as someone who cares deeply about community service. One of Maxwell’s many accomplishments within the community has been the youth intervention PRIDE program, which he initiated nearly 10 years ago when he
See MAXWELL page 8
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Commander Patrick Maxwell is joined members of his family during this week’s Norwalk City Council meeting. Mayor Luigi Vernola (center) is joined by fellow members of the city council. Kristen Grafft Photo.
Central Basin Nixes $350K in Proposed Contracts Challengers Line Up to to Ex-Senator Polanco and Sacramento Firm Take on Incumbents in Hawaiian Gardens Council Race CANCELLATION A RESULT OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN HEWS MEDIA GROUP PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST.
By Randy Economy and Brian Hews The questioning of information contained in public records obtained by Hews Media Group-Community News have stopped the award of two questionable contracts, valued at over $315,000, between the Central Basin Municipal Water District, former California State Senator Richard Polanco, and a Sacramento based political-lobbying firm. In the documents, Polanco’s firm, Tre Es Consultants, as well as the Sacramento based Political Strategies, Inc., were both being recommended by CBMWD officials to be given the ‘State Legislative Advocacy Services
Contract’ at a meeting of the board of directors at the Commerce based agency. The contracts stated that Polanco’s was to be the ‘lead consultant representing both firms.’ District officials have been shopping for politically connected consultants in Sacramento during the past few months ever since they cut ties with ex-California State Assemblyman Tom Calderon who collected what is believed to be more than $1 million in taxpayer funds over the past several years. Calderon is believed to one of the central figures in a massive criminal probe by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with a complex bid rigging scheme. Polanco served as a member of both the California State Assembly and California State Senate for more than two decades representing a
See CONTRACT page 7
By Randy Economy It appears that the November 5th election for three Hawaiian Gardens City Council seats is going to be a crowded affair based upon early interest by challengers who began the official nomination process this week to secure a place on the ballot with city officials. Voters will be selecting three city council members that are currently being held by City Councilwoman Michi Oyama Canada, Councilman Reynaldo “Rey” Rodriguez and Councilman Barry Bruce. All three incumbents have indicated that they will be seeking reelection and this week two of them, Canada and Rodriguez pulled their official nomination papers, along with at least four people who want to take their seats this fall.
Summer entertainment at La Mirada Regional Park kicked off with a bang on July 11 with World Tour – Legends of Rock playing some of the biggest rock hits from the ‘80s and beyond in a fun and energetic performance to a large crowd of several hundred people. The free concert was part of the City’s Concerts Under the Stars series, which features a new musical act playing every Thursday from 6:30-8 p.m. through Aug. 29. The band delivered a lively set list playing authentic renditions of radio staples from such legendary rock bands as Journey, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Van Halen. Vocalist Greg McKay, who has performed with members of REO Speedwagon and Jim Belushi’s band, gave his best take on the era’s larger than life front men, working the crowd who could not help but dance and sing along. Guitarists Neal Shelton and John Kulcyk, along with drummer Matt Muckle, who once played in Buckcherry, provided the perfect musical backdrop for McKay, playing everyone’s favorite guitar solos and drum fills flawlessly. In addition to the live music, residents enjoyed a variety of summer-time food for sale from vendors Kettle Master and Smooth Operator. Kettle Master offers delicious kettle corn and shave ice, while Smooth Operator serves up fresh-fruit smoothies, caramel apples, both plain and bacon-wrapped hot dogs, and Mexican food. Both vendors will be at each concert this summer. And while they may not have been familiar with the songs, children had a great time at the concert playing at the Kid’s Corner, which featured a bounce house, face painting, coloring pages and games. The Kid’s Corner will also be at each concert throughout the summer. The Thursday, July 25, concert will be held at Creek Park as part of the Stroll in the Park. All other concerts take place at La Mirada Regional Park.
See CANDIDATES page 8
See CONCERTS page 8
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EDITORIAL
CANDIDATES
MAXWELL
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1 arrived at the station. The program is described as being “designed to educate kids between the ages of 12-16 of the choices they are making in life and the road those choices are going to lead them.” In a statement by Maxwell he described the highlight of his career as seeing Marcos Orozco, a young man whom he had arrested three years ago, take part in La Mirada High School's graduation ceremony. Orozco’s life was turned around after participating in the PRIDE program. As sheriff’s commander, Maxwell will now be overseeing operation in 6 cities, including Norwalk. Maxwell said he gives his 100% full support to his replacement, Captain Curtis Jensen. The newly appointed captain was also present at the City council meeting and said, “I stand before you humbled… It does not go unnoticed by me that I have big shoes to fill.” Jensen commented that he would work on what is left to do in the city, but Maxwell has already done so much. Jensen ended his comments by saying, “I consider myself perhaps the luckiest captain in the world right now - to be given this incredible privilege, to serve with these great men and women at Norwalk Sheriff Station and to be welcomed into this great community in Norwalk. And I so look forward to working with all of you.”
Concerts Under the Stars
July 25 Stroll in the Park at Creek Park Aug. 1 The Silverados (Country) Aug. 8 Sgt. Peppers (Beatles Tribute) Aug. 15 The Kelly Rae Band (Country) Aug. 22 Cold Duck (R&B and Latin) Aug. 29 Stone Soul (Classic Soul and Motown).
Join The City of La Mirada for a Stroll in the Park Stroll in the Park, one of La Mirada’s most popular summer events, returns to Creek Park on Thursday, July 25, from 6:30-8 p.m. The free event offers residents the chance to stroll through beautiful Creek Park with family and friends and catch different musical performances from three live bands, enjoy delicious food on sale and take part in games. This year’s scheduled bands include The Hodads (variety music), Kulayd (Doo-wop & Motown), and Upstream (Caribbean). Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the performances. For more information, call Community Services at (562) 943-7277.
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Continued from page 1 City Clerk Sue Underwood told Hews Media Group-Community News on Wednesday that three challengers have started gathering the necessary 20 signatures on petitions to secure a place on the ballot. The challengers include Phil Ahn, Priscilla Kwan, and Valerie Mason. Underwood also indicated that residents Mariana Rios and Adrian Avilar have scheduled appointments with her to pick up nomination packets. Incumbent City Councilman Barry Bruce, who is a Pastor at the Way Out Ministries in Hawaiian Gardens is expected to seek another term on the city council, sources tells HMG-CN. Underwood said that residents who want to run have until 5 p.m. on August 9 to complete the nomination process. If one of the three incumbents decides not to run, then a five day extension period will go into effect per California state election laws. “We encourage anyone who wants to run, to please do so,” Underwood said, and that no filing fee is required to run. Underwood also said that a $600 deposit will be required by any candidate who wishes to have a statement placed in the official sample ballot that is sent to all registered voters in Hawaiian Gardens. The sample ballots will be printed in English, Spanish and Korean. For more information please call the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 420 2641 ext. 251.
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Bellflower Hosting Blood Drive Challenge By Justin Cooley Bellflower will be hosting its 4th Annual City Blood Challenge in the Green Room at Bellflower City Hall, on Thursday, August 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Red Cross claims that in a 30 minute time frame a single person could save over three people. The organization is concerned that the number of donations and blood given is down by over 10%, “resulting in 50,000 fewer pints of blood than expected.” The Red Cross Organization has been hosting blood transfusion drives for the last 50 years and highly encourages the community members to make the difference by taking part in Bellflower’s annual blood drive event. For more information call Wendy Thomas at (562) 804-1424 ext. 2266 or email WJBCA@bellflower.org.
Rep. Linda Sanchez Holds Cerritos Senior Fair By Justin Cooley Rep. Linda Sanchez will be hosting the 11th Annual Senior Fair at Cerritos Park East on Tuesday, August 27th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission is free and no RSVP is required. Free lunch will also be provided during the event. Local organizations will be providing assistance regarding: Free Health Screening, Information, call (562) 860-5050.
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