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Covering Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, and Valley Communities West of the San Diego Freeway Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013 Find Us 24 Hours a Day at: www.evalleyvoice.com YOUR Award-Winning Local Newspaper FREE Everywhere CityWatch LA and Other California Cities Still Being Squeezed By Joel Kotkin R ecent announcements of state budget surpluses have led to the popping of corks across the deepest-blue parts of America, particularly here in California. The states’ fiscal meltdown has not been averted, but simply delayed, by the current asset-driven economic recovery. Taken together, the states owe $1 trillion in unfunded pension obligations alone. These costs are eating up much of the projected surpluses, even in prosperous and relatively frugal states such as Texas. But the first place where the fiscal blowout will hit the road may be at the local level. This is, in part, because one way that states try to improve their balance sheets is by cutting aid to localities while imposing new mandates dealing with everything from housing to green policies. This has occurred in such places as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. So, even as state budgets improve somewhat, municipal budgets remain very vulnerable to cutbacks. Pew reports that both state aid and property-tax collections have continued to drop, something that perhaps will be slowed by a developing bubble in real estate values. Similarly, according to a report by the National League of Cities, city financers at the end of 2012 projected a sixth consecutive year of year-over-year declining revenue. The ability of localities – particularly the most-distressed – to endure this pattern much longer is somewhat dubious. In fact, the run up to a wave of municipal bankruptcies has begun. Seven major municipalities have already filed for bankruptcy, the largest being the city of San Bernardino. To a large extent, these bankruptcies are being driven by unfunded obligations for employee pensions. A new study by the Brookings Institute “estimated that the aggregate unfunded liabilities of locally administered pension plans top $574 billion. ... On average, pensions consume nearly 20 percent of municipal budgets.” But the worst is yet to come. “[I]f trends continue, over half of every dollar in tax revenue would go to pensions, and, by some estimates, in some cases, would suck up 75 percent of all tax revenue.” This has locked many localities across the country into a classic vicious cycle as they try to dig their way back to growth. Unless radically reformed, health care and retirement obligations to employees seem certain to outweigh the ability to fund necessary government functions, the very things – infrastructure, public safety and other economic development components – necessary to nurse a region and its governments back to health. * * * Many counties and localities risk also losing their health care benefits under Gov. Brown’s revised fiscal year 2013-14 budget. These changes will be hardest on those localities with the biggest problems, notably some smaller cities already tilting on the edge of bankruptcy. As many as 10 others, including Oakland and San Jose, could join them. Many others are simply cutting back; Sacramento is now asking newly recruited police officers to pay into their pension plans before joining the force. These problems also are deeply entrenched in the state’s largest city. Los Angeles, more than any of the top 10 cities in the country, with the possible exception of Chicago, still suffers from quasirecessionary conditions. Not surprisingly, LA’s budget situation, in large part due to pension and other employee-related costs, remains perilous. Former mayor, businessman Richard Riordan, has predicted that, unless pensions and compensation are reformed dramatically, the city will eventually slide, inexorably, toward bankruptcy. The primary culprit in this slide, notes Riordan, has been the political domination of Los Angeles, and other cities, by public employee unions and the lack of true political competition. The original poster child for this is San Bernardino, where labor costs consumed 80 percent of the city budget, in large part due to public-sector unions’ investment in local political races. Bigger and somewhat economically stronger, Los Angeles may not soon go the way of San Bernardino, but its fiscal problems remain severe, with a projected $800 million deficit over the next four years and pensions that are underfunded by at least $15 billion. Clearly, these shortfalls will continue to undermine the city’s ability to keep its streets safe, roads paved and parks operating – until City Hall is willing to stand up to the public-sector lobby. (Joel Kotkin is executive editor of NewGeography.com and is a distinguished presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University, and contributing editor to the City Journal in New York.) Home Prices Jump 29% T he median price of a home in Los Angeles County rose 29.4 percent in May, compared to the same month a year ago, reflecting a statewide jump that gave California the biggest year-over-year price increase in 33 years, according to figures released by the Los Angeles-based California Association of Realtors. The median price of a Los Angeles County home was $365,990 in May, up from $282,930 in May 2012, according to CAR. May’s median price was 1.2 percent higher than April, when the median was $361,630. Home sales in the county increased by 14 percent between April and May, but were down 2.2 percent from May 2012. Statewide, the median price of a single-family home was $417,350 in May, up 31.9 percent from $316,460 in May 2012, according to CAR. It was the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year increases, and 11th straight month of double-digit jumps. According to CAR, the 31.9 percent increase was the largest annual jump since at least 1980, when the association began tracking the statistic. “More home buyers are putting down larger down payments, and many of them are opting for more stable loan products,” CAR Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young said. “Additionally, historically low mortgage rates have reduced monthly mortgage payments substantially, making owning a house more affordable, even with rising home prices.” The number of homes sold in California increased by 1.9 percent between April and May, but fell 3.6 percent from May 2012, according to CAR. Immigration Stalls in House S outhland immigrant-rights activists and lawmakers hailed the U.S. Senate’s passage of immigration legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for millions of people living in the country illegally, although the package has little chance of being approved by the House of Representatives. The Senate approved the legislation, which was crafted by a bipartisan group of Senators known as the “Gang of Eight,” on a 68-32 vote. Those voting in favor of the legislation included 14 Republicans. “The bill includes several provisions important for California,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. “I am especially pleased with the creation of a new Blue Card program for legal status and a pathway to citizenship for current undocumented farm workers. The bill establishes two new agricultural visa programs to make sure farmers are able to legally hire future workers when local workers are unavailable. “The bill also helps tech companies hire workers in science and technology fields while protecting American workers from wage suppression and displacement,” she said. * * * Arturo S. Rodriguez, president of the United Farm Workers union, said the vote “marks a historic moment for new U.S. immigrants.” He said the legislation “is a truly bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that calls for a roadmap to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the country. We urge members of the U.S. House of Representatives to not delay any longer and take up the Senate bill.” But House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has said the Republican-controlled House was unlikely to even consider the legislation. “The House is not going to take up and vote on whatever the Senate passes,” he said prior to the vote. “We’re doing to do our own bill, through regular order.” “... For any legislation, including a conference report, to pass the House, it’s going to have to be a bill that has the support of a majority of our (Republican) members,” Boehner said.

Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013 CityWatch LA and Other ... · It’s on a fast and furious pace—and may hold dangers unlike anything we’ve seen before. Los Angeles County Fire Chief

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Page 1: Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013 CityWatch LA and Other ... · It’s on a fast and furious pace—and may hold dangers unlike anything we’ve seen before. Los Angeles County Fire Chief

Covering Porter Ranch, Northridge, Granada Hills, Chatsworth, and Valley Communities West of the San Diego Freeway

Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013

Find Us 24 Hours a Day at:www.evalleyvoice.comYour Award-Winning Local Newspaper FREE

Everywhere

CityWatchLA and Other California Cities

Still Being SqueezedBy Joel Kotkin

Recent announcements of state budget surpluses have led to the popping of corks across the deepest-blue parts of America, particularly here in California. Thestates’fiscalmeltdownhasnotbeenaverted,butsimplydelayed,bythe

currentasset-driveneconomicrecovery.Takentogether,thestatesowe$1trillioninunfunded pension obligations alone. These costs are eating up much of the projected surpluses, even in prosperous and relatively frugal states such as Texas. Butthefirstplacewherethefiscalblowoutwillhittheroadmaybeatthelocallevel.Thisis,inpart,becauseonewaythatstatestrytoimprovetheirbalancesheetsisbycuttingaid to localitieswhile imposingnewmandatesdealingwitheverythingfrom housing to green policies. This has occurred in such places as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,NewJerseyandNewYork. So, even as state budgets improve somewhat, municipal budgets remain veryvulnerabletocutbacks.Pewreportsthatbothstateaidandproperty-taxcollectionshavecontinuedtodrop,somethingthatperhapswillbeslowedbyadevelopingbubblein real estate values. Similarly,accordingtoareportbytheNationalLeagueofCities,cityfinancersattheend of 2012 projected a sixth consecutive year of year-over-year declining revenue. The ability of localities – particularly the most-distressed – to endure this pattern much longer issomewhatdubious. Infact,therunuptoawaveofmunicipalbankruptcieshasbegun.Sevenmajormunicipalities have already filed for bankruptcy, the largest being the city of SanBernardino. To a large extent, these bankruptcies are being driven by unfunded

obligations for employee pensions. A newstudy by the Brookings Institute “estimated that the aggregate unfunded liabilities of locally administered pension plans top $574 billion. ... On average, pensionsconsume nearly 20 percent of municipal budgets.”Buttheworstisyettocome.“[I]ftrends continue, over half of every dollar in taxrevenuewouldgotopensions,and,bysomeestimates,insomecases,wouldsuckup75percentofalltaxrevenue.” This has locked many localities across the country into a classic vicious cycle as they try to dig their way backto growth. Unless radically reformed,health care and retirement obligations to employees seem certain to outweighthe ability to fund necessary government functions, the very things – infrastructure,

public safety and other economic development components – necessary to nurse a region and its governments back to health.

* * *

ManycountiesandlocalitiesriskalsolosingtheirhealthcarebenefitsunderGov.Brown’srevisedfiscalyear2013-14budget.Thesechangeswillbehardeston thoselocalitieswiththebiggestproblems,notablysomesmallercitiesalreadytiltingontheedgeofbankruptcy.Asmanyas10others,includingOaklandandSanJose,couldjointhem.Manyothersaresimplycuttingback;Sacramentoisnowaskingnewlyrecruitedpoliceofficerstopayintotheirpensionplansbeforejoiningtheforce. These problems also are deeply entrenched in the state’s largest city. Los Angeles, more than any of the top 10 cities in the country, with the possible exception ofChicago, still suffers from quasirecessionary conditions. Not surprisingly, LA’s budget situation, in large part due to pension and other employee-related costs, remains perilous. Former mayor, businessman Richard Riordan, has predicted that, unless pensionsandcompensationarereformeddramatically,thecitywilleventuallyslide,inexorably,towardbankruptcy. The primary culprit in this slide, notes Riordan, has been the political domination of Los Angeles, and other cities, by public employee unions and the lack of true political competition.Theoriginalposterchildforthis isSanBernardino,where laborcostsconsumed 80 percent of the city budget, in large part due to public-sector unions’ investment in local political races. Biggerand somewhat economically stronger,LosAngelesmaynot soongo thewayofSanBernardino,butitsfiscalproblemsremainsevere,withaprojected$800milliondeficitoverthenextfouryearsandpensionsthatareunderfundedbyatleast$15billion.Clearly, these shortfallswill continue toundermine the city’s ability tokeepitsstreetssafe,roadspavedandparksoperating–untilCityHall iswillingtostand up to the public-sector lobby. (Joel Kotkin is executive editor of NewGeography.com and is a distinguishedpresidentialfellowinurbanfuturesatChapmanUniversity,andcontributingeditortotheCityJournalinNewYork.)

Home Prices Jump 29%T hemedianprice of ahome inLosAngelesCounty rose 29.4percent inMay,

comparedtothesamemonthayearago,reflectingastatewidejumpthatgaveCalifornia the biggest year-over-year price increase in 33 years, according to

figuresreleasedbytheLosAngeles-basedCaliforniaAssociationofRealtors. ThemedianpriceofaLosAngelesCountyhomewas$365,990inMay,upfrom$282,930inMay2012,accordingtoCAR.May’smedianpricewas1.2percenthigherthanApril,whenthemedianwas$361,630.Homesalesinthecountyincreasedby14percentbetweenAprilandMay,butweredown2.2percentfromMay2012. Statewide,themedianpriceofasingle-familyhomewas$417,350inMay,up31.9percentfrom$316,460inMay2012,accordingtoCAR.Itwasthe15thconsecutivemonth of year-over-year increases, and 11th straight month of double-digit jumps. AccordingtoCAR,the31.9percentincreasewasthelargestannualjumpsinceatleast1980,whentheassociationbegantrackingthestatistic. “Morehomebuyersareputtingdownlargerdownpayments,andmanyofthemare opting for more stable loan products,” CAR Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young said. “Additionally, historically low mortgage rates havereducedmonthlymortgage payments substantially,making owning a housemoreaffordable,evenwithrisinghomeprices.” ThenumberofhomessoldinCaliforniaincreasedby1.9percentbetweenAprilandMay,butfell3.6percentfromMay2012,accordingtoCAR.

Immigration Stallsin House

Southland immigrant-rights activists and lawmakers hailed the U.S. Senate’spassageofimmigrationlegislationthatwouldprovideapathtocitizenshipformillions of people living in the country illegally, although the package has little

chance of being approved by the House of Representatives. TheSenateapprovedthelegislation,whichwascraftedbyabipartisangroupofSenatorsknownasthe“GangofEight,”ona68-32vote.Thosevotinginfavorofthelegislationincluded14Republicans. “The bill includes several provisions important for California,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein,D-Calif.“Iamespeciallypleasedwith thecreationofanewBlueCardprogram for legal statusandapathway to citizenship for currentundocumentedfarmworkers.Thebillestablishestwonewagriculturalvisaprogramstomakesurefarmersareabletolegallyhirefutureworkerswhenlocalworkersareunavailable. “Thebillalsohelpstechcompanieshireworkersinscienceandtechnologyfieldswhile protectingAmerican workers fromwage suppression and displacement,”she said. * * * ArturoS.Rodriguez, president of theUnitedFarmWorkersunion, said thevote“marksahistoricmomentfornewU.S.immigrants.” He said the legislation “is a truly bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform billthatcallsforaroadmaptocitizenshipfortheestimated11millionundocumentedimmigrantscurrentlylivinginthecountry.WeurgemembersoftheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives to not delay any longer and take up the Senate bill.” ButHouseSpeakerJohnBoehner,R-Ohio,hassaidtheRepublican-controlledHousewasunlikelytoevenconsiderthelegislation. “TheHouseisnotgoingtotakeupandvoteonwhatevertheSenatepasses,”hesaidpriortothevote.“We’redoingtodoourownbill,throughregularorder.” “... For any legislation, including a conference report, to pass the House, it’s going tohave tobeabill thathas the supportof amajorityof our (Republican)members,” Boehner said.

Page 2: Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013 CityWatch LA and Other ... · It’s on a fast and furious pace—and may hold dangers unlike anything we’ve seen before. Los Angeles County Fire Chief

July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 2

Raising the Alarm on Fire Perils

Record levels of parched vegetation, along with a long-running drought andpredictions of hot, dry weather ahead have prompted fire officials to issue anunusuallysharpwarningaboutthisyear’sfireseason:

It’sonafastandfuriouspace—andmayholddangersunlikeanythingwe’veseenbefore. LosAngelesCountyFireChiefDarylOsby,appearingwithotherfireofficials thisweek,saidindicationsaddupto“probablythemostvolatilefireseasonthat’sprojectedbased on our 100-year history.” Osby said in an interview that recent fires in Ventura County and in northernLosAngelesCounty have already provided a dramaticwakeup call that ismirroredstatewide,where500earlyseasonfireshavetakenplacesofarthisyear. Becausethecountyhasn’texperiencedawildlandfireonthemassivescaleoftheStationFiresince2009,Osbysaid,there’splentyofhighlyflammabledeadbrushoutthere—insomeareas,100years’worth.What’smore,withrainfalltotalsrunningwellbelownormal,measurementsby thecountyfiredepartment’sForestryDivisionshowthat the amount of moisture in live brush has already fallen to critically dry levels, months ahead of schedule. The SantaClarita area hit the critical threshold of 60% “live fuelmoisture” inMay—meaningthatthebrushissodryitwillburn,ineffect,likeadeadplant.TherestofthecountyisexpectedtocrossthatdangerousthresholdbythefirstofJuly,agoodtwomonths ahead of schedule. “Sixty percent in the middle of May—that’s unheard of,” said Frank Vidales, acting chief of the Forestry Division. Those conditions, coming in the midst of a three-year drought, are disrupting traditionalfirepatternsandthrowingacurvetoeventhemostexperiencedfirefighters. Theheighteneddangersofavolatilefireseasonalsorequiremorepublicvigilance.Thatmeansclearingbrusharoundhousesandotherstructures,gettingfamiliarwiththefiredepartment’sReady!Set!Go!program,andbeingawarethat94%ofwildfiresaresetbypeople,sometimesintentionallybutmoreofteninadvertentlywithsparksfromlawnmowers,weedwhackers,powertoolsorevenwelding. Finally, if a fire evacuation order is issued, residents should be ready to heedit—fast—regardlessofwhetherthey’vetougheditoutandstayedputthroughsimilarsituations in years gone by. “Psychologically,becausethey’veexperienceditinthepast,theymightsay,‘Well,welivedthroughthisbefore;wecandoitagain.’Butit’sreallyimportantforourcitizenstorealizethatthisisnotatypicalfireseason,”Osbysaid.“You’renotgoingtohaveyourtypicalfirebehavior.It’sgoingtobeveryvolatileandwhenweaskthemtoevacuate,theyneedtoevacuateearly…Becauseyourpropertycanbereplaced.Yourlifecan’t.”

-ZevYaroslavsky,Supervisor,3rdDistrict

Even veteran firefighters were stunned by how the recent Powerhouse Fire behaved. Photo/Time

CityWatchWhere Oversight has Failed,

Snowden’s Leaks have Opened Up a Vital Public Debate on

Our Rights and PrivacyBy Valerie Plame Wilson and Joe Wilson

Let’sbeabsolutelyclearabout thenewsthat theNSAcollectsmassiveamountsofinformationonUScitizens–fromemails, totelephonecalls, tovideos,underthePrismprogramandotherFisacourtorders:thisstoryhasnothingtodowithEd-

wardSnowden. AsinterestingashisflighttoHongKongmightbe,thepole-dancinggirlfriend,andinterviewsfromundisclosedlocations,hisfateisjustasideshowtotheessentialissuesofnationalsecurityversusconstitutionalguaranteesofprivacy,whichhisdisclosureshavesurfaced in sharp relief. Snowdenwillbehuntedrelentlesslyand,whenfinally found,withglee,broughtback to the US in handcuffs and severely punished. (If Private BradleyManning’sobscene conditions while incarcerated are any indication, it won’t be pleasant forSnowdeneither,evenwhileawaitingtrial.) SnowdenhasalreadybeentheobjectofscornandderisionfromtheWashingtonestablishment and mainstream media, but, once again, the focus is misplaced on the transientlyshinyobject.Therelevantissueshouldbe:whatexactlyistheUSgovernmentdoing in the people’s name to “keep us safe” from terrorists? Prism and other NSA data-mining programs might indeed be very effective in huntingandcapturingactual terrorists,butwedon’thaveenough informationasasocietytomakethatdecision.DespitelaudableeffortsledbySenatorsRonWydenandMarkUdall tobringthis to thepublic’sattentionthatwerecontinually thwartedbytheadministrationbecauseeverythingabout thisprogramwasdeemed“too secret”,Congress could not even exercise its oversight responsibilities. The intelligence community and their friends on the Hill do not have a right to interpret our rights absent such a discussion. TheshockandsurprisethatSnowdenexposedthesesecretsishardtounderstandwhenover1.4millionAmericanshold“topsecret”securityclearances.Whenthatmanyhaveaccesstosensitiveinformation,isitreallysodifficulttoenvisionaleak?

* * *

We are now dealing with a vast intelligence-industrial complex that is largelyunaccountabletoitscitizens.Thisalarming,uncheckedgrowthoftheintelligencesectorand the increasingly heavy reliance on subcontractors to carry out core intelligence tasks – now estimated to account for approximately 60%of the intelligence budget–haveintensifiedsincethe9/11attacksandwhatwas,arguably,ourregrettableover-reaction to them. TherootsofthistrendgobackatleastasfarastheReaganera,whenthepoliticalrightbecameobsessedwithlimitinggovernmentanddenigratingthosewhoworkedforthepublicsector.Itbeganawaveofprivatization–becauseeverythingwasheldtobemore“cost-efficient”whendonebytheprivatesector–andthatonlydeepenedwiththepoliticalpolarizationfollowingtheelectionof2000. Asitturnsout,thepromisesofcheaper,moreefficientserviceswerehollow,butinertia carried the day. Today, the intelligence sector is so immense that no one person can manage, or evencomprehend,itsreach.Whenanoperationinthefieldgoessouth,whowouldweprefertotryandcorrectthedamage:agovernmentemployeewhoseloyaltybelongstohiscountry(despiteamodestsalary),orthesubcontractorwhowantstoensurethathismuch fatter paycheck keeps coming? Early polls of Americans about their privacy concerns that the government might be collecting metadata from phone calls and emails indicates that there is little alarm; there appears to be, in fact, an acceptance of or resignation to these practices. To date, there is no proof that the government has used this information to pursue andharassUScitizensbasedontheirpoliticalviews.TherearenoJEdgarHoover-like“enemylists”…yet.Butitisnotsodifficulttoenvisionascenariowhereanyofushasalink,viaafriendofafriend,tosomeoneontheterroristwatchlist.Whatthen?Youmayhavenoideawhothispersonis,butasupercomputerinFortMeade(or,soon,attheUtahDataCenternearSaltLakeCity)willhavemadethisconnection.Andthenyoucouldhavesomeexplainingtodotoanover-zealousprosecutor.

* * *

On this spying business, officials from Director of National Intelligence JamesClappertoself-importantsenatorsare,ineffect,tellingAmericansnottoworry:it’snotthatbigadeal,and“trustus”becausethey’rekeepingUScitizenssafe. This position must be turned on its head and opened up to a genuine discussion aboutthenecessary,dynamictensionbetweensecurityandprivacy.Asitnowstands,theseprogramsareripeforabuseunlessweestablishgroundrulesandbarriersbetweenauthentic national security interests and potential political chicanery. TheironyofformerVice-PresidentDickCheneywringinghishandsoverthereleaseof classified information ishard towatch.CheneycallsSnowdena traitor.Snowdenmaynotbeahero,butthefactisthatweowehimadebtofgratitudeforfinallybringingthis question into the public square for the robust discussion it deserves.

(ValeriePlameWilsonisaformerCIAoperationsofficerandtheauthorofamemoir,FairGame:MyLife as aSpy,MyBetrayal by theWhiteHouse. Joe Wilson served as aUnitedStatesdiplomatandpoliticaladvisorinAfricaandIraq.Heistheauthorofamemoir,ThePoliticsofTruth,andtheCEOofaconsultingfirm,JCWilsonInternationalVentures.ThisperspectivewaspostedmostrecentlyatCommonDreams.org)

Congressman Brad Sherman on Los Angeles

Helicopter NoiseByBradSherman

“It is time to free Angelenos from the oppression of noisy, invasive helicopter flightscarriedonwithnoregard for thewell-beingofhomeownersandothersundertheflightpath.”

“The FAA Report on Los Angeles Helicopter Noise rejects the idea of mandatory standards being implementeddue to safety concerns,whiledeclaring that voluntary standards are abetter alternative. This is absurd. If helicopter pilots operating at a particular altitude comply withvoluntarystandards,theirsafetywillnotbeimpairediftheyareatthesamealtitudedueto mandatory standards. At a minimum, voluntarystandardsshouldbemandatory,withawaiveroffinesforunusualsituationsaffectingsafety. “Thereisnoreasonwhyhelicoptersshouldbeallowedtobuzzaroundhomesofcelebrities,flyneartheHollywoodSignandotherprominentlandmarkswithoutrespecttotheaffectedresidentialareas.It’stimefortheFAAtodothejobgivenittoitbycurrentlaw–imposingreasonable standards on helicopter operations. “InFebruary,CongressmanSchiff,Waxman,andIintroducedlegislationthatwilltriggerimmediate action by the FAA. It is called the Los Angeles Residential Helicopter Noise Relief Actof2013.Ourproposalclearlyexemptspublicsafety,lawenforcement,ormilitaryhelicopteractivities.Thereisnoreasonthathelicopteroperationsdesignedforsight-seersandpaparazzicannot be subject to strict regulations.

Page 3: Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013 CityWatch LA and Other ... · It’s on a fast and furious pace—and may hold dangers unlike anything we’ve seen before. Los Angeles County Fire Chief

July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 3

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Page 4: Volume 8, Number 7 July, 2013 CityWatch LA and Other ... · It’s on a fast and furious pace—and may hold dangers unlike anything we’ve seen before. Los Angeles County Fire Chief

July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 4

Pet AwarenessEmergencies

I fyouareapetowner,theCountyofLosAngelesDepartmentofPublicHealthwantsyoutokeepyourpetsinmindwhendevelopingyourfamily’semergencyplan.

The new Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Projectemphasizesgettingtoknowyourneighborssoyoucanplanwiththemandbeready for emergencies. Research from recent disasters has shown communities that know eachother and prepare together survive better during emergencies and recover more quicklyafterward. Here is a checklist to ensure your pet or pets are emergency ready, along withyourfamily. -Gettoknowyourneighborsandletthemknowyouhavepets. -LicenseandregisteryourdogorcatwithL.A.County.Youcanchoosetosupplementthiswithmicrochipregistration.Ifyourpetgetsseparatedfromyouinanemergency,reunificationismorelikelyifyourpetisregistered. -Incaseofanyemergency,designatewhoinyourfamilyisresponsiblefor pets. - Have a crate, cage or other container to safely evacuate your pet if necessary. Yourhouseholdemergencykitshouldincludethefollowingessentialitemsforyourpet: - A three-day supply of pet food. -Agallonofwaterperdayperpetstoredinclearplasticcontainers. - A seven-day supply of necessary pet medications - Health, immunization and identity records for your pet stored in awaterproofportablecontainer. Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets. - Current photos of your pets in case they get lost. -Sturdyleashesorharnessestoensurethatyouranimalsdon’trunaway. Prior to an emergency, determine the location and make a list of facilities, veterinarians,oralternateresidencesthatcouldshelteryourpet.Include24-hourphone numbers. Bringpetsinsideassoonasyoureceivesevereweatherwarningstoavoidseparation. If possible, crate smaller animals prior to the event to ensure your pet iscontainedandremainswithfamilymembers. If you have no choice but to leave your dog or cat behind in your home, do notcratethepet;leavefoodandwaterandreturnhomeassoonaspossible. Markyourhomewithidentifyingstickerssofirstrespondersknowpetsarepresent in the home.

L.A. ObservedVillaraigosa Always

Wanted L.A. to be About Him - and It Wasn’t

ByMarkLacter

Asthemayor’sundistinguishedtwotermsinofficedrewtoaclose,I’mstruckbythenumber of commentators (several ofwhom Iknowand respect) choosingto let bygones be bygones - to give the guy a pass, more or less, in spite of inept

management,minimalaccomplishment,andafratboypersona.Onewriterdescribedthemayor’sperformanceas“good”butnot“great.”AnothersaidhewassorrytoseeVillaraigosa go, calling him “interesting” and “pretty damn entertaining.” In some ways,Icanappreciatethelightertouch.Theoutgoingmayor,afterall,isyesterday’snews (it’s hard to see howhe becomes competitive in a race for governor or anyhigheroffice).Yet,wearetalkingabouteightcrucialyearsinthelifeofagreatcity.Attentionmustbepaid.AntonioVillaraigosacametoCityHallwitha“shootforthefences”mentalityand leaveswithwaytoomanywhiffs.Morethanthat,he leaveshavingwastedalotofvaluabletime. Ultimately, the mayor could never match his own ambitions with L.A.’scomplicatedrealities.Hestartedoutin2005withanoverreachingagenda,thenmostlyignoredthefast-approachingfinancialmeltdown(althoughsodidtheCouncil),theninsistedthatthecity’sfiscalhousewasinorder,thenfiguredoutthatitwasn’t,theninitiatedwilly-nilly budget cuts and funding transfers that left city government ahollowed-outmess,thenbungledeffortsatfull-scalerestructuring,andthen,inthemidstofafracturedrecovery,insistedthatL.A.wasbackinfull-growthmode,despiteconsiderable evidence to the contrary. Butnevermindallthat.AntonioVillraigosa’sbiggestfailingisthathealwaysassumeditwouldbeabouthim.Hisfinalmonthsinofficewereespeciallyignominious- did he really need to take a last-minute trip to China or appropriate a city festival as hisownfarewellpartyormakesurethatanunfinishedportionofanLAXterminalnamedafterhimwouldbeunveiledbeforeheleftoffice?Duringaraftofexitinterviews,he insincerely pooh-poohed any thoughts about legacy even though it’s no doubt been hisprimarylifefocus.Whenhecouldn’tgetcontroloftheschools,heswitchedgearstotransportation.WhenhisL.A.spotlightwasn’tquitebrightenough,hesoughtthenationalstagebybecomingpresidentoftheU.S.ConferenceofMayors.Andallthetimetherewasthetravel,thepartying,thefinedining,thefront-rowseats-littleofwhichhadtheleastrelevancetofixingastrugglingcity.NowondertheObamapeoplemadeitclearthathewouldn’tbeconsideredforaCabinetpost-aboutthelastthingtheyneededwasamiddleweightwannabeewithanoutsizedego.

* * *

Forgetthenonsenseabouthowweshouldbeabletoacceptthepersonalflawsofourelectedofficials.Leadershipatanylevelisaboutjudgmentandintegrity,andyoucan’tfinesseyourwayaroundthat.Crazyasitmightsound,thereare60-year-oldpeopleinthisworldwhomanagetoworkhard,accomplishagreatdeal,andstillsteerclearofattractiveTVreporters.Whentheyparty,it’susuallyrightaftertheirchildren’ssoccergame.Villaraigosaneverfiguredthatoneout-hiswell-chronicledmeanderingsalwaysstruckmeassad,andposingwithCharlieSheeninthatinfamousphotodowninMexicowasoneofthedumbestthingsI’veeverseenfromapolitician(kidswouldcallsuchgallivanting“gross”).AndforalltheHollywoodhobnobbing,healwaysseemedslightlyuncomfortablewhenitactuallycametimetospeakinginpublic. A little too stiff and thoroughly incapable of impromptu riffs. Severalweeksago, theWeeklyrananot-so-flatteringpieceabout thestateofthemayor’sfinancesandwhathemightdoafterleavingoffice.Thestoryincludedawonderful-but-unattributedanecdoteabouthowhebuttonholedBillO’ReillyatanOscarpartyandaskedforhishelpingettingajobatFox.Ifoundthepieceprettyinteresting; others thought it frothy. Sowhataboutthatlegacyhewassofixatedon?Well,L.A.hasalonghistoryofdisreputablecharacterswhoheld theofficeofmayor,andVillaraigosa iscertainlynot on that list of scoundrels. He can claim a modest number of accomplishments (reviving LAX, bolstering environmental policy, promoting trade and tourism),thoughontoomanyissuesheeithersidesteppedortookthewrongcoursealtogether.Butwhat’sconspiredagainsthimmostofall-morethantheeconomy,morethanpolitics-wasabreathtakinglackofhumility.Someoneshouldhavetoldhimitwasallrighttoacknowledgehisfoibles,tolaughathimselfonceinawhile.Peoplelikehumility-itshowsthatyouhaveahealthyviewoflife,amaturity.Itshowsthatyoucanbeamensch.Instead,healwaysmadeitAntonioagainsttheworld-andguesswhowon?

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From the Right

Oh, Yeah, the Economy

ByLarryElder

The recent Obama administration scandals shift the spotlight from theeconomy.Yettherecoveryremainsdepressinglysluggish,withthelaborforceparticipationrateata34-yearlowasmillionsofable-bodied,able-

mindedAmericanssimplystoppedlookingforwork. WithPresidentObamainthefifthyearofhispresidency,letusexaminetheeffectofthestimulusprogram,taxhikes,Obamacareandadditionalregulationon the economy. It isn’t pretty. FortherichestAmericans,theirnetworthhasfullyrecovered.Forthenon-rich, the recovery tells a very different story. At the start of “recovery” in 2009, themeannetworthofthelower93percentofhouseholdswas$139,896.Bythecloseof2011—thelatestyearavailable—ithadfallen4percent,to$133,817.Food stamp usage sets new records. So far this fiscal year, over 22 millionhouseholds have received food stamps, up from less than 15million in 2009.Whilethestockmarkethasrecovered,mostAmericanshavenot.Thebiggestinvestment for most Americans is their home and the equity in average home remains28percentbelowits2006peak. Howdoesthisrecoverycomparetootherpost-WorldWarIIrecoveries? AnAssociatedPressarticlesaid:“SinceWorldWarII,10U.S.recessionshavebeenfollowedbyarecoverythatlastedatleastthreeyears.AnAssociatedPressanalysisshowsthatbyjustaboutanymeasure,theonethatbeganinJune2009is theweakest. ...Economic growthhasneverbeenweakerinapostwarrecovery.Consumerspendinghasneverbeensoslack.Onlyoncehasjobgrowthbeenslower.Morethaninanyotherpost-WorldWar II recovery,peoplewhohavejobs are hurting:Their paychecks have fallenbehind inflation.” According to Wall StreetJournaleconomistStephenMoore,“We’vehadtheworst, by far—not by a little bit, by far—theworstrecoveryfromarecessionsincetheGreatDepression.” BeforePresidentObamaenteredoffice,thenationaldebtstoodatabout$9.9trillion.Itisnowestimatedat$17.4for2013.ObamaaddedmoredebtinhisfirsttermthanPresidentGeorgeW.Bushdidintwoterms.Andtowhatend?

* * * What about Obamacare, marketed aswaytoprovidetheuninsuredwithhealthcarecoverage—allwhile“bendingthecostcurve”down? During last year’s presidential campaign, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said, “Everybody will have lower rates.” Butaccording to independent analysts, those purchasing insurance through an individual plan—thewayabout10percentofAmericanscurrentlyget their insurance—will likely seesubstantial rate hikes. The state of California recently released estimates showing increasesfrom64to146percent. Obamacare also applies to full-timeworkersanddefinesthemasworking30hoursor more. So many employers are simply reducing hours of employees to get under than threshold. Reuters found that half of theWalmarts theyrecently surveyed have hired only temporary employees. One Walmart manager in Alaskasays:“EverybodywhocomesthroughthedoorI hire as a temporary associate. It’s a company direction at the present time.” What about the Obama tax hike on the“rich”? The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco just released a report that called Obama’s tax hikes a “drag” on the economy:“Surprisingly, despite all the attention federal spending cuts and sequestration have received, our calculations suggest they are not the main contributors to this projected drag. The excess fiscaldragonthehorizoncomesalmostentirelyfrom rising taxes.” Bottomline:Thepoliciesofthistax,spendand regulate administration have produced an anemic recovery. Compared to five yearsago, 8 million more people are no longer in the workforce today. Twenty-three millionare underemployed, meaning people are working fewer hours than they would like orhave accepted a job for which they are over-qualified. Theonesilverliningisthis:Obama’sleft-wingcollectivismisgettingafullairing—andit is not working. Obama has inadvertentlytaught — or in some cases re-taught — one of themost important laws of economics:Thereain’t no such thing as a free lunch. Not even in a rock-star administration. - Creators.com

County to Start ChildWelfare Commission

T he Board of Supervisions voted 3-2 in support of creating a blue ribbon commission to protect children in the county.

Reacting to a string of child deaths in caseswhere socialworkers failed toremove children from dangerous environments, Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas andMichaelAntonovichcalledforthenewcommission,oneinalongseriesofgroupsdesigned to fix the Department of Children and Family Services.

“Onceagain,DCFSisunderscrutinyforallegedmismanagementoffosterfamilyagency contracts and for the recent death of Gabriel F. (age 8), who was allegedlytorturedandabusedbyhismotherandherboyfriend.InGabrielF.’scase,thereappearto have been repeated reports of abuse and neglect preceding his death,” read the motion by Ridley-Thomas and Antonovich.

Gabriel Fernandez’ mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez and her boyfriend, IsauroAguirre,havebeenchargedwithmurderintheboy’sdeath.Aguirreallegedlybeattheboy,whowashospitalizedMay22withBBpellets embedded inhis lungsandgroin, acracked skull, broken ribs, burns, bruises and twomissing teeth.The 8-year-old diedtwo days later. Hismother stood by during the assault and did nothing, according toprosecutors and police.

The tragedy refocused attention on DCFS, as the Los Angeles Times reported that the county had conducted six different investigations into the boy’swelfare before hisdeath.

But Supervisor Don Knabe, citing “countless commissions, groups, panels and advisory boards,”saidthecountyhadmorethanenoughinformationonhowtosolveproblemsinthechildwelfaresystemandjustneededtimetoimplementsolutions.

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CityWatch

DWP Ratepayers Ripped Off!ByJackHumphreville

R atepayersoftheDepartmentofWaterandPowerarebeingrippedoffforover$1billion* a year by our Elected Elite and their cronies that occupy the barnyard knownasCityHall.Butsnaggingalmost25%ofourhardearnedmoneythatwe

send toDWPeveryothermonthdoesnotappear to satisfy theappetiteof theSpringStreet beast. As Our Former Mayor was doing his victory tour around town, he touted theenvironmentalbenefits and increased safety associatedwith the conversionof 141,089streetlightstolightemittingdiodes.However,hefailedtomentionthatthis$57millionLEDprogramwasfundedinlargepartbyeightyearloansfromDWP. Ofcourse, theRatepayersshouldbethankfulthattheCitydidnotforceDWPtobuythestreetlights,payfortheirupkeep,and,atthesametime,providefreepower,asisessentiallythecasewiththeCity’sfirehydrants. OnJune19,theDWP’spoliticallyappointedBoardofCommissionersonceagainraidedthewalletsoftheRatepayersbyapprovinga$3.2millioncontributiontoElysianReservoir and Park Enhancement Fund. This amount does not include an additional $12.5 million that was extorted outoftheDWPbythepliantBoardofCommissionersaspartofthepoliticallymandatedappeasement process. TheBoardofCommissionersalsoapprovedanotherdealwithRecreationandParkswhereDWPwouldspendamaximumof$15millionoverthenextfiveyearstofundwaterefficiencyimprovementsintheCity’sparks.Whilewaterconservationisrightuptherewithapplepieandmotherhood,DWPshouldnotberequiredtofundtheseimprovementsinamannerthatisnotavailabletoallDWPcustomers. This Board of Commissioners also gave the go ahead to fund the construction of the$43millionLaKretzInnovationCampuslocatedinthe“CleanTechCorridor”thatborderstheLosAngelesRiverinLA’sdowntownArtsDistrict.Thisfacility,amajorityofwhichisbeingfundedbyDWP,willdemonstrateDWP’s“commitmenttorenewableenergy, energy efficiency, and water conservation” by “housing a synergistic mix ofcleantech tenants,” creating an “ecosystem that supports innovation, deployment, and commercializationofcleantechnologies.”

* * * ButwhendidDWPdecidetoenterthehighlyriskyventurecapitalbusiness? The big spenders on the Board of Commissioners also decided to ignore the advice of the Ratepayers Advocate to suspend the current solar energy Feed In Tariff program, eventhoughthetotalexcesscostassociatedwiththisoverlygenerousprogramrelativetootherrenewableswillslamRatepayerswithanadditional$250millioninrateincreasesover the next 20 years. Since January, the Board of Commissioners, the Mayor, and the City Council have saddledtheRatepayerswithanother$1billionburdenassociatedwiththeeliminationof coalat theNavajoGeneratingStationand the IntermountainPowerPlantand theunanticipatedincreaseinpurchasedwaterfromtheMetropolitanWaterDistrictcausedby excessive environmental mandates and low snowfall in the OwensValley and theEastern Sierras. This billion does not even include the costs associated with the Feed In Tariffboondoggle, the street lights, Recreation and Parks, and the risky venture capital investment. MayorEricGarcettiandthenewlyconstitutedCityCouncilneedtorealizethattheRatepayers are at a breaking point as rates are projected to double over the next ten years. TheytrulybelievetheyarebeingscrewedbytheCityHallkleptocracywhichcontinuestopicktheirpocketswhileCityemployeesarelivinghighoffthehog. Ratepayersarenotafraidtoexpresstheiropinions,especiallyattheballotboxwheretheyrejectedbothWendyGreuelandPropositionA,thepermanenthalfcentincreaseinour sales tax. Eric,youhavebeenwarned.(*Theover$1billionripoffconsistsofthe$250milliontransferfee/taxfromthePowerSystemtoCity’sGeneralFund;the$300millionfromthe10%CityUtilityTax;the$250million IBEW Labor Premium (not including the impact of restrictive work rules); petprojectssuchasGriffithandElysianParksandtheSilverLakeReservoir;andthedumpingofsurplusCityemployees(andtheirunfundedpensionliabilities)onDWP.)

“Excellence in Public Service” Leadership

Development ProgramEarlierthismonth,myofficewasproudtolaunchourinaugural“ExcellenceinPublic

Service”LeadershipDevelopmentProgram!Eightlocalhighschoolstudentswereselectedtoparticipateinthisinterdisciplinary

programteachingstudentshowtosolvereal-worldcommunityproblemsbyintegratingfieldstudyandacademicresearchwhileleveragingtechnologytodeveloppublicpolicysolutions. Students will also learn how to navigate the network of public agencies,facilitate collaborative coalition building, and master interpersonal skills to succeed in theworkplace. The students visited the Wilkinson Multipurpose Senior Citizen Center inNorthridgeandlearnedaboutthewidevarietyofprogramsandservicesprovidedatthe senior center.ExecutiveDirectorMarianneYbarra shared the various academicsubjectssuchassociologyandsocialwork,thestudentscanstudyincollegeifthey’reinterestedinservingthegrowingagingpopulationinourcommunity.ThestudentsalsoanalyzedcensusdemographicdatatoillustratethechangingpopulationineachofthezipcodeswithinCD12tohelpthembetterunderstandthechallengesfacingtheseniorcommunity and identify solutions. Throughoutthesummer,thestudentswillbeexposedtovariouscareeropportunitieswithin theCityofLosAngelesandpartnerorganizationsandbeprovidedwithreal-worldexperienceintersectingthepublicsector,businessandthenonprofitcommunity. For more information about the program, contact Semee Park at [email protected]

-MitchellEnglander,Councilmember,TwelfthDistrict

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A Asapastor,I’vehadmanypeopleaskmewhythereissomuchsufferingintheworld.Itseemsthatonanygivenday,wecanperusethenewsandhearaboutone senseless tragedy after another—school shootings, natural disasters that

devastate entire cities, political corruption, crime, and death. These trials occur on a personallevelaswell.Perhapsrightnowyouaregrapplingwithadivorce,badnewsfrom a doctor, or losing something or someone important to you. I don’t mean to sound morbid; these are simply regular occurrences in life that happen to everyday people. Trials and tragedies care not about a person’s color, culture, gender, age, class,orculture.Weallaresusceptibletodifferentkindsoftroubleinourlifetime.

So what do we do in the event that we encounter inevitable hardships?Wheneveraperson issittingacross frommewithtearyeyes,abrokenheart,anddeepquestions,I’mkeenlyawarethatsufferingisnoteasytoexplain.IencouragethatpersonnottoaskGod,“Whyisthishappeningtome?”butinstead,“HowcanIrespondinawaythatishonoringtoYou,Lord?”Onewaywecanadoptthiskindofresponse is to look to man in the Bible named Job—one of the greatest survivors of tragedytheworldhaseverseen.

TheBiblesaysinJob1:1,“Thismanwasblamelessandupright;hefearedGodandshunnedevil.”Jobwasaverywealthymanwhohadsevensonsandthreedaughters,thousandsoflivestock,andnumerousservants.Oneday,SataninsiststhatJobfearsGodonlybecausetheLordhasprotectedhimandblessedtheworkofhishands.Thedevilsaysboldly,“ButnowstretchoutYourhandandstrikeeverythinghehas,andhewillsurelycurseYoutoYourface”(Job1:11).ThenGodsaidtoSatan,“Verywell,then,everythinghehasisinyourpower,butonthemanhimselfdonotlayafinger.”

Suddenly, Job is catapulted into a season of great testing. He lost his fortune, family,physicalfitness,andfameinonefellswoop.Buthedidnotlosehisfaith.LookatJob’sresponse:“‘NakedIcamefrommymother’swomb,andnakedIwilldepart.TheLordgaveandtheLordhastakenaway;maythenameoftheLordbepraised.’Inallthis,JobdidnotsinbychargingGodwithwrongdoing”(Job1:21-22).

Isn’tthatamazing?Joblosteverythingheloved,andwhatdidhedo?Hepraised the name of the Lord and didn’t blame God for his circumstances. I’veheardpeoplecurseGodafterthey’vesnubbedtheirtoe!ButevenwhenJob’sownwifetoldhim,“Areyoustillmaintainingyourintegrity?CurseGodanddie!”afterhewas afflictedwith painful sores, Job replied, “Shallwe accept good fromGod

Pastor Dudley C. Rutherford - Shepherd of the Hills

HOW DO WeReSPOND tO tRIALS

AND tRAgeDy?By

andnot trouble?”And evenwhenhisbest friends accused him of sin, Job maintained his innocence. However,this conversation between Job andhis pals spanned more than thirty chapters and Job’s resolve finallywhittlesdown.HebeginstothinkGoddoesn’tcareabouthim.

Then, God answers Job. From chapters thirty eight to forty one, the LordrespondstoJob’squestionof“Why,God?”withquestionsofHisown—seventyquestions,tobeexact!GodasksJobaseriesofrhetoricalquestionsabouttheuniverseHecreated.(With all our current knowledge and technology,we still don’t know the answers tosomeofthesequestionstoday!)AndattheendofGod’sastoundinginterrogation,Jobisrepentant.Hereplies,“SurelyIspokeofthingsIdidnotunderstand,thingstoowonderfulformetoknow.”

JobacknowledgedthatGodhasaplanthatcannotbethwarted(Job42:2).HewassorryforthinkingtheLorddidnotcareabouthim.WelearnfromJob’sstorythatbeinggooddoesnotalwaysexceptusfromevil,buttrialscantestandmatureusandstrengthenour faith.AndwhileyouandImaynotalwaysunderstandGod’splanorhumansuffering, there isaGodwho lovesusandrespondswhenwecryout toHimin humility and reverence. Because thiswas Job’s response,God gave him a doubleblessing.Job42:12says,“TheLordblessedthelatterpartofJob’slifemorethantheformerpart.”Godblessedhimwith sevenmore sons, threebeautifuldaughters, andthousandsmorelivestock.“Afterthis,Joblivedahundredandfortyyears;hesawhischildren and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full ofyears”(Job42:16-17).Whatanawesomestoryoffaiththroughtrialsandtragedy!

Edited by Angie Merrill

DudleyRutherford is theauthorofGodHasanAppforThat(www.Godhasanapp.com)andtheseniorpastorofthe10,000-memberShepherdoftheHillsChurchinPorterRanch (LosAngeles), California. Service times at Shepherd are Saturdays at 5:00 and6:30pmandSundaysat8:30,10:00,and11:30am.YoucanfindDudleyonlineatwww.DudleyRutherford.comoronTwitter@pastordudley.

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From the Left

Political Stopsand Starts

BySusanEstrich

JunewasamonthofmajorpoliticalmovesinWashington. ThemostobviouslypoliticalwastheSenate’spassageof“landmark”immigrationreform. It is landmark, no question of that. But no one gives it any chance of

becoming law,which raises thequestion ofwhy its passage reallymatters, exceptpolitically. Theansweristhatwhenitcomestoimmigrationreform,it’sallpolitics. The Senate is passing major immigration reform because the Republicans got hammered among Hispanic voters in the last election, and the Republicans can’t affordtoturntheirbacksondemographics.TheHousewon’tpassit,becausenotallRepublicansseethingsthatway,whichiswhytheRepublicanPartyisintrouble.Orcivilwar. SowhathappensisthatRepublicansintheSenatewho(thinkthey)aretryingtosave the party end up calling even greater attention to the fact that theirs is a party thatneedssaving.Whosaidpoliticswaseasy? Thebestpoliticswerearoundthecorner,attheSupremeCourt.Ifyoutakethecourt’stwogaymarriagecasesandputthemtogether,youhaveasimplerule:Leaveittothestates.Ifastatewantstorecognizesame-sexmarriages,thefederalgovernmentwillrespectit.Ifastatedoesn’twanttodefenditslaw,we’renotgoingtosaveit. Now, speaking as a law professor, I can tell you that neither of these casespurportedtodecidehowthegaymarriageissueshouldberesolvedinthiscountry,much lesswhat theresult shouldbe.Theruling in theDOMAcasedidn’trequirethe kind of elevated scrutiny applied in cases of race or gender. The states having decided, federalism aswell as equality concerns allowed the court to strike downDOMAwithoutreachingadecisionontheconstitutionalityofconflictingstatelaws.Andthe5-4splitonthestandingissueintheProp8casewas,ideologicallyspeaking,a mish-mosh.

* * *

But if you put the two together, it is in many ways the perfectWashingtoncompromiseonanissueastowhichtherereallyis,onthemerits,notmuchofamiddle:Youtendtobeforgaymarriageoragainstit.Theolddayswhenpeoplewouldplaywordgamesbysaying,well,theywereforcivilunionbutnotcivilmarriage?Thosefolks are all for gay marriage these days. For or against. But the Supreme Court created the perfect middle ground. You want gaymarriage?Vote for it.Youdon’twant it?Vote against it, or pass a constitutionalamendmentthatyou’rewillingtodefend.NomoreactsofCongress.Congressisoutof the gay marriage business. Asforthestates,therewillbechallenges.Andsomeappealscourtsomewheremay hold, one of these days, that a ban on same-sex marriage is itself unconstitutional. Thenthecourtmayfacetheissue.Butbetweennowandthen,theactionisoutofthecourtsandoutofWashington;stateswillreachdifferentconclusions;I’llhaveananswerwhencynicsaskwhypoliticsmatter,becausetheywill;andtheSupremeCourt justices can have much calmer vacations. In the short run, of course, many proponents of gay marriage are disappointed thatthecourtdidnotreachthemeritsoftheCaliforniacase,whichwouldnothavebeen the same as the merits in a state that never granted and then revoked the right to marry in any event. But civil rights litigation often proceeds best in steps, which is what the lateThurgoodMarshallsobrilliantlyunderstood.Andthiswasabigone.Ifbythetimethecourtseestheissueagainthereare40statesthatrecognizegaymarriage,itwillbethatmucheasiertotakethefinalstep. - Creators.com

CityWatchArmenian Political Power:

the Lion Awakensin Los Angeles

ByHaroutHarrySemerdjian

greater Los Angeles has been a mecca for Armenian immigration for more than one hundred years, as early as the Turkish massacres of Armenians in 1895-96 andtheArmenianGenocideof1915.Inthelastfourdecades,thecityhasattractedan

increasinglylargenumberofimmigrantsfromtheMiddleEastaswellasfromtheformerSovietRepublic ofArmenia,which gained its independence after the fall of the SovietUnionin1991. This complex yet vibrant community of “Hayastanci” - Armenians from Armenia proper – have been notably absent from politics and public service, albeit for understandable reasons. Emigrating from the harsh politics and government policies of a Communist regime, they learned not to rely on government for even to their most basic needs. Their presence in theU.S. has focused on rebuilding their lives and consolidatingtheirpresencethroughdiligenceandhardwork.Embracingtheirfreedomsintheirnewlyadoptedhomeland,politicsbecameabaggageofthepast.Untillatelastyear,thatis.WhenoneoftheirowndecidedtorunforpublicofficeinEastHollywood,theshowofunityandforce became unprecedented for this community. WhenSamKbushyan,aformerBoardMemberoftheEastHollywoodNeighborhoodCouncil and Executive Director of the IC Foundation, decided to run for LA City Council District13,heregisteredthousandsofArmeniansintheDistrictwithinseveralmonths.

* * * PerhapsevenKbushyandidnotrealizethefar-reachingimplicationsofhispersonalinitiative, which became a powerful drive not only for voter registration but also forcommunityempowermentanddemocracy-building. Even though Kbushyan lost in the primary election, he came in an impressive 3rd place tothesurpriseofresidentsandCityHallpower-brokersalike.KbushyansoonendorsedlocalcandidateMitchO’FarrellovernewcomerJohnChoi,andhisloyalArmeniansupportershelpedsecureMitchO’Farrell’svictoryonMay21.Aboutaquarteroftheapproximately20,000votersintheelectionwereArmenians,mostlyregisteredbySamKbushyan. The impactofHollywood’s immigrantArmeniancommunityonCouncilDistrict13is quickly becoming a benchmark for other parts of Los Angeles, particularly in the San FernandoValley,wherelargecommunitiesofArmeniansreside.Formany,thehalfamillion-strongArmeniancommunityinthegreaterLAarearepresentsanelectoralgoldminewhichcouldswaymanylocalelections. The 100thAnniversary of theArmenian Genocide is fast approaching, along withnumerousimportantlocal,stateandnationalelections.Thenewlyempoweredpopulationofimmigrants from Armenia may hold the key to the success of the highly regarded Armenian lobbyintheUnitedStates,includingtheirabilitytofurtherinfluenceCongressaswellasthePresidentoncriticalissuessuchastheofficialrecognitionoftheArmenianGenocideandapeacefulandjustsolutiontotheNagorno-Karabakhconflictgroundedintheprincipleofself-determination for its native Armenian population. Alreadyconsideredbymanytobethesecondmost influentialethniclobbyaftertheJewishlobbyinWashingtonD.C.,ArmenianprominenceatthenationallevelhasseriouspotentialtogrowconsideringtheirnewsuccessesinCalifornia–thenation’smostpopulousandmostpowerfulstate. Thiswillserveasatestofthecommunity’smaturityandfortitudeduringthissignificanttime in the history of this ancient nation. (HaroutHarrySemerdjianisaPhDCandidateat theUniversityofOxford.HeholdsadvancedM.A.degreesfromtheFletcherSchoolofLawandDiplomacyatTuftsUniversityand theUniversity ofCalifornia, LosAngeles.He is also aCouncilMember of theEastHollywoodNeighborhoodCouncil.)

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Four Loko BeverageCleveland High School

Students Fight“Blackout in a Can”

By Haeeun Blessing Jee, Valley Voice Reporter

F our Loko is a beverage containing either 6 percent or 12 percent alcohol (depending on state regulations), and a large shot of caffeine, equivalent to the amount of caffeine in a tall Starbucks coffee. This combination makes the beverage deadlier

than most other alcoholic drinks. Drinkers get drunk and high but because the caffeine shields the effects of the alcohol, they are unaware of their state and drink more to feel that intoxication “buzz” in the end. Not only is Four Loko under investigation because of health concerns, but Cleveland students are questioning the advertisement intentions and methods used by Phusion Project LLC, the company that produces Four Loko. “Four Loko is marketing by the graphics that they use and the proximity that they sell their products. [Targeting] kids of color, [Four Loko will] use graffiti style labeling that is attractive to the youth. These products are sold heavily in populations of folks of color. You won’t find these products in Beverly Hills,” said Fluke Fluker, a co-founder of Village Nation. “And it’s cheap and it’s attractive for our kids to drink.” Senior Desirae Duncan, co-president of BSU, added her own thoughts on this dilemma. “If you go to a store and you see a can with something you can relate to on it - the graffiti - you become interested in the product. The containers make alcohol even more attractive to the already enquiring young adults. “Four Loko is like ‘alcohol for kids,’” she said.

* * * An anonymous Cleveland junior believes that the flavor of Four Loko is what really makes teens prefer this beverage over other alcoholic drinks, like beer. “With Four Loko, it’s like drinking a juice! And you don’t taste the alcohol. The aftertaste is fruity – it’s awesome!” he exclaimed. “The thing is, you don’t feel drunk. What happens is, out of nowhere, it’ll just hit you, you’re [expletive] up, you’re done.” “You can drink half a can, you’ll feel a buzz. You finish that [one can and] you don’t even know you’re drunk. You’re just gone,” he said. Assistant Principal Shanna Sarris said the speaking out Four Loko is a good idea. “I think any type of movement from the students’ perspective is always the best thing because students listen to students more than they necessarily listen to adults preaching to them about something,” she said. But instead of limiting the target audience to people of color, she believes that it should be widened to include all socio-economically impoverished people. Dean Rolando Young also believes that saying Four Loko specifically focuses on people of color would be jumping to conclusions. “The way [Phusion Projects] markets their product is geared towards young people. You have to remember that Cleveland is like a mini-city. So whatever is going on outside, outside our walls, it’s happening here,” Young said.

* * * Would it be safe to say that Four Loko has increased teen alcohol consumption at Cleveland? The previously-stated anonymous junior claims that it has. “Definitely. Here at Cleveland? Especially,” he said. “I have friends that drink. The other day, this kid was [passed out] on the bench [after drinking Four Loko].” “This year, we have had a few incidents where kids came to school intoxicated. They did make us aware that they had drunk the Four Loko. However, they have also been helpful in letting us know that there are a lot of stores out there that are just selling it to minors, without carding them,” Sarris said. The Land reflects what is going on across the country, the increasing consumption of drinks containing both caffeine and alcohol. The state of Michigan has completely banned the sale and consumption of Four Loko in its state. Ramapo College in New Jersey, Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, and the University of Rhode Island have banned Four Loko and other similar alcoholic beverages containing caffeine. Other colleges are quickly following suit as they realize the disaster Four Loko is causing on campuses, including students requiring hospitalization.

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Getting a Handle on DWP’s Budget and Transfer Fees: A No Brainer

YES ON BALLOT MEASURE JBy Jack Humphreville

A Yes Vote on Measure J is a no brainer. It is what Corporate America has been doing for generations. So let’s welcome City Hall and our Department of Water and Power to the late Twentieth Century.

Here’s the ballot language on Measure J: “Shall the Charter be amended to (a) require the Department of Water and Power for informational purposes to submit to the City Council by March 31 each year a preliminary budget for the ensuing fiscal year ( July 1 through June 30), to be updated by May 31 with new information, and (b) establish procedures for making surplus transfers from the Power Revenue Fund to the City Reserve Fund?”

Measure J, if passed, will require the DWP to submit its preliminary budget for the year beginning on July 1 to the City Council for informational purposes b y March 31, about three weeks prior to the release of City’s budget. An update will be due on May 31.

Measure J, if passed, will also require that DWP Board of Commissioners notify the City Council and the Mayor of the status of the 8% Power Transfer Fee by December 31, and if the transfer cannot be made in full, to document why the 8% Power Transfer Fee cannot be made in full.

DWP and its Ratepayers are the largest single source of cash for the City’s General Fund. The City Utility Tax and the not so transparent 8% Power Transfer Fee are projected to contribute $315 million (7.2%) and $257 million (5.9%) to the City’s General Fund, a total of $573 million (13.1%) of the General Fund’s revenues.

* * * However, there are two troubling issues with Measure J.

The first is that the ballot measure is not written in “Plain English” (as recommended by the Securities & Exchange Commission, Arthur Levitt, and Warren Buffett), so that the Ratepayers and voters are buried in legalistic, bureaucratic and charter mumbo jumbo which requires a special decoder ring. It also allows our political elites to play word games when they want to change the rules.

The second issue is that Measure J does not reform DWP’s lax accounting policies that rely on the controversial standards developed by the Government Accounting Standards Board rather than the more rigorous standards that are applicable to publicly held companies like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric.

One major difference is that DWP would be required to carry its unfunded pension liability on its balance sheet. This liability would also be determined by using the market values of the pension plan’s assets (not the actuarial value that allows “smoothing” and “market value corridors”) and an Investment Rate Assumption that is more consistent with reality.

In DWP’s case, the advertised liability of $1.6 billion would increase to $2.6 billion based on market values, and that liability would increase to over $3.5 billion based on a lower Investment Rate Assumption. This would imply a funded ratio of less than 65%. Any liability would also include the liabilities associated with post retirement medical benefits.

Of course, Measure J may be an academic exercise if the 8% Power Transfer Fee is determined to be subject to a popular vote pursuant to Proposition 26 that was adopted on November 2 by the California voters. According to the Los Angeles Times, this matter is being studied by the City’s lawyers.

In the meantime, Vote Yes on Measure J. - City Watch

Members questioned the District’s readiness for this change with supplies, maintenance, etc. and were also concerned about the difficulty parents would have making adjustments to childcare or changing vacation plans on such short notice.

To get the word out to many parents who were not aware of the calendar change, UTLA members handed out flyers to parents in January urging them to call the School Board if they were opposed to the Early Start calendar.

UTLA and LAUSD will now establish a working group to study the Early Start Calendar and its impact on instruction, with an eye towards implementation in 2012-13. A calendar committee will meet as soon as possible to determine the school start date for 2011-12.

LAUSD PostponesEarly Start Calendar

(Continued from page 1)

How to HandleParking Lot AccidentsBy Ron Rauschenberger, State Farm Agent

Often, parking lots at malls and supermarkets are packed, increasing the pos-sibility of a fender bender. If you hit, scrape or otherwise damage a parked car—or if you’re the victim of such an accident—don’t panic. Here are some

steps you can take: IF YOU’RE THE DRIVER

Own up. Don’t drive away—if another customer or a surveillance camera spots you, you could be punished for a hit-and-run. Track down the other car’s owner. Head into the store and speak to someone at the customer service desk. Describe the car to the employee, and have him or her announce it over the store’s loudspeaker. Leaveanote.Ifyou’reunabletofindtheotherdriver,jotdownbasicinformation—yourname,phonenumber and a brief explanation of the accident—and place it in a secure spot on the car. Write down the license plate number and take a photo of the damage if you have a camera with you. Call the police. Depending on how extensive the damage is, you may want to involve the police. They’ll documenttheaccidentandtheycanhelpyoufindtheothercar’sowner. IF YOU’RE THE VICTIM Contact your State Farm® agent. Let him or her know what happened as soon as possible. Your agent will help you determine the next steps. Record evidence. Take pictures of the damage with your phone or a camera, if you have one on hand. Takethoroughnotes.Iftheotherdriverisstillaround,jotdownhisorhername,address,phonenumber,driver’s license number and insurance company. Gather as much information as possible. Get backup. Ask others in the parking lot if they witnessed anything. Also head back into the store and findoutiftheyhavesecuritycamerafootageyoucancheck. IF YOU’RE THE WITNESS Provide assistance. If the offending driver is gone, help the other driver document the damage. Give the driver your contact information, in case his or her insurance agent or the police need to contact you for further comment.

New Metrolink StationTransportation officials broke groundon aMetrolink station atBobHopeAirport inBurbank thatwill

eventually provide easier access for riders of the Antelope Valley Line. Metrolink has a station at the airport on its Ventura County Line, and a Regional Intermodal

Transportation Center is being built by the airport to accommodate a bus transfer and rental car facilities. “WiththisnewBobHopeAirportMetrolinkstation,residentsoftheSantaClarita,AntelopeandNorthSanFernandovalleyswillhavesafe,convenientandeconomicalMetrolinkrailservicetothenationalairtravelandlocal employment opportunities available at and around this regional airport,” according to county Supervisors Mike Antonovich, chairman of the Metro Board of Directors. “Connecting our airports to our rail system is a top priorityfortheregionandwillincreasemobilityandprovidefaster,moreseamlesstransitoptionsforresidentsthroughout Southern California.” Metroiscontributing$3.7millionofMeasureRtransportationsalestaxfundstotheproject.TheBurbank-Glendale-PasadenaAirportAuthoritycontributed$1.75milliontowardthestationatHollywoodWayandSanFernando Road. AfreeshuttlewillbeofferedfromthenewBobHopeAirport-HollywoodWayStationtotheairport.TheairportalsohasafreeshuttletothedowntownBurbankMetrolinkstationandMetro’sNorthHollywoodstation,whichprovidesaccesstotheMetroRedandOrangelines. Thenewstationisexpectedtobecompletedbyearly2015.

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July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 10

The Valley Voice is published every last Tuesday of the Month.

Deadline for submission is the 15th of the month.

E MAIL: [email protected]

4th of July Spectacular Shepherd of theHillsChurch is proud to present theirAnnual 15th Fourth of JulySpectacular at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 19700 Rinaldi Street in Porter Ranch. Doors openat4:30p.m.Atthisfree,family-friendlyeventtheywelcometheentirecommunitytocelebrateourgreatnation.Enjoythedayandbesurenottomissthe21-minutefireworksfinalejustaftersundown.Withover60,000peopleinattendancelastyear,theyarehopingfor 2013 to be their best year yet! FREE ample parking all around the event. Formoreinformation, visit www.theshepherd.orgorcall(818)831-9333.

PALS Golf On Monday, July 8, the LAPD Devonshire PALS will celebrate their 34th GrandGolfInvitationalatPorterValleyCountryClub,19216SingingHillsDriveinNorthridge.Thissell-outeventwillfeature“hole-in-one”prizestoinspireallthegolfers’talents,alongwith“closesttothepinchallenge”towinmoreprizes.Forsponsorship,golfer,anddinnerinformation,contactSallyBarnes,GolfCommitteeChair,[email protected].

Bingo Fundraiser ThepublicisinvitedtoafundraiseronWednesday,July10th,from6:15pm-9:00pm.TheChatsworthFUN-raisersarehavinga benefit toraisemoneyforTheAmericanRedCrossDisasterReliefFundtobeheldatStrawHatPizza(intheRalph’sparkinglot)locatedat21515DevonshireSt.inChatsworth.Aportionoftheproceedswillbedonatedtohelpthedisastervictims.Anotherportionoftheproceedswillbegivenawayascashprizes.Let’smeetfordinnerat6:15p.m.andstartplayingBingoby7:15p.m.Calltoreserveyourseats:818-882-6437.

Used Book Sale TheFriendsoftheNorthridgeLibraryareholdingaUsedBookSale.Manyboxesofusedbookshavebeenaddedtothebooksalecollection.ThesalewillbeheldintheMeetingRoomat theNorthridgeBranchLibraryonSaturday,July13,10:00am–4:00pm.Thelibraryislocatedat9051DarbyAvenue.Formoreinformationcall(818)886-3640.

Bunco Night ThepublicisinvitedonWednesday,July17th,from6:15pm-9:00pmforafuneveningplayingBunco.TheChatsworthFUN-raiserswillbeplayingatSanSaiJapaneseGrill(nexttoApplebee’s),locatedatthecornerofWinnetka&Prairie,9243WinnetkaAve,Chatsworth.The entry fee is $10perperson toplay. Let’smeet fordinner at 6:15 and start playingBUNCOby7:15!Calltoreserveyourseats:818-882-6437.

Movies Under the Stars CouncilmemberEnglander isproudtopresentMoviesUndertheStars.Thesummermovie series kicks off on July 20, 7:00 pm, with “Monsters, Inc.” at the Porter RanchCommunitySchoollocatedat12450MasonAvenue.Admissionisfreeandpopcornandfacepaintingwillalsobeavailableatnocharge.JoinCouncilmemberEnglanderforagreatnightoffamilyfun!Formoreinformation,call(818)882-1212.

LOCAL EventsWest End Art Walk

Shops at West End Chatsworth in collaboration with the ChatsworthFineArtsCouncilpresent the2ndAnnualWestEndArtWalk,Friday, July26andFriday,August30,5:30pm-9:00pmat21800DevonshireStreet.Theartwalkwill feature a showcase of galleries, artists, restaurants, shops andsmall businesses located in theHistoricWest End ofChatsworth. Formoreinformationpleasecontact(818)[email protected].

SonWest Roundup OurRedeemerLutheranChurchat8520WinnetkaAve.inWinnetkawillholdtheirAnnualVacationBibleSchoolduringtheweekofJuly29ththroughAugust2ndfrom9:00amtoNoon.Allchildrenuptoandincluding6thgradeareinvitedtocomeandmeetCurlyWolfandthecitizensofBuzzard’sBreathwheretheywilllearnnewsongs,Biblelessons,playgames,enjoysnacks,makecraftsandmeetguests!Around225childrenfromthelocalcommunityattendeachyearandeverythingisFREE!Thisyeartherewillbealinedancingclassofferedforchildren3rdthrough6thgradefrom12:30pmto1:30pmfora$12fee.Bringasacklunch-firstcome,firstservebasissoenrollearlyasclasssizeis limited.TheVBSClosing celebrationwill be onFriday,August 2nd from11:30amto12:30amandthechildrenwillperformthesongsthey’velearned,Checkoutourwebsiteatwww.our-redeemer.orgorcall(818)341-3460formoreinformation or to register.

Grief Camp for Kids CampErin,LA’sonlygriefcampforkids,willtakeplaceAugust23-25atCampBloomfieldinMalibu.It’sfreeforkidsandteensages6to17whohavehadafamilymemberorfrienddiewithinthepastthreeyears.Thecamp,whichishostedbyOURHOUSEGriefSupportCenter,combinestraditional,high-energycampactivitieswithgriefsupportandeducation.Formoreinformationor to register, visit http://www.ourhouse-grief.org/services/services_camperin/.

Farmers & Charmers Square Dance The Farmers and Charmers Square Dance club is having their annual open enrollment for beginning Square Dance on Sunday, Sept. 8 thru the end of Sep. from6:30till9pmattheWilkinsonCenter,8956VanaldenAve.inNorthridge.Come to one of our three open enrollment classes for FREE and see if it’s for you.Checkoutourwebsiteatwww.farmersandcharmers.comorhttp://www.meetup.com/Learn-to-Square-Dance-in-Nothridge/ or call Terry andTammyParksat818-996-0974forfurtherinformation.

Re:Code L.A.: Revising the City’s Outdated Zoning Code

AsamemberofthePlanningLandUseandManagementCommittee,IamhappytoannouncetheLosAngelesCityPlanningDepartmentisembarkingononeoftheCity’slargestplanninginitiativestodate:“re:codeLA,”acomprehensiverevisionoftheCity’soutdatedzoningcode.Firstadoptedin1946,thecurrentCodehasgrown

fromasimple,84-pagepamphlettoa600pluspagebookthatinadequatelyrealizesa21stCenturyvisionofabetterLos Angeles for all residents.

Overthenextfiveyears,thecitywillcreatea: -DynamicWeb-BasedZoningCode—ClearandpredictableCodethatbettermeetstheCity’scurrentand

future needs, and that also provides an interactive on-line experience - Guide to Zoning— Quick reference, easy-to-read guide to the new Code’s land use and development

regulations - Unified Downtown Development Code — New zoning tools customized for the heart of Los Angeles,

Downtown ThenewZoningCodewillmoreeffectivelyimplementthegoalsandobjectivesoftheGeneralPlanandthe

City’s35CommunityPlans.Additionallyitwillofferawidervarietyofzoningoptionsthatprotectandenhanceourcommunities,andreflect thediversityofLosAngelesandalloweachneighborhoodtomaintainadistinctsenseofplace.

Iencourageyoutogetinvolvedinthisprocessbyattendingfuturepublicmeetings,workshopsandhearingsand making your voice heard.

- Mitchell Englander, Councilmember,TwelfthDistrict

Porter Ranch Community SchoolStreet Parking Resolved

I ampleasedtoannouncethatconstructionworkisnowunderwaytoprovidelegalstreetparkingonMasonAvenueand Sesnon Boulevard near the Porter Ranch Community School.

Theschoolyearbeganwithstudentsandparentsdelightedwiththeirnewhomeschool,butfrustratedwiththelackofparking.Iintroducedamotion,whichwasapprovedunanimously,toprovidesomeimmediatereliefbyremovingthebicyclelaneontheeastsideofMasonAvenueandreplacingitwithstreetparking.Thistemporarymeasureworkedintheinterim,butwenowhaveapermanentsolutionunderwaythatrepresentsasafeandcollaborativeresolution.

ParkingwillbeallowedoneastsideofMasonAvenueandonthesouthsideSesnonBoulevardduringbusyschoolhours,butnotduringeveningsorweekends.ThelandscapedmediansonMasonAvenuewillbemodifiedtoprovideadditionalpavementwidth,allowingforparkingandthebikelanestobere-installedandopentothepublicthis summer.

Thiseffortwasspearheadedbymyoffice,butrequiredthepartneringofLADOT,BOE,LAUSDandPorterRanchDevelopmentCompany.ThankyoutoLAUSDandPorterRanchDevelopmentCompanyforthemonumentalendeavorandthefinancialcommitmenttocontinuingtoimprovethePorterRanchcommunity.

--Mitchell Englander, Councilmember,TwelfthDistrict

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July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 11

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July, 2013 For Advertising Rates, Visit www.evalleyvoice.com Page 12

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