March 21, 2007 -- Volume III, Issue III

Calendar of Events

Thurs., Mar. 22, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (MTA)
Board of Directors Meeting
1 Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Mon., Mar. 26, 2007
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
American Public
Transportation Association
(APTA) Fare Collection
Workshop & Luncheon
Marriott Los Angeles
Downtown Hotel
333 S. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, Ca 90071

Tues., Mar. 27, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Thurs., Mar. 29, 2007
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
L.A. County Paramedic
Training Institute
200^th Graduation
Universal Studios Hollywood
Terminator 2 Theatre
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Tues., Apr. 3, 2007
Passover Begins

Tues., Apr. 3, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sun., Apr. 8, 2007
Easter Sunday

Tues., Apr. 10, 2007
Passover Ends

Tues., Apr. 10, 2007
Property taxes due!

Tues., Apr. 10, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat., Apr. 14, 2007
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Earth Day 2007 San Gabriel
Valley Celebration
1955 Workman Mill Rd.
Whittier, CA 90601

Tues., Apr. 17, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Apr. 17, 2007
Taxes Due!

Sat., Apr. 21, 2007
Starts at 7:10 p.m.
2007 March of Dimes
WalkAmerica "County Night at
Dodger Stadium"
Dodgers v. Pittsburgh Pirates
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tues., Apr. 24, 2007
Starts at 9:30 a.m.
L.A. County Board of
Supervisors Meeting
Public Hearing
500 W. Temple St., Rm. 381B
Los Angeles, CA 90012

TRANSIT DOLLARS COMING TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SLATED TO RECEIVE $625 MILLION

Now that L.A. County is poised to receive approximately $3.583 billion for assorted transit projects, we can finally feel confident that if we support transportation bonds, that funding will make its way to our end of town. Voters may recall that back in November we approved Proposition B, a $19.9 billion transportation bond t o

give California commuters some congestion relief by upgrading our highways. Last month, the California Transportation Commission announced that L.A. County would receive less than 12 percent of the funding available this year -- even though L.A. County is burdened with one third of the state's congestion! This was absolutely unacceptable. As MTA Chair and a voice for the San Gabriel Valley, I lobbied hard over the next two weeks to send a strong message to Sacramento: "L.A. County will not settle for less than its fair share!"

The L.A. County delegation teamed up with L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and scores of elected officials, from the San Gabriel Valley to the Westside all the way to San Fernando Valley. I felt it was especially important that we convey -- to Sacramento officials, to the electorate, and to the media -- just how serious we were about securing funding for two major projects: Upgrades to the 10-605 Freeway interchange in Baldwin Park and a 10 Freeway carpool lane through the San Gabriel Valley to Pomona. The result of our teamwork? The total amount of funding for L.A. County more than quadrupled!

And both the MTA and our friends in Washington, D.C., came through by filling in any funding gaps that would prevent these projects from moving forward. Here's where L.A. County's dollars will go:

This San Gabriel Valley Tribune editorial about the 5 Freeway widening project says it all: http://www.sgvtribune.com/opinions/ci_5428672. And all in all, it was a victory for L.A. County!

EL MONTE ARTIST'S VIBRANT PAINTINGS EXHIBITED

We recently held the Second Annual First District Artist Showcase at the Hall of Administration in downtown L.A., where the paintings of El Monte artist Dolores Gonzalez Haro were on display for all to see. Dolores is a second-generation Mexican-American, and her ancestral roots reach from El Monte to the Mexican regions of Durango, Zacatecas and Meoqui, Chihuahua. Dolores' work celebrates this dual ancestry. Women in dreamlike states often function as the primary motif in her paintings. It is no surprise, then, that Dolores' work transfixed me from the moment I saw her striking paintings. In addition to painting, Dolores -- a proud mother of two children -- also finds time to organize the El Monte Art Festival each year. Currently, she teaches at the Stone Soup

After-School Program Chess club and serves as an art instructor at the El Monte Zamora Art Teen Center. For more information on Dolores Haro and her work, go to www.expresionesdearte.com.

HIGHLAND PARK SENIOR, 100, HEALTHY AND HAPPY

Our local seniors give the First District tremendous pride. One of them is Paula Salguero, a fantastic woman from Highland Park. Originally from El Salvador, Paula worked for years as a dress designer and maker before opening a small market. Paula has two children and

two grandchildren. We celebrated her 100^th birthday at a recent L.A. County Board of

Supervisors meeting, complete with cake and coffee. Interestingly, staff from Curves Gym in Highland Park requested county recognition for Paula. She's frequented the facility for the last two years. In fact, Paula currently is on a thrice-weekly exercise program -- and, to date, she has achieved over 100 workouts! L.A. County's Dept. of Parks & Recreation operates a variety of senior exercise programs, most of which are free of charge. For a list of facilities where these classes take place, go to

http://lacountyparks.org/cms1_033071.pdf or call Gary Liebsack at (323) 260-2360.

L.A. COUNTY'S DEPT. HEADS UNDER CAO'S CONTROL

A positive change in governance at L.A. County is on the way. The Board of Supervisors recently strengthened the executive power of the chief administrative officer -- currently filled by David Janssen -- by giving that position oversight of most county department heads. There are some exceptions. County commissioners, the auditor-controller, the board's executive officer, county counsel, the fire chief, and the chief administrative officer himself will still report directly to the supervisors. Voters will still elect the sheriff and the assessor.

Our goal is for county government to work effectively and efficiently by making most department heads directly accountable to one person. We will evaluate the results of this change prior to bringing a formal county charter amendment before voters which, if passed, would make this power shift permanent. Expect updates on the progress of this civic experiment in the future.

For more information, go to http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_5483489.