There were some intersting and sometimes unusual stories from the Los Alamitos area. This week in the News Enterprise, we took a look back at some of the stories that stood out.
May 9
All American Scholar
There were some intersting and sometimes unusual stories from the Los Alamitos area. This week in the News Enterprise, we took a look back at some of the stories that stood out.
May 9
All American Scholar
It is a requirement of Pop Warner Football that participants maintain a passing grade-point average to be allowed to play. Each player must show a report card when registering.
Derek Najera was just looking to play football, but his report card showed grades that were good enough to be added to a Pop Warner Little Scholars program. He would later be asked to submit an essay and application for an All-American Scholar program.
Najera was selected as an All-American Scholar, chosen among the top 2 percent of more than 400,000 Pop Warner Little Scholars nation wide.
Najera, 11, attends Los Alamitos Elementary School and has played Pop Warner football since age five. When he is not playing football, or doing school work, Najera likes to play video games, play basketball and hang out with his friends. He also likes to read.
Najera was recognized at an Orange County ceremony.
March 7
Council calls for a truce
There has been a temporary cease fire in the ramped-up political infighting that has plagued the Los Alamitos City Council in recent months.
After the council majority of Mayor Troy Edgar, Mayor Pro Tem Marilynn Poe and Council member Ken Stephens voted to pursue potential prosecution of Council member, Warren Kusumoto for possible Brown Act violations in December.The backlash came quick.
Opponents of the majority were quick to point out similar actions by the majority that could be construed as crossing the violation line of the Brown Act. With the council seemingly on the verge of bogging down under the weight of the battles, the council put a motion on the agenda that called for a consideration of withdrawal of prosecution proceedings and cessation of hostilities.
April 11
Council opts for monthly meetings
Los Alamitos residents who like to speak publicly to their City Council will have to wait a little longer when they get the urge to speak. For six months, the Los Alamitos City Council met only once a month after the Cctings from every first and third Monday, to just the third Monday of every month.
The council voted unanimously to reduce the meetings as a cost savings measure and to allow city staff to have more time to prepare reports for city business.
“Preparing for and conducting city council meetings twice per month keeps staff and the City Council on a continuous City Council agenda and meeting cycle,” the staff report reads.
The ordinance passed 5-0.
June 6
Senator visits with Oxford students
California Senator Diane Feinstein, (D), visited Oxford Academy in Cypress and answered some questions from a group of students on Thursday.
Feinstein made the stop at Oxford upon an invitation from the school. Oxford Academy has ranked as one of the top schools in the nation in recent years, including No. 7 in this year’s U.S. News and World Report rankings and No. 19 in Newsweek’s national rankings.
Feinstein toured the campus before speaking to a group of about 150 students and answering their questions. Feinstein said she has been aware of the strong academic achievements of Oxford Academy and was eager to pay the school a visit during her trip to Orange County.
August 8
Congressional Gold Medal winner honored by local groups
Los Alamitos Medical Center volunteer Calvin Williams, 87, of Seal Beach was recognized on Friday by State and local officials for being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. It’s the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian, and was given to Williams for his service in the all black Mountford Point Marines during World War II.
Ronnie Guyer, Senior Field Representative for State Assembly member Jim Silva (67th District), and Los Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar were also on hand to give Williams awards as well.
“He’s a trail blazer,” said Mayor Edgar. “We should absolutely honor him, as this is something we do for heroes.”
August 15
Edgar accuses council members of abuse of power
In an email to the News Enterprise, Los Alamitos mayor and 72nd Assembly candidate, Troy Edgar accused fellow council members, Warren Kusumoto and Gerri Graham-Mejia of abusing their power and harassment of staff. The mayor’s comments come on the heels of Kusumoto’s request for a special meeting to investigate possible criminal prosecution of the three remaining council members for their roles in awarding the controversial trash contract to Consolidated Disposal Services.
“This is continued harassment of staff and the wasting of the taxpayer’s money. This political grandstanding provides no benefit to the community and this type of behavior is outrageous and I won’t condone or reinforce Warren’s actions”, Edgar states in his response given to the News Enterprise when sought for comment after the three remaining council members, Marilynn Poe, Ken Stephens, and Edgar refused to attend last week’s meeting called by Kusumoto and Mejia.
Kusumoto was accused of Brown Act violations by Edgar, Poe and Stephens. Kusumoto has said he was never publicly cleared after being publicly accused.
August 15
USA Women win Olympic Gold in water polo
In an email to the News Enterprise, Los Alamitos mayor and 72nd Assembly candidate, Troy Edgar accused fellow council members, Warren Kusumoto and Gerri Graham-Mejia of abusing their power and harassment of staff. The mayor’s comments come on the heels of Kusumoto’s request for a special meeting to investigate possible criminal prosecution of the three remaining council members for their roles in awarding the controversial trash contract to Consolidated Disposal Services.
“This is continued harassment of staff and the wasting of the taxpayer’s money. This political grandstanding provides no benefit to the community and this type of behavior is outrageous and I won’t condone or reinforce Warren’s actions”, Edgar states in his response given to the News Enterprise when sought for comment after the three remaining council members, Marilynn Poe, Ken Stephens, and Edgar refused to attend last week’s meeting called by Kusumoto and Mejia.
Kusumoto was accused of Brown Act violations by Edgar, Poe and Stephens. Kusumoto has said he was never publicly cleared after being publicly accused.
December 19
Kusumoto elected Mayor
The Los Alamitos City Council underwent its change as two newly elected council members were sworn in and Warren Kusumoto was elected to the mayor’s seat. Dean Grose and Richard Murphy were sworn in and took their seats on the dias after Grose thanked his supporters and the city of Los Alamitos for giving him a second chance to serve on the council.
Murphy gave an emotional speech after taking his oath, also thanking his family and supporters and all the residents of Los Alamitos who voted for him. He urged residents to be straightforward with him and tell him their concerns, and promised to listen to all ideas. He noted that subtlety might get lost on him and that he would not be hurt by anyone who disagreed with him.
“You have to hit me over the head with your idea,” Murphy said.
The meeting also saw the departure of council members, Ken Stephens and Marilynn Poe. Poe had served on the council previously and combined with the past four years, has served 16 years on the city council. Her career in public service started in 1988 when she was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
May 19
Griffins win 4th lacrosse title
The Los Alamitos High girls lacrosse team captured its fourth consecutive US Lacrosse Southern Section championship with a 19-9 win over Palos Verdes High at Mission Viejo High.
The Griffins had captured their fourth Orange County title with a 12-6 win over Corona del Mar. The Griffins jumped out to an early 4-1 lead over Palos Verdes and held off a few rally attempts by the Sea Kings. The Griffins took control in the second half with a 5-0 run that put the Griffins up 17-6.
“The girls played their hearts out,.They won the draw controls which is what we said possession wins the game … and they did that, they worked their butts off,” Head Coach Liz Connelly said.
July 25
Pinto team wins Section title
The Los Alamitos Youth Baseball Pinto-A All Star team ended their season by playing in the super-regionals at Garden Grove.
The highlight of their season was capturing the Southern California West Region Section Championship banner. The boys played hard over that weekend by taking out East Long Beach and Pacific Palisades during the event.
In the above picture, the team holds up the banner that is displayed at the base.
August 15
All Stars take third in National championships
The Cypress 10U Blue (Gold) All Stars battled their way to Nationals in a summer of strong softball play.
They entered into several tournaments in preparation for districts. The team took second place at Orange Canyon’s Memorial Day Tournament and first place at Laguna Niguel’s Sea Country Classic.
News Enterprise Editor Ted Apodaca and reporter Laurie Hanson contributed to the compilation of this year in review.