Home Blog Page 205

Griffins baseball can’t close out Chargers, fall 3-2

Ted Apodaca
-
0
Griffins baseball can’t close out Chargers, fall 3-2

The Los Alamitos High baseball team has played some solid baseball this season, including winning the Loara Tournament. However, they have stumbled at times, including a 3-2 loss to El Toro on Saturday at home. After taking a 2-0 lead, the Griffins failed to capitalize on opportunities as El Toro eventually rallied to win the game in extra innings.
With the game tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning, the Griffins ran into trouble as the Chargers loaded the bases with just one out. Senior pitcher Garrett Rennie came on in relief to get a strikeout and then a grounder to second base to end the threat.
The Griffins has two runners on base in the bottom of the sixth, but could not get a run across. In the bottom of the seventh, senior Will Laws led off with a single. But El Toro got the first out on a popped up bunt. Senior Chris Rubottom hit a scary line drive back up the middle, but El Toro pitcher Chase Lutrell was able to get his glove up in time to protect himself and make the catch. He threw to first to get the double play.
“Today it came down to execution, they executed and we didn’t,” Griffin coach Matt Nuez said.
Despite the loss, Nuez said the team has played great at times this year. Once again the Sunset League will be a tough run, though the Griffins are 2-2 so far in the league season. Prior to the El Toro game, the Griffins defeated Edison, 7-5. Nuez said the Griffins have had success this season because they have played as a team, getting production from everyone.
If the Griffins are to make a run at a league title, it will take continued production across the roster. Nuez said the team has embraced the challenge.
“It’s a grinding group of kids,” Nuez said.
The Griffins will host Huntington Beach on Wednesday and then will play at Huntington Beach on Friday, April 7. Both games are scheduled for 3:15 p.m.

This article appeared in the April 5, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Local club’s Swimmer of the Year

Janice Atkins
-
0
Local club’s Swimmer of the Year

Long-time Los Alamitos resident, Ron Durkee, age 77, is a dedicated pool and open water swimmer.
He is a member of the Los Alamitos Fitness in Swimming Masters Swim Team.
For the past two years, Ron has captured first place in the Southern Pacific Masters Open water swim series in his age group.
His races include Seal Beach Rough Water 3-mile swim, Newport  Beach Pier-to-Pier swim, Don Burns Corona Del Mar swim and Castaic Lake 1 and 2-mile swims, along with Naples Island 3-mile swim.
His teammates, along with the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department, awarded him “FINS 2016 Swimmer of the Year” award.
Teammate Thomas Heydorff shared that, “as a boy, Ron and his two brothers grew up in an orphanage in the San Fernando Valley.  He enlisted in the Navy at age 18. Back in the 1970’s, when Ron could not find an open high school or college pool, he would get in his daily swim at a motel pool.”
Heydorff said “Ron gives back to the community and has volunteered at Race on the Base. He coached girls and boys soccer for over 20 years.  He is the best of the best and sets the bar high for all his teammates.”
Swimmer Jason Scheuer said “when I see Ron I know that I have to swim my best. He is a great example of not letting his youthfulness get in the way of his swimming.”
With his good nature and humble wit, Ron shrugs off his accomplishments by declaring “all you have to do is outlive the competition.”
Teammate Sandy Fields describes him as pragmatic, dedicated and determined.  “He doesn’t complain and he has that dry sense of humor. He greets everyone by name. Ron is really what every team looks for in a member.”
Los Alamitos FINS is a local master’s swim team that is open to swimmers of all abilities. The team practices at the Joint Forces Training Base, 11200 Lexington Drive in Los Alamitos. Don’t let the term “masters” scare you.  They are a small, fun swim group that describe themselves as a fitness team with a social problem.  The team has approximately 20 swimmers and welcomes anyone who wants to give it a try.  For information, visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or call 562-430-1073.
You can even show up on the pool deck to join them for a sample practice for free.  Practices are Mon-Thurs 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings 7:30 a.m.– 8:30 a.m. Most members come two to three times per week.
Be sure to say hello to Ron when you get there.  All teammates agree that they strive to be just like him when they grow up.

This article appeared in the April 5, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Biz community gives mentorship to local teens

Colleen Janssen
-
0

Teens from local high schools joined with members of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce to discuss career goals and get answers to questions from local experts. The 31st Annual Student & Business Breakfast was presented by Southern California Edison.
Michael Gomez and Ashley Han, both seniors at Cypress High School sat at the table where the topic was authors and journalists. Han works on the school newspaper and is interested in a job in public relations or news.  Gomez is an aspiring author, already working on his first book.
Both were typical of the students who gathered at tables with topics including: engineering, computers, mortuary science, and more. At most tables, mentors offered some insight to their career, then opened the discussion for student questions.
The guest speaker, Sir Chef Bruno Serato, inspired those in attendance with his positivity in the face of recent adversity. A video was played with news footage of the traumatic recent day when his restaurant, the Anaheim White House, was destroyed in an early morning fire. Serato told his success story.
“On April 18, 2005, I was touring the Boys & Girls Club and learned there were kids who lived in motels and their only meal was a school lunch,” said Serato. “Their mother could not cook because there is no kitchen in a motel.”
“I told my Mama and she said ‘feed pasta,’ so I now serve 2,000 pastas a day. We have served 1.5 million pastas so far through our Catarina’s Club. The Club feeds people in Anaheim, while there are similar programs in Texas, New York, Italy, Brazil, Africa, and two more are coming to South Orange County.”
Serato says that he came to the U.S. with only $200 in his pocket and worked as a dishwasher. He feels that too many kids who live in motels see the darker side of society and he helps to get them moved out.
“We have moved 125 families out of motel rooms which equals 1,000 people.  I help the teenagers find jobs. They need a mentor so I advise them. We talk and teach them how to do a job through our Chef Bruno’s Hospitality Academy,” said Serato.
Lest one think Bruno bought his way to success, remember he started with $200. He found a restaurant location to buy, and the owner, impressed by Serato’s honesty, decided to help him.
“The picture of my Mama in the restaurant is gone. It was an electrical fire. I cried and thought, ‘How am I going to feed pasta to the children?’ It was devastating.”
Serato went home and found 1,000 online messages from people who wanted to help him. Caterers and restaurants provided kitchen space. People donated money.
“It’s not easy. It happened only weeks ago at 4:30 in the morning. They called and said the restaurant is on fire. I thought it was a joke. There were 40 to 50 firemen and 80 percent of the building was burned. The Anaheim Fire Chief hugged me. It was the best moment and worst moment of my life.”
“We had reservations for 500 people that weekend and I had 2,000 kids to feed. In two hours we had a kitchen and 72 hours later we were serving the kids. Some people would start drinking or taking depression pills. I serve pasta to the children.”
Serato says he cried for two days and nights thinking about the children and the 60 people who were working for him. He called restaurants and hotels and found jobs for all 60 employees.
“I saw a man in a wheelchair and realized, when things are bad, look around you. Some people have it worse.”
His motto is “love will always prevail against evil.” He shared with the mentors and students that being honest and loving will never fail.
“It takes zero money to do something good.”
He hopes to reopen his restaurant by Christmas this year. “With help from the City of Anaheim, I hope this will happen.”
Asked about his favorite menu item at his restaurant, he did not hesitate, “Lobster Ravioli.” Here’s hoping he will be serving it in his restaurant again, soon.
Those wishing to assist as mentors or be sponsors for next year’s event should contact the Cypress Chamber of Commerce at 714.827-2430.

This article appeared in the April 5, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Jaws of Life open for business

Anonymous
-
0
Jaws of Life open for business

In the first picture, firefighters use the Jaws of Life to extract a victim in the staged accident scene at the Youth Center’s Every 15 Minutes event on March 23. The bi-annual teen drunk driving deterrent event strives to teach the hazards of poor decision-making and real life consequences to Los Alamitos High School students.
In the second picture, a staged accident scene victim is being loaded on the Mercy Air rescue helicopter for transport to the local medical center on March 23. In total, it costs over $20,000 to bring the Every 15 Minutes program to the Los Al community. This year, the program received a $6,000 grant from California Highway Patrol and The Department of Highway Safety.

Rossmoor Festival comes back in May

Anonymous
-
0

This year’s Rossmoor Community Festival will be held on Sunday May 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rush Park, 3021 Blume Drive, and Rossmoor.
The Rossmoor Homeowners Association and Rossmoor Community Services District will co-host the annual event.
For the kids, there will be large and small bounces, including the dual slide, inflatable rock wall, extreme obstacle course, laser tag maze and the Euro Bungee Trampoline.
The younger ones will delight with the bounce house, the trackless train and the pony rides. All day ride and game wrist bands will be on sale again this year.  Payment must be in cash, but there will be an ATM available for your convenience.
Orange County Fire Department will have an engine there and information about fire safety. In addition, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department brings their vehicles and provides safety tips for everyone.
This year’s entertainment line- up includes the returning Mosaic Music this year. Mosaic Music consists of seven members including two lead female vocalists. Esencia Flamenca Dance Company performers are coming back this year, too. Also, the Youth Center band and string players and other performers will show off their talents. These groups of young performers will delight.  And last but not least, “Elvis” is also back this year.
The Car Show at the festival has gotten larger every year. Attendees can plan to spend quite some time perusing all the amazing entries. Car Show Trophy presentations start at 2:30 p.m.
At 3 p.m. the Dog Parade will begin.  Small and large dog categories will compete for best in show and for best costumes and tricks.  Prizes and treats will be awarded.  Sign up for the Car Show and Dog Parade is available online prior to the event. Dog Parade entries on site from noon to 3 p.m. There is no entry fee for this event. Stop by the pet booths area where there will be organizations that do dog rescue and adoptions.
There will be a wide variety of commercial, small business, craft and non-profit vendors again this year. To see what might still be available, go online to sign up for non-food and food vendor applications and sponsorship opportunities.
Come early, coffee and doughnuts will be sold by Boy Scout Troop 658. Food vendors will be around all day with a wider variety to choose from for meals and snacks.
For more information regarding the festival, go to our website RossmoorFestival.com, call 562-799-1401 or send an email at info@rossmoorfestival.com.

This article appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Sign ups open for Los Al tween dance clinic

Anonymous
-
0

The Los Alamitos High School Dance Program is holding a dance clinic for tweens. Fourth through eighth-graders of all dance levels are welcome to participate.
The clinic will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. May 8-11 in the high school’s dance room.
Students will receive a taste of what the high school dance program is all about, and learn a dance routine that will be performed at the evening spring dance show, “Desktop Drama” on May 18.
The fee for the clinic includes four days of dance instruction, dress rehearsal, performance, a T-shirt and a ticket for the participant to watch the spring show.
To register, visit www.LAEF4kids.org/programs.
For more information  about the LAHS dance program, visit losaldance.net.

This article appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Perfect GPA for Rossmoor student

Anonymous
-
0

Madeline C. Medby of Rossmoor earned a 4.0 grade point average at LIM College for the Fall 2016 semester. A 4.0 is the highest GPA possible and means that the student received a grade of A in every course.
LIM College is located in New York City and is exclusively dedicated to the study of business and fashion. LIM College combines in-class instruction by professors who are experts in their field with required internships in the fashion and related industry. For more information visit www.limcollege.edu.

This brief appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Los Al native receives GEICO award

Anonymous
-
0

Stephanie Hidalgo of Los Alamitos received a $2,500 GEICO Achievement Awards for outstanding academic accomplishments and campus leadership. Hidalgo currently attends the University of San Diego.
“The Achievement Awards program is a GEICO tradition that we are proud to uphold in support of outstanding undergraduate students across the country,” said Bill Roberts, GEICO president and chief operating officer. “Each one of this year’s recipients has proven that they have what it takes to be among the next generation of great leaders. We look forward to seeing them continue to succeed in their futures and careers.”
More than 25 years ago, GEICO launched the Achievement Award program to recognize undergraduate students for their accomplishments inside the classroom, around campus and in their communities. The program is designed to encourage continued academic success and a commitment to leadership and community service, and to provide some relief from school-related expenses for deserving students.

This article appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Longtime Rossmoor resident dies

Dirk Broersma
-
0
Longtime Rossmoor resident dies

Longtime Rossmoor resident Ardyth L. Broersma died March 10, 2017 at her home in Rossmoor. She resided in Rossmoor for 53 years, raised four children and was the wife of the late Dr. Berend “Ben” Broersma, a Los Alamitos veterinarian.
A memorial service is scheduled for April 1 at 3 p.m. at the Los Alamitos Community Congregational Church, located at 4111 Katella Ave.
Ardyth was active in a variety of community, church and youth activities, including the Los Alamitos Little League, Girl Scouts, YMCA, PTA and the Rossmoor Women’s Bowling League. She performed in community theater. A talented pianist and vocalist, Ardyth was a member of the choir at Community Congregational Church in Los Alamitos for more than 50 years. She also volunteered many hours counseling breast cancer victims as part of the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Program.
Born Dec. 8, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan, Ardyth was a star thespian at Cooley High School in Detroit, taking lead and supporting roles in a variety of school productions. She studied piano for years and as a teenager gave many piano recitals at community and church functions. At one point she considered becoming a professional musician. Following high school, she attended nursing school and became a registered nurse in the early 1950s. Shortly thereafter she and a girlfriend headed west in a convertible automobile driving nearly 2000 miles along Route 66 to Long Beach, California. Within one or two days of their arrival they both found jobs as nurses at Long Beach Community Hospital.
She met her future husband Ben at a dance class in Long Beach. The romance was temporarily put on hold, however, as the adventurous Ardyth and her nursing friend decided to move to Oahu, Hawaii, where they continued to work as nurses. Soon enough Ardyth moved back to California and rekindled her romance with Ben. They were married on Aug. 28, 1954 in Detroit.
She followed Ben to northern California as he pursued his studies in veterinary medicine at UC Davis.
During this time she worked as a nurse at Yolo County General Hospital. She often worked graveyard shifts at the hospital as the couple juggled work, school and caring for infant children. Between 1955 and 1960, Ardyth gave birth to four children. Following Ben’s graduation from veterinary school the young Broersma family first moved to Norwalk and then to Rossmoor in 1960. The couple initially had only one car and Ben would ride his bike to work from Rossmoor to the Los Alamitos Animal Hospital on Katella Avenue. In 1963, the family drove across country in the sweltering summer heat in a station wagon with no air conditioning to visit Ardyth’s mother and sister.
In 1966, Ardyth and her family moved from Rossmoor to the newly developed College Park East in Seal Beach. While in College Park East, Ardyth took up bridge and eagerly looked forward to her bridge tournaments. In 1971, the family moved back to Rossmoor. Ardyth loved to travel and over the years visited Hawaii, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. She attended the 1976 Olympics in Montreal and the Kentucky Derby. During these years Ardyth also became an avid tennis player at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach and competed in numerous tennis tournaments.
In her later years, Ardyth spent much of her time on church activities at the Community Congregational Church in Los Alamitos. She was one of the longest serving members in the church’s choir. She also dedicated her later years to taking care of Ben during his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
After a brief illness, Mrs. Broersma died at home surrounded by her loving family on March 10. She is survived by children, Dirk, Tonya, Eric and Mark; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; her sister, Denise Singelyn and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Community Congregational Church in Los Alamitos or the American Cancer Society.

This article appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Letters to the Editor: Local fundraiser a success; Bonanni development on the agenda

Anonymous
-
0

Local fundraiser a success

Dear Editor,
This is a thank you for the Ryan Butcher fundraiser.
The Jazz Band Fundraiser in support of Ryan Butcher held Monday, March 20 at Spaghettini’s was a huge success!  $14,500.00 was raised to help Ryan who suffered a spinal cord injury in an automobile accident. The LAHS Jazz Band led by director Justin Padilla with guest singer Becky Martin entertained all with a fabulous performance.
Thanks to everyone who lent support by attending or donating funds to help make this event successful and memorable.
Funds will be used to help with unmet medical/therapy needs and equipment.
If you were unable to attend, you can still help by donating to HelpHopeLive.org, Campaign for: Ryan Butcher or donate a dinner to the Butcher family at Mealtrain.  https://mealtrain.com/e7yw62”

Nancy Curran
Rossmoor

Bonanni development on the agenda
Dear Editor,
Agenda Item 10 under New Business on Monday’s Cypress City Council agenda seeks approval of another project by Bonanni Development. This project proposes a three story 70 unit apartment complex on the Hansen Auto Body site on Lincoln.  The project will consist of 59 one bedroom and 11 two bedroom units.
Current zoning of 30 units per acre on this 1.87 acre site would normally allow 56 units to be built on the site. However, because Bonanni is building four low income units in the project, he is getting a density bonus allowing him to build 14 additional apartments, which takes this project to 38 units per acre.
Bonanni will also receive parking concessions for building four low income units.  The city would normally require 133 parking spaces which would include 89 garages for this 70 unit complex.  Instead, they are only providing 111 parking spaces with 70 of them being carports and no garages.  The agenda item states that the parking demand for this project may impact surrounding uses.
Then there is the traffic issue.  The report says there won’t be any serious impacts.  The community has yet to experience the impact of other Bonanni projects under way. That includes the 57 unit condo project on Lincoln on the former site of American RV and the 67 unit apartment complex that will be built on the old office building site next to the 7/11 on Lincoln and Denni. There are two other Bonanni projects under way that include the 19 unit condo development on Bloomfield just south of the nursery between Lincoln and Orange and the 24 units under construction on the Duke and Duchess site.  Add to these, there are the 52 townhomes by City Ventures on Orange across from City Hall.  No serious traffic impacts?  Doubt it.
Since this zoning is allowed under the Lincoln Specific Plan, which was recently reauthorized by our current City Council by a vote of 3-2 with Yarc and Berry opposing, it is likely that this project will be approved.
Please let the City Council know your thoughts on this and other issues such as the proposed increases in our residential and commercial trash rates and the skyrocketing pension costs that are going to significantly impact the financial security of our city.
You can email them at the following email addresses:
Cypress Mayor Paulo Morales  pmorales@cypressca.org
Mayor Pro-Tem Jon Peat   jpeat@cypressca.org
Council Member Stacy Berry sberry@cypressca.org
Council Member Rob Johnson   rjohnson@cypressca.org
Council Member Mariellen Yarc   myarc@cypressca.org

George Pardon
Cypress

Why Red-light Camera Tickets?

Joel Block
-
0

On March 23 the Florida House voted 91-22 to end red-light camera tickets. Like here in California, the use of cameras/computers to give red-light tickets has been a controversial policy across the country.
Locally, the City of Los Alamitos claims it implemented red-light cameras for safety purposes. Yet, there is another factor at work: money.
These days, a Los Alamitos red-light camera ticket costs the driver approximately $500.  That hefty fine creates a lot of income for a lot of people.
On its “Red Light Camera” website, Los Alamitos states it costs the City approximately $215,200 to run its red light camera system.
The same website doesn’t report the City’s revenues from camera tickets, or how much ‘profit’ the tickets generate for the City. However, per the OC Register, the City claims the extra money goes for ‘core’ police services.

Illegal Camera Tickets
Last July the Register reported Los Alamitos admitted the system was illegally generating faulty red-light camera-generated tickets over a 10-month period in 2015 and 2016.
The City estimated at least 1,000 such tickets were issued to victimized drivers.  That is half a million dollars in camera tickets.
The City had to give up the ticket fines if and when the individual drivers challenged them in court.
Did the City voluntarily return fines paid by victimized drivers who didn’t challenge their tickets in court?  You can take a guess.
Red-light cameras are used in 426 communities nationwide, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Only two Orange County cities still use them, down from nine.
It’s a big money business, and an international one.  Los Alamito’s supplier is Redflex Traffic Systems, which is one of the largest, based in Australia.  It is also possibly the most problematic.

Fraud and Bribery
Last month Redflex settled a fraud/bribery lawsuit by the City of Chicago for $20 million. One Chicago city official received a 10-year federal prison sentence for bribery.
The Redflex CEO at the time, and a Redflex consultant involved, also received federal prison sentences for their roles in the scam.
The case was initiated after an expose by the Chicago Tribune newspaper. The case ended up involving the FBI, the U.S. Attorney and the IRS.
The case was a big one, as Redflex had received hundreds of millions of dollars in red-light camera contracts from the City of Chicago over many years.
During the investigation, Chicago Tribune reported in 2014 that Redflex’s former top salesman asserted that Redflex provided bribes to dozens of local officials in 13 states.
Redflex also agreed last year with the Justice Department to settle a pending criminal prosecution concerning Columbus, Ohio by paying $100,000 in restitution to the City.
Closer to home and on a smaller scale, the Sacramento Bee reported Redflex provided thousands of dollars in free meals to Sheriff’s deputies and Highway Patrol officers.
The officers were on a panel, which recommended Redflex for the Sacramento red light camera contract over several other vendors.
The officer who received the most free meals, worth $1,789, had been supervising the day-to-day camera ticket program.  He has since been reassigned to patrol duties.
So, why red-light camera tickets?  Safety?  Money?

–Joel Block is a retired attorney living in Rossmoor

This article appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

Veterans Voices: Heroes Hall, Medal of Honor Museum

Bill Thomas
-
0

All museums are not just a collection of paintings, statues, artistic objects, etc.
The Heroes Hall and Medal of Honor Courtyard at the Orange County Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa opened on Wednesday, Feb. 15 of this year.  This wonder-filled Museum is finally open after four years of planning and construction,

Continue

Breaking the silence around infertility and adoption

Amiya Moretta
-
0
Breaking the silence around infertility and adoption

Jessie Soukup was raised in the Seal Beach community, settling in Long Beach with her husband Darren after meeting at a Christmas party in Redondo Beach in 2010. This is the story of their growing family.
“It took me a while to realize, I may never carry a child,” Jessie Soukup shared. She and her husband, Darren, had always wanted kids and after years of trying, finally privately adopted a son, Gavyn.

Continue

Girl Scouts raise pollution awareness

Anonymous
-
0
Girl Scouts raise pollution awareness

Recently, local Girl Scout Junior troop 2739 raised awareness about reducing pollution and increasing your personal energy by sponsoring a walk to school day at Weaver Elementary. Many joined together, including Principal Robert Briggerman, and walked or rode bikes to school on Wednesday, March 1. The Girl Scouts were at Weaver cheering the walkers and bike riders on as they arrived at school. This event brought about so much interest that Principal Briggerman and the Girl Scouts are planning more walk to school days.

This photo and caption appeared in the March 29, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.

A Night Among the Stars to honor generous volunteers in Los Al

Laurie Hanson
-
0
A Night Among the Stars to honor generous volunteers in Los Al

Fifteen philanthropic community youth volunteers will shine at this year’s A Night Among the Stars awards ceremony on April 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Youth Center in Los Alamitos.
Three volunteers will be awarded $500 scholarships through the Youth Center, and a fourth $500 scholarship will be awarded to a special needs volunteer through the Los Alamitos/Seal Beach Rotary Club. All nominees will receive certificates of recognition and letters of recommendation.

Continue

St. Hedwig students gain medals in Academic Junior Decathlon

Lou Beneck
-
0
St. Hedwig students gain medals in Academic Junior Decathlon

Seventeen Catholic schools participated in this year’s Diocese of Orange Annual Academic Junior High Decathlon held at Santa Margarita High School on March 4.
St. Hedwig School placed third in the Super Quiz category, and eighth grader Tomas Hertzog took fourth place in the Social Studies individual event. The Super Quiz requires collaborative team efforts and is comprised of 50 questions on five broad academic themes (religion, science, social studies, literature and fine arts).

Continue

Dr. Brunner the runner

Maryann Marino
-
0
Dr. Brunner the runner

Some might say that he never runs out of time or energy when it comes to exercise.
For Dr. Scott Brunner, a local family physician, every day of the week is a chance to get in some brisk jogging or some lap swimming.  And he does it all as a way to help himself while helping others.

Continue

Scout Sunday celebration

Anonymous
-
0
Scout Sunday celebration

Scouts of St. Hedwig Catholic Church recently gathered to celebrate the annual National Scout Sunday. The 8 a.m. mass was designated to recognize all St. Hedwig Boy scouts, Girl scouts, and Cub scouts and special recognition was given to those scouts who earned their religious awards and Eagle/Gold Rank Awards this year. Pastor Chris Heath presided over the Mass, and the scouts served in a variety of roles as lectors, altar servers, and ushers – practicing the 12th point of the Scout Law – A Scout is Reverent.

Continue

Oak scores high at Science Olympiad

Anonymous
-
0
Oak scores high at Science Olympiad

A team of 15 students from Oak Middle School took on 23 other middle schools from Orange County in an intense regional Science Olympiad competition on Saturday, Feb. 11. Under the direction of head coach Morgan Martin and assistant coaches Dave Beck and Chris Miko, the Oak Lions took first place in the Wind Power event and in total walked home with medals in eight different events .
Other medals were won in ecology, anatomy and physiology, experimental design, crimebusters, scrambler, optics, and hovercraft.

Continue

Letters to the Editor–March 22: Resident opposes sign at Village 605

Anonymous
-
0

Dear Editor,
I am not in favor of the freeway sign at all. As previously documented, the use of a freeway pylon sign is diametrically opposed to the position of the City of Los Alamitos as expressed in the Los Alamitos Commercial Corridors plan, so my opposition has no uniqueness of origin with me.
The sign primarily serves to bring even more gridlock traffic onto Katella Ave, no matter where the sign is located. Moving the freeway sign does not at all ameliorate this community wide quality of life degradation due to willfully worsening the traffic on Katella Ave and its environs.
As has already been publicly stated and documented, gridlock traffic is projected due to the Village 605. I am against this continued planned/purposeful imposition of traffic gridlock upon our community.
I oppose the worsening of our quality of life which increased traffic brings. Since the freeway sign (besides its visual blight to Rossmoor,  which continues even in the sign’s new post-appellant form ) exists to worsen the traffic, I am opposed to the sign.
I am opposed to the Village 605 Regional Shopping Center also because it requires the freeway sign for financial viability. But even without the freeway sign the Village 605 will still bring about gridlock traffic.
So I am opposed to making the traffic even worse on Katella than it already is from whatever cause, and especially when the causes’ origins are voluntary, willfull, knowledgeable, and informed, though in my opinion narrowly focused.
As documented in the Los Alamitos Commercial Corridors Plan, the community survey therein states traffic is the community’s biggest concern, and less traffic is the community’s biggest desire. I stand with them.
If a pedestrian bridge ever comes to be, it should be placed at or just east of the existing crossing guard monitored crosswalk at Wallingsford/Walnut crossing Katella for a variety of reasons, including respect for the residential property rights of the homeowners along the south side of Katella Ave for whom the bridge would be an additional nightmare.
Douglas Smith
Los Alamitos

Cypress resident raises concerns over the city’s recent decisions
Dear Editor,
At their last meeting, the Cypress City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tem Peat and Council Member Berry to an Ad Hoc committee to review Valley Vista Services’ request for a 10 percent residential trash rate increase and a 17 percent commercial rate increase.
It is hard to understand how George Briggeman, who has been connected to Cypress’ trash business for over 20 years, could not anticipate the needs and costs of doing business in our city.
In addition to the section of the franchise agreement that allows for consideration of an extraordinary rate increase and the rate increase justification submitted by Valley Vista, enclosed are some articles that may be of interest regarding Valley Vista Services and their parent company, Zerep Management Corporation.
While the City Council is looking to set up a Town Hall meeting regarding spending $330,000 of City (our) money to develop a vision for the race track property, perhaps a Town Hall meeting to get input on this proposed trash rate increase as well as what can be done about the skyrocketing costs of pensions in our city would be a more appropriate discussion.
During the City’s workshop on pensions where they discussed annual pension costs increasing from $4 million to $8 million, one suggestion was that the city could significantly reduce the city’s infrastructure projects to offset pension cost increases.
In the most recent audit report for the city, the City’s Director of Finance and Administration states that the funding plans for sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems as well as other infrastructure components (sidewalks, trees, streets, traffic signals) indicate a need for additional revenue sources to achieve the City’s long term goal of maintaining its infrastructure systems and facilities at optimal levels.
Perhaps the residents should have input in a Town Hall meeting into other ways of addressing these pension costs rather than allowing our infrastructure to further deteriorate.
The unfunded pension liability that was discussed at the workshop was $30 million.
If you look at page 75 of the city’s most recent audited financial statements (enclosed), you’ll see that the $30 million unfunded liability for the City’s Miscellaneous and Safety plans is based on a discount rate of 7.65 percent.
The financial statement footnote also projects that the unfunded liability is closer to $50 million if the discount rate drops to 6.65 percent.
The CalPERS Board recently reduced the discount rate to 7 percent which means the unfunded liability for the city is likely over $40 million given this lower discount rate rather than $30 million.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of the funding model for the CalPERS pension program and the rationale and impact of this recent change in the discount rate, the following is a link to a 30 minute video developed by the CalPERS Board.

George Pardon
Cypress

1...204205206...313Page 205 of 313