RSS Feed Creator Pro 22 Jul 2009 23:40:43 GMT The Official RSS Feed of Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich For more information please visit http://antonovich.lacounty.gov http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/rss.xml en n anticipation of the Governor’s May Revise budget, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich called on Governor Schwarzenegger and the state legislature to “wake up and face fiscal reality.” “The wheel is turning but the hamster is dead,” he said. “Sacramento’s addiction to reckless spending and one-night stands with vested interests have created multi-billion dollar budget deficits and an exodus of jobs. We must stop the reckless tax and spend behavior that led to this crisis. We can’t start down the road to recovery without fiscal discipline and structural reform. The lame excuse that the 2/3 vote requirement to pass a budget or raise taxes is to blame -- “the standard Sacramento line” -- is nonsense. California has some of the highest income, sales and business taxes in the nation. The other excuse -- that Prop. 13 created this problem by reducing revenues is also nonsense. Property tax revenues increased 600% from 1981 to 2007 ($6.4 billion to $43 billion) -- far higher than the combined rate of population growth and inflation over the same period.” California -- once home to the nation’s most vibrant farmlands and agricultural communities has become a wasteland of dust and double-digit unemployment as a result of environmental extremists’ stopping water flow, and water-rationing.” “To add insult to injury, our state has recently earned the “Booby Prize” by Chief Executive Magazine. 600 CEOs were surveyed for its 2010 report card for business-friendliness, and California’s high taxes and excessive regulations put us in the bottom 5 ranked states, along with New York, Michigan, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Top honors went to Texas, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.” Over 100 companies and corporate offices who have left or are leaving the state include: NORTHROP GRUMMAN - From Los Angeles to Virginia HILTON HOTELS – From Beverly Hills to Virginia DENNY’S RESTAURANTS– From La Mirada to South Carolina DITECH – From Costa Mesa to Arizona FIDELITY NATIONAL – From Santa Barbara to Florida J.C. PENNEY – Moved call center from Sacramento to five other states FACEBOOK – From Palo Alto to Oregon BUCK KNIVES -- From San Diego to Idaho PREMIER INC. -- From San Diego to North Carolina CALIFORNIA CASUALTY GROUP – From San Mateo to Colorado. (“Wonder if they will call themselves ‘Colorado Casualty.’”) The Governor and state legislature must make short-term and long-term changes that will put California back on the road to economic recovery by enacting the following reforms: A 2-year budget Consolidation and elimination of governmental agencies to enhance productivity, efficiency and eliminate waste A part time legislature Reform the civil service system Reform bankrupt pension system Ending the legislative practice of introducing legislation that costs more to pass than the recipient receives End or modify term limits Rainy day fund for emergencies Eliminating non-essential commissions and replacing salaried commissioners with $100 stipend per meeting 14 May 2010 01:54:42 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/May/Letter%20to%20the%20Governor%2051310.html 903C100C-467B-4A70-92D3-A4ECC58158D6 "The court’s ruling reaffirms the action I took requiring that public trails would run through the project,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, on the Court of Appeals’ judgment in favor of the County's lawsuit against the La Viña Homeowners' Association for failing to provide public hiking and equestrian trails in the open space parcels surrounding the development in Altadena. “By securing this vital section, we further our goal of completing the Altadena Crest Trail, which connects Hahamonga Watershed on the west with the Eaton Canyon Nature Preserve on the east,” said Antonovich, a proponent of trail expansion throughout Los Angeles County. “The County’s success in this litigation is also critical to maintaining the integrity of Los Angeles trail system for equestrians, hikers and cyclists.” 6 Apr 2010 01:17:05 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/April/La%20Vina%2040510.html 3A922BE4-AA08-4136-96EF-906E713DFB8A To enhance child safety, a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors, directs the Department of Children and Family Services to create a multi-departmental unit to investigate foster care providers. Determining a facility’s ability to meet the standards for the placement of County-supervised children, this unit will coordinate efforts and eliminate redundancy between agencies including the County’s Department of Children and Family Services, the County Auditor-Controller and the State Community Care Licensing Agency. As of December 2009, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) oversaw 32,200 children who had been abused or neglected by their biological parents or caregivers. Of these children, 15,800 have been detained from and placed outside of their birth homes – 7,500 with County-certified relatives and 8,300 in state-licensed foster care. 23 Mar 2010 21:56:28 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/March/Investigative%20Unit%20Foster%20Care%2032310.html D5E0F7B1-2A02-4ABF-9B36-C0E8EBFC84A0 "Releasing criminals is a problem not a solution -- opening a Pandora's Box that threatens public safety and places additional burdens on local law enforcement and taxpayers,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on the state’s planned release of over 6500 inmates. “It is a reckless and irresponsible band-aid on a wound that could hemorrhage into a public safety crisis.” Releasing criminals will cost more in the long run as criminals commit additional crimes and are rearrested, retried and re-sentenced. A Harvard University report revealed that for each criminal locked up, there is a reduction of between five and six reported crimes. According to the Bureau of Justice, stronger sentencing laws over the past 30 years – including Three Strikes -- have clearly spared countless Americans from being assaulted, robbed, raped, and murdered. “Putting criminals back into our communities is an irresponsible and reckless way to balance the state’s budget,” Antonovich said. “Sacramento needs to adopt significant structural reforms and cut the fat from its bloated bureaucracy – not open the jail cells.” 29 Jan 2010 02:00:26 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/State%20Release%20of%20Inmates%2012810.html 8D6B0F38-DFFF-423E-9065-69165C26FC46 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced the Board of Supervisors approved the following roadway projects: A Bridge Seismic Retrofit project for 25th Street East under the Union Pacific Railroad in the City of Palmdale. Construction is expected to begin in April 2010 and to be completed by July 2010. The project is estimated to cost $210,000. Resurfacing and widening of Avenue E – 25th Street West to Sierra Highway in the unincorporated community of Roosevelt. The total cost of the project is $1.8 million. Construction is expected to begin in March 2010 and to be completed by August 2010. The project is estimated to cost $1.8 million. 12 Jan 2010 21:00:59 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/AV%20Roadway%20Improvements%2011210.html C0F8B599-155D-4822-A96D-28523875ADDB To enhance homeless services in the City of Pasadena, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved $275,000 for rehabilitation costs to convert Abode Communities’ Centennial Place property located at 235 East Holly Street to a Permanent Supportive Housing Development, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The facility will provide supportive services including case management, substance abuse recovery, mental health referrals, and career development for the homeless. Adobe communities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that designs, develops, and operates service-enhanced affordable housing. Founded in 1968, to date the organization has completed over 50 developments amounting to nearly 3,200 affordable housing units. 12 Jan 2010 21:00:27 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/Homeless%20Services%2011210.html 3B07AB2C-49B4-49B8-A660-3532A1170938 The Board of Supervisors approved an $18,000 grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation to the Department of Parks and Recreation to convert two cargo containers into “green” storage spaces for the nursery at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Eaton Canyon Natural Area, supervised and maintained by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological wonderland situated at the base of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains. 12 Jan 2010 21:00:02 GMT The Board of Supervisors approved an $18,000 grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation to the Department of Parks and Recreation to convert two cargo containers into “green” storage spaces for the nursery at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. A999C0FB-003B-4D40-9606-2434953270B8 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that the Board of Supervisors has approved his motion to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed 49 year-old Joo Lee. On January 1, 2010 at approximately 7:14 p.m. near the 3000 block of Montrose Avenue in Glendale, the vehicle, described only as a possible SUV, struck the pedestrian, throwing him approximately 70 feet and fled westbound on Montrose Avenue. Lee was transported to the Huntington Memorial Hospital where he died the following morning. Glendale Police investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any information that may assist them in their investigation. Supervisor Antonovich encourages anyone with information to contact Glendale Police Investigator Bill Frommling at (818) 548-3132 or (818) 548-4840. 12 Jan 2010 20:59:35 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/Reward%20Joo%20Lee%2011210.html E555F946-5D72-4986-A355-1F65BA61C81B The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved three grants from the California Department of Insurance in the amount of $17.2 million to automobile insurance and worker’s compensation fraud, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Two grants totaling $12 million will focus on auto insurance fraud rings, syndicates, gangs and other organizations in the County. Perpetrators also include unscrupulous doctors, chiropractors, lawyers and others who profit from fraudulent automobile insurance claims. A $5.3 million grant for the District Attorney’s Worker’s Compensation Fraud Program will combat fraudulent claims that cost taxpayers millions of dollars annually and have led to thousands of jobs being lost due to local business closures precipitated by escalating workers’ compensation costs caused by fraud. 12 Jan 2010 20:59:17 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/DA%20Fraud%20Grants%2011210.html D555B169-05C8-4C80-AE61-2DB5F33FA7C7 “Without structural reform to fix California’s broken budget system, this budget is a mix of tax schemes and band aids that only delays the inevitable,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. “To address the state’s $20 billion deficit and prevent bankruptcy, the following structural reforms are needed to get California back on track:  The elimination of unnecessary, and consolidation of state agencies with duplicative responsibilities.  Stop spending above inflation and population growth  A two-year budget  A part-time legislature  An end to term limits  Bringing our civil service system into the 21st Century 8 Jan 2010 22:54:19 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/State%20Budget%20Titanic%2010810.html 24FCF9E4-5F8D-4859-AB71-76297A6B69E8 “We appreciate our State Representatives for supporting our effort to improve the response to forest fires that impact Los Angeles County residents,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. “Joining with the Board of Supervisors who unanimously supported the County Fire Department’s recommendations, our State Representatives sent a message to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein that vital reforms are needed to prevent future tragedies,” added Antonovich. The recommendations proposed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department for the U.S. Forest Service to adopt include: · Allowing night time and first-light air attacks by helicopters and other fixed-wing aircraft · Increasing bush clearance requirements from 30 feet to 200 feet · Permitting the use of heavy mechanized equipment and installation of fire breaks · Installation of a protective barrier to prevent future damage to the communication infrastructure and the historical resources at Mt. Wilson The letter was signed by State Senators George Runner (17th) and Bob Huff (29th), and State Assembly Members Cameron Smyth (38th), Steve Knight (36th), Anthony Adams (59th), and Audra Strickland (37th) expressed support for the regulatory changes proposed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s report on firefighting procedures utilized by the U.S. Forest Service during the Station Fire. 7 Jan 2010 19:22:02 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/State%20Rep%20Support%20Fire%20Fighting%2010610.html B71BA166-49B0-41E6-801C-AFB468A1E352 "While the Governor outlined an ambitious agenda to address the state’s fiscal crisis, it failed to include the structural reforms necessary to reform the state’s broken budget process,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. “With a $20 billion deficit, failure to enact structural reforms will result in California’s bankruptcy,” he said. “Our full-time legislature has failed to work full time to stop the fiscal hemorrhaging.” “The state needs to enact structural reform that includes: 1) the elimination and consolidation of state agencies with duplicative responsibilities; 2) a two-year budget; 3) a part-time legislature; 4) an end to term limits; and 5) bringing our civil service system into the 21st Century,” he added. “How can California’s budget problems be due to the legislature’s 2/3 majority requirement to raise taxes when our state currently has some of the highest gasoline, sales and business taxes in the nation?” Proposition 13 is also not to blame -- property tax revenues went from $6.4 billion in 1981 to $43 billion in 2007 – a 600% increase -- far higher than the combined rate of population growth and inflation over the same period.” “To retain business, create jobs and spur economic growth, California should tear a page from Nevada’s successful playbook and make overtures to business to stay or relocate to California with business-friendly incentives including reducing taxes, regulation and an innovative marketing campaign,” Antonovich said. 7 Jan 2010 19:21:34 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/10/January/Governor%20Response%2010610.html C3918A20-661D-4835-AA30-6E04D3B83BC5 "In reflecting on this past year, one bright light that shines across our County and State and will enhance the quality of care for our senior citizens was the state law I initiated requiring nursing homes to publicly display their five-star rating issued by the Federal Government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, father of the County’s successful Restaurant Grading system established in 1997. “With the full support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Assembly Bill 215, authored by Assemblymen Cameron Smyth (R-38) and Mike Feuer (D-42), was passed and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.” “This posting system provides vital information for families to make informed decisions about the care for their loved ones and provides incentives for nursing homes operators to establish and maintain high-quality standards of care and compliance,” added Antonovich. “The rating system, with five stars being the highest and one star for the lowest, includes medical care, staffing levels, food services, sanitation, bedsore mitigation and the results of licensing inspections.” While the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services performs licensing and complaint inspections through a contract with the State of California, only the State can require facilities to post the results of the new Federal Rating system. While the nursing home grade posting system program does not go into effect until January 1, 2011, the Nursing Home Compare Tool is accessible now at www.antonovich.com or by clicking here. 31 Dec 2009 19:11:22 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/December/Nursing%20Home%20Grade%20Posting%20System%20123109.html 6771DF8C-1FEC-4A5E-A204-105714CE9F73 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman has delayed his retirement for one year to ensure that the Department continues to provides quality fire service in uncertain financial times. “This is an early Christmas gift to Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “I am pleased that Chief Freeman will continue to provide strong and effective leadership to our Fire Department for another year.” 22 Dec 2009 00:49:59 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/December/Chief%20Freeman%20delay%20retirement%20122109.html 50A84A31-F6E0-4C20-AFD4-566776DE24BE "Recent press reports indicate that the Forest Service was not forthright in reporting why water-dropping aircraft was not employed in the earliest stage of the Station Fire,” said Supervisor Antonovich in a letter to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein requesting a congressional investigation. “Originally the Forest Service reasoned that mountainous terrain prevented aircraft water drops. However, their logbooks reveal that their own incident commanders repeatedly asked for air support. What’s needed is a congressional investigation into the false reports by the Forest Service and its failure to stop the fire before it spread -- taking the lives of two firefighters, burning over 160,000 acres and destroying over 100 homes and structures.” 22 Dec 2009 00:10:31 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/December/Fire%20Hearing%20122109.html 81E938E3-E12B-468C-9DD5-1E46C6AEAC20 To improve access and availability of constituent services, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the redesign and expansion of the Antelope Valley One Stop Center, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Serving an area of more than 1,300 square miles, the Center houses County agencies including Fire, Regional Planning, Health Services and Building and Safety which provides construction plans and permits. The expansion and renovation project will include over 3000 rentable square feet of office space to house the Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures, Military and Veterans Affairs and a sublease for the County’s Housing Authority. 12 Dec 2009 01:17:20 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/December/AV%20One-Stop%20Center%20120909.html 52667B57-94D9-46D0-A381-A9D1EAB4CE85 A motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for assaulting a sheriff’s deputy was approved by the Board of Supervisors. On November 11, two suspects assaulted a sheriff’s deputy following a traffic stop near 21048 Golden Triangle Road in Canyon Country. The suspect in the driver’s seat claimed he did not have a driver’s license or identification and was asked to step out of the vehicle by the deputy. Shortly thereafter, the suspect forcefully attacked the deputy and attempted to get away. A second suspect, who was in the passenger seat, got out of the truck and joined in the attack, striking and kicking the deputy. The two suspects then returned to their vehicle and fled the area. It has since been determined that the suspects used stolen and fraudulent debit cards to purchase items at local retail stores, including the Canyon Country Wal-Mart, just prior to the attack on the deputy. Additional debit card charges were made in Studio City, Sunland, Burbank and Sun Valley. The suspects are described as two white medium-build males -- possibly Armenian. One of the suspects is described to be between the ages of 25-30 with a goatee and the other between 50-55 years of age. The suspects’ vehicle is described as a white 2007-2009 Nissan Titan, 4-door pick-up truck. Supervisor Antonovich encourages witnesses of this crime or anyone with information to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Bryne at 661-799-5145 or Detective Henning at 661-799-5156. 12 Dec 2009 01:16:56 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/December/Sheriffs%20Deputy%20Reward.html 0C80942F-271B-47BB-AC6C-7FCD011DC34F To enhance the prosecution of abusers and prevent future child abuse, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to expand cross-reporting to nine additional cities; Burbank, Hawthorne, Santa Monica, Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Long Beach, Pasadena and Redondo Beach. “With this vital partnership between the Department of Children and Family Services, law enforcement, the Dependency Court, and these additional City Attorney’s Offices, we can more effectively protect the children of Los Angeles County,” said Antonovich. On an earlier Antonovich motion, the Department of Children and Family Services cross-reported nearly 24,000 incidents of child abuse to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office from January 2008 through September 2009 -- substantially increasing the number of criminal prosecutions, holding more abusers accountable, providing needed services to parents and children living in abusive homes and relationships, preventing further child abuse, and enhancing the efforts of Children's Social Workers and the Dependency Court in their mission to protect children. The Department of Children and Family Services receives approximately 200,000 reports of suspected child abuse annually from relatives, neighbors and anonymous individuals as well as mandated reporters. Of these, approximately 100,000 allegations are reported to the District Attorney’s Office. 25 Nov 2009 00:37:58 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Cross%20Reporting%20Child%20Abuse%20112409.html 9C081A0D-5213-492E-B91F-5CEEDBE71021 The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to direct the Department of Public Works to conduct a media and public outreach campaign to ensure the public is alerted in advance of any possible closures of Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2) and the Angeles Forest Highway due to weather or repair work. Supervisor Antonovich’s motion includes the following recommendations: · Organize a town hall meeting in the Antelope Valley in December (and publicize the meeting information in advance in the local media) to address the repair work on Angeles Forest Highway associated with the Station Fire, and publicize the meeting in advance in concert with Antelope Valley media outlets; · Keep the existing “Driver Notification Signs” in place on south-bound State Route 14, and activate them as far in advance as possible to alert motorists to impending temporary closures due to anticipated inclement weather; · Identify the feasibility of creating a “Road Conditions” AM radio broadcast for information pertaining to the opening and closing of Angeles Forest and Angeles Crest Highways between Antelope Valley and La Canada Flintridge; · Establish an e-mail alert notification system that will alert Antelope Valley residents (and other interested parties) concerning upcoming closures of Angeles Forest Highway due to anticipated inclement weather; · Conduct additional media and public outreach concerning road condition information available on the Department’s CARE web-site; and · Report back to the Board in 30 days concerning progress on these issues. 25 Nov 2009 00:37:30 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Angeles%20Forest%20Highway%20112409.html 7F75F8EE-8509-48C8-B408-B3F3B019A1B1 “As a new $21 billion State deficit looms, I urge you to develop, implement and support structural reforms to address our immediate crisis and provide a long term solution for future generations,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich in a letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urging the immediate implementation of the following recommendations: · Eliminate State agencies with duplicative responsibilities · Enact a 2-year budget · Enact a part-time legislature · Repeal term limits · Reform civil service · Reduce costly legislation -- it currently costs $500,000 to pass a bill into law. In addition to these vital reforms, Antonovich urged the Governor to: · Reject the call of those who want to tax-and-borrow California into bankruptcy. · Duplicate Nevada’s efforts to attract California companies with business-friendly incentives including reduced taxes and regulation -- and an innovative marketing campaign. (See attached advertisements.) “Providing incentives for businesses will stimulate enterprise and competition,” he added. “New jobs will flood the marketplace and a broad base of revenue will expand to fill State coffers and lead to economic recovery and growth.” 24 Nov 2009 19:23:25 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Budget%20Deficit%20Letter%20to%20Gov%20112309.html D9EB3914-4396-41CD-8BBD-92A767E32889 "The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s recommendations encouraging the Forest Service to allow night time and first-light air attacks would have prevented the Station fire’s rapid growth and mitigated its catastrophic toll,” said Antonovich in response to the Department’s report on the Station Fire. The Supervisor also supported the County Fire report calling on the Forest Service to adopt tougher brush clearance requirements increasing the distance from 30 feet to 200 feet -- which is the County’s current requirement. He also agreed that a protective barrier will help prevent future damage to the communication infrastructure and the historical resources at Mt. Wilson. In addition, Supervisor Antonovich suggested that in fire incidents occurring in National Forest that the County Fire Department should be the lead agency with support from the United State Forest Service. 19 Nov 2009 00:06:37 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/LACoFD%20Fire%20Report%20111809.html 8C6AA56A-8ADA-4C1A-8E50-0B55E9D882B0 "For four decades, the City of Los Angeles has sat on property that it took from private property owners through eminent domain with the explicit promise to develop an airport,” said Antonovich. “Now they are attempting to use it for an energy plant to serve the City of Los Angeles.” On December 16, 2008, the Board of Supervisors sent a five-signature letter to Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, and the Los Angeles City Mayor's office, with the County's formal request that the City set forth, in detail, its future plans for the undeveloped property located in the unincorporated area of the County adjacent to the Palmdale Airport. This request was made subsequent to the conclusion of the County's successful lawsuit requiring LAWA to develop a plan for regionalization of air service in Los Angeles County. However, on November 16, 2009 the Los Angeles Airport Commission voted to award a 3-year, $700,000 contract to secure a developer to build a solar energy plant on the 17,500 acres of vacant Los Angeles City-owned land. Neither the City of Palmdale nor the County of Los Angeles was ever notified of the City's intention to develop the land into anything other than an airport. Moreover, the City of Los Angeles used eminent domain to acquire some of the parcels in the 17,500 acres solely for use as an airport. The city of Palmdale and the County of Los Angeles have been working together to identify potential airlines to operate at the Palmdale Airport once the LAWA lease expires. However, LAWA's recent effort could place a chilling effect on the multi-jurisdictional efforts to provide regional air service to serve Los Angeles County. On November 17, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Antonovich that directs the County Counsel to report back to the Board on whether the recent action of LAWA to change the use of the airport property is within the County settlement agreement regarding regionalization and examine the legality of using eminent domain to take private property for one purpose and using it for another. It also directs the Chief Executive Officer to transmit a letter to LAWA, the City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, and the Mayor's office seeking information on their planned usage as a solar plant and how they intend to comply with the settlement agreement. 18 Nov 2009 00:31:21 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/LAWA%20Palmdale%20Airport%20RFP%20111709.html 2AA421F2-568D-48E5-9DB0-429C539BC3DC “Sacramento needs to solve its fiscal crisis by cutting its bloated bureaucracy and uncontrolled spending -- not abandoning young people in the fragile state of transitioning from foster youth to adult,” Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said in the wake of the State of California’s decision to eliminate stipends and other vital support for emancipated foster youth. “Having already been abandoned or neglected in one form or another, the State’s policy of emancipation without continued financial support at age 18 is government-sanctioned child abuse,” he said. The State announced it will cut a total of $2.6 million in annual funding that supports Los Angeles County’s 1800 emancipating youth’s transition to adulthood. Reductions include $1.5 million in Emancipated Youth Stipends used to support their unmet financial needs such as tuition, room and board, books and supplies, food and transportation. These cuts also result in a reduction of $800,000 to Los Angeles County's Independent Living Program funding and $300,000 for the Transitional Housing Plus program, which funds life skills training, housing and scholarships for emancipating DCFS and Probation-supervised youth. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Antonovich’s motion on Tuesday, November 10, directing the Chief Executive Officer, the County’s Sacramento advocates and the Department of Children and Family Services to work with appropriate Statewide associations, advocate groups, legislative staff, the California Department of Social Services and the Administration, to fully restore funding for Emancipating foster youth. 18 Nov 2009 00:30:51 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Transitional%20Housing%20Program%20funding%20111609.html 871D9B44-8129-4744-A638-367CE38561B5 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich issued the following statement in response to the release of a Forest Service Station Fire report called “Initial Attack Review: Report of the Review Panel:” “The Forest Service conclusion that aircraft use in the Station Fire’s earliest stage would have been ineffective is a false assertion to justify their failure. Our Los Angeles County firefighting aircraft sat on the tarmac waiting to be called into action, while the Angeles National Forest burned. Had the County’s Fire Air Support been fully activated by the Forest Service while the fire was still manageable, it would not have spread into a 160,000+ acre disaster taking the lives of two firefighters and destroying over 100 homes and structures.” 14 Nov 2009 00:44:23 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Fire%20Report%20111309.html E4E691D3-D2DA-4331-90CC-939996640199 “It is unconscionable for Edison to place an additional burden on its customers to fix lines damaged by fire -- when the company refuses to reroute its own lines from high-fire areas,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich on Edison’s application with the California Public Utility Commission for a customer rate increase. In a letter to the PUC, Supervisor Antonovich criticized the application and suggested that Edison listen to the needs of the communities it serves and reroute the lines. “It would be less expensive in the long-term if the lines were reconfigured in areas better suited for them or placed underground to prevent the inevitable and repeated destruction.” 14 Nov 2009 00:43:55 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Edison%20Lines%20Fire%20111309.html BD9B10D6-D012-406A-8A09-E85BC04EF748 To ensure the residents of Lake Los Angeles and surrounding communities have access to quality library services, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the expansion of the Lake Los Angeles Library to provide an additional 1000 square feet of space and improvements, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The improvements will include a meeting room, furniture, telephones and technological improvements at a cost of $611,500. 14 Nov 2009 00:43:32 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Lake%20Los%20Angeles%20Library%20111009.html 2E328FEC-E007-48EF-BB91-DD549847B492 To maintain the community’s rural, equestrian-oriented quality of life, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the establishment of a Community Standards District (CSD) for the San Francisquito Canyon community, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The proposed CSD will establish development standards to maintain the rural character, low densities and significant natural resources of the community. The CSD includes regulations pertaining to public trails, minimum lot size for new subdivisions, residential development standards, street improvements and significant ridgeline protection. “Through the hard work of the San Francisquito Canyon Preservation Association, local residents, property owners and my staff, we have made this CSD a reality,” said Antonovich. “This action will protect the community’s quiet rural character and scenic natural setting.” 14 Nov 2009 00:43:00 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/San%20Francisquito%20Canyon%20111009.html CC9BCFF5-D6E7-429A-80D8-5C386A08C385 The Board of Supervisors approved a $200,000 grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for the 2009 COPS Technology Program to implement the Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) System, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The primary purpose of this program is to improve public safety by enabling Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to make more effective use of ALPR technology to investigate crimes, improve homeland security, and locate wanted persons and stolen vehicles. 14 Nov 2009 00:42:29 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Automated%20License%20Plate%20Recognition%20Camera%20System%20111009.html BD1EBD0E-375D-4F98-9FAA-7F1F397344E2 In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Mankind’s first walk on the moon, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich joined Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin in honoring the hundreds of men and women of NASA and 24 Apollo astronauts who served this nation in the armed forces, and helped advance this nation’s space program. “But perhaps the greatest success of the Apollo program was inspiring a generations of Americans that with persistence, faith, and hard work that anything is possible,” said Antonovich. “However, the Apollo program would have never taken off from the ground without the contributions of countless veterans serving in our military and at NASA.” Veterans played a vital role in every aspect of the Apollo program serving as flight controllers, engineers, back up crew members and as astronauts. Home to Edwards Air Force Base, JPL and aviation giants Lockheed and Boeing, Los Angeles County continues to play a vital role in our nation’s space program with dedicated professionals in science and engineering pushing the boundaries of space flight technology. 14 Nov 2009 00:41:26 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Buzz%20Aldrin%20111009.html CAF0246A-5A51-491A-B558-DB633F254526 To expand, rehabilitate, and improve amenities at recreational trails throughout the Fifth Supervisorial District, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich awarded $2 million for trail enhancements for 15 trails located in twelve cities from Claremont to Lancaster. Each trail will receive grant funds of up to $150,000 through funds from the Safe Neighborhood Parks Propositions. Project funds have been awarded to the following: City of Claremont for the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park Access Improvements Project City of Duarte for the Fish Canyon Falls Trail City of Glendale for the Catalina Verdugo Trail City of Glendora for the South Hills Wilderness Trail City of La Canada/Flintridge for the Cherry Canyon Trails Improvement Project City of Lancaster for the Armagosa Creek Pathway Trail City of Monrovia for the Monrovia Canyon Park Entrance Trail City of Palmdale for the Warnack Nature Park Trail City of Pasadena for the Annandale Canyon Trail Access and Improvements Project City of San Gabriel for the Vincent Lugo Park Trail City of Santa Clarita for the East Walker Ranch Trail System City of West Covina for the Cortez Park Trails Extension Project County Parks and Recreation for the La Crescenta Recreational Trail Link North East Trees for the South Pasadena Nature Park Trail Extension Los Angeles Conservation Corps for the Sycamore Canyon Trail Restoration Project. 14 Nov 2009 00:41:03 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/Trails%20Grants%20111009.html D29C73CB-1007-4ACA-92F3-D1855A68035D The section of State Route 2 from La Canada-Flintridge to the Angeles Forest Highway or Clear Creek is now expected to open by mid- to late November, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Caltrans closed SR-2 to the public to repair the damage to SR-2 caused by the Station fire. Only residents, repair crews, and emergency responders will be permitted to enter the Angeles National Forest via SR-2. Several thousands of feet of guardrail and hundreds of road signs will need to be repaired or replaced. Several debris basins filled with ash and other debris are being cleared. San Gabriel Canyon Road (SR-39) is open to the public. Motorists should expect periodic delays as construction workers repair nearly 4 miles of guardrail and several hundreds of road signs on SR-39. Repairs are expected to complete by mid-November. For more information about county roads, please visit: http://ladpw.org/CARE/ 14 Nov 2009 00:40:39 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/November/SR-2%20110609.html BC09BCB2-495A-45DB-9D6E-12C2B7AC408C "As we predicted, Breda failed once again to deliver on a promise made to the people of Los Angeles County,” said Supervisor and MTA Director Michael D. Antonovich on the announcement that the rail car company has declined to sign the contract to build cars for the MTA. “We knew the emperor had no clothes but Los Angeles City insiders and special interests attempted to ram through a sub-standard outfit, creating costly delays in the MTA's ability to seek a legitimate firm to build railcars for the Foothill Extension, the Crenshaw/LAX Line and the Expo Line,” said Antonovich. “However, Breda's failure is a significant victory for County taxpayers as the MTA is now obligated to issue a Request for Proposals to secure a cost-effective contact with a reputable company who will build quality rail cars, on budget and on time that will serve all of the County's railcar needs.” "Breda still is obligated to deliver the remainder of the cars owed on their current contract and to fix the overweight, undersized cars they have already delivered," added Antonovich, "the MTA must hold Breda accountable on this issue." 2 Nov 2009 17:59:42 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Breda%20Fails%20103109.html 5B589511-3979-423F-AF4C-69CF00FD2295 To protect the residents of Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno from the devastating consequences of above-ground construction of the 710 gap closure project, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Supervisor Gloria Molina and Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to ensure that MTA define the project as a “tunnel” project consistent with Measure R ballot language. The MTA had previously taken out the word “tunnel” from its proposed long range transportation plan and left the definition vague as to whether or not the project would be a tunnel or a surface route that would devastate the communities through which construction would take place. These communities previously had tried to get state legislation (SB 545, Cedillo) passed this year to mandate that the gap closure project would have to be constructed underground to avoid damaging the communities with a surface alignment. That bill was not signed into law by the Governor despite support from both the Assembly and the Senate. 24 Oct 2009 00:30:12 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/710%20Gap%20Closure%20102309.html 9A87A2E1-88A3-42BE-B075-9AB446329978 "The attempt to jumpstart the unfunded subway extensions over the long-awaited Gold Line and Crenshaw Line was derailed by a unanimous vote of the MTA Board,” said Supervisor Antonovich. The motion by Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas, Michael D. Antonovich and Duarte Mayor John Fasana to make the Gold Line and Crenshaw Line the top MTA priorities for new federal, state and local funding was strengthened by the demands of a bipartisan coalition of 15 congressional representatives in Southern California who signed a letter. This team effort helped bring a regional package for federal funding to ensure equity for all parts of the County. For the first time ever, MTA will commit to fund and operate the Gold Line to Claremont. Also, MTA will commit to fund needed grade separations and improvements to the Crenshaw Line to LAX. In addition, the Antonovich/Thomas/Fasana motion also provides for an evaluation of the allocation of funding for the Interstate 5 improvements from I-605 to I-710 and from SR-14 to the Kern County Line to improve major goods movement corridors in Los Angeles County. 23 Oct 2009 01:50:55 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/MTA%20votes%20to%20fund%20Goldline%20102209.html# 71A99F58-9178-49D3-A781-6E26FE31EBA2 Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that a newborn male child was surrendered at a Pasadena Fire Station on Wednesday. This is the third Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County since the beginning of the year and the 76th infant since the program was initiated in 2001. The infant is in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services. “This is another example of a young life saved and given a second chance because someone chose to surrender rather than abandon him,” said Supervisor Antonovich. To reduce the incidence of abandoned babies in Los Angeles County, the Safe Surrender Program encourages the surrender of newborn babies to designated sites throughout the County. The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001. To search for the designated Los Angeles County Safe Surrender sites, call 877-BABY SAFE (877-222-9723) or visit babysafela.org. 23 Oct 2009 01:50:26 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Safe%20Surrender%20102209.html# 4DF990BB-0BCB-4C7F-8C03-EBAF6BADF747 U.S. Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) has joined the bipartisan coalition of federal, state and local officials urging the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop an inclusive, regional and longer-term strategy to maximize federal funding for new projects, announced MTA Director, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Rep. McKeon joins 14 other members of Congress who sent a letter encouraging the MTA Board to support a regional approach for federal dollars when it votes on an update to its Long Range Transportation Plan Thursday. In the letter, the members of Congress expressed concern that the MTA is “not positioning itself well to receive its fair share” of funding for new projects and warned “it’s short-sighted not to include the Gold Line Foothill Extension, Gold Line Eastside Extension and Crenshaw/South Bay Transit Corridor in Metro’s New Starts funding priority.” Supervisor Antonovich agreed that if these vital projects are not included for New Starts funding, the MTA may not receive any federal dollars. “It would be suicide to exclude these projects,” he said. In addition to McKeon, the delegation includes Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Diane Watson, Linda Sanchez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judy Chu, Grace Napolitano, Maxine Waters, Jane Harman and Joe Baca and Republicans, David Dreier, Jerry Lewis, Mary Bono Mack, Gary Miller, and Ken Calvert. 23 Oct 2009 01:50:09 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Goldline%20McKeon%20102109.html# 1E191D15-3957-44A7-9387-289C4D72CF83 Metrolink Director, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich criticized the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen who filed a lawsuit to remove recently-installed video surveillance systems from Metrolink trains. “The union’s lawsuit to derail Metrolink’s efforts to prevent future tragedies is stupid and irresponsible," said Antonovich. “After months of investigations and studies to enhance safety, Metrolink spent over one million dollars installing cameras to prevent deadly mistakes and protect our passengers, the public and our employees. The union’s troubling message, ‘public be damned,’ is reckless. Police officers, bus drivers and others in the service sector are all subject to video recording in the workplace. 21 Oct 2009 17:21:45 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Metrolink%20Cameras%20102009.html# 5C457377-5280-4267-9BF7-420BA4256C1D The Board of Supervisors unanimously supported joining a bi-partisan coalition of federal, state and local officials urging the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop an inclusive, regional and longer-term strategy to maximize federal funding for new projects, including the Foothill Extension of the Gold Line and the Crenshaw/South Bay Transit Corridor. “In its current form, the MTA long range plan is short-sighted,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “Without these projects, the MTA stands to lose hundreds of millions of federal transportation dollars.” Fourteen members of the U.S. Congress sent a letter encouraging the MTA Board to support a more regional approach for federal dollars when it votes on an update to its Long Range Transportation Plan Thursday. In the letter, the members of Congress expressed concern that the MTA is “not positioning itself well to receive its fair share” of funding for new projects and warned “it’s short-sighted not to include the Gold Line Foothill Extension, Gold Line Eastside Extension and Crenshaw/South Bay Transit Corridor in Metro’s New Starts funding priority.” The delegation includes Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff, Diane Watson, Linda Sanchez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judy Chu, Grace Napolitano, Maxine Waters, Jane Harman and Joe Baca and Republicans, David Dreier, Jerry Lewis, Mary Bono Mark, Gary Miller, and Ken Calvert. 20 Oct 2009 23:25:59 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Gold%20Line%20Long%20Term%20Planning%20102009.html# DB0126AE-2F57-4699-A80A-4B6294CD369B To enhance the safety of patients and staff at the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $1.5 million contract with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. to seismically upgrade the facility’s central plant, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The upgrade will ensure the central plant is in compliance with Senate Bill 1953, which requires existing hospitals and their supporting service buildings be upgraded to meet seismic requirements. 20 Oct 2009 23:25:35 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Olive%20View%20UCLA%20102009.html# 3BE9B90B-1288-4222-97C9-5DCD4A5684BE To reduce the backlog of sexual assault cases waiting for DNA testing, the Board of Supervisors approved a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to improve the Sheriff’s Department’s DNA analysis capacity and the infrastructure of the existing crime laboratory, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. In addition, the Department will use the grant funds to pay for laboratory staff overtime and outsourcing of DNA to accredited fee-to-service laboratories. 20 Oct 2009 23:25:08 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/DNA%20backlog%20102009.html# A1746A29-622B-42BA-BCF0-FCBE56AD5DDA To enhance the Sheriff’s Department ability to combat intellectual property crimes in the County, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $200,000 from the United States Department of Justice for the Sheriff’s Department’s Counterfeit and Piracy Enforcement Team Program (CAPE), announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The funds will be used to teams of Community Oriented Policing Services Bureau investigators to identify, investigate, and prepare intellectual property crimes for prosecution. 20 Oct 2009 23:24:52 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Intellectual%20Property%20Crimes%20102009.html# 18FA5CA9-D324-4F62-94BA-87F83B3EC72F The Board of Supervisors approved a $335,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to purchase an Automated License Plate Recognition camera system for the Sheriff Department’s Advanced Surveillance and Protection (ASAP) project, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. At a cost of $35,000, the camera system will be installed in a specialized patrol vehicle in the Temple Sheriff’s Station’s jurisdiction and its five contract cities. Additionally, $300,000 of the grant will be utilized for the Department’s Gang CopLink project to upgrade its gang database to allow for greater information sharing among 46 law enforcement agencies. 20 Oct 2009 23:24:22 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/License%20Plate%20Recognition%20Camera%20102009.html# 8BFF642A-8A7F-4F2B-BE54-E68599BA1FB9 The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Conditional Use Permit (C.U.P) for Carousel Ranch to provide therapeutic riding programs and equestrian-related activities to developmentally disabled and/or special needs children, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. The C.U.P authorizes the construction, operation, and maintenance of an equestrian facility/riding academy on a 10.25-acre site located at 34289 Rocking Horse Road in Agua Dulce. 20 Oct 2009 23:23:16 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Carousel%20Ranch%20102009.html# 67AA0D1F-BBD5-4A1D-A7B8-E3610937C887 Responding to the United Way’s report on homelessness, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said, “The disinformation created by this study is a step backward in our effort to address the homelessness problem at its core. Fundamental reform of our State’s dysfunctional mental health laws must be accomplished to effectively address homelessness. Local experience continues to demonstrate that those suffering from mental illness and/or alcohol or substance abuse require treatment. Housing alone will not solve this crisis.” The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) census figures revealed that most chronically homeless suffer from mental illness and/or addiction to drugs and alcohol. “While community-based treatment facilities, stabilization centers, family access centers and transitional housing are valuable temporary tools to treat symptoms of homelessness, they must provide proactive access to medical treatment that addresses mental illness and rehabilitation for alcohol/drug addiction,” he added. “Without fundamental reform of the state’s mental health laws, the homeless are locked in a broken system of warehousing without healing.” 15 Oct 2009 01:46:49 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/United%20Way%20Report%20101309.html BB9DDCE0-1A66-417A-A2D0-D83C358F1179 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich today applauded the Governor’s decision to sign legislation requiring California nursing homes to post their five-star rating issued by the Federal Government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The rating, with five stars being the highest and one star the lowest, includes medical care, staffing levels, food services, sanitation, bedsore mitigation and the results of licensing inspections. “The nursing home grading system will provide families vital information about the quality of care for their loved ones as the County’s successful Restaurant Grading system equips them to make informed decisions about dining establishments,” said Antonovich. “It also provides incentives for facilities to establish higher quality standards and compliance.” Assembly Bill 215 was authored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer and Cameron Smyth at the request of Supervisor Antonovich, whose motion to support the legislation and send a five-signature letter to the Governor, the California State Legislature, and the Director of the State Department of Public Health to support a facility rating guide for nursing facilities and convalescent homes, was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. While the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services performs licensing and complaint inspections through a contract with the State of California, only the State can require facilities to post the results of the new Federal Rating system. Supervisor Antonovich is the father of the County’s successful Restaurant Grading system established in 1997. 15 Oct 2009 01:46:27 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Nursing%20Homes%20101209.html 73368E50-207A-441D-80F4-83081AD6C06C The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors issued a 5-signature to Governor Schwarzenegger and Senate and Assembly Leaders to enact immediate legislation to address the crisis surrounding the water supply for the State of California, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. “The Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County representing over 10.2 million residents stands united in calling for immediate action from the Governor, Senate and Assembly Leaders to solve the State’s water crisis which has impacted the life of every Californian -- from food delivery to job creation to providing vital revenues state and local governments depend upon to provide public services,” said Antonovich. In the letter the Board of Supervisors states its support for the passage of water supply legislation to increase the reliability of State and local water supplies with appropriate infrastructure and equitable funding levels consistent with the following principles: · Local Water Reliability and Conservation: Preserve existing supplies and promote local supply reliability and conservation through various approaches including demand reduction, recycling, and groundwater recharge. · Protection and Improvement of Water Quality: Protect and improve water quality including drinking water, groundwater, storm water, and urban runoff. · New Water Supplies: Create new water supplies using a variety of approaches including preservation of water by recycling, enhanced storage capacity through seismic retrofit and modification of existing structures and increased utilization of spreading grounds and debris basins. · Conveyance and Local Storage: Provide for a reliable statewide stormwater capture, storage, and conveyance system to deliver water supplies to Southern California. Allocate funding for large storage and conveyance systems based on sound planning, engineering, and economic analysis. · Bond Funding and Appropriations: Authorize a significant level of water supply bond funding and appropriations consistent with the above principles. · Equitable Allocation Criteria for Regional Projects: Allocate competitive grant funds primarily on the basis of population to State-recognized Integrated Regional Water Management regions. · Delta Sustainability: Support short-term and long-term actions that create a sustainable Delta ecosystem that will create a healthy, durable estuary and reliable water supply. To view the 5-signature letter, please click on the following link: http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/pdfs/5 sig_Water Supply_100909.pdf 10 Oct 2009 01:50:41 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Water%20Crisis%201090909.html 330E79E3-017A-4BBF-A92D-65385763D605 To protect public health and the environment, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to work with the federal government to complete a 100% toxic clean-up effort for Morris Dam, a reservoir in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Azusa used as a Navy torpedo testing facility since World War II. The Navy’s current $6.5 million proposal still leaves at least 15 to 20 percent of some contamination. “The missile testing resulted in substantial contamination of this reservoir including arsenic and perchlorate in soil and sediments,” said Antonovich. “It is vital that a plan is developed for a 100% cleanup of the site to protect public health and the environment.” The site was used for the development of submarine-based warfare systems, including torpedoes, bombs, and submarine-launched missiles like the Polaris rocket, the first ballistic missile that could be launched from submerged submarines. Operations at the facility ceased in 1993, and since then, Navy and State regulatory officials have been working to determine the extent of chemical contamination in the soil and reservoir. The motion directs the County’s Public Health Director, Forester and Fire Warden to meet with the California EPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control and the U.S. Navy to review the clean-up progress and report back to the Board in 30 days on the status of the investigation. 7 Oct 2009 00:43:31 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Morris%20Dam%20Contamination%20100609.html 65C410AA-FE3E-40CE-8686-D98A890C2162 The city of Los Angeles is illegally taxing more than 700 businesses located outside the City’s jurisdiction – as far as 60 miles outside the city’s borders, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Gloria Molina to send a 5-signature letter to the City’s Mayor, City Council and the Controller ordering the City to stop taxing businesses located in unincorporated County communities and reimburse those businesses for all revenues previously collected. In addition to sending a 5-signature letter to the city, the motion also calls for the CEO to report back on actions taken to protect businesses that are not subject to the City’s licensure, taxation or enforcement action. 3 Oct 2009 01:36:30 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/700%20businesses%20illegally%20taxed%20by%20City%20of%20Los%20Angeles%20100209.html 8D7AE47D-8C12-462E-9AA0-350529979AB0 Initiated by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, C.A.R.E. is a multi-agency program to protect life and property in the upcoming rainy months. This program will include regular updates and bulletins, technical assistance for residents on constructing mudslide diversions, a “one-stop” website with fire recovery and storm preparation information, public service announcements, and a speakers bureau for community meetings. The website http://www.dpwcare.org provides the following vital information: · Assistance Programs · Safety Preparedness · Development/Rebuilding · Current conditions · Emergency shelter locations The toll free number (800) 214-4020 is available to residents offering free engineering advice for homeowners affected by the fires and concerned about erosion, mud-flows, and related issues. 3 Oct 2009 01:06:21 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/October/Care%20Website%20100109.html DC0AFCE2-F723-4FE4-BCFC-31C390B5F2E5 The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Gloria Molina to send a 5-signature letter to the City’s Mayor, City Council and the Controller ordering the City to stop taxing businesses located in unincorporated County communities and reimburse those businesses for all revenues previously collected. Investigators with the County’s Treasurer and Tax Collector and Auditor-Controller conducting field inspections and interviews at sample businesses in East Los Angeles found that 15% of the businesses surveyed, all of which are sited wholly outside the City’s jurisdiction, had current City of Los Angeles business tax licenses or other permits. This practice has also occurred in various unincorporated communities, including Universal City, Sunland/Tujunga, Charter Oak, East Los Angeles, Hacienda Heights, and Quartz Hill which are subject to County zoning and business license requirements. In addition to sending a 5-signature letter to the city, the motion also calls for the CEO to report back in 30 days on actions taken to protect businesses that are not subject to the City’s licensure, taxation or enforcement action. 29 Sep 2009 22:41:06 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/City%20of%20Los%20Angeles%20illegally%20tax%20unincorporated%20businesses%20092909.html FFF28C4B-7F7C-4776-87CB-BA950146F4CD To inform residents in fire-damaged areas on the County’s efforts to reduce the impact of mudslides and erosion damage, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has created a multi-agency program (C.A.R.E.) and a toll free number (800-214-4020) to protect life and property in the upcoming rainy months. The CARE (Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort) program will include regular updates and bulletins, technical assistance for residents on constructing mudslide diversions, a “one-stop” website with fire recovery and storm preparation information, public service announcements, and a speaker’s bureau for community meetings. The first meeting of CARE was on Friday, September 25 and over 120 city and town councilmembers and city managers from at-risk communities joined officials from the county and federal government including county Public Works, the US Forest Service, the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO), the US Geological Survey, Caltrans and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Preliminary fire damage assessments were presented by the federal burn area emergency recovery (BAER) team. “Initial assessments indicate a high probability of mudslides damage for our fire-damaged communities,” Antonovich said. “The danger presented by the largest fire in County history is far from over and requires effective coordination and communication to minimize the impact of mudslides and protect our residents and their homes.” A motion by Supervisor Antonovich on September 8th authorized the County Public Works Department to spend up to $25 million in emergency contracts to repair roads and infrastructure in burn areas and to prepare for expected debris and mudflows. Public Works engineers have already inspected over 200 properties and, together with USFS officials, hosted several public meetings in at-risk communities. “The County Public Works Department has completed many of the physical repairs to County roads, including the replacement of more than 850 road signs, 4,500 road markers, and 27 miles of re-striping, and is working to install 95 sections of guardrail,” Antonovich said. “The Department is also looking to increase capacity at seven of the twenty-nine debris basins in the Station Fire burn area and is cleaning out an additional nine basins below the burned watersheds of the Station Fire before the rains come.” 29 Sep 2009 19:02:31 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/CARE%20Mudslide%20Fire%20Damage%20092909.html 3DDFE230-399E-4912-B28D-B081D8301B86 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich issued the following statement following the MTA’s decision to approve a 100-railcar contract with AnsaldoBreda: “The MTA’s return to sleaze once again has hung the taxpayers out to dry by selling out to the incompetent highest bidder. Breda has failed to deliver on time in two previous MTA contracts, and the current contract is already three years behind schedule in delivering certified rail cars. This vote also jeopardizes our commitment to operate the future Gold Line Foothill Extension and the Exposition and Crenshaw lines.” 25 Sep 2009 01:31:07 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Breda%20Statement%20092409.html C636DBF4-1F05-4597-AB2C-9ADE027F96B1 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is pleased to announce that the new Palmdale Fire Station 136 is the recipient of the “Gold Leadership Award for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)” from the U.S. Green Business Council. The prestigious Gold Award is the County's first since the national LEED certification program began 10 years ago. To date, only 1,000 gold certificates have been presented. Fire Station 136 earned the coveted award after meeting the Green Business Council’s strict energy and innovative environmental design criteria in all six certification categories: sustainable site, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation & design. The state-of-the-art facility includes a rainfall treatment system, built-in carbon dioxide monitoring system, workspace views, environmentally-friendly construction materials, and energy-efficient lighting. As a result, it is expected to realize annual savings of more than 85,000 gallons of water and 87,000 kilowatt hours of electricity. Drought-resistant landscaping, light colored paving, and low solar-reflective roofing were utilized to reduce the “Heat Island Effect” around the station and approximately 84 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills. 24 Sep 2009 22:31:51 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/LEED%20Award%20Palmdale%20Fire%20Station%20092409.html 34BC6F16-3B73-4AF2-8B73-16D94DBB77D3 To curb illegal dumping and assist residents in effectively disposing of their household discards, Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, the Department of Public Works and Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. are offering a “Free Dump Day” to residents in the unincorporated County areas of the westerly portion of Sunland (including Kagel Canyon, Lopez Canyon, and Little Tujunga Road), Oat Mountain/Twin Lakes, Lake Manor, and West Chatsworth. This event provides an opportunity for residents to clean out their garages, backyards, and homes, and take up to one ton of household discards including bulky items to Sunshine Canyon Landfill for disposal at no charge. This service will be provided twice per year. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this free service at the following landfill: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunshine Canyon Landfill 14747 San Fernando Road Sylmar, CA 91342 (800) 926-0607 24 Sep 2009 22:31:12 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Free%20Dump%20Day%20092409.html BE4D1C28-6D09-48F2-9A89-9482156AD075 The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is offering free engineering advice for homeowners affected by the fires and concerned about erosion, mud-flows, and related issues, announced Supervisor Antonovich. The toll-free hotline is (800) 214-4020 and will be staffed by qualified individuals from the Department of Public Works. 21 Sep 2009 22:55:17 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Erosion%20Hotline%20091809.html DD953315-0F05-4ACA-B304-C442A941D312 To enhance security for the port of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement between the County’s Sheriff’s Department and the City of Los Angeles Port Police to provide new curriculum development, courses, and instruction for a specialized Maritime Officers Training Course. With funding from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and its California Port and Maritime Security Grant Program, this will be one of the foremost and advanced courses of its type. This action will improve law enforcement’s ability to prepare, protect, prevent, quickly respond to and recover from, natural and intentional disasters at the Los Angeles Port complex which encompasses 7,500 acres, 43 miles of waterfront and features 27 cargo terminals that handle almost 190 million metric revenue tons of cargo annually. Over 50 percent of cargo imported to the United States passes through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. 16 Sep 2009 00:07:13 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Maritime%20Officers%20Training%20Course%20091509.html BA2F442E-5C3A-49B7-AC2A-1785B9DF7142 To improve library access for the residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously moved to lease an additional 4,500 square feet of office space and ten additional parking spaces to expand services for the Jo Anne Darcy County Library in Santa Clarita, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. At a cost of nearly $2.5 million, improvements will include: new ceiling tile, carpeting, painting, lighting and ductwork, modifications to the young adult area, two study rooms, an audio-visual system for the community meeting room, new furniture and computer work stations. 16 Sep 2009 00:06:02 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Jo%20Anne%20Darcy%20Library%20091509.html 8AB13FA8-189B-4EBC-9623-45F7637F09AF Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect in connection with the sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, rape and sodomy of a 30-year-old woman in Castaic on Thursday, August 20th around 6:00 p.m. The suspect asked the victim for a ride and she agreed to provide it to him if he bought her a bottle of alcohol. The suspect drove the victim’s vehicle to a remote dirt road in the Castaic area where she was assaulted and raped. The suspect has been described by some witnesses as a “transient type,” but “clean.” Detectives believe the man may live locally as he had knowledge of the Castaic area. They also believe he may be connected to the trucking industry in some capacity -- possibly even a truck driver. He is described as a male Hispanic or American Indian between the ages of 30-40 with long, shoulder-length brown or black hair. Surveillance photos show him wearing a gray sleeveless tank top, dark shorts and a “Rock Star” hat worn backwards. Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call Detective Dave Campbell of Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-799-5143. For anonymous tips please call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Crime Tip Line at 661-284-2TIP (2847) or report on-line at www.scvsheriff.com. TO VIEW PHOTO OR VIDEO, CLICK HERE: http://www.scvsheriff.com/news_most_wanted.asp 14 Sep 2009 20:05:34 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Castaic%20Rape%20Reward%20090909.html 4D4FB0F4-AD42-44CB-8466-FF6229A2A9A5 To repair critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed in recent wildfires and prevent subsequent mudslides or flooding, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisors Antonovich and Knabe authorizing the Department of Public Works to spend up to $25 million, issue emergency contracts and begin repairs to roadways, flood control systems, and utilities. This includes repairing and reopening roads, replacing damaged guardrails, removing dead trees, and strengthening roadbeds weakened by intense heat. Emergency repair work will also restore damaged flood control infrastructure, including the construction of temporary protection against winter rains. Damage estimates from the Station Fire include the need to repair at least 95 guardrail locations, remove more than 760 trees, clean out 24 debris basins, and repair minor damage at the construction site of the ongoing $88 million Big Tujunga Dam seismic rehabilitation project. Additionally, the County will need to rebuild the destroyed public works office and crew quarters at the Mill Creek Road Division depot near the Angeles Forest Highway. “This action allows the County to fast-track repairs and minimize the risk of potential mudslides and floods in the aftermath of the fire,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “We are removing the bureaucratic red tape by giving Public Works the authority to make these repairs,” said Supervisor Knabe. “We need to get the burn areas on the road to recovery as soon as possible and this motion will make that a reality.” 14 Sep 2009 20:05:00 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/Fire%20Repairs%20090809.html 13B6346B-29DC-4527-925A-501A2147BAB6 September 1, 2009—In response to countless reports from constituents on the lack of timely, accurate and user-friendly incident updates on County websites about evacuations, road closures, shelters, transit schedules and school closures, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has requested a thorough review of the County’s response to the Station Fire to ensure that the information posted on the County’s website about the fires is real-time and accurate, in addition to reviewing the effectiveness and failures of the County’s mass emergency notification system. “Information on evacuation orders and evacuation shelters has not been readily available to the impacted communities,” said Antonovich. “Several impacted cities, provided hourly updates to the communities they serve via their websites and phone notification systems. The County’s Public Information Office has the capability to provide the same level of service to its residents but failed to do so during this incident.” Antonovich also called for a review of the County’s new mass emergency notification system which sent an erroneous evacuation order to the community of La Crescenta. The motion calls for a report back in two weeks on the following issues: 1. Perform a thorough review of the effectiveness and failures of the County’s mass emergency notification system; 2. Ensure that the information posted on the County’s website about the fires is real-time, accurate and user friendly and that protocols and procedures are developed to institutionalize the real-time posting of such information/updates on natural disasters and other significant incidents in the future. 3. Authorize Section 8 housing vouchers to qualified individuals and families, to apply a local preference to those individuals and families, to apply to HUD for any additional funds, including emergency vouchers, and to dispatch a response team to evacuation centers to assist individuals whose homes were lost in the fire. 4. Assess the effect of the fires on the watersheds of Los Angeles County, including impacts upon the infrastructure of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (including dams, debris basins, channels, and storm drains), and take immediate action to provide flood protection, prevent hillside erosion, to reduce potential impacts upon County residents. 5. Work with Federal and State agencies, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Forest Service, and the State Department of Water Resources, and the County Fire Department to effectively implement and fund temporary flood protection measures to protect resident living near burnt hillsides and canyons from potential effects of devastating mudflows due to loss of vegetation on slopes. 6. Expedite the issuance of permits and establish one-stop permitting centers in those areas impacted by the recent fires. 7. Develop concessions for property-owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the fires, including extending deadlines for upcoming property tax payments, adjusting property taxes to reflect the recent loss of structures, or deferring payments to future tax years. 4 Sep 2009 23:30:56 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/County%20Wildfire%20Response%20090109.html 2A718DFE-A80F-44E7-A8BC-BB6A50010EF4 In response to countless reports from constituents on the lack of timely, accurate and user-friendly incident updates on County websites about evacuations, road closures, shelters, transit schedules and school closures, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has requested a thorough review of the County’s response to the Station Fire to ensure that the information posted on the County’s website about the fires is real-time and accurate, in addition to reviewing the effectiveness and failures of the County’s mass emergency notification system. “Information on evacuation orders and evacuation shelters has not been readily available to the impacted communities,” said Antonovich. “Several impacted cities, provided hourly updates to the communities they serve via their websites and phone notification systems. The County’s Public Information Office has the capability to provide the same level of service to its residents but failed to do so during this incident.” Antonovich also called for a review of the County’s new mass emergency notification system which sent an erroneous evacuation order to the community of La Crescenta. The motion calls for a report back in two weeks on the following issues: 1. Perform a thorough review of the effectiveness and failures of the County’s mass emergency notification system; 2. Ensure that the information posted on the County’s website about the fires is real-time, accurate and user friendly and that protocols and procedures are developed to institutionalize the real-time posting of such information/updates on natural disasters and other significant incidents in the future. 3. Authorize Section 8 housing vouchers to qualified individuals and families, to apply a local preference to those individuals and families, to apply to HUD for any additional funds, including emergency vouchers, and to dispatch a response team to evacuation centers to assist individuals whose homes were lost in the fire. 4. Assess the effect of the fires on the watersheds of Los Angeles County, including impacts upon the infrastructure of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (including dams, debris basins, channels, and storm drains), and take immediate action to provide flood protection, prevent hillside erosion, to reduce potential impacts upon County residents. 5. Work with Federal and State agencies, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Forest Service, and the State Department of Water Resources, and the County Fire Department to effectively implement and fund temporary flood protection measures to protect resident living near burnt hillsides and canyons from potential effects of devastating mudflows due to loss of vegetation on slopes. 6. Expedite the issuance of permits and establish one-stop permitting centers in those areas impacted by the recent fires. 7. Develop concessions for property-owners whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the fires, including extending deadlines for upcoming property tax payments, adjusting property taxes to reflect the recent loss of structures, or deferring payments to future tax years. 1 Aug 2009 23:58:31 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/September/County%20Wildfire%20Response%20090109.html BC349E10-E0FE-4BCB-82A4-B5D36EDA6DA5 To ensure that residents affected by the Station Fire have access to updated information on evacuation and pet evacuation centers, Supervisor Antonovich has launched an interactive Google map of the Station Fire, which can be accessed by visiting http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/fire. The map will give residents: -Locations of evacuation centers for families and individuals -Location of evacuation centers for animals -Latest evacuation orders for communities affected by the fire. Fire information is also available 24 hours a day by calling 211 or (626) 821-6700. 31 Aug 2009 20:48:41 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Interactive%20Fire%20Map%20083109.html 6376A65C-3037-4234-A0B5-CDFACCAECF23 "The Governor needs a wake-up call. Releasing inmates is a threat to public safety and state taxpayers,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. “Instead of releasing prisoners, Sacramento needs to cut the fat out of the state’s bloated bureaucracy.” While the number of Corrections Department administrators grew by 32% over the last four years, the inmate population grew by just 2% and the number of youth inmates fell by 41% while the Juvenile Justice System added 50% more administrators. According to a University of Chicago study, for every criminal that remains behind bars, there are five or six fewer crimes reported. Bureau of Justice statistics show that stronger sentencing laws over the past 30 years – including Three Strikes -- have clearly spared countless Americans from being assaulted, robbed, raped, and murdered. Violent crime has plunged by more than 59 percent since the mid-1990s -- from 51 crimes of violence per 1,000 US residents in 1994 to 21 in 2005. In I973, 44 million crimes were committed. By 2007, that number dropped by nearly 23 million -- even as the population grew by more than 75 million. “Electronic monitoring is also no solution,” Antonovich added. When a parolee removes the electronic device or leaves his home, a signal is sent to a contracted vendor -- which may be out-of-state or out of the country. That vendor then notifies parole staff of the violation. Since parole is understaffed, local police will be called to respond. This lengthens response times and increases the burden on local law enforcement. 28 Aug 2009 00:40:30 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Governor%20Prison%20Release%20082709.html 3C18D319-9DD5-4442-A1A0-43F9C6BDD7C9 Standing in solidarity with the people of Taiwan following the devastation of Typhoon Morakot which claimed the lives of 500 individuals, displaced thousands more, and caused over a billion dollars worth of property damage, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to offer assistance in the reconstruction efforts led by President Ma-Ying-jeaou of Taiwan. The motion directs the County’s Chief Executive Officer to contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles to offer assistance, and report back to the Board on September 1, 2009. 26 Aug 2009 01:53:51 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Typhoon%20Morakot%20Taiwan%20082509.html 8D8CB11F-C0EB-446F-AFAA-3EC0550B8240 The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to investigate the feasibility of requiring all future contractors that do business with the County of Los Angeles to verify their employees’ eligibility to work in the United States. On September 8, 2009, the federal government will require federal contractors and subcontractors to begin using the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ E-Verify system. “Today’s action will determine how the Federal program can be implemented in Los Angeles County. It is a convenient method to maintain a legal work force, avoid prosecution and improve the accuracy of wage and tax reporting,” said Antonovich. “Determining an employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States is vital in our effort to reduce the economic impact of illegal immigration on our County taxpayers and protect workers from unscrupulous employers who exploit them.” Operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration, E-Verify is a no-cost Internet-based system that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their employees -- with results returned in seconds. The motion directs the Chief Executive Officer, County Counsel and the Internal Services Department to review the E-Verify system and report back to the Board in two weeks with their findings and recommendations. 25 Aug 2009 22:28:05 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/E-Verify%20082509.html 1DC471B6-744B-434C-9EFB-7B1ABC57F448 Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich called on legislators to cut bureaucracy and waste in Sacramento rather than release 27,000 felons into our neighborhoods. “The plan to release criminals into our communities, downgrade serious crimes and enact electronic monitoring is a step backwards in our effort to protect the public,” said Antonovich. “Legislators must look to cut the fat from the bloated bureaucracy that has bankrupted this state – not open the jail cells.” Over the last four years, the number of Corrections Department administrators grew by 32%, while the inmate population grew by just 2%. The Juvenile Justice System added 50% more administrators while the number of youth inmates fell by 41%. A Harvard University study revealed that for each criminal locked up, there is a reduction of between five and six reported crimes. “Releasing criminals will cost more in the long run as criminals commit additional crimes and are rearrested, retried and re-sentenced – leaving thousands of victims in their path,” he added. According to the Bureau of Justice, stronger sentencing laws over the past 30 years – including Three Strikes -- have clearly spared countless Americans from being assaulted, robbed, raped, and murdered. In I973, 44 million crimes were committed. By 2007, that number dropped by nearly 23 million -- even as the population grew by more than 75 million. Violent crime has plunged by more than 59 percent since the mid-1990s -- from 51 crimes of violence per 1,000 US residents in 1994 to 21 in 2005. Antonovich says the state plan to release prisoners and place them on electronic monitoring threatens public safety. When a parolee on electronic monitoring illegally removes the device or leaves his home, a signal is sent to a contracted vendor -- which may be out-of-state or out of the country. That vendor then notifies state parole of the violation. Since state parole is understaffed, they will call the local police department to respond. This lengthens response times and increases the burden on local law enforcement. 22 Aug 2009 01:57:11 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Cut%20Fat%20Not%20Jail%20Time%20082109.html 1D5516D4-87D6-4D82-B633-011D0B4D321B Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich issued the following statement on the passing of Rose Friedman, wife of renowned economist Milton Friedman. "An accomplished economist in her own right, Rose Friedman was a vital partner to Milton Friedman, the father of the modern conservative movement based upon economic liberty and free market principles. Nearly one hundred years old, she fought against the threat of an over-imposing and intrusive government similar to the anti-Semitic Russia she fled as a girl. She will be remembered as a talented and influential champion of freedom who dedicated her life to promoting individual liberty and prosperity. Christine and I send our thoughts and prayers to her son David, daughter Janet, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.” 20 Aug 2009 18:09:54 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Rose%20Friedman%20081909.html CF39E7A3-A1FF-45EE-B844-96D4DA89C94C Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich released the following statement on the death of Robert Novak: “Bob was a good friend, a respected journalist and a bold defender of liberty, democracy, faith and American values. With a keen intellect and a passionate commitment to provide insightful commentary on the issues facing our nation, Bob became an icon in the modern television news and in the Conservative movement. Since he first listened to the Republican Convention on his family radio in 1940, Bob has fought to protect individual liberty from an over-reaching Federal government. In a career that spanned over fifty years, Bob penned countless editorials and commentaries that provided inspiration and fuel for those who fought against tyranny and communism and for limited government, religious freedom, and a free market economy. As a frequent lecturer on college campuses, he was a role model for young journalists as a pioneer in the cable news talk show industry and a frequent columnist providing balance to stories of the day. To satisfy what he called a “spiritual hunger,” Bob converted to Catholicism later in life. In embracing his faith, he served as an example, that in stern discussions of the vital political issues, it was not necessary to dislike those with whom he disagreed. Bob Novak’s legacy is a tremendous body of work in journalism and political thought that will serve as a source of intellectual strength and inspiration for future generations. Christine and I send our prayers and condolences to his wife, Geraldine, their two children, Zelda and Alexander and their eight grandchildren.” 18 Aug 2009 21:37:01 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Robert%20Novak%20081809.html 5C2269D9-1870-4B74-96F5-F82270596D5E As the State continues to grapple with proposed budget curtailments to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the recent ruling by the three judge panel on prison overcrowding, Supervisor Michael Antonovich says the state plan to release prisoners and place them on electronic monitoring threatens public safety. “Electronic monitoring short-circuits the justice system,” said Antonovich. When a parolee on electronic monitoring violates the terms of the program, a signal is sent to a contracted vendor -- which may be out-of-state or out of the country. That vendor then notifies state parole of the violation. Since state parole is significantly understaffed, the burden to respond when contracted vendors report violations will fall on the shoulders of local law enforcement already stretched thin due to budget cuts statewide. 15 Aug 2009 02:12:16 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Electronic%20Monitoring%20081409.html 3AE549D0-4242-4EB1-B30F-BA351F5C02C2 August 11, 2009—Figures from the Department of Public Social Services show that children of illegal aliens in Los Angeles County collected nearly $22 million in welfare and over $26 million in food stamps in June, announced Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Projected over a 12 month period – this would exceed $575 million dollars. Annually the cost of illegal immigration to Los Angeles County taxpayers exceeds over $1 billion dollars, which includes $350 million for public safety, $400 million for healthcare, and $500 million in welfare and food stamps allocations. Twenty-four percent of the County’s total allotment of welfare and food stamp benefits goes directly to the children of illegal aliens born in the United States. “Illegal immigration continues to have a catastrophic impact on Los Angeles County taxpayers,” said Antonovich. “The total cost for illegal immigrants to County taxpayers exceeds $1 billion a year – not including the millions of dollars for education.” 12 Aug 2009 00:53:14 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/August/Welfare%20costs%20081109.html D19A9B0E-E4A3-4875-AE28-C65879EF1164 May 5, 2009—Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is in Washington D.C. this week on the Board’s annual legislative meeting with members of the California Congressional delegation and federal agencies. Antonovich will speak with Federal officials on the devastating impact illegal immigration continues to have on Los Angeles County. 5 May 2009 16:05:47 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Washington%20DC%20050509.htm B839FCD6-5362-46D1-B183-5E519A7AD22B May 5, 2009—A proposal to build five, 285-foot tall radio broadcast towers on a site in an unincorporated County area near the cities of West Covina and Walnut has been withdrawn, announced Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. 5 May 2009 16:05:03 GMT http:// D04A5982-DB09-4DCE-8DA1-30B36A1B0674 May 8, 2009—The United States Transportation Department’s failure to include the Gold Line Foothill Extension in the federal stimulus package is a major disappointment. 8 May 2009 16:04:04 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Foothill%20050809.htm F7C93E99-C8BD-4135-B4D7-D16CF6D81F96 May 12, 2009—The Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Mark Ridley-Thomas to provide County residents, businesses and contractors one-stop Environmental Service Centers to access technical resources and financial incentives related to the County’s “green'' initiatives.” 12 May 2009 16:03:07 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Green%20Initiative%20051209.htm 2D80D494-CC2C-4096-A415-73738D439C59 May 12, 2009—The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich supporting Senate Bill 815 (Cogdill-R) that creates the California National Guard Education Assistance Program that helps California’s National Guard members pay university and community college tuition. 12 May 2009 16:02:07 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/National%20Guard%20051209.htm 048A4211-CD13-4CAF-A355-5AF56B2298AE May 12, 2009—The United States Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) division will implement a pilot program called “Secure Communities” that will use modern technology to identify, detain and deport criminal aliens in our county jail system, announced Supervisor Antonovich. 12 May 2009 09:00:00 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Immigration%20051209.htm 6C275483-CF3D-4583-8C00-A6FC901065CE May 15, 2009—To assist the victims in the Duarte hate crime secure temporary housing, Supervisor will introduce a motion before the Board of Supervisors directing the Department of Public and Social Services to offer any and all services to the family in addition to offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of those responsible for burglarizing, ransacking, and spray painting racial epithets throughout a house in Duarte. 15 May 2009 15:51:02 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Hate%20Crime%20051509.htm 1C7B1C00-FB92-4EDE-A036-D124EF8A34F6 May 20, 2009— In the wake of the resounding defeat of Proposition 1A, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich called on Governor Schwarzenegger to appoint a five-member Blue Ribbon Commission from California’s top business schools to develop significant structural and procedural reforms, along with a special session of the state legislature to address the nearly $63 billion dollar deficit and enact the Commission’s recommendations. 20 May 2009 15:45:59 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Blue%20Ribbon%20052009.htm 8E262DDB-BFFA-4E11-8526-61C760F47C6A May 21, 2009—Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is pleased to announce an upcoming colloabrative effort by the Department of Public Works landscaping and beautification project on Temple Avenue’s median between east of Mount San Antonio College and University Drive. 21 May 2009 15:45:06 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Cal%20Poly%20052109.htm B05884A6-316D-4AED-B0BB-C9C71E1C9519 May 26, 2009—Los Angeles County Michael D. Antonovich issued the following statement following the California Supreme Court’s ruling upholding Proposition 8: 26 May 2009 15:44:24 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Prop%208%20052609.htm 53B05202-6F29-44BB-9770-EDED99E9D895 May 28, 2009—A motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to allocate $10 million dollars of Measure R funding for the construction of the Gold Line Foothill Extension was unanimously approved by the MTA Board of Directors. 28 May 2009 15:40:32 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/May/Gold%20Line%20052809.htm 1C7E069F-5C66-4272-8EF1-D602138D4D19 June 2, 2009—To expand open space and recreational opportunities for the Santa Clarita Valley, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has committed $1 million from the Sunshine Canyon Landfill Benefit Trust Fund to help acquire an additional 800 acres of land at Elsmere Canyon. 1 Jun 2009 15:36:31 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/June/Elsmere%20Canyon%20060109.htm 604D3D52-8ED8-4478-9A84-DAC6F4826E83 June 5, 2009—A motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich calls on President Obama to engage the North Koreans in negotiations without delay to secure the release of American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who are being held hostage by the North Korean government. 5 Jun 2009 15:33:12 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/June/American%20Journalists%20060509.htm DFF3DEB4-8B44-4766-9CA7-BCE06F44E926 June 2, 2009—To provide freedom of choice for disabled individuals, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich’s motion supporting federal legislation that allows them to choose home-based care as an alternative to nursing homes or institutions was unanimouslyapproved by the Board of Supervisors. 2 Jun 2009 15:35:14 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/June/Disable%20Alternatives%20060209.htm 764DA976-730A-4120-9238-BC4A52605088 July 1, 2009—Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich received the prestigious 2009 “Legislative Leadership Award” from Ralph Miller, President of the Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officer’s Union, AFSCME, Local 685, in recognition of the Supervisor’s support for law enforcement. 1 Jul 2009 15:16:56 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/Leadership%20Award%20070109.htm 926FE59C-F44B-42CA-ACE4-C166931D7074 July 1, 2009— Concerns about the negative impact on the quality of life, public safety, traffic and water issues have prompted Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to express opposition to the proposed commercial retail developments on the west side of Lancaster, adjacent to Quartz Hill. 1 Jul 2009 15:16:15 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/Lancaster%20070109.htm 13C64A7E-A6CF-4E8A-964F-3DF3C26C5732 July 9, 2009— With less than 24 hours to go before the State IOU’s to Los Angeles County are no longer honored by the financial institutions, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich sent the attached letter to Governor Schwarzenegger on the need for structural reforms in Sacramento. 9 Jul 2009 15:12:23 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/Governor%20Letter_IOU%20070909.htm 5D19543E-183A-43E5-857A-5AA96BE138BA July 10, 2009—To promote clean energy and create jobs in Los Angeles County, a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich supporting the construction of a new state-of-the-art lithium ion battery manufacturing plant in Palmdale will be on Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting agenda. 10 Jul 2009 15:10:51 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/Green%20Battery%20071009.htm BBEC1192-773D-4E25-9201-73D8201DA503 July 14, 2009—In a letter to Los Angeles Opera Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marc Stern, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich questioned Los Angeles Opera’s decision to produce the 2010 Ring Festival LA celebrating Richard Wagner. 14 Jul 2009 15:09:35 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/LA%20Opera%20Wagner%20071409.htm DFE3DAD8-ADB9-471E-8A47-28F1EBDEE224 July 14, 2009— Los Angeles County Supervisors Michael D. Antonovich and Zev Yaroslavsky introduced a motion to send a 5-signature letter to Gregg Rademacher, Chief Executive of LACERA, requesting the pension program divest assets or other investment funds from companies doing business with Iran. 14 Jul 2009 15:08:16 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/LACERA%20071409.htm B26A9733-F1B1-41B7-976E-ED8A606F866E July 14, 2009—On a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, the Board of Supervisors will honor legendary tennis champion Jack Kramer at its July 21st meeting. 14 Jul 2009 15:07:57 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/Jack%20Kramer%20071409.htm 2A16606E-403D-4036-A0B3-524D2594486C July 14, 2009—Figures from the Department of Public Social Services show that children of illegal aliens in Los Angeles County collected over $21 million in welfare and over $26 million in food stamps in May 2009 -- an increase of $6 million from the month of January and an increase of $10 million from the same time last year, announced Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. Projected over a 12 month period – this would exceed $500 million dollars. 14 Jul 2009 23:40:43 GMT http://antonovich.lacounty.gov/Pages/Press%20Releases/09/July/Illegals%20Welfare%20071409.htm