BeaconMediaNews.com
6 | SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 - SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
Pasadena NAACP to Present Duarte Councilmember Tzeitel Paras-Caracci with Civic Award
League of California Cities Announces New Board Officers Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard Elected President
served on the Duarte City Council since 2001. Being a proud Duarte High School graduate, she spearheaded the creation of the Duarte's Mayor's Youth Council and Youth and Families Master Plan in 2008. She has served as Mayor in 2006 and 2011, and as a Board of Director for the National League of Cities, League of California Cities and the L.A. County Sanitation District. For the past 8 years, Paras-Caracci has worked as a Senior Program Director for the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles - Pasadena and Santa Anita Family branches. Councilmember Paras-Caracci is humbled by the NAACP honor and continues to work toward leaving a legacy for youth and families in Duarte and the surrounding communities. Other prominent community leaders to be honored for demonstrating an above average commitment and excellence in various areas of endeavors, are: Raphael Henderson, vice president Gen-
committee. Bogaard advances to his current position after serving the past year as first vice president and Cisneros transfers to first vice president after serving his past term of second vice president. “Mayor Kaperzak has worked tirelessly on behalf of California cities as president. He focused his efforts on strengthening California cities and helping navigate the challenges this year presented with the elimination of redevelopment in February. During his presidency, he’s called attention to the Healthy Eating Active Living Campaign and the importance of policies at the city level that promote wellness,” said League Executive Director Chris McKenzie. Mayor Bogaard, the new League president, is currently in his fourth term as Pasadena mayor. He assumed office in 1999 as the city’s first directly elected mayor. During his tenure, the city has achieved great success including the arrival of the Gold Line light rail transit system, significant investment in new housing and the construction of a new convention center. Previously, Bogaard served on the Pasadena City Council from 1978 – 1986, including as mayor in his final two years when the mayor was a rotating position. Bogaard is also chair of the Pasadena Bioscience Collaborative and the city of Pasadena’s Emergency
-Courtesy Photo
Duarte City Councilmember Tzeitel Paras-Caracci will be one of 15 local community leaders to be presented with awards at the Pasadena Branch of the National Association of Colored People NAACP's 27th Annual Ruby McKnight Williams Awards Dinner, Sept. 13 at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel International Ballroom. Paras-Caracci will receive one of two Civic Awards to be handed out that evening. Pasadena Fire Chief Calvin E. Wells will receive the other. Councilmember ParasCaracci has lived in Duarte for over 27 years and has
eral Banking Group, Wells Fargo Bank, and James M. McLamb, Sr., vice president Clark Construction Group, Corporate Award; Beverly White, reporter NBC4, Betty Sanford, and Frank Giradot, Editor of the Pasadena Star News. Community Award; Manuel Rustin, teacher and John Muir High School, Education Award; Rev. Dr. James E. Stevenson, Senior Pastor, Scott United Methodist Church, Faith Award; Michele Bagneris, City Attorney, City of Pasadena, Jeanette Mann, Trustee, Pasadena Area City College District, President's Award; Kevin McDonald, Deputy Executive Director, Foothill Transit; Damon Zumwalt, CEO, Contemporary Services Corp., Vincent Pao, president, Bravo Travel. Volunteer and community activist, Betty J. Ford will be presented with the Pasadena NAACP's highest honor, the Ruby McKnight Williams Award. For reservations and information, call (626) 793-1293.
-Photo by Terry Miller
The League of California Cities announced and introduced its newly elected 2012-13 board of directors’ executive committee Friday, Sept. 7, during the League’s 114th Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego. Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard was elected to serve as the League’s president, replacing Mountain View Mayor Mike Kasperzak who held the role for the past year. San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros was elected as first vice president and Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara joins the League’s executive committee as second vice president. Under the League’s bylaws, officers serve a oneyear term with the outgoing president, Kasperzak, now becoming immediate past president of the League and remaining a member of the League’s executive
Services Council. The mayor has served on the League board of directors since 2007. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, Bogaard went on to serve as a U.S. Air Force Captain. He went on to graduate from Michigan Law School and practiced law prior to becoming the executive vice president of First Interstate Bankcorp. He serves as an arbitrator of business disputes and has taught at the University of Michigan Law School and the University of Southern California Law School. Outgoing League President and Mountain View Mayor Mike Kasperzak welcomed the incoming president saying, “I am passing the gavel to a dedicated public servant who is prepared to lead the League in what continues to be very challenging times. Serving as his city’s mayor since 1999, Bill brings great expertise and integrity to this position.” Founded in 1898, the League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities. The League’s mission is to restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.
YouTube Video Remake Lands El Monte Lifeguards in Hot Water
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Fourteen El Monte city lifeguards treading hot water and looking for new jobs after a video homage/remake they uploaded to YouTube The video, uploaded to YouTube, shows lifeguards at the El Monte Aquatic Center in uniform, making its own version of “Gangnam Style,” a Korean pop song by Psy. One of the lifguards sacked claims the video filmed at the aquatic center was done while off duty and off the clock. Huerta, who has worked at the aquatic center for the past seven years, said he
didn’t realize he was going to be featured in the video and that his image was used for just a “quick second.” A spokesman for the city of El Monte, released this statement in regards to the termination of 13 parttime seasonal lifeguards and a pool manager: “While the City of El Monte cannot comment on the specifics of this situation because it involves personnel issues, we can say that each of the employees dismissed were either part-time and/or seasonal at-will employees, who upon their employment, were each required
to acknowledge and sign an Acknowledgement that states that they would ‘under no circumstances use any city property for his/her own private use or benefit. Such unauthorized use shall be cause for disciplinary action.’There was a clear unauthorized use of city resources and property, including the use of cityissued uniforms during the making of this unauthorized video. The City maintains that it holds all employees to a higher standard.” The fired lifeguards plan to petition the city for their jobs back at the next city council meeting.