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First-ofa-kind resolution on international wage parity passes California state assembly The California Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) that directs the federal government to use its constitutional treaty powers to require trading partners to gradually raise their minimum wages, raising the standards of living in those countries, and making U.S. workers and exports more competitive. Artificially depressed global wages, like Indonesia’s minimum wage of 46 cents an hour, make it Please see page 2
Summer avoid the 100 campaign – Labor Day Enforcement
Supervisor calls for child care rating system
-Photo by Terry Miller
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 100 DUI deployments overnight in Los Angeles County. From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through midnight Wednesday, Au-
gust 21, 2013 officers representing 100 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 759 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 718 DUI arrests occurred during the same six day time period. (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**) DUI arrest data collec-
CDPH issues first in nation draft max contaminant level for Chromium-6 The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced its draft Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Hexavalent Chromium (chromium-6), which is at 0.010-milligram per liter or 10 parts per billion (ppb) - one ppb is equivalent to one drop of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool. The MCL takes into account health risks from exposure to chromium-6 with consideration for the best available technologies to detect chromium-6 and the costs required to reduce its presence in drinking water below the MCL. The MCL is a health protective drinking standard that must be met
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MONDAY, AUGUST 26 - SEPTEMBER 01, 2013 - VOLUME 2, NO. 34
by all water agencies. Over the past decade, Glendale Water & Power (GWP) completed an extensive research, over a ten-year period, for the Hexavalent Chromium Removal and submitted the Project Report to CDPH. The report provided CDPH information needed for best available technologies and costs associated for the effective removal of chromium-6 from drinking water. “Glendale is proud to be a leader in this area that has assisted the CDPH and others,” said Mayor Dave Weaver. “Because of our leadership, I am especially proud to know that our water is the best
in the west.” The report in its entirety is available on GWP’s Website. The results from the research places GWP in a very advantageous position to address chromium-6 concerns that has entered our water supplies. GWP is currently applying two of the best technologies and is treating water to chromium-6 levels below the draft MCL. Ongoing work by GWP is currently evaluating whether the costs of treatment can be further reduced by optimizing one of the technologies. CDPH will begin the 45-day public comment Please see page 2
tion will continue through midnight Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2013. Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, will conduct multiple/DUI driver’s license checkpoints, multi-agency DUI task force operations and DUI patrols region wide during 18-day Summer/ Labor Day Campaign (see
below enforcement schedule). Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who initiated the County’s Restaurant and Nursing Homes Grading systems, presented a motion to the Board of Supervisors calling for a report on developing a countywide quality rating program for child care providers. “Parents unknowingly utilize licensed child care homes or day care centers that do not provide quality care,” said Antonovich. “It is vital that parents have the information necessary to make informed decisions on the facilities and providers charged with caring for their children.” As evidenced by the County’s restaurant and nursing home grading system initiated by Antonovich, widespread rating programs establish consistent standards and make ratings and inspection reports readily available to the public. In addition, these programs incentivize facilities to esPlease see page 2
Bus driver may have made unsafe lane change which sends 52 people to hospital
-Photo by T.Case, Courtesy of LASD
A tour bus overturned Thursday morning near Miller Brewing Company in Irwindale. The accident following a two-vehicle crash on the 210 Freeway sending 52 people to hospitals around the immediate area.
The crash occurred 10 a.m. on the eastbound 210, just west of Irwindale Avenue. CHP officials said the bus came to rest on its side beside traffic lanes, with several passengers trapped inside. Jimenez
said there were 52 people on the bus including the driver. Initial investigation shows the driver of the bus, a man from Alhambra, was suspected of making an unsafe lane change causing the accident.