Pulse Beat January 2017 by City of Paramount

Paramount pulse Beat pulse Beat

City Active in Resolving Air Quality Issues

The City of Paramount has a long record of providing highquality services and programs to its residents, as well as a solid reputation of being business-friendly in an effort to provide a vibrant local employment market.

A segment of the business community in an industrial area has recently been the focus of air-quality monitoring by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Two of those monitors detected exceedingly high levels of hexavalent chromium on three days late last year. Since then, the levels have fallen well below those highs but have still been above common levels for the area.

SCAQMD was established in 1975 by State law to regulate local air quality related to air emissions from businesses. According to that same State law, a City cannot create and enforce air quality laws – only SCAQMD can.

While SCAQMD is responsible for these issues in town, the City has been doing whatever it can to help with the investigation and produce a positive outcome.

For instance, when the SCAQMD originally asked for help with installing the air monitors, the City waived all encroachment permits and assisted SCAQMD with getting permission from Southern California Edison (SCE) to install the monitors on SCE-owned poles.

The City also offered SCAQMD the opportunity to install monitors on City-owned stop signs and street signs.

Since then, Paramount has taken the following actions:

• Formed a City Council Air Quality Sub Committee to examine air quality concerns, digest the significant amount of information being generated by the regulatory agencies involved, and develop policy ideas within the City’s authority.

• Held the first of the Air Quality Sub Committee meetings on Saturday, December 10, at 1:00 p.m. at Progress Park Plaza that included presentations and public comments.

• Passed a 45-day moratorium on all new metal businesses in town and the expansion of existing metal businesses at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting. The initial 45 days is mandated by law. This can then be extended.

• Hired consultants specializing in environmental issues to empower the City to be an active partner with the regulating agencies and to keep residents informed.

• Provided City of Paramount Code Enforcement officers to help SCAQMD investigators as needed.

• Communicated with the offices of Assemblymember/Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon, State Senator Ricardo Lara, U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-

Allard, and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn to assess the situation and gain counsel.

• Requested better communication from SCAQMD staff between both City staff and residents, which resulted in a weekly conference call for the public and daily contact with City staff, all to ensure transparency and access to information.

• City pays for Spanish translation of the weekly public conference calls.

• Provided a list of all metalrelated business to SCAQMD according to the business license database to help investigators find the sources of these elevated readings.

• Began exploring a plan for long-term, expanded air-quality monitoring to be funded by the City.

• Offered the use of City funds to pay SCAQMD staff time to get quicker sampling results.

• Offered to pay for Sheriff’s deputies to accompany SCAQMD staff if the need should arise to serve warrants during investigations.

• Offered the use of City Public Works equipment (power generators, street barricades, etc.) to help power and set up air monitors.

• Leveraged City communication platforms to spread the word about any SCAQMD public meetings and investigation results to ensure public information.

• Consistently provided SCAQMD the use of facilities for town hall meetings at no cost.

• Addressed the SCAQMD Board at its Dec. 2 meeting to express the City’s view that this matter be given the utmost attention.

• Sent letters from Mayor Hofmeyer to Anaplex and Aerocraft –two companies found to be sources of high readings – urging them to work with SCAQMD to resolve their pollution concerns.

• Mayor Hofmeyer testified before the Hearing Board related to SCAQMD proceedings against Anaplex and Aerocraft on December 14.

• On December 20, Mayor Hofmeyer and Councilmember Diane J. Martinez met with Supervisor Janice Hahn and testified before the Board of Supervisors in favor of Hahn’s motion regarding County action on air quality in Paramount.

• On December 21, Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Diane J. Martinez met with State Senator Ricardo Lara at his Long Beach office to update the Senator.

• Launched an online community information portal on issues related to air quality in town located at paramountenvironment.org.

The City will continue to work proactively every way it can with SCAQMD, other agencies, and the community at large until these concerns are resolved.

Community members filled Progress Park Plaza for the first City Council Air Quality Sub Committee meeting on Saturday, December 10, that included presentations and public comments.

Recipient of Senator Ricardo Lara 2015 Excellence in Business Award

Licensed & Bonded Tax Professionals

Happy New Year, Paramount!

On behalf of my fellow City Council members and all of our City staff, I want to wish everyone a happy 2017 and hope it is a good, peaceful, and productive time for each and every one of you.

I also want to express the City’s appreciation for all of our community members who bring a positive attitude and sense of commitment to our town. Paramount is a strong city full of fantastic residents, businesses, churches, educators, and more. We thank you for your fine contributions.

SCAQMD Action in Town and the City’s Moratorium

The City appreciates the progress the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has made over the last two months to identify the sources of hexavalent chromium 6 in our community and the enforcement actions they have taken against the businesses responsible. This should substantially reduce levels for the health and safety of our residents. For more details on this, see the CityScape on

the inside back cover of this issue.

The City will continue to partner in any way we can with all regulatory agencies that have the legal authority and expertise on air quality and public health matters to ensure further swift and effective action. For more details on actions the City has already taken, please see the front page story.

The City Council took a specific action on Tuesday, December 13, adopting a 45-day moratorium ordinance on new or expanding metal-related businesses in town. This 45-day period is mandated by state law. The moratorium can, after this period, be extended for another 18 months.

As of this writing, one business seeking to open a metal-related operation has been denied under the moratorium.

The City’s focus continues to be on the evaluation of the situation and collaborating with SCAQMD in the creation of a long-term strategy for aggressive airquality monitoring.

The health and welfare of our community is the top priority for the City Council and additional actions that the City can take will be evaluated by the City Council Subcommittee on Air Quality in the coming weeks.

Taking Down Your Holiday Lights

Here’s a friendly reminder that the City has an ordinance relating to the display of exterior winter holiday lights for residential properties. The law states that such lights must be removed by January 15.

“Holiday lights” are defined as a string of lights commonly associated with the holiday season that contains multiple- or single-colored or clear light bulbs that are attached to a structure.

Only residential properties are affected.

The ordinance was passed in response to concerns voiced by residents about keeping our neighborhoods attractive. The City appreciates everyone’s cooperation.

60th Birthday Display

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Paramount’s incorporation as a city. There will be various events held throughout 2017 that will be announced as the year proceeds.

To kick the celebration off, there will be an historical display unveiled at the January 24 City Council meeting along with a birthday cake. This meeting will be held at Progress Park Plaza and the display will remain onsite through February.

Then stay tuned for more announcements.

Recycle Your Christmas Tree

After the holidays, residents of Paramount who have Christmas trees can place them out at curbside for pickup. The trees will then be recycled into mulch.

CalMet, the City’s refuse hauler, will pick up trees at no charge after Christmas

through January 13 for single-family residential accounts. Be sure to remove the stand and all the decorations, lights and tinsel, and do not wrap the tree or enclose it in a plastic bag. If the tree is four-feet-tall or less, you can put it in your green waste recycling barrel. For anything larger, set it curbside on your normal garbage collection day by 6:00 a.m. (Flocked trees will also be picked up.)

After January 13, your tree can still be taken away by scheduling a bulky item pickup.

For apartments or condominiums, trees on the curb by 6:00 a.m. during the stated dates will be taken away for free on regular pickup days. If it’s necessary to drive onto the property there will be a $5.00 charge per tree. In these latter cases, the service must be ordered 24 hours before the regular pickup day by the manager or owner who must have the account number for verification.

Also, commercial customers must call CalMet before placing a tree out for collection so a green waste truck can visit their location.

If you have any questions, please call CalMet (562) 259-1239.

“Strive not be a success, but rather to be of value.”

Mayor, Daryl Hofmeyer

– Albert Einstein

Talking or Texting on Cell Phones

While Driving – Not Worth It

There are plenty of facts, figures, and details about distracted driving, but the California Office of Traffic Safety wants you to know the plain and simple ones:

• 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.

• If something falls to the ﬂoor, pull over before trying to reach it.

The Paramount Public Safety Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department have a strong partnership that brings the finest law enforcement services to the residents of Paramount. The Paramount Sheriff’s Station, located at 15001 Paramount Blvd., is a prime example of this relationship.

Project LEAD Sending Positive Message to Paramount Fifth Graders

The facility offers a number of services for the public. Among those are: filing crime reports; reporting suspicious activities and talking to deputies; paying parking violations and vehicle impound release fees; and responding to, or reporting, code enforcement complaints. Deputies are also available at the Station to interview victims and criminal suspects.

• Up to 6,000 people nationwide are killed in crashes where driver distractions are involved.

The Paramount Sheriff’s Station hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., 7 days a week, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on holidays.

• Talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.

The phone number for the Station is (562) 220-2002.

Prevent Theft from Your Vehicle

• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of ﬁve seconds, long enough to travel the length of a football ﬁeld at 55 mph. Most crashes happen with less than three seconds reaction time.

Paramount has its own dedicated District Attorney – Kelly Tatman – who works out of the Sheriff’s Station. Her duties include making sure that criminal investigations and prosecutions in town receive full attention and don’t fall through the cracks at the larger County D.A.’s Ofﬁce.

There has been an increase in thefts from vehicles throughout the region. These thefts are often due to valuables being left in plain sight or doors and windows being left unlocked. Commonly stolen items include money, wallets, credit cards, tools and power tools, computers, mobile phones, cameras, GPS and other electronic devices, handbags, jewelry, and sunglasses.

• The act of talking on a cell phone, even hands free, can give you “inattention blindness,” where your brain isn’t seeing what’s right in front of you. You aren’t even aware that you are driving impaired. If you think you can handle both driving and talking on a cell phone or texting, you are kidding yourself and putting us all at risk.

Follow these simple steps to help reduce the risk of thefts:

Remove All Valuables

Tatman has been visiting a class of 36 students at Jefferson School as part of Project LEAD. The program, which goes into the classroom once a week for 20 weeks during the school year, uses volunteers like Tatman from the D.A.’s Ofﬁce to teach ﬁfth-graders about the law and help them recognize the social and legal consequences of criminal behavior.

Thefts can occur at any time, so it is important not to present an easy opportunity to thieves. In order to steal, thieves will smash a car window or break locks and the cost of repairs may even exceed the value of the stolen items.

• Do not leave any valuables in your vehicle. Take them with you if possible.

Sadly, too many young people ﬁrst become acquainted with the justice system as delinquents. Project LEAD is designed to avoid that scenario.

• if you must leave valuables in your car, place them in your trunk without being seen.

• Remove GPS units and wipe the suction mark off of the window.

Distracted driving is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road or your hands off the steering wheel – especially texting and cell phone use, whether hands-free or handheld. Who’s doing it? Most of us. It has been estimated that, at any one time, more than 10 percent of drivers are using a mobile device.

Lock Up

A ticket for $159 for texting or talking on a cell phone is a major distraction to your wallet.

• Do not leave house keys or garage door openers in your car – they may be stolen and used in home burglaries.

• Lock your car – always physically check it is locked, even when parking at home or just leaving your car for a moment.

• Close all windows – including sunroof.

What can you do? Most important, obey the law. It’s there for a reason. Also, do your best to eliminate distractions:

The class from Jefferson recently went on a ﬁeld trip to the Museum of Tolerance. (They will also go to a local courthouse). In addition, Project LEAD’s curriculum includes speakers connected to the criminal justice system and a mock trial involving either drug selling or gun possession on campus. Students are assigned roles and argue a criminal case to a jury consisting of other students. Teachers and parents attend, too.

• Contractors – be sure to lock external tool boxes and equipment if they can’t be removed.

• Never text and drive.

Secure Your Car

• Turn off your phone when you get behind the wheel.

• Park in a locked garage if possible.

• Don’t text or call someone when you know they are likely to be driving.

• Park off the street in your driveway if you don’t have a garage.

At the end of the program, the kids will participate in a graduation ceremony and receive a certiﬁcate of completion from the D.A.’s Ofﬁce at a meeting of the Paramount Public Safety Commission.

• Park in a well-lit area – thieves do not want to be caught breaking into cars, so you can increase the risk that others will detect them.

• install a car alarm.

• Make a pact with your family, spouse, and caregivers never to use the phone with kids in the car.

Summer Vacation Home Checks

• No eating or drinking while driving.

• Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player, or other devices while driving.

And remember that if your valuables have been stolen from your car, report the theft to the Sheriff’s Department.

With summertime approaching, remember that if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time, you can schedule a home check.

Personal Paperwork Can Lead to Identity Theft

• Pull over and stop to read maps.

• No grooming.

• No reading.

• No watching videos.

Paramount residents can contact the Sheriff’s Station about having Volunteers on Patrol keep an eye on your home or property while you’re gone.

• Try not to get too involved with passengers.

Call (562) 220-2002 to ask about vacation checks.

Here’s a tip to help you avoid being the victim of identity theft, as well. never leave Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, vehicle pink slips, income tax records, checkbooks, or payroll stubs in your unattended car, even in the glove compartment. Thieves breaking into vehicles are often looking for these types of documents. Keep them at home in a safe location.

Simple Strategies for Better Event Marketing

Friday, May 16, 2014 - 10am to 12pm

Attend this presentation and learn how to use the power of event marketing to get potential and existing customers to take four key actions:

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Compton Community College District’s newly renovated Music Building north Wing and Little Theater was held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.

• Sign up • Speak up • Show up • Follow up Good marketing is about eliciting a physical and measurable response. In this practical and engaging seminar, you will learn how to ﬁnd, convert, and keep new and existing customers through effective event marketing. You will also learn best practices related to the who, when, where, and what that makes an event a memorable experience. Learn how events can engage customers. Take your events to the next level using e-mail, social, traditional, and internet marketing tools. Fee: $20

The $3 million renovation project, funded by the Measure CC Bond, includes upgrades to the 220-seat Little Theater and adjacent restrooms, as well as the addition of ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines.

(Make checks payable to LBCC SBDC) For Reservations:

The Little Theater will be used to support the music and theater programs at El Camino College Compton Center, as well as for meetings, performances, and guest lectures occurring on campus for students, faculty, CCCD employees and members of the community.

“We want to thank the residents of the Compton Community College District

for supporting the funding of this building renovation through the passage of Measure CC,” said Keith Curry, CeO for the CCCD and provost for ECC Compton Center. “Voters have continued that support with the passage of Measure C in 2014, ensuring improved facilities and educational opportunities for students well into the future.”

The Music Building/Little Theater is located at the center of campus and west of the Library-Student Success Center.

El Camino College Compton Center is offering a five-week Winter Term 2017 beginning January 5, with plenty of classes available for students to get ahead in their educational plans. The winter term includes music and theater courses that will be held in the renovated Music Building. Current students are encouraged to register now for winter classes at www.compton.edu.

Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons presents Carlson Gracie trainers Cassie Trost and Jose Andrade with a certificate of welcome from the City of Paramount.

City officials, chamber members, and students join Carlson Gracie trainers Cassie Trost and Jose Andrade for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Carlson Gracie.

Tonya Martin representing Senator Richard Lara presents a certificate of congratulations to trainers Cassie Trost and Jose Andrade.

Thank You, PEP Moms

There is a great group of Paramount residents that we warmly refer to as the “PEP Moms.” They go to the Learning Center at Spane Park every week where they take exercise classes and help with various PEP programs.

They are also extremely helpful and dedicated in other ways with City activities. During the “Pennies for PeP” fundraiser every March, where spare change is donated to the college scholarship fund, the Moms stack and count thousands of coins through the month. It can be upwards of $10,000 worth of coins.

They also raise funds themselves for the scholarships at our Halloween Carnival and Breakfast with Santa by selling tamales and drinks.

Then, in what’s become another annual tradition, every December dozens of the Moms fill 25,000 bags with apples and candy canes for Santa Claus and his elves to pass out on the Christmas Train. The adjacent photo was taken during this past holiday season. in addition, they volunteer whenever they can, like with the Red Cross Home Fire campaign that has placed free smoke detectors in hundreds of homes in town.

They’re an amazing group of folks, remarkably generous, and they provide invaluable support to the City. Their time, energy, and enthusiasm are very much appreciated. They were also honored at the December 13 City Council meeting.

New Semester, So Catch a Ride with the College Bound Shuttle

The City of Paramount’s College Bound shuttle bus offers transportation for Paramount residents to Long Beach City College (Liberal Arts Campus) or Cerritos College. The service for the spring semester begins on Jan. 9 for Cerritos and Feb. 6 for LBCC.

Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and then again from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

There are four pick-up and drop-off spots located throughout town – Orange and Somerset, Cortland and Orange, Paramount Park and Progress Park. each roundtrip – from individual bus stop, to the campus, and back again – takes about an hour.

The bus stop location at Long Beach City College is on Clark Ave., just north of Carson St. The bus stop at Cerritos College is on Studebaker Rd., about a block south of Alondra Blvd. each trip costs $1, but you can purchase a semester pass for $25.

For more information, or to purchase a pass, please call the Recreation Department at (562) 220-2121.

Fill Out FAFSA By March 2

The FAFSA application is managed by the Office of Federal Student Aid, part of the Department of Higher education. it is found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

All federal grant and loan awards are determined by the FAFSA, and nearly all colleges use the FAFSA as the basis for their own financial aid awards.

Filing your FAFSA as early as possible will help to ensure you receive all of the federal financial aid you are eligible for, and will leave you with the most options for federal aid.

FAFSA is used for an entire academic school year, so you will only need to file once per academic school year. For example, the 2017-2018 FAFSA is used for fall 2017, spring 2018, and summer 2018.

For the 2017/2018 academic year, the deadline for initial awards in California is March 2, 2017.

The FAFSA application should take about one hour to fill out, but this is only if you have all the necessary documents at hand before you begin. Some applicants get frustrated with the application process because they do not have ready access to all necessary tax forms and bank statements, so be sure to plan ahead before you sit down to complete your FAFSA.

The FAFSA requires information in five categories:

• information about the student.

• information about the student’s dependency status.

• information about the student’s parents.

• information about the student’s finances.

• A list of the schools that should receive the results of the FAFSA.

Students applying online can save their work and return to the application at a later date. Again, any financial aid award begins with the FAFSA, so be sure to complete the form before the deadlines for the schools to which you’ve applied.

AltAir Paramount Delivers Gifts to Residents During Christmas Celebration

Santa Claus got a jump on his busy season and visited the Paramount Convalescent Hospital 5 days before Christmas. e mployees from AltAir Paramount delivered presents to the residents during a Christmas celebration that included Christmas songs, crafts, and cookies. Mark Turri, AltAir Paramount Vice President of West Coast Operations, presented the gifts to the activities director and wished everyone a Merry Christmas from their neighbors at AltAir Paramount. Gifts from Santa included blankets, board games, and winter clothing.

Pictured are employees, from L to R, Michael Vigliarolo, Ernesto Flores, Mark Turri, Debbie Leon, Corrine Galbez, Glenn Clausen, Mike Vance, and Eddie Marquez

P aramount a ward ’ s n ight

At its December 13 meeting, the Paramount City Council recognized the support, time, energy, and dedication of a group of Paramount residents known as the “PEP Moms” and all the volunteer work they do for the City. To learn more details, please see this issue’s PEP column.

The Paramount City Council recognized the Corsairs Club from Paramount High School at its December 13 meeting. The club was started by legendary teacher Mary Lash in the early 1950s and is the longest-running service club on the campus. For the City, members are a key factor in making the Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon a successful event, year in and year out. They serve the meal, doing a seamless job, and always with a smile.

Breanna, Eduardo, and Rafael Hernandez, Paramount residents and members of the Paramount Pirates Swim Club, took part in the California State Games last summer, an amateur sports festival involving more than 12,000 young athletes. The three Paramount siblings became champions in their age groups in a variety of categories and now will compete at the national level. The City Council congratulated them at the Dec. 13 meeting for representing the City so well. From left: Rafael, Breanna, and Eduardo, along with their coaches.

The members of Paramount’s first Youth Commission were introduced at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting. The City joined with local service clubs to create the commission to help high school students express their concerns and learn about programs and resources available to them. Thirteen of the commissioners go to Paramount High and two attend St. John

Our Place Housing Solutions - Kingdom Causes is a non-profit agency that is providing services to the homeless in Paramount, including outreach, referrals, and housing placement. The City Council thanked them at the Dec. 13 meeting for doing such important work in the community. From

Councilmember Gene

Councilmember

30 years. Phil

in the accounting

Tom Hansen, and Assistant Finance Director Clyde Alexander

Detective Pascual Delgadillo, Deputy Michael Abbot, Deputy Alfonso Esqueda, Deputy David Howard, and Deputy Miguel Rivera were all commended for their longtime service to the Paramount community at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting. Each of the four officers has served in Paramount for ten years or more. From left: Dep. Howard, Councilmember Gene Daniels, Det. Delgadillo, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Dep. Rivera, Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons, Dep. Esqueda, Councilmember Tom Hansen, and Dep. Abbot.

The City’s Finance Department was honored for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting by the Government Finance Officers Association, which has recognized the document for its high quality for more than

White,

partner

firm of Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Company, represented the Association. From left: Jaime de Guzman, Councilmember Gene Daniels, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, White, Finance Director Karina Liu, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons, Councilmember

Bosco and St. Joseph.

left: Daina Villanueva,

Daniels,

Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Rebekah Vanderzee, Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons, Councilmember Tom Hansen, and Manuel Salgado.

P aramount C hamber h oliday m

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Program: Strong Workforce Program Building on ECC Compton Center’s Successes

It’s students like Carzie Jones and Jose Solomon Cabello who exemplify the spirit and the goals of the newly launched statewide Strong Workforce Program.

Both are in e l Camino College Compton Center’s Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (ACR) program, both are in their 40s, both are making career changes, and both say the program is changing their lives.

“The ACR program is a good thing for Compton,” Cabello said. “ i t’s making a difference in our community and is an opportunity for those who really want to make a change in their lives.”

As ECC Compton Center embarks on its three-year Strong Workforce Program, it can look to its ACR program – and students like Jones and Cabello – as a model of success.

The Strong Workforce Program is a $200 million statewide program designed to boost Career and Technical Education programs on community college campuses throughout California. Under the program, ECC Compton Center is receiving just over $716,000 annually in state funds, beginning this academic year for three years.

The funding comes with requirements that colleges demonstrate that their programs are improving, both in terms of quantity and quality. They must show progress in such areas as increased enrollment, completion and transfer rates, employment, and proportion of students who attain a living wage.

Although improvements must be shown in all Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, much can be learned from its Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program, said Dean of Student Learning Dr. Rodney Murray.

The first CTE program started at e CC Compton Center, in 2009, ACR grew slowly in its early years but at the end of the 2015-16 school year it issued 37 certificates to graduates.

“That was really high for our program, and it was the first time it was higher than the number of graduates in our nursing program,” said Dale Ueda, ACR instructor and program coordinator.

The program, which typically takes 1 ½ years to complete, prepares students for federal Environmental Protection Agency-approved certificates in repairs for HVACR – Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration – and in automotive air conditioning, Ueda said. The certificates never expire and are good around the world, he said.

In addition, the program has a Success and Retention Rate of 90 percent, and job opportunities are excellent, both nationwide and in Los Angeles County, Ueda said.

The u .S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 292,000 jobs in the field in 2014, with a median pay in 2015 of $45,110 a year. The national job outlook projects the demand for workers in the field will increase by 14 percent from 2014 to 2024, a growth rate much faster than average for all professions. Ueda said the job growth rate projection is similar for Los Angeles County.

While the data looks good for the program, the human impact is perhaps even more impressive.

Jones, 41, enrolled in the program in January after working three years running a restaurant kitchen and, before that, getting laid off from his job as a real estate consultant for Chase Bank.

“I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck and not seeing much of a future in the restaurant business,” Jones said.

So, after researching some of the technical professions and saving money, he sold his car and devoted himself full-time to being an ACR student. Most days he walks to campus, a 5-mile round trip from his n orth Long Beach home.

“The program has changed me,” he said. “When I first started at ECC Compton Center, I didn’t have many friends and I was not very sociable. But now i feel like i ’m part of a brotherhood. It’s boosted my confidence because I will often explain things to other students.”

Jones also said that he enjoys being secretary of the ACR Icebreakers Club, which volunteers to help out at various campus events, partially as a way to build teamwork.

Cabello, 49, who started the program in August 2015 and graduates this month, has also found the ACR program rewarding. Owner of a family-run restaurant, Pizza King on Alondra Boulevard in Compton, Cabello first got interested in refrigeration from his business.

“As soon as I got my pizza place, I needed technicians to fix my refrigerators, and received bills of $500 to $700,” he said.

But the father of four adults said it was his 23-year-old son – himself an ECC Compton Center student – who told him about the ACR program. In fact, father and son graduate together from the program Dec. 14.

Cabello said not only can he fix his refrigerators himself now, he is in a position to start a new career in ACR because his family can run the pizza restaurant.

Murray said ECC Compton Center has formed a Strong Workforce Program Task Force, which is in discussions on how best to use the state funding. He said it has been decided that first-year funds should be used to enhance programs by making them state-of-the-art and by hiring various experts to meet the goals of the program.

The CTE programs under the Strong Workforce Program, aside from ACR, are Auto Technology, Auto Collision & Repair, Welding, Machine Tool Technology, Administration of Justice, Business, Computer i nformation Systems, Cosmetology, Early Childhood Education, Fashion, Fire & Emergency Technology, Manufacturing Technology, n ursing and Real Estate.

For more information about the El Camino College Compton Center Career and Technical Education Programs programs, please visit www. compton.edu/academics/cte or call 310-900-1600, ext. 2780.

Paramount Councilmembers Meet with Local Officials and Address Board of Supervisors On Air Quality

At the December 20 meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents the Fourth District and the City of Paramount, introduced a motion related to the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (AQMD) recently announced discovery of elevated levels of hexavalent chromium in the City.

The motion states that the County Department of Public Health and the Fire Department have been working closely with SCAQMD to assess the potential health risk to workers and residents. It also noted that on november 30, SCAQMD identified two facilities as significant sources of hexavalent chromium emissions: Anaplex Corporation and Aerocraft Heat Treating Company, inc. Then, on December 1, Public Health issued directives to both companies requiring immediate action as necessary to reduce their hexavalent chromium emissions and eliminate the danger to the public, including the partial or complete suspension of operations.

The Supervisor’s motion requested that the Board encourage SCAQMD to move quickly with its Petition for Order of Abatement with Anaplex and Aerocraft; directed the Department of Public Health, in consultation with County Counsel, to identify all options to compel actions, including legal, by Anaplex and Aerocraft to immediately cease emissions of hexavalent chromium; directed the Department of Public Health to strengthen communication with the City of Paramount; and directed the Department of Public Health to report back to the Board monthly on the issue.

In their capacity as members of the Paramount City Council Air Quality Sub Committee, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer and Councilmember Diane J. Martinez met with Supervisor Hahn in her office before the meeting to discuss the situation. They then gave testimony at the meeting in support of the Supervisor’s motion. Here are their remarks:

mayor Daryl hofmeyer

Hello. I’m Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer from the City of Paramount.

I’m here to give total support to the motion made by Supervisor Hahn regarding the air quality issues occurring in our town.

We appreciate very much the Supervisor’s attention to this matter and her action to have the entire Board encourage AQMD to act quickly and decisively in the cases of Anaplex and Aerocraft, the two companies identified as the sources of high hexavalent chromium levels.

Since these raised levels were first brought to our attention in early November,

we have, ourselves, been urging AQMD to provide us with information about the readings and their investigation.

We have pressed them to find and stop the source by whatever means they have at their disposal.

And to do everything they can to keep this from happening elsewhere in our community.

The health and welfare of everybody in Paramount is always our utmost concern.

I’ve lived in Paramount for nearly 60 years. My children and grandchildren live in Paramount.

My business is located near the source of these readings.

I have as big a stake as anybody in getting this situation fixed.

So, again, I welcome the Board’s involvement in helping us push things along quickly and forcefully.

And I urge your support of Supervisor Hahn’s motion.

Councilmember Diane J. Martinez

Good morning. I’m Councilmember Diane Martinez. I join Mayor Hofmeyer today in supporting the motion by Supervisor Hahn.

As a lifelong resident of Paramount, I’ve been committed to bringing my community together as a team to meet any challenge we have faced.

Partnerships create positive results, and I’m happy to have the Board of Supervisors join us in this alliance to demand quick action by the AQMD.

I am also pleased that Supervisor Hahn’s motion will enlist the County Department of Public Health and the County Counsel to help control this situation.

Communication is key between all the public agencies that have the power to act when it comes to air quality.

The fact that the County and AQMD are now working together is a great relief to us.

We will continue to support all of these efforts, and look forward to being updated on a regular basis by all parties, including Supervisor Hahn’s staff. Thank you.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Councilmember Martinez and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons then met on December 21 with State Senator Ricardo Lara at his Long Beach office to discuss the SCAQMDrelated issues.

Senator Lara shared the City Council’s concerns about the health and welfare of Paramount’s residents, voiced his support for the City’s efforts to address the air quality issue, and expressed his belief that the City will take whatever actions are necessary in support of the SCAQMD and its investigation.

From left, Paramount Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Paramount Councilmember Diane J. Martinez meeting in the Supervisor’s office before the December 20 Board of Supervisor’s meeting.

California “Dual Agency” Representation

Matt Wagner GM Properties (562) 696-0200

Last month, the California Supreme Court ruled that a listing broker had a fiduciary responsibility to both buyer and the seller in a “dual agency” transaction involving the sale of a Los Angeles home in 2007. The case involved a dispute over the marketed square footage of a house, and ended up being a landmark case in the state. The issue at play is the real estate brokerage firm’s fiduciary responsibility when one or more of its agents/brokers represent both the buyer and seller in a real estate transaction. A businessman from Hong Kong purchased the house in Los Angeles that was marketed at 15,000 square feet. After the transaction closed and changed ownership, the buyer discovered that the house was actually 11,000 square feet, not the 15,000 that the man thought he was buying. The transaction was being brokered by two different agents that worked under the same brokerage firm. The buyer then proceeded to sue the brokerage house and the agent that represented him in the transaction on the basis that both had breached their fiduciary responsibility by failing to advise the buyer to hire a qualified third party to verify the actual square footage of the house.

The brokerage firm had actually won the initial case in a jury trial in 2012 but the buyer was successful in an appeal after a state appellate court judge agreed that the brokerage sales agent and listing agent had an equal fiduciary responsibility to the buyer. In a unanimous decision

released last month, the court affirmed the appeals court judgement stating that it was undisputed that the brokerage firm, which represented both sides of the transaction, owed the buyer a duty to learn and disclose all information materially affecting the value or desirability of the property.

There are many people in the Industry that feel this ruling is the beginning of a systematic change in the way real estate brokerage houses do business. William Gary, principal with Lone Tree, a Colorado based tenant and buyer representative, said that California law regarding agency brokerage has been considerably behind Colorado and a number of other states. He said that Colorado has addressed potential of interest problems by establishing a new set of agency relationships that are defined by having no fiduciary duties to clients. Some of these new designations include transaction brokers, designated agents and facilitators. Mr. Gary also predicted that inevitably California will also adopt similar legislation, which shifts the legal agency relationship with the client from the brokerage firm to the actual individual agent or broker.

In any instance, it is imperative that when doing real estate transactions in California that you work with an ethical broker/agent. If you have any doubts with how your agent is representing you and you have any questions as to his/ her history of ethical real estate transactions, one can contact the California State Bureau of Real estate to inquire about the history of that individual agent or brokerage firm. Good Luck, we all need it.

The following businesses renewed their membership in the Paramount Chamber of Commerce last month, they are celebrating another year as members. Chamber and Business Resource Center services are made possible by their support.

11 Helpful Books for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

As the Interim Director of the Long Beach City College SBDC, Brad specializes in business start-ups, leadership, management, marketing strategies, and business planning. Brad has 20+ years’ experience as a marketing executive and as a general manager in the music industry, and is the owner of his own management consulting and career development consultancy in Long Beach. Brad grew up in the U.S., Mexico and in Europe and holds a BA from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

By Brad pollak

As a small business owner and as a business advisor, I’m an avid reader of business books, marketing books, management books, and leadership books – not to mention fiction and any number of books on current affairs. But when it comes to business, there are a few books in particular that have helped me enormously throughout the years.

For anyone thinking of starting or buying a small business, I would begin the journey by reading these 2 books:

“The e Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber

It would be impossible for me to conceive of running a business without having read this book. Mr. Gerber has seen it all, and his advice is spot-on in every single

area he addresses. The subtitle to the book is “Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What To Do About it.” i read the book once a year and listen to the audio version while driving. It’s narrated by Mr. Gerber himself, whose wit and warmth adds to the brilliance of this work.

“entreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey

I was late to the party in discovering Mr. Ramsey. This is the book to read when you want to have a bird’s eye view of someone who went from being at a rockbottom level in life to building a successful business. I also read this book once a year and listen to the superb audio version as well.

For business owners, “solopreneurs” and anyone wanting to tackle the challenge of being organized inside and outside the

business, you must read the following classic: “The 7 Habits of Highly effective People” by Stephen R. Covey

It’s a masterpiece that will help you understand how to prioritize what’s truly important in your life – not only at work, but also in your personal life. When I first tried to read this book in 1990 it was too dry for me. But over time, I came back to it and after listening to the audio version (read by the author) it all clicked. Since then, it’s been my number one “go-to” resource to help me with prioritization, with understanding how to articulate my principles and much, much more.

For business owners who want to figure out how to approach the marketing process there are, of course, dozens and dozens of

books about marketing. My suggestion is you start by reading the following short tome:

“Tribes” by Seth Godin

Seth is an author, blogger, teacher, speaker, motivator extraordinaire and much, much more, but at the heart of it all, he’s a marketer. Perhaps the best ever. In this short book, he helps us understand what marketing is, not by forcing us to read pedantic textbook dribble but by underscoring the importance of building what he calls “tribes.” Seth’s daily blog (www.sethgodin.com) should also be required reading.

And when it comes to tackling the mother of all business challenges – management — the following two books offer exceptional, graspable insights into the art of managing:

“The Practice of Management” by Peter Drucker

Originally written in 1954 and then renewed in the 1980’s, it’s still my favorite resource when trying to tackle the complex world of management. Whether you read some of this masterpiece or all of it, you’ll be glad you took the plunge. Mr. Drucker is truly extraordinary and it’s no wonder he’s often referred to as the “father of management.”

“What Management is” by Joan Magretta I came upon this book by chance and while it’s not nearly as “deep” as, say, Peter Drucker’s writings, it’s still incredibly helpful in offering a real-world understanding of management. It’s very easy to read and is a resource that has been exceptionally helpful to me.

As for the art of selling, if you’re a business owner but don’t necessarily describe yourself as a salesperson, you need to know that you are a salesperson. We all are! To get over your fear of selling, listen to the following audio book:

“Zig Ziglar’s Secrets of Closing The Sale” by Zig Ziglar

It’ll help you understand that selling isn’t “bad” and is, in fact, something you can do. Zig walks us brilliantly through the journey of selling and once you’ve listened to this book you’ll approach selling in a new, positive light.

Honorable mention goes to such classics as “In Search of excellence” by Tom Peters and Robert Waterman, Jr. Also, “Built to Last” by Jim Collins & Jerry Porras is phenomenally helpful in reminding business owners and managers of any size, that it’s not easy to run a business, but it most certainly can be done. Gary Vaynerchuk’s “The Thank you economy” is a terrific reminder of how we can and must connect with our “tribes” (see above). And if you’re ever having doubts about following your muse, read Hugh MacLeod’s “ignore everybody.”

VOLUNTEERING…THE BEST WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR!

The n ew year is here and it’s time to think about how you want to spend your time in 2017! Pathways, a nonprofit organization in Lakewood, is currently looking for volunteers to help seniors in our area stay independent and in their own homes by providing volunteers to: ensure their safety, provide companionship, and keep them active. Volunteers are fully trained and only required to work a minimum of 2-4 hours per week.

One of their current clients, Ruby, stated, “I couldn’t imagine not having my volunteer…she takes me to the doctor, out to lunch, to the store and gets things that are too high for me to

reach. She is no longer a volunteer, she has become my friend.” Many of our seniors simply don’t drive anymore so having access to their communities is difficult but with the help of our volunteers they can remain active and involved.

There are many other areas to volunteer like event planning, clerical and grief support. See their website at www.pathwayshospice.org for more details. The next Volunteer Training is scheduled for Monday, January 23, 2016. i f you or someone you know is interested in helping out in this way, please call the Pathways office, 562/531-3031.

PHILLIP J. SMITH ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF STATER BROS. MARKETS

Stater Bros. Holdings, i nc., the parent company of Stater Bros. Markets has elected Phillip J. Smith to the position of Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets, due to the recent passing of e xecutive Chairman Jack H. Brown.

In this position, Smith will provide guidance and leadership to the company’s executives and officers to ensure the continuity of Stater Bros. business operations and trusted brand.

Smith has been a member of the Stater Bros. “Family” for nearly 30 years and has over 40 years of experience in the supermarket industry. in 2012, Smith was appointed by Jack H. Brown to the position of Vice Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets, his most recent position.

“I am honored to have been elected to the position of Chairman of the Board of Stater Bros. Markets,” stated Smith. “ i knew Jack for over 40 years and worked closely with him at three different companies. I learned a great deal from Jack’s mentorship and feel privileged to carry on the values and traditions Jack established while ensuring the company remains competitive in the Southern California supermarket industry,” Smith concluded.

Smith joined Stater Bros. in 1987 as the company’s Controller. He was promoted in 1998 to Vice President-Controller, and in 2000 he was promoted to Vice PresidentController and Chief Accounting Officer. in november of 2000, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, and in 2006 he was promoted to executive

Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer.

Prior to joining Stater Bros., Smith served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Market Basket Food Stores in east Texas from 1984 to 1987. From 1975 to 1984, he served as Vice President and Controller for various divisions of Cullum Companies, Inc. in Dallas, Texas.

Smith holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin University in Texas.

“Given Jack’s unwavering trust in Phil and long history of working together both within and outside of Stater Bros., I welcome and look forward to Phil’s mentorship and direction,” stated Stater Bros. President and CeO Pete Van Helden. Smith was also elected to the position of Chairman of the Board, President and Chief executive Officer of Stater Bros. Holdings, inc.