A Paramount Summer – Community Fun in the Sun
Summer in the City is full of outdoor activities and special events this year featuring lots of fun, music, and good old recreational outlets. Here is a sampling of what’s going on.
Heritage Festival on June 10
As part of the City’s 60th anniversary celebration, the Paramount Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, June 10 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Paramount Park. There will be musical performances from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with festival seating that will include Not Fade Away, a tribute to Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Vilma Diaz y La Sonora from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
The festival will feature a variety of free activities: Kids Fun Zone with multiple inflatables for youngsters; a Heritage Village with farm and dairy animals from Paramount’s past; a historical display; and a Teen Challenge Zone with a rock climbing wall, human gyroscope ride, and bungee jump ride. Available for purchase will be food, farmers market products, and a beer and wine garden for the adult guests.
Musical Thursdays in Progress Park – Summer Concerts
The City’s 2nd annual summer concert series will run over six consecutive Thursdays starting July 6. This year the venue will be Progress Park. The shows are free, and will go from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There will be food for purchase from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
It’s festival-style and limited seating, so remember to get there early and bring chairs and blankets.
The summer of spectacular sounds will feature a variety of genres from the following bands:
• July 6: Mariachi Espectacular (Mariachi)
• July 13: Boogaloo Assassins (Latin Soul/Funk)
• July 20: Upstream (Caribbean)
Paramount Chamber of Commerce pulse beat
15357 Paramount Boulevard, Paramount, CA 90723
• July 27: Lil’ Mo and the Dynaflows (50s Rock)
• August 3: Stone Soul (Classic Soul & Motown)
• August 10: Mariachi Divas (Mariachi)
So come on out with family and friends and enjoy music al fresco at Progress Park this summer, 15500 Downey Ave.
Splash Zone Available for Party Rentals
The Orange Ave. Splash Zone is a zero-depth water park that has been delighting Paramount kids with its safe play and whimsical water features.
The Splash Zone opens on June 11 and the public hours will be Monday to Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For the first time, the Splash Zone can now be rented for private children’s parties on the weekends.
Rentals are open to Paramount residents on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Party set up and breakdown needs to occur within this three-hour timeframe. A refundable deposit is required.
Party size is a maximum of 30 children (not counting parents). There’s a party room for food, cake, and party favors.
By the way, these parties won’t impact parking in the neighborhood. A temporary zone will be set up adjacent to the property and overflow parking will be available at Spane Park.
So set up a uniquely Paramount party scene for your kids this summer. It’s a great place for a safe, exciting, memorable birthday experience or a gathering of family and friends. Again, it’s for Paramount residents and only during the summer months.
Call (562) 220-2121 for more information or to reserve the Splash Zone, which is located at 14618 Orange Ave.
And don’t forget about the City pool at Paramount Park, which also opens on June 11 and features recreational
swimming, swim lessons and exercise classes, “dive-in” movie nights, and more. Check out the recreation newsletter on the Community Services and Recreation page at para
mountcity.com.
Summer Program Offers Kids Free Meals and Activities
The Paramount Unified School District and the City of Paramount are once again providing a free Summer Nutrition and Activity Program (SNAP) for local kids.
The federally funded program offers meals and activities Monday through Friday for children 18 and younger at all elementary and middle schools in the District (except for Jackson). It starts June 12 and ends August 4.
It’s a walk-in program with no registration. Children can participate any time during operating hours.
Breakfast is served from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Staff members lead sports, arts and crafts, and physical fitness activities from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Then lunch is served from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
SNAP gives the kids of Paramount a safe place to have fun and some delicious meals during the summer break, all at no cost to them or their families.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2121.
The Paramount Park pool offers a variety of summer activities for family fun.
The Orange Ave. Splash Zone is now available for kids’ party rentals.
Stone Soul will feature the sounds of classic Motown during the summer concert series in Progress Park.
The Mariachi Divas will return to the Paramount concert scene this summer in Progress Park.
Recipient of Senator Ricardo Lara 2015 Excellence in Business Award
City-Owned Monitors Installed
In more environmental news, the City, aided by the expertise of SCAQMD, has completed deployment of five air quality monitors in town that will test for hexavalent chromium. The devices will supplement SCAQMD’s network of monitors currently active. Samples will be taken by SCAQMD every three days and lab testing will be done by SCAQMD staff as part of an arrangement with Paramount.
The City-owned monitors will be placed at locations deemed the most necessary by SCAQMD.
Unique Business Licensing Partnership Developed with SCAQMD
The City has developed a first-of-itskind business licensing pilot program that will involve a review by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to enhance compliance with air quality rules and strengthen the agency’s oversight in the City.
Specified categories of business license
renewal applications will be delivered to SCAQMD digitally. SCAQMD will then provide guidance to business owners on any required air quality permits.
SCAQMD will, consequently, gain first-hand information about whether or not these specific businesses in Paramount need permits. At the same time, the procedure will help businesses comply with the rules while increasing environmental protections. The City appreciates the support and engagement shown by SCAQMD to help make this new process as effective and timely as possible for our businesses.
If the pilot program is a success, SCAQMD may implement it in other cities.
Weekend Reservations for Park Picnic Shelters
The City currently has picnic shelters at Paramount, Meadows and Garfield parks. Here’s a reminder, as summer comes along, about the reservation policy for the shelters’ use.
Residents can reserve the shelters for personal events on weekends, all day long until the park closes. (This does not apply to non-sheltered picnic tables.)
Only Paramount residents and Paramount Unified School District families can reserve a park picnic shelter. A reservation request must be filled out one week in advance of the event, subject to availability, at the Recreation Office (15300 Downey Ave.) or the Paramount Community Center (14400 Paramount Blvd.). Proof of Paramount residency (a valid California driver’s license or current utility bill) or PUSD attendance is needed.
The deposit fee will be returned following inspection of the picnic shelter to ensure it was not damaged or left with debris.
If any picnic shelters in the park are not reserved, they will continue to be available on a first-come, first-served basis to any park user.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2121.
Water Safety Classes for Youngsters
The YMCA’s Los Cerritos Branch will be offering water safety classes at Paramount Park Pool for our 4-5 year old population. Since drowning is the leading cause of death for children in this age bracket, it is invaluable to teach these youngsters how to survive if they were to fall into a body of water. Learning these basic water safety skills will be a great introduction to the world of swimming that will hopefully continue into progressive swim lessons.
The course goes for eight weeks and features 30-minute lessons once a week available Tuesday through Friday mornings. The cost is $10 for the entire session. (Financial assistance is available.) You can register and pay at Paramount Park, 14400 Paramount Blvd.
The next session will be starting in early July. Please call (562) 220-2121 to learn more specifics.
Low-Cost Pet Vaccinations
The City is providing its annual low-cost vaccinations for all dogs and cats in the community at two special “Vaccine-A-Thons” this summer. The first will be Wednesday, June 21, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; the
Two adjacent shelters can be reserved with usage limited to picnics and family celebrations. There is a $10 reservation fee for residents along with a $50 deposit fee. “If
second will be Wednesday, July 19, also from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. They will take place at Paramount Park, 14410 Paramount Blvd.
Rabies vaccinations (required for all dogs under California law) will be priced at $5 each (plus a $2 medical waste disposal fee). This is a $10-$15 savings over traditional prices. A complete selection of other pet vaccinations will be available at discounted prices, with special combination “packs” to allow pet owners even greater savings when they purchase multiple vaccinations. You can also get general health exams and services for discounted prices. (A list of these services and their costs can be found online at www.vetcarepetclinic.com or on flyers available at City Hall.)
Flea control products Comfortis, Trifexis, and NexGard may be purchased at special prices. Frontline flea control will be offered in single doses for $10 at this specific clinic while supplies last.
You can also have a microchip registration done for identification purposes (if your pet is ever lost) for $30 and nail trimming for $15.
Pet licensing is available on site. Checks and cash only will be accepted for licensing. Checks, cash, and credit cards will be accepted for the veterinarian services.
Please remember – dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers.
All services are provided by licensed veterinarians from Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. in conjunction with South East Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA). For more information, please call (562) 220-2018.
Mayor, Peggy Lemons
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.
There are eight service clubs and churches operating stands that sell legal fireworks this year in Paramount. As always, illegal fireworks are banned within the City. (The regulations are laid out below.)
• Up to 6,000 people nationwide are killed in crashes where driver distractions are involved.
• Talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.
Last year, Sheriff’s deputies issued dozens of citations totaling tens of thousands of dollars in fines to persons caught lighting illegal fireworks. The collected money helps pay for providing law enforcement services leading up to, and including, the July 4th holiday.
• 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.
Fireworks Alert
• 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.
• Only Safe and Sane fireworks can be set off anywhere in the City on July 3rd and July 4th only. Setting them off on any other date can result in a $250 fine.
• You must be 16 years or older to buy Safe and Sane fireworks.
Only Safe and Sane fireworks are allowed in Paramount. All others –like bottle rockets, firecrackers and M80s – are illegal.
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.
A ticket for $159 for texting or talking on a cell phone is a major distraction to your wallet.
Violation of the above restrictions, and use of illegal fireworks, can result in a fine up to $1,000.
Please clean up after the fun so the streets of Paramount aren’t left a mess.
What can you do? Most important, obey the law. It’s there for a reason. Also, do your best to eliminate distractions:
For more information please call (562) 220-2002.
• If something falls to the floor, pull over before trying to reach it.
Alerta Fuegos Artificiales
Project LEAD Sending Positive Message to Paramount Fifth Graders
• Los fuegos artficiales “Safe and Sane” solo pueden ser encendidos los días 3 y 4 Julio. El encenderlos cualquier otro día puede resultar en una multa de $250.
• Deberá tener 16 años de edad o más para poder comprar fuegos artificiales “Safe and Sane.”
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.
Solo los fuegos artificiales “Safe and Sane” son permitidos en Paramount. Todos los otros – como cohetes que vuelan al aire, o cohetes tronadores y M80s – son ilegales.
La violación de cualquiera restricción, o el uso de los cohetes ilegales, puede resultar en una multa de $1,000.
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.
Sadly, too many young people first become acquainted with the justice system as delinquents. Project LEAD is designed to avoid that scenario.
Para más información, favor de llamar al (562) 220-2002.
Summer Vacation Home Checks
Now that summer is here, if you are taking a vacation remember that 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. Call (562) 220-2002 to ask about vacation checks.
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.
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
JULY 24, 2017
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 PM COST: $10 PER SKATER
INCLUdES: 2 HOURS OF SKAtING, SKAtE RENtAL, HOt dOG, CHIpS ANd dRINK.
FUNdRAISER FOR tHE ELKS’ CHARItIES SUCH AS: CHILdREN WItH CEREBRAL pALSY, VEtERANS ANd LOCAL FAmILIES IN NEEd
The following businesses renewed their membership in the Paramount Chamber of Commerce last month, they are celebrating another
Women’s Club Recognizes Students on Women’s History Month
PEP Scholarship Selection Committee – Dedicated to the Paramount Community
There were 213 applications submitted this year to the Paramount Education Partnership’s scholarship program.
A committee of local volunteers spent many hours reviewing and rating the applications, which were each graded in a number of categories, including academic achievement, an essay, academic recommendations, extracurricular activities, and financial need.
Given the number of worthy applicants, the PEP Scholarship Committee had quite a job that took a lot of time and effort and dedication. Our thanks go to these community members for all their hard work:
• Paula Coony of Paramount Iceland/Zamboni Merchandising
• Flo Haynes of Weber Metals
Members in the News
State Senator Ricardo Lara Visits AltAir Paramount Renewable Fuels Facility
State Senator Ricardo Lara and his staff visited the AltAir Paramount Renewable Fuels Facility at 14700 Downey Ave. in Paramount. Senator Lara congratulated AltAir Paramount on their commitment to greenhouse gas reductions, the environment, and technologically advanced repurposed refining methods.
AltAir Paramount is now an innovative manufacturer of renewable fuels using animal fats and vegetable oils in place of crude oil. The Company was formed when portions of the Paramount Petroleum refinery were converted to produce renewable “green” fuels. It is the first renewable fuels facility in the United States to exist in a repurposed crude oil refinery. Michael Oster, CEO of AltAir Paramount said, “The Paramount Refinery has been a part of this community for a long time and we’ve watched the city grow around us. Paramount is a great place to work and live. We value the relationships with our neighbors and our standing
in the community. Our safety and environmental record is evidence of our commitment to be a good neighbor and earn the trust of those who live or work near our plant. The development of AltAir Paramount and shift to “green” fuels is another chapter in our mutual story. Together we are working to fuel a better future and grow an even greater community.”
AltAir Paramount has been part of the city for more than 70 years and is recognized as a strong supporter of many community programs. Paramount Petroleum is proud to have been the first Platinum Sponsor of PEP (Paramount Education Partnership) and benefactor of the Paramount Petroleum Community Learning Center at Spane Park. The Company has been a leader and supporter, with the Red Cross, of the Prepare Paramount Safety Campaign, the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House, Paramount High School Student Forum and the Paramount Job Fair.
• Dr. Myrna Morales of Paramount Unified
• Pamela Rice of Office Depot
• Dr. Manuel San Miguel of Paramount Unified
• Dr. Deborah Stark of Paramount Unified
• Mandy Stevens, Paramount Resident
• Lourdes Talamantes of Paramount Unified
• Sandra Wychgel of Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc.
To see the full list of this year’s scholarship recipients, and the financial donors who made the scholarships possible, please visit this issue’s CityScape on the inside back page.
From left: Eddie Marquez, Bryan Sherbacow , Senator ricardo Lara, kathy Gleeson, Glenn Clausen, Mitra rogers (Boeing), and Bill Winters.
C ity of P aramount a wards n
The winners of the Paramount Traditional Artists Guild contest for Paramount students in kindergarten through high
Council meeting. The 20th annual competition produced 1,260 entries.
The Paramount City Council, at its March 21 meeting, recognized the contributions of three dance groups in town for their work entertaining at City events like the Halloween Carnival and the Holiday Tree Lighting and for representing the City at competitions and other venues across the region.
Members of the Paramount Women’s Club were on hand at the March 21 meeting as the City Council recognized National Women’s History
during which the City honors the amazing and important contributions that women have made in every field and social endeavor over the length of our country’s history. The Women’s Club has provided valuable services to Paramount residents for more than 90 years, starting in 1926.
The Paramount High School Boys soccer team was celebrated by the City Council on March 21 for winning this year’s CIF Southern California Division I Regional Championship, the second time in five years they have reached that achievement.
school were honored at the March 21 City
Kimberly’s Dance Studio.
The Paramount Dance Company.
The Mokler School Ballet Folklorico.
Month,
The City Council also proclaimed March as American Red Cross Awareness Month at its March 21 meeting, noting the strong collaboration between the City and the Greater Long Beach Chapter to provide services and training for Paramount residents. Paramount resident and Red Cross volunteer Dr. Linda Timmons received the City’s proclamation. From left: From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Dr. Timmons, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Councilmember Tom Hansen, and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons.
Captain Allen Castellano, who has taken a new assignment away from the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, was recognized by the City Council on March 21 for his service in Paramount. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Capt. Castellano, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Councilmember Tom Hansen, and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons.
CONgRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD ANNOUNCES 2017 STUDENT ART COMPETITION WINNERS
Congresswoman Lucille RoybalAllard (CA-40) is pleased to announce the winners of the 24th Annual Lucille Roybal-Allard Student Art Competition. “Once again, the students in this competition have displayed their great artistic talents by producing a range of striking and memorable works,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “I am so pleased to celebrate these students’ talents by serving as the honorary chair of this competition. The willingness of these students to share their art and their feelings with our community are what keep this competition going year after year. I thank them for making us so proud.”
This year’s First Place winner was Rebeka Martinez, a senior at Paramount High School, for her graphite, charcoal, and acrylic piece titled Light That Never Goes Out. Noah Endo, a junior at Paramount High School, won Second Place for The Monster of Many Forms, created with ink pen, marker, and Prismacolor pencil. Juan R. Navarro is the instructor for both students Kimberly Peña, a Downey High School senior, won Third Place for her photograph A Night. Her instructor is Ronda Cordova. Léana Perez, a Paramount High School senior, won Honorable Mention for Behind the Art, an image using charcoal and chalk. Her instructor is Juan R. Navarro.
The People’s Choice Award winner was Adamarys Estrada, a Dr. Maya Angelou High School sophomore,
for her pastel and pencil artwork titled Light in the Depths of Darkness. Her instructor is Valerie Davidson.
The 136 entries submitted for the art competition were judged on originality, technical skill, artistic presentation, and use of color and contrast.
First Place winner, Rebeka Martinez will receive a $1,000 scholarship, $200 for art supplies, a trip to Washington, DC, for herself and a parent to attend the national exhibit opening, and $500 for travel expenses. Rebeka will have her entry displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, while the remaining winning students will have their artwork displayed in Congresswoman Roybal-Allard’s District Office in Commerce. In addition, 1,000 posters featuring Rebeka’s artwork have been printed, and copies will be distributed to schools and community organizations throughout the 40th Congressional District to inspire other young artists to participate in next year’s competition.
Noah Endo will receive a $750 scholarship and $175 for art supplies. Kimberly Peña will receive a $500 scholarship and $150 for art supplies.
Léana Perez and Adamarys Estrada will each receive a $250 scholarship and $125 for art supplies. Each winner’s school is eligible to receive a gift card to purchase supplies to advance their art program. In addition, schools with five or more entries are eligible to receive $100 for art supplies.
Place
Noah
left), a junior at Paramount High School, poses with his ink pen, marker, and Prismacolor pencil art piece titled “The Monster of Many Forms” with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (fifth from right). Noah is joined by members of his family, as well as Paramount High School Acting Principal Dr. Damon Dragos (far left), Paramount Unified School Board Vice President/Clerk Vivian Hansen (third from right), Noah’s instructor Juan R. Navarro (second from right), and AltaMed representative Maria Paz (far right).
First Place winner Rebeka Martinez (fifth from left), a senior at Paramount High School, poses with her acrylic, graphite, and charcoal art piece titled “Light That Never Goes Out” with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (third from right). Rebeka is joined by members of her family, as well as White Memorial Medical Center representative Yuri Casco (far left), Paramount High School Acting Principal Dr. Damon Dragos (second from left) and Rebeka’s instructor Juan R. Navarro (far right).
Third Place winner Kimberly Peña (sixth from left), a
School, holds her photograph titled “A Night” with
Lucille Roybal-Allard (fourth from right). Kimberly is joined by members of her family, as well as Downey Mayor Pro Tem Sean Ashton
Kimberly’s instructor Ronda Cordova (second from left), Downey Unified School Board Member Nancy Swenson (third from right), Downey High School Assistant Principal Allan Tyner (second from right), and Citadel Outlets representative Traci Markel
First Place winner Rebeka Martinez (right), a senior at Paramount High School, reacts to seeing the commemorative poster featuring her acrylic, graphite, and charcoal art piece titled “Light That Never Goes Out” with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (left).
Second
winner
Endo (fifth from
senior at Downey High
40th District Congresswoman
(far left),
(far right).
Paramount High School Acting Principal Dr. Damon Dragos (second from right) holds Honorable Mention winner “Behind the Art,” a charcoal and chalk art piece by Léana Perez (not pictured), a senior at Paramount High School. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard is at right. Léana’s instructor Juan R. Navarro is at left, and Paramount Unified School Board Vice President/Clerk Vivian Hansen is second from left.
People’s Choice Award winner Adamarys Estrada (second from left), a senior at Dr. Maya Angelou Community High School, holds her pastel and pencil artwork titled “Light in the Depths of Darkness” with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (center). Adamarys is joined by her mother (left), Adamarys’ instructor Valerie Davidson (second from right), and Dr. Maya Angelou Community High School
Principal Hugo Carlos (right).
TOWN CENTER TERRACE
Paramount Chamber Board Member Recognized by Downey City Council
Paramount resident and Paramount Chamber of Commerce Vice President Brenda Olmos was recently recognized at a City of Downey council meeting by Mayor Fernando Vasquez with the Mayor’s Healthy Heart award for continuous service to Downey, and surrounding cities for her involvement in the
“Keeping
The Importance of 6-Month Employee Reviews
Whenever I am asked by owners of small businesses how to retain great employees and reduce toxicity in the workplace, I respond with one very important question: “How often do you review your employees?” Some review their team members quite frequently, but a far greater number of owners and managers completely neglect to give any type of feedback to their staff. This lack of communication results in self-doubt on the part of em-
Ask The Expert
ployees and encourages them to look elsewhere for work.
Every person wants to know where they stand within their organization. Are they valued? Is their work appreciated? Does their voice matter? Where do they need to improve? By answering those types of questions and being transparent with your employees you will build a strong and effective team.
When I was the general manager of a $2 million dollar, independently owned record label in Huntington Beach, I supervised 12 employees and a steady flow of interns. Having learned many helpful lessons from my previous management experiences, I was determined to be 100% transparent with everyone I led. Initially, I outlined an employee review process that would take place once a year, but it didn’t take long for me to recognize the absurdity of waiting twelve
months to give someone constructive feedback. What followed was the immediate implementation of a biannual review process. Every six months, I was determined to sit down with each of the 12 employees to give them objective, constructive feedback, while also asking them to critique my performance as a manager.
The first step I took was create a questionnaire for each employee to complete prior to my meeting with them. It was a simple Word document that included the employee’s name, current job title, start date at the company, and their current salary. This was followed by 9 questions: (1) Describe the main responsibilities of your job; (2) What do you like most about the work you do? (3) What do you like least about the work you do? (4) If you could change anything in your job, what would it be?
Online Commercial Real Estate Auction Sites
Matt Wagner GM Properties (562) 696-0200
We are in an age where almost everything we do is moving online and almost everyone we know have their heads buried into their favorite social media site on their phones while ignoring the rest of the world. Is everything we do going to eventually be moved into an online marketplace? This is a very interesting question and leads into my article regarding the selling and disposal of commercial real estate assets on an online marketplace.
As a result of the crash in 2008, Lenders were holding many “Hot Potatoes” otherwise called distressed assets. With the number of these hot potatoes that were held, Banks were looking for a marketplace to unload the majority of these assets at market values over discounts. Many of us know or have heard of auction.com. This is the marketplace that the majority of lenders ended up using to dispose of these assets for market values. This site was and is intended for residential assets only. Since inception, the site has sold more than 292 thousand residential properties. After many years, the auction.com owners determined that there was a need in the marketplace for something similar but for commercial assets, not residential.
Ten-X was formed to fill this need. The process is intended to be simple with almost every bit of due diligence being done up front and available for potential buyers to review before they submit bids to purchase during the auction process. The entire process takes
approximately 90-100 days to complete from signing the contract with the auction site to closing on the asset. The auction site works directly with local brokers to ensure that they have the majority of the markets understanding that the property is for sale and any buyer will have the right to bid on the purchase. The auction site does the majority of the international marketing and designs a website that will draw all potential buyers to acquire all the due diligence materials available on the property. The process is designed so that sellers have a good amount of control over the transaction in order to be fully engaged and have the opportunity in real time to make decisions on the disposal of the asset. Like most online sales, it starts with the technology where the user feels comfortable with the process and the interface is very user friendly. The key to the success is the competition that is created among the buyers as everyone has the ability to see the bids happening in real time and have the opportunity to get in on the action and outbid each other. If the asset does not reach a minimum sales amount, the seller does not have any obligation to sell the asset if the minimum reserve amount is not met. To date, Ten-X has sold more than $17 billion in commercial real estate transactions.
I believe that this type of sale will be coming more and more acceptable in today’s world and may even get to a point where the majority of real estate transactions are being done in this manner. Talk to your local commercial real estate agent about this process and if it might be right for your current situation. Good Luck!
(5) Do you feel you’re given enough feedback about the work that you do? (6) If you could change any aspect of company operations to help us work better together, what would you change? (7) How satisfied are you with your salary? (8) On a scale of 1-5 how would you rate my management style? Feel free to elaborate. (9) Are you happy working at this company?
Each employee would be given the questionnaire one week prior to the review session, and during that period while they filled out the paperwork, I completed a rating chart that focused on two key areas: “Culture” and “Work.” The cultural aspect referred mostly to their willingness to be a part of a team, and they were graded on a scale of 1 through 5. “1” highlighted someone as a loner with little if any empathy towards his or her colleagues. “5” was awarded to those who went above and beyond to do great work while proactively seeking to help everyone else on the team. And as for “Work,” I also graded on a 1-5 scale, with “1” reflecting someone who clearly didn’t want to do the work, was unhappy, most likely unqualified, and who needed to be trained or, more realistically, leave the company. A “5” was given to those who had mastered a specific skill set and/or responsibility and showed keen interest in continuing to learn.
With both the employee questionnaire and my rating chart completed, I would set a date for a 30-minute review session. Prior to the session, I would write notes outlining where I felt the employee was
doing well and where he or she needed to improve, and the rating chart was instrumental in helping me catalog my thoughts. What ensued was an honest, helpful, heartfelt conversation between myself and each member of my team, and while the honesty was hard to swallow at times, the session proved extremely constructive in helping us grow and improve in the best of ways.
Each member of my team knew I cared about them. And while the review system didn’t lead to an absolute panacea of utopian unity, it was still a very helpful tool that allowed us to take a good look at ourselves and understand where we stood and where we were headed. So my advice is to review your team as consistently as you can. You won’t regret it.
Brad pollak
Make A Difference • Join A Service Club
P aramount C ity C oun C il m ay m eeting
at its May 2 meeting, the Paramount City Council celebrated education Month in town and honored a number of education-related community members.
the
of the
there were two other community presentations made at the May 2 Council meeting.
of City commission members
The 36 recipients of the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP) college scholarships for 2017 were recognized by the City Council, PUSD Board of Education members, the District Superintendent, and members of the PEP Foundation Board of Directors.
Paramount Chamber of Commerce Vice President Brenda Olmos gave a donation on the Chamber’s behalf to the PEP scholarship fund. From left: PUSD Superintendent Dr. Ruth Perez, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Olmos, and PUSD Board of Education Vice President Vivian Hansen.
Charles Huerta, boxing’s “Pride of Paramount,” was honored. Starting as an amateur at age 8 and turning pro at 21, Huerta has fought all over the world, attaining a professional record of 19 wins and 5 losses with 12 KOs. He is sponsored by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Productions. In his most recent bout on April 14, which was billed as “The Battle of Los Angeles,” the Paramount resident knocked out undefeated rival Ivan Delgado. Left to right: Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer, Mayor Peggy Lemons, Huerta, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Councilmember Tom Hansen, and Councilmember Laurie Guillen.
A number
who were stepping down from their positions were recognized and thanked for their public service. From left, front row: Charlene Landry (Parks and Recreation), Jim Williams (Planning), former Councilmember Gene Daniels, Shirley Grayson (Senior Services), and Mike Hogue (Planning). Not able to attend were Alex Garcia (Public Works) and Javier Martinez (Public Safety).
The Teachers of the Year from every campus in the Paramount Unified School District were honored by City and District officials.
The principals from the PUSD schools that raised the most money during March’s Pennies for PEP fundraiser for college scholarships were recognized by
Council, members
PUSD Board of Education, the Superintendent, and members of the PEP Board of Directors. The top schools were: Zamboni Middle School (Principal Sue Saikaly), Alondra Middle School (Principal Lynn Butler), Jackson Middle School (Principal Kelly Anderson), Paramount Park Middle School (Principal Kevin Longworth), and Paramount High West Campus (Principal Elizabeth Salcido).
Paramount High School’s Class of 2017 co-Valedictorians – Jesus J. Salazar and Arlene Aleman (not in attendance) – and Salutatorian Gabriel Garcia were recognized at the meeting.
