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November 2015

City Council Names Long-Time Paramount

Staffer John Moreno as New City Manager

At its August 4th meeting, the Paramount City Council announced that Assistant City Manager John Moreno would replace retiring City Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal.

The transition took place on October 9th.

Moreno, a Fresno native who has a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in history and a master’s in public administration from USC, joined Paramount as a management analyst in 1993. Since that time he has steadily worked his way upward in a variety of positions with the City, serving as Assistant Public Works Director, Assistant Public Safety Director, Public Safety Director, and Assistant City Manager.

“I’m truly honored to be selected by the City Council for this position,” he said. “I look forward to working with our great group of employees to continue delivering excellent customer service, innovative programs, and first-class amenities to the residents and businesses of Paramount.

“During my 22 years with the City, I have learned the values and expectations of this diverse and thriving town,” Moreno continued. “With this experience, as well as my enthusiasm for the work, I will collaborate with the City Council to provide the leadership necessary to keep our community safe, healthy, and prosperous.”

In one of his first moves

in his new job, Moreno brought Kevin Chun on board as Assistant City Manager from the City of La Cañada Flintridge. Chun’s career in local government has included previous stints with Irvine, Culver City, and Bellflower. He has a bachelor’s degree from UC, Irvine in political science and his master’s in public administration from USC.

Paramount Chamber of Commerce pulse beat 15357 Paramount Boulevard, Paramount, CA 90723

“I’ve always been interested in government and politics,” Chun said, noting time spent in the State Legislature as a committee consultant (Assembly Transportation Committee) and as White House intern during the Clinton Administration. “Through school and internships I learned that local government is the closest to its citizens

and has the most direct impact. I enjoy that our work improves communities and enhances individual lives.

“I’ve always been impressed with Paramount as an observer from afar,” Chun added. “That perspective has been reinforced after meeting everyone and learning more about City services, projects, and programs.”

He noted that he is committed to the concept of providing the best for the community. “I want to ensure that this high level of service continues and even improves so residents and businesses know that City staff is available and can be trusted. I want to bring my experience from four other cities to offer new ideas and perspective to Paramount’s operations.”

The Holiday Season on the Horizon

Paramount has been home to a full slate of happy holiday events for decades. From Thanksgiving to mid-December’s Snow Day, the City’s seasonal activities bring out thousands of community members to celebrate and share the joy. Here’s the lineup for this year.

35th Annual Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner

On Thursday, November 19th, our senior citizens will gather for the 35rd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Paramount Park gym. The party starts with music by Grupo Neblina and dancing, and includes raffle prizes, a singalong and, of course, a hearty turkey feast.

The doors open at 10 a.m., the meal will be served at noon, with the event scheduled to wrap up at 1 p.m.

Everyone needs a ticket to attend, though for Paramount residents the day is free. You must be 60 years of age or older and present proof of Paramount residency or a Senior Nutrition Program membership card.

Tickets are available at the Paramount Park Community Center, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Non-residents can buy tickets at a cost of $3 each from the same location.

Business leaders from the Paramount Rotary Club, students from Paramount High School’s Corsairs, and members of City staff will be serving the food.

For more information or questions, please call (562) 220-2090. Paramount Park is located at 14400 Paramount Blvd.

Thanksgiving Trash/Street Sweeping

There will be no garbage collection on Thanksgiving, which falls on Thursday, November 26th this year. If that’s your normal trash day, service will be on the next day, Friday, November 27th.

If you have any questions, please call CalMet Services at (562) 634-5420.

As to the holiday street sweeping schedule, there will be no service on Thursday, November 26th or Friday, November 27th, and no makeup.

17th Annual Tree Lighting

Come and join your friends and neighbors at the City’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Paramount Pond. This year’s 17th seasonal kick-off will be on Wednesday, December 2nd. Entertainment begins at 5:00 pm. with the lighting ceremony starting at 6:00 p.m.

Local dance companies, church choirs, Mariachi Los Palmeros, and the Paramount High School choir will provide entertainment. There will be a special visit from the big man in red, as well. And plenty of cookies and hot chocolate will be available for the crowd.

The Pond is located at the intersection of

Jackson St. and Paramount Blvd. For more information, please call (562) 220-2121.

Buy Your Tickets for the 43rd Annual Breakfast With Santa

Santa Claus returns to town on Saturday, December 12th when Paramount Park will once again become a winter wonderland for breakfast and snow day from 8 a.m. till noon.

In addition to the pancake and scrambled egg meal, holiday craft-making, giveaways, and entertainment, there will be plenty of snow for sledding and you can take photos with Santa (a professional photographer will also have packages available for purchase).

The event is free to attend, but you need to buy a ticket for the food. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase between until December 11th (Mondays through Fridays only). Presale breakfast tickets are $5 per person, which also gives you access to the fast-pass lane. (The price of a ticket at the door on the day of the event is $5 per person, first come, first served, with no fast-pass access.)

Breakfast will not be served after 11:00 a.m., so get there early.

You can buy tickets at a variety of locations in town: STAR Afterschool sites (between 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each day); the Recreation office (15300 Downey Ave. from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); the Paramount Park Community Center (14400 Paramount Blvd., 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.); and the Paramount Petroleum Community Learn-

“True

ing Center at Spane Park (Monday through Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.).

For more, please call (562) 220-2121.

47th Annual Christmas Train Begins Its Run December 7th

Old St. Nick will also be making the rounds through every Paramount neighborhood once again on The Santa Express Christmas Train, starting this year on Monday, December 7th and running through Thursday, December 10th. The trip begins each day at 3:00 p.m.

The schedule of stops can be found in this issue’s CityScape, which is located on the inside back page of the Pulse Beat. For more information, call (562) 220-2121.

Like Us on Facebook

The City now has a page on the giant social media website Facebook to join our presence on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

You can find us at www.facebook.com/ CityofParamount.

For Instagram and Twitter we are at Paramount_Posts.

Remember – Sprinkler Watering Now Only on Mondays

As of November 1st, outdoor watering with sprinklers is allowed on Mondays only till the end of March 2016.

This is part of the City’s efforts to encourage water conservation, based on regulations set down by the State of California.

Mayor, Tom Hansen

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.

Allen M. Castellano, a 21-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, has been named the new captain of the Lakewood Station, which serves Paramount. This, in effect, makes Capt. Castellano the chief of police in Paramount.

• 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.

His assignments have included the Men’s Central Jail, Compton Court, and Pico Rivera Station. In January 2005, he was selected to serve on the Presidential Inauguration Protection Detail in Washington, D.C.

• 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.

• 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.

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

Project LEAD Sending Positive Message to Paramount Fifth Graders

In 2006, Capt. Castellano was promoted to sergeant and assigned to Lakewood Station. During this time, he was the sergeant at our Paramount Station and also served as interim lieutenant, so this marks a homecoming of sorts. Other assignments over the years have included being executive aide for both Sheriff Leroy D. Baca and Sheriff John L. Scott. In 2014, he was promoted to the rank of captain and assigned to Pico Rivera Station.

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.

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.

“I am extremely pleased and excited to be back at the Lakewood Station, and have always had a great appreciation and affection for Paramount,” he said. “The City has an excellent track record of public safety successes and community involvement, and it will be a great honor to continue that tradition.”

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.

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

The captain holds a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Fullerton. Additionally, he served as an elected official on the Yorba Linda City Council from 2000 to 2008, including two terms as mayor.

He is also a private pilot who enjoys traveling, exercising, watching his two daughters play water polo, and cheering for his two favorite sports teams – the Indianapolis Colts and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

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

Safe Shopping Tips For the Season

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.

With the holiday season here, and people doing their shopping, keep these safety-related tips in mind when out and about.

• Never text and drive.

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

• Never leave packages, bags, cell phones, purses, or other valuable items in plain sight in your vehicle. Place these items in your trunk, where they cannot be seen from outside your car.

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

• Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.

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.

• If possible, try to shop in pairs. Robbers often focus on, and target, solo shoppers.

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

Summer Vacation Home Checks

• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

• Always park in a well-lighted area.

• No eating or drinking while driving.

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

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

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

• Carry small amounts of cash. Your front pocket is ideal for carrying cash.

• Pull over and stop to read maps.

• No grooming.

• No reading.

• Never leave children in the car unattended.

• No watching videos.

• Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, at bus stops, and on buses and other rapid transit.

• Try not to get too involved with passengers.

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.

• Never buy items from someone who approaches you in a parking lot. These are often stolen goods.

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused.

• Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.

Vacation Home Checks

Simple Strategies for Better Event Marketing

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

If you are a Paramount resident and have plans to be out of town during Thanksgiving or any part of the upcoming holidays, you can contact the Sheriff’s Station for a free vacation home check.

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

The City’s Volunteers on Patrol will periodically take a look around your home or property while you’re gone. (This service is available throughout the year, not just during the holidays.)

Call (562) 220-2002 for more information.

• 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 (Make checks payable to

eat a Great Meal

While Donating to PeP

On Wednesday, November 18th, Alondra Hot Wings will be donating to education in Paramount by hosting a PEP fundraiser. A full 20% of your food purchase from 11:00 a.m. to closing will be given to the Paramount Education Partnership’s Scholarship Program, which helps fund college scholarships for local students.

Diners can either present a copy of the back page ad (which you can cut out and use or find at City facilities) or give your receipt to your server and state that it is for the PEP fundraiser.

Have a great meal and give to a great cause. Help our kids make their dreams of attending college come true.

Alondra Hot Wings is located at 8411 Alondra Blvd. in Paramount.

Free Adult Computer Class

Cerritos College, through the Paramount Education Partnership, holds a free basic computer training class for adults who have no experience with computers on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The free classes are held at the Paramount Petroleum Community Learning Center at Spane Park. Registration is required.

For more information, please call (562) 220-2250.

Volunteer at the Center

The Paramount Petroleum Learning Center at Spane Park is also looking for volunteers who are willing to put in between 2 - 12 hours a week as tutors for the Homework Help program. It’s a great opportunity for a fulfilling way to give back to the community. Training is provided and a background check is required.

For more information on becoming a Homework Help volunteer, please call (562) 220-2132 or e-mail Suleyma Rosales at srosales@paramountcity.com. Or you can stop by the Community Services and Recreation Department at 15300 Downey Ave. to pick up an application.

State Senator Lara visits Paramount

State Senator ricardo lara visited the Paramount Petroleum Community learning Center at Spane Park last month for a “meet and greet” with Paramount residents taking an English as a Second language class offered by the Paramount Adult School. The senator discussed his background, his role in Sacramento, his family’s struggle with assimilation, the importance of getting a college degree, and the various workshops his office offers for residents.

Fall Faculty Gala to Benefit Applied Music Students

The 2015 Fall Faculty Gala brings together faculty, students, alumni, and the community to raise scholarship funds for students in the applied music program. The concert includes performances by the Cerritos College Music Department faculty and accomplished musicians from across the greater Los Angeles area, featuring a wide variety of musical genres.

Sunday, November 15th, 2:00 pm

Burnight Center Theatre, Cerritos College 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk Campus map: www.cerritos.edu/guide & www.cerritos.edu/google-map

Pre-sale: General $12, seniors, middle and high school students (all w/iD) $10, child (5-12) $ 8 (children under 5 not permitted)

At Door: General $15, seniors, middle and high school students (all w/iD) $12, child (5-12) $10 (children under 5 not permitted)

Tickets may be purchased online (credit card only) atwww.cerritos.edu/music or at the box office one hour prior to the performance (cash only).

For more information, please call (562) 860- 2451 ext. 2629 or visit www.cerritos.edu/music.

Clubs & Organizations

Rotary Club of Paramount Helps Tanzania Youth Foundation

The Paramount Rotary Club recently heard from Charles Mbaga who traveled 10,000 miles from his home in East Africa to solicit funds for the Ilala Tanzania Youth Foundation. The Center provides an alternative to gangs and drugs by offering sports programs and a friendly environment which exposes children to other cultures. The center also counsels single mothers, helps women avoid prostitu-

tion, and involves girls in sports.

Donations to the foundation will be used to support the youth center, acquire sports equipment, office supplies, and a vehicle for transportation; Mr. Mbaga is trying to raise $20,000 to accomplish these goals.

If you would like to make a donation or contact Charles Mbaga he can be reached by email: charlesmbaga@hotmail.com .

paramount Chamber of Commerce

Invites you to attend a Open House / Ribbon Cutting

In Motion Design

thursday, november 12th

15557 Texaco Ave., Paramount

Beginning Promptly at 11:30 am Lunch Served

RSVP: (562) 634-3980

From left; Rotary members Bud Jackson and Dr. Linda Timmons with Charles Mbaga

Best Table Top Display Winner - latigo Boxing Club. From left; Ambassador Chair Deborah Jameson (lifegate Church), Fernando Zuniga (latigo Boxing Club), Sylvia Zuniga, and Paramount Chamber President leonard Crespo (Total-Western, inc.).

Sandra Wychgel (Marukan Vinegar (uSA) inc. took home the $25 door prize donated by AppleCare Medical Group. From left; Sandra Wychgel, and Paramount Chamber President leonard Crespo (Total-Western, inc.).

Accepting the award for Ambassador of the 1st Quarter is Pamela rice (Office Depot). From left; Ambassador Chair Deborah Jameson ( lifegate Church), Pamela, and Paramount Chamber President leonard Crespo (Total-Western, inc.).

Ambassador of the 2nd Quarter, Dr. linda Timmons (Advocates for Family unity).

Lifegate Church Host Cool Jam

Lifegate Church recently hosted its second “Cool Jam” (Community Outreach Offering Love). Everything at the event was free including; medical screenings, dental checks, haircuts, manicures, massages, shoe shines, back packs with school supplies, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, prayer, food and fun. Adding to the fun for the more than 300 attendees were giveaways donated by local businesses including; gift certificates for restaurants, movies and sports events.

Event Partners:

Ace Clearwater

Alondra Hot Wings

Apple Care Medical Group

Bianchi Theatres

CalMet Services Frantones

Kohl’s Department Stores

Lions Club - Paramount Paramount Petroleum Salon M Dentext Dental Transcom Telecommunications

Nearly 100 Volunteers Clean Up Around Town

“Pitch In, Paramount” is a quarterly event held by the City that offers an opportunity for community members to clean up properties of residents-in-need as well as larger public spaces in town.

The latest one was held Saturday morning, October 17th when more than 70 volunteers from Lifegate Foursquare, Emmanuel Reformed, and Chapel of Change churches and PUSD schools came out. The group painted the exterior of an elderly resident’s house, in addition to painting

over graffiti and picking up trash on the railroad right-of-way between Garfield Ave. and Paramount Blvd. The City’s Public Works Department provides all tools and materials as well as basic instruction. Paramount’s contracted trash hauler, CalMet Services, provides bins for debris removal.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to “give back” to the community, and want to take part in a future “Pitch In, Paramount” outing, please call (562) 220-2057.

So you want to own Commercial Real estate?

Matt Wagner GM Properties, Inc. (562) 696-0200

OK, so you want to own some Commercial Real Estate. Where do you begin? Who do you talk to? How do you start the process? Start by asking yourself some questions.

The first thing you need to do is analyze your current situation to determine what you are looking for. Are you looking to use the building for a business of yours? Possibly renting it out for an Investment? How much cash do you have on hand for this purchase? How much time do you have to commit to upkeep and maintenance of the building? What skills do I bring to the table that will help me with managing the property? Will I need to hire any experts or a property manager to focus on the daily operation of the building? Am I willing to perform the duties of being a landlord? After honestly answering these questions you will be in a much better position to be able to move forward with a successful Commercial Real Estate purchase.

Once you understand your need, you should familiarize yourself with some common Industry terminology and CRE terminology. Understanding terms that are used in the Industry will help make the process easier for you and less confusing. Loan-to-Value (LTV) is a term used in both commercial and residential real estate. It represents a ratio of how much money a lender will be loaning you compared to the total amount of the purchase. The higher this number is, the more risky it is for the Lender. Another term to understand is the Cap Rate. I wrote an entire article about Cap Rates in the last Pulse Beat and I encourage you to go back and read it. The Cap rate is basically the return on investment based on an

all cash transaction. Vacancy Rates are also something that should be understood as they have a direct affect on Inventory and pricing. The vacancy rate will show you what percent of buildings are sitting on the market unoccupied. Today, the vacancy rate is so low in our immediate area that buildings are getting harder and harder to find. What a transition from just 5 years ago when we could not give away buildings.

Even if you understand all the terminology used in the Industry, you will need to hire some experts along the way to help you move safely through the process of purchasing CRE. At a minimum, you will need to utilize a Commercial Real Estate broker and attorney. You will also need to find a Commercial Lender who can help you secure a loan on the property. Both your attorney and broker could probably recommend someone that has done commercial lending for them in the past. All these professionals are going to be able to provide knowledge and advice that will help make the transaction process smooth for you.

Once you have your team in place and have worked with a Lender to get a loan ready to go, then you are ready to go look for properties. Some of the most important factors are price, location, and allowable uses. These factors will have a direct impact on future values in both selling and leasing. Locate properties that fit your situation and make sure to visit each property several times before making any commitments. Once you locate a property that meets your needs, you will go through the Escrow process which includes time for due diligence and working with your Lender to get the loan ready to fund and close Escrow on the property. Once Escrow is closed, you now own the property! Good Luck!

NeW M eMBeR

3 Key Points for Traditional Business Lending

1) Business Loan Purpose. Clearly define how you plan to use the loan proceeds so the Bank can structure your loan properly (i.e., line of credit or term loan) and determine primary and secondary sources of repayment for the loan.

2) Personal Guarantees. For a new business or if your business is a new borrowing customer of the Bank you will likely be asked to provide a personal guarantee to support the business loan. Thus, your individual credit worthiness will be assessed by the Bank including a review of your individual credit and tax returns.

3) Loan Processing time. It generally takes a lender 6 to 8 weeks to process and fund a traditional Bank business loan, especially if an SBA Guarantee is required, so proper planning in advance is recommended.

Special thanks to Nathaniel Jemison for his content contribution. Areas of business Mr. Jemison excels in include Access to Capital, Financial Analysis and Loan Packaging Consulting. He presents workshops and consults 1:1 both at the SBDC hosted by El Camino College and Long Beach City College. To learn more about the workshops the SBDC offers, follow the link: http://smallbizla.org/calendar/

Paramount Chamber Partners With LBCC SBDC to Provide Free Business Counseling

SBDC Consultant Charlie Lowe provides free business counseling in English and Spanish at the Paramount Chamber of Commerce every Wednesday.

Charlie is a small business consultant, specializing in business start-up, marketing and e-business, business planning, government contracting, technology and international trade. He has 30 years of experience in small business and international trade, and has done business in 45 countries throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

Over the last 15 years he has acted as a business consultant to the several Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and Centers for International

Trade Development (CITD) for Community Colleges in the Los Angeles area and for Loyola Marymount University. From 1983 to 1999 he owned and operated two export management companies specializing in the export of computer products. He began his career by working in the International Consumer Division of the Purex Corporation and as a manager for Overseas Operation, an export management company, specializing in builder’s hardware and electronic security products.

He holds a Bachelors’ degree in Latin American Studies and Economics and an MBA in International Management.

To schedule an appointment call the Paramount Chamber 562.634.3980.