Paramount City Council Goes Mobile to Meet with Residents
The Paramount City Council has undertaken a series of visits to each of the four quadrants in town to spend some one-on-one time with residents. These “Mobile City Council” events, which began in June, are scheduled on a quarterly basis. Each is held in addition to the regular, twice-a-month Council meetings at City Hall. Councilmembers tour specific neighborhoods before holding an informal gathering with residents to chat. The first one took place at Meadows Park on June 21 from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
The second meet-andgreet was at Spane Park outside the Paramount Petroleum Community Learning Resource Center on September 20 from 5:00 - 5:45 p.m.
Subjects of discussion covered quality of life issues like traffic (speeding, running stop signs, etc.), parking problems (including the process for instituting permit parking), loitering, setting up a Neighborhood Watch program, and more. With public safety topics, staff and Sheriff’s
“Mobile
personnel stressed that residents should call the Paramount Station as soon as they encounter anything of concern. The number there is (562) 220-2002. All such calls can be made anonymously.
Future “Mobile City Council” events will take place in the northeast and southeast sections of town and are scheduled for January and April 2017. Specific dates and locations are yet to be determined. When those plans are finalized, door hangers will be distributed in the neighborhoods with details.
This outreach program is designed for residents to come out, say hello, ask questions, and share their thoughts and ideas about Paramount.
A
City Council” event with residents in the neighborhood of Meadows Park.
Recipient of Senator Ricardo Lara 2015 Excellence in Business Award
Water Conservation Measures Still in Effect
The City of Paramount recently changed its water conservation measures from Stage 2 to Stage 1. This is a return to the first mandated cutbacks put into place when the state required that all cities encourage residents to conserve outdoor water usage.
Here are the current measures.
• During the months of April through October, you can water your lawn and landscaping on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday only.
• From November through March, you can water these areas on Thursday and Saturday only.
• You can water on any day if you use
a hand-held hose with a water shut-off device or with a hand-held container, as long as there is no water run-off.
• You can water on any day if you use a very low-flow drip irrigation system.
• There can be no water run-off from lawns and landscaping.
• No hosing down paved surfaces.
• All water fountains or other decorative water features must use re-circulating water.
• All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in plumbing or irrigation systems must be fixed within 72 hours of observation and/or notification by the City.
• Use a hand-held hose with a water shut-off nozzle or hand-held bucket when washing cars.
Measures do not apply to “reclaimed” water, which some City parks and landscaped medians use.
All decorative water fountains operated by the City use re-circulating water.
For more information, please call the City of Paramount’s Public Works Department at (562) 220-2020.
Get Your Tickets For The Seniors Thanksgiving Dinner
Here’s an early reminder to mark Thursday, November 17 on your calendar for the annual Seniors Thanksgiving
“Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
– Maya Angelou
Dinner. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Paramount Park gym.
This is a great event that always provides a day of fun and friendship, a chance for folks to visit, catch up, and share a nice meal.
In order to attend you need to have a ticket. Tickets will be available at the Paramount Park Community Center for Paramount residents starting October 17 for free and for non-residents beginning November 1 at a cost of $3.25 each.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2090.
Household Hazardous Waste Roundup on October 8
The County of Los Angeles hosts household hazardous waste (and ewaste) collection events in various cities on a regular basis. There will be one in Compton in early October.
These roundups accept brake fluid, paint, paint thinner, cleaners with acid or lye, pesticides or herbicides, household batteries and car batteries, pool chemicals, motor oil, oil filters, expired pharmaceuticals, anti-freeze, fluorescent light bulbs, computer monitors, televisions, computer CPUs, keyboards, printers, cell phones, and more.
Items should be brought in a sturdy box, preferably with the original labels on any containers. Do not mix items together. There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous waste per trip. Be prepared to leave your containers and boxes, and remove all other items from your car’s trunk.
The roundup will be on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Compton/Woodley Airport, 901 W. Alondra Blvd., Compton.
Things you cannot bring include hazardous waste and e-waste from businesses, explosives, ammunition and radioactive materials, trash and tires, white goods such as refrigerators, stoves and washing machines, and controlled substances.
For more information, including upcoming events throughout the
year, call 1-888-CLEANLA or visit www.888CleanLA.com.
Red Cross and Local Volunteers Making Paramount Homes Safer
The local Red Cross chapter continued its “Home Fire Safety” campaign last month when volunteers came out on September 10 to install smoke detectors for Paramount residents, all for free.
The target community was the Cherryfield Mobile Home Park at 16707 Garfield Avenue. There were 75 installation appointments made by 30 volunteers.
This event was part of the multiyear campaign that the Red Cross has embarked upon to help Paramount residents. At the conclusion of the campaign, it will make Paramount among the most “Prepared” cities in Los Angeles County!
Thank you, Red Cross, and all the folks who came out to help.
Nutrition Programs for Seniors
The City offers appetizing and wellbalanced meals for seniors ages 60 and over Monday through Friday at noon at the Paramount Park Community Center. Transportation to and from the Center is available. Residents may register for the meals Monday through Friday of the week prior (non-residents on Thursday and Friday). Suggested donation is $2.25. For information call (562) 220-2090.
For homebound seniors, meals can be delivered right to their residence. An application is needed for this service. For more information, call Human Services Association (HSA) at (562) 806-5400, ext. 162. There is a suggested donation of $2.50 per meal, but no one is refused because of an inability to pay.
City Videos Showing on YouTube
If you want to view shorter and longer videos that cover events in Paramount, City Council presentations, social media postings, and other items of interest, check out the City’s channel at www.youtube.com/cityofparamount.
Mayor, Daryl Hofmeyer
New Lieutenant Serving Paramount Station
While Driving – Not Worth
There are plenty of facts, figures, and details about distracted driving, but the Cali fornia Office of Traffic Safety wants you to know the plain and simple ones:
• 80 percent of vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.
• 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.
• 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.
Lieutenant Scott Hoglund is now leading Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department personnel at the Paramount Station. he has been with the Department since 1988 and has worked for the cities of Bellflower as a detective and Lakewood as a sergeant, among many other positions in the county. Consequently, he is quite familiar with this area.
• 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.
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.
“I have been a long-time admirer of Paramount, the relationship between the City and the Department, and how important public safety is to the City Council,” Lt. Hoglund said. “It’s my honor and pleasure to be chosen to head up the Station as lieutenant, and I look forward to working with this team very much.”
A ticket for $159 for texting or talking on a cell phone is a major distraction to your wallet.
Don’t be a Target of Theft
What can you do? Most important, obey the law. It’s there for a reason. Also, do your best to eliminate distractions:
• Never text and drive.
• Turn off your phone when you get behind the wheel.
Both burglaries and thefts from vehicles have been on the increase across the state of California. Many law enforcement officials attribute this to the passage of Proposition 47 a few years back, which reduced the penalties for many property crimes.
Theft from a vehicle is a “crime of opportunity” usually occurring when something valuable is left in plain sight.
• Don’t text or call someone when you know they are likely to be driving.
• Make a pact with your family, spouse, and caregivers never to use the phone with kids in the car.
• No eating or drinking while driving.
• Don’t program your GPS, MP3 player, or other devices while driving.
In many burglaries, no force is used. That means the burglars got in through unlocked doors and windows. Over 67% of all burglaries are residential and nearly 58% occur during the day.
• Pull over and stop to read maps.
Here are a variety of tips to help you avoid being the target of these property crimes.
• No grooming.
• No reading.
• No watching videos.
Thefts from Vehicles
• Try not to get too involved with passengers.
Always set the alarm or anti-theft device in your vehicle. If criminals have two cars to choose from (one with an alarm and one without), they will likely burglarize the one without the alarm … unless you’ve left valuables inside that are just too good to ignore! So …
• Don’t leave any valuables inside your vehicle and never leave your valuables unattended.
• If something falls to the floor, pull over before trying to reach it.
Project LEAD Sending Positive Message to Paramount Fifth Graders
Arrests, too, for grand theft auto by patrol deputies in town have increased recently. In July, for instance, there were seven of these arrests made by officers while on routine patrol. This was the biggest jump since February, which saw five auto theft arrests.
Here are some ideas on how to protect your car.
• Don’t leave your keys in your car.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Keep your car in a garage if you have one.
• Use your emergency brake when you park.
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.
• Keep your car keys and house keys on separate rings. Never have an identification tag such as a miniature license plate or name plate on your key ring. Never hide an extra key in or on the car.
Protecting Your Home
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.
Residential burglars look for easy targets. If the risk of detection is too high, the average burglar will not attempt to enter your home.
Sadly, too many young people first become acquainted with the justice system as delinquents. Project LEAD is designed to avoid that scenario.
Whether you leave your home for five minutes or five weeks, recognize that it’s vulnerable whenever it’s unoccupied. While you cannot be home all of the time, you can devise a home security program that works for you around the clock.
• Always lock your doors and windows even when leaving for “just a minute.”
• Never leave a house key available … under a doormat, in a flower pot, or on the ledge of the door.
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.
• Consider an alarm system.
• own a dog. They make lots of noise and most burglars won’t take the chance of getting bitten.
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.
Going Out?
Summer Vacation Home Checks
• Use timers so that lights, radio, and TV go on and off throughout the house to indicate someone is home.
With summertime approaching, remember that if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time, you can schedule a home check.
• For longer trips, be sure to stop mail and newspaper delivery or have a neighbor collect them daily.
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.
• Make your house look “lived in.” And if you come home and see a broken window or a jimmied door, don’t go in. Confronting a burglar can be dangerous. Phone your local law enforcement agency immediately.
• In Paramount, remember that you can have the Volunteers on Patrol make a home check when you are out of town. Call the Station at (562) 220-2002.
Simple Strategies for Better Event Marketing
Friday, May 16, 2014 - 10am to 12pm
• lock all doors, and secure all windows (don’t even leave a tiny space for ventilation).
Other Tips
• Install a wide angle lens viewer in the front door.
Attend this presentation and learn how to use the power of event marketing to get potential and existing customers to take four key actions:
• If you absolutely must leave anything of value inside your vehicle, conceal it prior to reaching your destination.
• Never leave the important papers in the car. Thieves can use these documents for ID theft.
• Try to park in busy, well-traveled areas.
• 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
• Never open the door without knowing who is there.
• Motion sensor lights are a great way to light up driveways and walkways.
• exterior doors should have “dead bolt” locks with a 1-inch strong metal bar extending into the door frame.
(Make checks payable to LBCC SBDC)
Protecting Your Vehicle
Auto theft has also been an ongoing problem regionally for some time now. But the numbers have been going down this year in Paramount.
• Sliding doors and windows should all have “ventilation” locks as well as auxiliary locks to bolster security.
• be sure to include good locks for garage, patio, or other doors that lead out through storage areas or a spare room.
Central Basin Recognized for Outstanding Financial Reporting for 11th Year in a Row
The Central Basin Municipal Water District has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the District’s 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). For over a decade, the District has been recognized for achieving the highest standard in government accounting and financial reporting.
“Over the last year, Central Basin has taken several actions to demonstrate our accountability in being an open and transparent agency,” said Central Basin Board President Robert Apodaca. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to our efforts.”
The CAFR serves as a tool for transparency by keeping local stakeholders informed of the District’s financial outlook. The report is prepared in alignment with guidelines set forth by the Governmental Accounting Standards
Board, which were designed to assess an organization’s financial condition and inform the public of an agencies services.
The GFOA established the Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945. The recognition was established as an effort to encourage local government agencies to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles by preparing comprehensive annual financial reports that fully disclose agencies’ financial story.
The Government Finance Officers Association represents public finance officials throughout the United States and Canada and serves nearly 18,000 financial officials.
For more information on the District’s finances and to view the 2015 CAFR, please visit:https://www.centralbasin.org/finance/accounting-financialreporting.
Stater Bros. Charities and Inland Women Fighting Cancer Present the 9th Annual Believe Walk on Sunday, October 2nd
Over $3 Million Donated to Support “Hometown” Cancer Fighting Organizations
The 9th Annual Believe Walk will take place on Sunday, October 2, 2016 in historic downtown Redlands, rain or shine. Participants will walk along a family friendly and dog friendly 5K route lined with fun-filled entertainment including live music, motivational cheer groups and Bark and Believe stations for dogs. Pre-event festivities will include a Survivor Celebration area, and the walk will conclude with the Believe Bash celebration at the Redlands Bowl.
Stater Bros. has always believed in doing the right thing for the right reason and takes great pride in ensuring that the proceeds from the Annual Stater Bros. Charities Believe Walk goes right back into the communities where our valued customers and employees live and work. Since 2008, Stater Bros. Charities Annual Believe Walk has donated over $3 million to local cancer fighting organizations.
STArT: historic Downtown redlands - State and orange Streets
eND: redlands bowl – believe bash
WHEN: Sunday, October 2nd
• 6:30 a.m. – Pre-Walk Festivities and registration begins
• 7:45 a.m. – Pre-Walk Program begins
• 8:00 a.m. – Walk begins
PArKING: Free parking is available at:
• redlands Mall
• Public Parking Structure, Citrus Avenue
• Public Parking lot off redlands boulevard
• Street Parking
• “No Parking” areas are monitored. Vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense
Scholarship Fund Gains Generous Support
The Paramount Education Partnership’s College Scholarship Fund was recently presented with a donation in the memory of a long-time resident and also received a substantial grant from edison International.
Paramount residents Rick and Charlene Debie, owners of Pipeline Plumbing, made a contribution of $1,000 to the scholarship fund in honor of the late Dr. raymond biel who passed away this year.
r ick De b ie’s father, r ichard, was a Paramount City Councilmember from 1966 through 1977. During that time, the elder De b ie was a leading force in the creation of the Redevelopment Agency in town, which became an important tool for the City to eliminate blight, revitalize the commercial sector, and literally change the landscape of Paramount.
Dr. biel, the man rick and Charlene chose to honor, was a former Paramount Unified School District board of education member who had a dental practice in Bellflower.
Edison Grant
Last month, the PEP Scholarship Fund was awarded a grant in the amount of $5,000 from e dison International. The funding comes from the utility company’s STEM Scholarship Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
PEP has received this grant for the last three years, which supports students who are studying STEM-related fields.
To learn how an individual or company can support education in Paramount in similar ways, please call (562) 220-2121.
Paramount Chamber October 27th Networking Breakfast Speaker: Lori Williams
Lori is a business consultant, speaker and writer. She has more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, finance, marketing and operations. Her eBooks are distributed through Amazon, ITunes and b arnes and Noble. Lori is a featured writer on Start-Up Nation and other high profile websites. As an adjunct professor in the entrepreneurial department at USC and Pepperdine, she shares her business expertise with young entrepreneurs.
Lori has always had a passion for helping small businesses. She formed Business Simply Put ® to provide smaller companies with affordable high-level information and advice. Business Simply Put ® combines expertise and technology through an online platform. Services offered include: eAdvice to answer business questions, eKnowledge to learn through webinars and customized training programs and eTools which includes
eBooks and Financial Models.
Lori is a well-known expert on business finance. She believes entrepreneurs should have a basic understanding of their company’s financial health. She provides business education and advice through her on-line courses, eBooks and individualized consulting sessions.
Paramount Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Board Member
Alicia Valadez
• Northgate Real-Estate Leasing Manager
• Employed with Northgate Markets for over 23 Years
• Manage Leases for Northgate Realestate Portfolio for over 1mil. Sq. ft.
• 40 Grocery store locations in Southern California plus an additional 11 in the southwest
Alicia Valadez
ity of P aramount a wards
A four-member team from Paramount High’s JROTC took part in the national Leadership and Academic Bowl in Washington, D.C. this summer where they were 13th best in the entire country. The competition started with 1,320 schools and only 40 made it to DC. The Paramount City Council congratulated the team at its Sept. 6 meeting. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, JROTC program instructor Col. Robert Guild (Ret.), Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Gabriel Garcia, Melissa Chavez, Ashley Hernandez, Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons, and Councilmember Diane J. Martinez. (Fourth team member Joanne Robielos was unable to attend). The City is proud of these great students who represented Paramount so well on a national stage.
The City Council recognized David Vazquez and Ashley Leon-Vasquez, owners of Horchateria Rio Luna in town, at its Sept. 6 for being featured on the Vista LA show on KABC 7 and for hosting a fundraiser for the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP). The couple brought freshly made churros for the Council to enjoy. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Leon-Vazquez, Vazquez, and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons.
Espitia, who served on the
Community Service Officers are non-sworn City employees who supplement the law enforcement activities of sworn deputies. They assist with non-emergency calls that free deputies up to handle priority calls. At its Sept. 6 meeting, the Paramount City Council recognized five of these Public Safety Department employees for doing fine work over the last few months involving sharp observations, strong follow up, and sometimes following a hunch and then quickly alerting deputies when things seem suspicious. Front row, from left: Bobby Avina, Angie Gomez, Eric Barela, Ruben Campos, and Alfonso Robles. Back row, from left: Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons, and Councilmember Gene Daniels.
The Young Senators Program is conducted annually by State Senator Ricardo Lara for local high school students, three of whom this year were from Paramount. They were congratulated by the City Council at its Sept. 6 meeting and spoke about their experiences in the program. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Justus Hendrix, Karla Rodriguez, Raymond Rosales, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Julia Juarez (from the Senator’s office), and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons.
Iris Ilagan recently came aboard as the new Library Manager for the Paramount Library. The City Council welcomed her to the City at its Sept. 6 meeting. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, Ilagan, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons.
Joe
Paramount Public Works Commission for 13 years before recently stepping down, was presented with a plaque commemorating his longtime service to the City at the Sept. 6 City Council meeting. From left: Councilmember Gene Daniels, Mayor Daryl Hofmeyer, Espitia, Councilmember Diane J. Martinez, and Vice Mayor Peggy Lemons.
El Camino College Compton Center Welcomes New Faculty for Fall 2016 Semester
Eight new full-time faculty members and a director of Student Equity have been hired at El Camino College Compton Center for the 2016-17 academic year. These educators bring extensive knowledge and professional experience, and join ECC Compton Center in its mission to offer a welcoming environment where the diverse student population is supported to pursue and attain academic and professional excellence.
Emma Adams
Anatomy/Physiology instructor. Emma Adams earned a doctorate in veterinary medical sciences from Alexandria University in e gypt, a master’s degree in veterinary parasitology from Cairo University in Egypt, and a master’s degree in biological sciences from Clemson University in South Carolina. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s department of molecular microbiology and immunology. She has worked as a biology instructor at Clemson University, and most recently served as an adjunct instructor at several California community colleges.
Arnette Edwards
Counselor. Arnette Edwards earned a doctorate in educational leadership from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF); a master’s degree in educational counseling from National University; and a bachelor’s degree in human services from CSUF. Prior to joining e CC Compton Center, she worked as an adjunct counselor at Long Beach City College, Fullerton College and Cypress College. During her time at l ong b each City College, she held positions as adjunct counselor for the Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS) and TRiO programs. Edwards also has experience with the Foster and Kinship Care program having worked as a foster care trainer at Saddleback College.
Hassan Elfarissi
Biological Sciences instructor. Hassan Elfarissi earned his master’s degree in biology at California State University, Dominguez h ills; and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of l os Angeles. He has been an adjunct biology instructor at ECC Compton Center since 2014. Prior to joining ECC Compton Center full time, he has taught at CSU Dominguez hills, el Camino College, and Los Angeles Southwest College. Elfarissi has also worked as a life science laboratory technician at Los Angeles Southwest College since 1991.
Stephen Ellis
Cosmetology instructor. Stephen Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree from United States International University in San Diego, California, and an associate degree from Pasadena City College. He is a licensed cosmetologist and barber by the California State Board of Cosmetology. For the past nine years, he has served as an adjunct cosmetology instructor at El Camino College and Pasadena City College. He served on El Camino College’s curriculum development committee and participated in the redevelopment of curriculum for its cosmetology department. Ellis has been a beauty salon owner for 12 years.
Minodora Moldoveanu
Communications Studies instructor. Minodora Moldoveanu is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in community college leadership at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF). She earned a
master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree at California State University, long beach (CSU lb ). Prior to joining e CC Compton Center, she taught communications studies at El Camino College, Santa Ana College, and Cerritos College. Moldoveanu has also served as a lecturer at CSU lb and an instructor at CSUF.
Sean Moore
Cosmetology instructor. Sean Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in business and management from Pepperdine University, and associate degrees in cosmetology and general studies from Cerritos College. Prior to joining ECC Compton Center, Moore was an adjunct instructor of cosmetology at Fullerton College, Golden West College and Citrus College. He is a licensed cosmetologist and barber with more than 24 years of combined occupational and teaching experience.
Ayesha Sirajuddin
Biological Sciences instructor. Ayesha Sirajuddin earned a doctorate degree in philosophy of environmental toxicology from the University of California, r iverside; both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; and an associate degree in natural sciences from Citrus Community College in Glendora, California. Sirajuddin has experience teaching general biology, virology, microbiology, anatomy, cellular physiology, and cell and molecular biology. She has taught at several community colleges including Long Beach City College and Mount San Antonio College, as well as teaching as an adjunct instructor at ECC Compton Center.
Bailey Smith
Director of Student e quity. b ailey Smith earned a master’s degree in multicultural education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Prior to joining ECC Compton Center, Smith was the director of the Learning Assistance Center at Mt. San Antonio College. She also previously served as the director of the Learning Enhancement Center at the University of l a Verne. She has created and implemented Student Equity projects, is experienced in Basic Skills project management, and has served as an instructor/ advisor for First Year e xperience, tutor training courses, and student success workshops.
Juan Tavarez
Spanish instructor. Juan Tavarez earned a master’s degree in Spanish from California State University, Fullerton; a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from California State University, Dominguez h ills (CSUD h ); and an associate degree from Long Beach City College. He previously served as an adjunct instructor at both CSUDh and eCC Compton Center, where he was named Adjunct Instructor of the Year in 2015. h e is also the recipient of the 2015 Presidential Award for Student Advisor of the Year from CSUD h
Positively
Paramount Civic Center
paramount places!
Paramount’s Civic Center Plaza is a beautiful botanical oasis, a one-acre garden-like public space with walking paths, benches and dynamic fountains. It links City hall, Suburban Medical Center and the County library as a cohesive whole while opening up a larger downtown corridor tying the Pond and the Iceland skating rink together. A special feature is a small park area around the historic “Hay Tree,” which dates back to Paramount’s days as the leading dairy producer in the state. City Hall, 16400 Colorado Ave. Bianchi Paramount Theatres
Eleven state-of-the-art luxury theatres. Featuring stadium seating, digital sound system. Two Screen Drive-In 7770 Rosecrans Avenue at Paramount Blvd.
Paramount Iceland
home of the world famous Zamboni Ice Machine. Featuring one of the largest indoor ice skating arenas in existence. An historical landmark, with a rich tradition as an Olympic training facility 8041 Jackson St.
Paramount Pond
A decorative, restful public plaza, featuring a bronze sculpture garden with nearby coffee house and eateries Corner of Paramount Blvd. & Jackson St.
Paramount’s Outdoor Art Museum
9 By 9 By 9 .................................................................................................Spane Park, 14400 Gundry Ave. Boxes .................................Corner of Downey Ave. & Jefferson St. Conversation ...............................................................................................City Hall, 16400 Colorado Ave. Come
and Paramount Blvd.
and Paramount Blvd. Crack
of Paramount Blvd. and Rosecrans
We Are Zamboni WILDCATS
The Zamboni Wildcats are off to a great start this year as they roll out their Guidelines for Success. Using the letters that spell WIlDCATS, the Guidelines for Success provide students with specific information about attitudes, traits and behaviors that will help them succeed in school and throughout their lives. Seventh grade student, Donald Webb says, “My two favorite letters are the ‘I’ for Innovative Thinker and the
‘T’ for Taking Responsibility because they help you to be successful in life and remind you that it’s important to take responsibility for your actions.”
To support the Guidelines for Success, every teacher turns in a weekly nomination of a student who has demonstrated a WIlDCATS trait. on Fridays, a student is selected from each grade level to be recognized during the announcements and receive a gift card.
CENTRAL BASIN JOINS BACK-TOSCHOOL WITH AWARD WINNING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
September marked the beginning of the school year for students across Southern California. Like many students, Central Basin Municipal Water District is joining back to school activities by once again providing free, award-winning education programs to students throughout our service area.
The District’s education portfolio includes nine programs for kindergarten through high school students and are offered through partnerships with 17 school districts. Program activities range from in-classroom curriculum and activities to field trips and site visits. The programs also utilize various teaching methods to engage students, such as: classroom discussions, magicbased learning and interactive activities.
“One of the cornerstones to water
reliability is developing the next generation of water stewards,” said Central Basin Board President Robert Apodaca. “Through our education programs, we are inspiring students to become the next leaders in water sustainability.”
In the 2015-2016 school year, Central Basin sponsored over 160 program dates to over 23,000 students. Since 1993, Central Basin’s Education Program has provided water education programming to over 303,000 kindergarten through high school students.
For more information on the education programs, contact Central Basin Education and Grants Manager Mark Moss by phone at (323)201-5500 or visit us online at https://www.centralbasin.org/education-community/education-programs.
Commercial Real Estate Due Diligence
Matt Wagner GM Properties (562) 696-0200
Evaluating commercial real estate for determining value is simply a different animal when compared to residential evaluation. To be direct, commercial real estate is assessed from the inverse proportion to the level of risk that is present in the stability and continuation of the income stream that the property generates. Multi-tenant properties require more complex evaluation protocols over most other commercial real estate property types. The only exception to this rule may be when purchasing true “triple net” leased properties. True “triple net” means that the tenant or tenants are responsible for 100% of the operating expenses and maintenance of the property, including the property taxes, all insurances and maintenance of the property. Owners of true “triple net’ leased properties literally pick up their check every month and put it in the bank, they have no other responsibilities for the ownership of the property.
The due diligence function is to verify ALL aspects of the property and then verify them some more. This is an important decision and the more you study it, the better chance you will have at investing success. It is usually best to bring all your requested due diligence items to the table during the negotiation process so that you will not encounter any hiccups while in Escrow and moving towards the closing of the deal. The timing of your due diligence period will usually start when the requested
information is provided by the seller. It is also important to request enough time to review the provided information diligently. These documents will provide the information needed to understand most likely how your ownership in this investment will go.
Beyond the physical condition and any deferred maintenance of the property, there are many items that must be analyzed during the due diligence process. These items include all leases with any and all extensions and amendments, notes and mortgages, title policies, certificate of occupancy, insurance policies, maintenance and service contracts, tax history, ADA compliance, detailed operating expenses, a rent roll and all financial documents among others. It is important to study the leases in detail and depth in order to understand the responsibilities of each party in the lease. Tenant quality is important to understand as this will have a direct affect to the stability and continuation of the future rental income stream. Insurance policies with claims history reports can also show the buyer if there are inherent problems somewhere with the land or quality of improvements on the property.
Using this information will help guide you through a diligent process in acquiring commercial real estate investment property. However, you should always utilize the expertise of professionals that work directly in this Industry, and surrounding yourself with a highly competent team will help ensure the future success of your investment projects. Good Luck!
C ity S ervi C e S
The following businesses renewed their membership in the Paramount Chamber of Commerce last month, they are celebrating another year as members. Chamber and Business
are made possible by their support.
Small Business Emergency
by TeD hIATT
This month is National Preparedness Month. Hopefully you already have a plan in place to protect your home, family and pets in the event of an earthquake, blackout, or other disaster. As a small business owner, do you also have an emergency plan for your business?
In July of 2015, business owners in downtown Long Beach lost power for up to 3 days in some cases. One restaurant owner lost upwards of $35,000 in food inventory. Another had her POS system knocked out for over a week, even after the power was restored. Many business owners weren’t able to recoup losses due to the simple fact that they didn’t have receipts and organized business records. Could some of these scenarios have been avoided?
The long beach SbDC provided on the ground assistance to our clients in the downtown area during the blackout; here’s what we learned:
Have a generator at the ready. The businesses that had back-up power suffered much less financial damage than those that didn’t. They were able to keep their doors open and in some cases did very well, since so many of their competitors were closed.
Dry Ice! restaurants and food businesses that had access to dry ice were able to save food from spoilage. Have contact info for the nearest company that can deliver dry ice. One restaurant kept their food on ice until they were able to bring it to a partner outside of the affected area who agreed to refrigerate it for them.
Develop a Partner list. Many of the businesses downtown helped each other. Some assisted with refrigeration (as mentioned above) and area food trucks even drove around to help with food storage and provided food and water. Others borrowed generators and shared supplies, etc. This was great to see, but much of it
happened organically. Develop a list of area businesses and business resources (such as Chambers of Commerce, etc.) with whom you might be able to partner in the event of a disaster.
How will you handle credit card transactions? Cash is king but most customers carry plastic these days. If you are without a POS system for a prolonged period of time, make sure you have an old style “knuckle buster” for credit card transactions. They can be purchased for as little as $15 and will be well worth the money in the event of an emergency. Also, keep emergency cash on hand in case you are stuck in your place of business for a prolonged period of time.
Always keep Receipts and Business Records organized. Companies that were able to access receipts, P&L’s, employee time cards, etc. in a timely manner were able to recoup losses from their insurance and utility companies at a much quicker rate. Make sure you save everything and store it properly.
have a plan for your Staff. Your staff needs to be aware of what to do in the case of an emergency. Emergency responders might be more inclined to assist residential facilities, and might overlook small businesses. Develop a checklist with your staff so they know where to turn off gas, etc. Make sure you also have an emergency kit with food and water at your place of business. Develop a communications plan, so staff know who to contact. In the event of a large scale earthquake, cell phone towers might be jammed or damaged. Consider using facebook or skype to communicate.
We are all very fortunate to live in Southern California and pay a huge “weather tax” in order to do so. Nonetheless, our region has a history of earthquakes and other disasters. It is imperative that we ensure that our families and businesses are prepared!
NeW M eMBeR
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