Serving the Community Since 1990
‘Paramount Today’ – Officials
Offer Update on Latest City News
The Paramount City Council presented “Paramount Today: A Report to the Community” on April 24 at Progress Park Plaza. The talk and slide show, given by City Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal after welcoming remarks by Mayor Gene Daniels, was a review of past and current accomplishments as well as plans for the future in town.
A look at the events of 2007 included the year-long celebration of Paramount’s 50th anniversary of incorporation and the City’s financial health. “The economy moved around on us a bit in 2007, but I’m happy to report that we came through okay,” Benedetti-Leal stated. “Paramount has a long history of being financially conservative and keeping a sound budget, and we ended the year with a surplus.”
She explained that the largest outlay in the City’s budget is dedicated to Public Safety and resources that make the community safer. “Our police station is unique, compared to the other cities served by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in this region,” she said. “Over the years we’ve supplemented our Sheriff’s contract with all sorts of
May 2008
other services.” Among those she listed were a probation officer, parole officer, Section 8 inspector, fingerprint specialist, deputy district attorney, gang specialist, neighborhood preservationist and two-man, no-call patrol cars. All of these tools increase productivity, she added, especially with serious crimes; in total, the City has seen a 43% drop in crime over the last decade. Plus, Paramount deputies continue to have the fastest response times in the area.
The City Manager next pointed out the latest improvements made involving traffic issues. “We had strong concern from parents about school crossings at Somerset and San Antonio and Orange and Jackson, and in response we put in new signal lights,” she said. Also addressed were safety concerns at Downey and Madison (a new light and a traffic island to slow down speeding drivers) and a protected left-turn light at Downey and Flower Street, which had been the scene of many vehicle accidents. All of the traffic light upgrades were paid for with grant funding, she said.
Another priority of the City Council, Benedetti-Leal related, is local youth and education. The latest effort in this area she detailed was the STAR (Success Through Academics and Recreation) Program, which
Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal provides both academic tutoring and physical fitness activities to 1st through 5th graders at every campus in the Paramount Unified School District. “We service approximately 1,600 students, and it’s completely funded through a grant from the State Department of Education. We look at this as one of the most important investments we can make for the future of our community.”
A recently passed ordinance that erases blight along City boulevards was highlighted. The unsightliness had been caused by an increase over the years in news-rack clutter. Now newspaper distributors must use an
attractive, uniform style of dispenser, and the number of the racks at intersections has been limited. Racks containing materials inappropriate for children have been banned.
Regarding developments in the near future, Benedetti-Leal mentioned the Fresh and Easy market coming to the recently remodeled shopping center at Alondra and Downey, the state-of-the-art distribution center for Kroger Company (Ralph’s and Food 4 Less) to be built on Garfield that will produce hundreds of new jobs, and the effort to bring a nationally recognized chain restaurant to the northeast corner of Alondra and Downey, which the Paramount Redevelopment Agency has purchased and cleared.
In addition, the re-making of Dills Park along the Los Angeles River will be completed this year, Benedetti-Leal said. It will become a nature park, with a beautiful walking trail, native shrubs and plants, and new connections to the river’s bike path. “We’re looking forward to turning it into a peaceful garden space for anyone who wants to take a nice walk,” the City Manager concluded.
Ambassador of the Quarter
City
Mayor Gene Danies
Paramount Chamber Ambassador Laura Warth receives a certificate of recognition from Ambassador Chair John Colville and Chamber President Leonard Crespo. Laura was awarded Ambassador of the Quarter for her outstanding performance as an Ambassador during the first quarter of 2008.
Mayor, Gene Daniels
Free ID Service Offered For Catalytic Converters and Third-Row-Seats
On Saturday, May 17, the Paramount Sheriff’s Station is co-sponsoring Operation Etch and Catch (catalytic converter and third-row-seat engraving). This free service will take place at local auto repair facilities.
Over the last two years, criminals in the region have been stealing two specific vehicle items. The first is the catalytic converter, an emission-control device. The precious metals used in their manufacture have soared in value. Since the devices have an exterior location on a car or truck, and can be removed in less than a minute, they are prime targets for thieves. The problem has become especially common among 1999-2007-model Toyota trucks and SUVs.
The second item is the third-rowseat in GM-manufactured SUVs, especially Tahoes, Yukons, Suburbans and Escalades. These seats are easily removed and storable. They’re also very easy to re-install in similar SUVs.
Neither catalytic converters nor the seats have serial numbers, which makes them difficult to identify if they are recovered.
The Paramount and Lakewood Sheriff Stations are presenting the free Etch and Catch event to engrave owners’ license plate numbers on these items. If your vehicle could be a target, bring it to one of the following locations on May 17 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. for this free service: Paramount Collision, 7771 Alondra Blvd., Paramount, (562) 529-7000.
Big “O” Tires, 9075 Artesia Blvd., Bellflower, (562) 461-8575.
Orlando Luzzi 75 Service, 4870 Bellflower Blvd., Lakewood, (562)
425-1603.
Transmission & Muffler Service, 16627 Pioneer Blvd., Artesia, (562) 860-4316.
S and J Auto Center, 12345 Carson St., Hawaiian Gardens, (562) 8605611.
For more information, please call (562) 220-2002.
Early Sign Up for Swimming Lessons
The City’s “Rally Night” for summer swimming lesson registration will be on Thursday, May 29 at 3:00 p.m. The sign-up session will take place at Progress Park Preschool, 15500 Downey Ave.
If you haven’t got a copy of the schedule for lessons, you can pick one up at the Recreation Department office at 15300 Downey Ave. The early-bird registration is only available to Paramount residents or PUSD students, so bring proof of residency or PUSD enrollment and proof of age with you. There are swim classes for all ages.
After Rally Night, priority registration (also for residents or PUSD students) will begin on June 2 and be available at the Recreation Department, Progress Park Preschool, and Paramount Community Center (14400 Paramount Blvd.) during their normal hours of operation. Late registration (open to non-residents) will start June 9 at the same locations.
Looking for Volunteer Coaches
The City is putting out a call to parents and other community members to volunteer as a coach for a youth sports team. You need to be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, which includes fingerprinting. Plus, if you coach and have children in any of our leagues, you can get a discount on the fees.
If you’re interested, please call (562) 220-2126 for more information.
Traffic Safety
The City’s two newest traffic signal lights are now operational. They were both installed after residents came to us with concerns about safe street
crossings for their kids walking to and from school. One is located at Orange and Jackson, and the other at Somerset and El Camino – both were paid for by state grants.
May is Water Awareness Month
Our region’s issues with water – low supplies and potentially higher costs – are still with us. As always, it’s a good idea to be mindful of saving water when you can. In acknowledgement of May as Water Awareness Month, here is some information about rebate programs available locally to businesses and individuals.
The Save a Buck Program is for commercial and industrial sectors, who have great potential to save money and water. Rebates and incentives are available to business, industry, institutional and multifamily water customers on a variety of water-saving devices and water-efficient technologies. These can help lower water and sewer bills, reduce energy costs and address environmental impact. These can include such things as ultralow-flush toilets in motels and office buildings and new clothes washing
machines in laundromats and apartment buildings. Visit www.mwdsaveabuck.com/rebates.htm or call 1-877-728-2282 for more information.
Through the Central Basin Municipal Water District, single-family homeowners can gain rebates – for $100 – when purchasing high-efficiency clothes washers. These utilize the most advanced technology to deliver excellent wash performance while using 50 - 75% less water and energy. By reducing the water used in a single wash cycle, less energy is needed to heat the water. More than 100 high-efficiency models are offered by popular name-brand manufacturers.
The Central Basin Municipal Water District also offers $80 rebates to local homeowners who purchase “smart” sprinkler controllers. These controllers figure out the right amount of water for your landscape based on information about your plants and garden environment. In one study, they saved 40 gallons a day, and can reduce total outdoor water use by up to 18 percent.
Visit www.centralbasin.org to gain more details about these two rebate programs.
True confidence comes from our ability to uncover and accept our weaknesses and discover and use our strengths.
Paramount Targets Impaired Drivers with Checkpoint Public Encouraged to
Report Suspected Violators
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in Paramount will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Monday, May 5, from 6 p.m. till 2 a.m. at 7100 Rosecrans Ave. DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street.
All too often, community members are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. The DUI/ Drivers License checkpoints are an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as insure that drivers have a valid driver’s license. A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers.
A DUI checkpoint is a proven, effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, the Paramount Public Safety Department believes motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.
Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked, and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. The objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs – “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest.”
The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.
Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information, call (562) 220-2002.
Another “Hi-Tech” Tool
Also recently added to the City’s
Public Safety efforts were four “Blue Check” devices. These handheld devices can obtain thumbprints in the field and have them checked against a database of known criminals instantaneously.
Often, individuals who are stopped by deputies – and have a criminal background – will provide false birthdates or an alias to avoid being arrested. If these individuals do not have proper identification, deputies can use the Blue Check to see if the thumbprint reveals their true ID and if they have any outstanding warrants.
License Plate Scanners Getting Results
Paramount recently added two ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition) vehicles to its law enforcement tool chest. The high-tech surveillance systems help track stolen vehicles or those involved in criminal investigations. They are mounted on patrol cars, run continuously, and use infrared imaging and an optical character recognition program to read and record vehicle license plates at all hours of the day or night. License numbers are then run through a computer and checked against a list of suspect or wanted vehicles.
In the short time since it was introduced in Paramount, the new technology has led to the recovery of two parked stolen vehicles and one moving stolen vehicle, as well as the apprehension of one suspect. The technology is also of particular value when searching for wanted suspects or for missing children following an Amber Alert. All of the plates that have been scanned in the City join a shared Sheriff’s Department database that is being used to investigate crimes other than stolen plates or vehicles.
A Reminder – Auction For Education on June 6
The Paramount Education Partnership’s 5th Annual Benefit Auction, hosted by Gateway Cities Partnership at Progress Park Plaza, will take place June 6 at 6:00 p.m. Funds raised during both the silent and live auctions will be used to support PEP’s educational programming for the community and college scholarships for local students.
The event – with its theme of “A Night in Spain” – will feature music, Tapas hors d’oerves, fine wine and a wide variety of fabulous items to bid on.
If you would like to join the many committed community members and local businesses that have invested in Paramount’s
future by becoming an auction sponsor, there are opportunities still available.
Last year’s event was attended by more than 200 friends of education in town and raised $87,634, which represented a 46% increase from the previous year. This year the goal is to reach $100,000 to provide scholarships, maintain programs, and ultimately assist more students in the community.
For more information on becoming a sponsor or attending, or for general information regarding PEP’s 5th Annual Benefit Auction, Friday, June 6, please contact Aoife Hollingsworth, event coordinator, at (562) 817-0820 or aoifeh@gatewaycities.org.
Brenda Trejo and Leonor Zamora from Washington Mutual Bank, present a check for $2,500 to the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP). Suleyma Rosales, coordinator for the PEP program accepted the check and thanked Washington Mutual for their contribution which will help provide educational enrichment programs to Paramount residents.
SPRING SPECIAL
May 6, 2008 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The Wine Country 2301 Redondo Avenue, Signal Hill, CA 90755
$75.00 Early Bird Tickets - Deadline: April 25, 2008 $85.00 Tickets at the door or after April 25th
All donations are tax-deductible and go to help Su Casa provide services for victims and survivors of domestic violence and child abuse. Questions? Contact Christina Satki (562) 421-3297 or email: Christina@sucasadv.org
Paramount City Council
Fair Housing Month
April was recognized as National Fair Housing Month by the Paramount City Council at its April 1 meeting. The designation brings attention to national anti-discrimination laws in housing. Joining the Council was Violet Rodriguez from the Fair Housing Foundation of Long Beach. From left: Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Rodriguez, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
National Library Week
April 13-19 was noted as National Library Week by the City Council. On hand to receive a commendation were Librarian Cherie Shih of the Paramount branch of the County Library and longtime Friends of the Library member Helen Melton. From left: Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez, Melton, Shih, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Donate Life Month
April was celebrated, too, as National Donate Life Month, which stresses the importance of organ, tissue and blood donations. It also helps publicize the Donate Life Registry that lets California residents list themselves as organ donors on their driver’s license. Sharing their personal stories at the meeting were two recipients of organ transplants, Dave Hollon and Maryanne O’Quinn, both former high school classmates of Vice Mayor Diane J. Martinez. From left: Councilmember Tom Hansen, Vice Mayor Martinez, O’Quinn, Hollon, Mayor Gene Daniels, Councilmember Peggy Lemons and Councilmember Daryl Hofmeyer.
Pathways Volunteer Hospice
Pathways Volunteer Hospice recently honored their volunteers during National Volunteer month. The Mardi Gras themed event was emceed by Mr. Bayou himself, Lakewood Councilmember Joe Esquivel. Volunteers were treated to a fun filled evening of good food and live entertainment. Volunteer of the Year awards were presented to Felicia Singleton, Josie De Cora and Patricia for their dedication and service to Pathways Caregiving, Hospice and Bereavement programs.
Paramount Rotary Sponsors “CLOTHE-A-CHILD”
Rotary sponsored a Clothe-AChild event to celebrate the spring season. Working closely with Gaines, Roosevelt and Zamboni Schools, nineteen deserving children were selected to participate in a clothing spending spree. Each student and a family member arrived at the Penney store in Lakewood Mall where they were individually escorted through the store by a Rotarian to select clothing of their own choice. The Penney store discounted purchases by 25% to support the effort. A total of $5,100
was spent and there were a whole lot of smiling faces that made the effort a labor of love.
The Rotary Club is an organization of local business and professional people who provide humanitarian assistance to Paramount residents. The Club meets at noon every Tuesday at Progress Park for fellowship, lunch and informational programs, visitors are always welcome. For more information, call Club Secretary Duane Mahan at 562-634-0234 or click on website at www.clubrunner. ca/paramount.
Soroptimist Club
Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award, 2004
Education Partnership Platinum Sponsor
A part of the City of Paramount for over 70 years, did you know that:
Adrian Lopez, assistant public safety director for the City of Paramount, receives the Paramount Soroptimist “Making a Difference for Women” award from club member Laura Warth. Adriana was recognized for her outstanding performance in promoting
preparedness services to the community.
Lerma Law Grand Opening
Writing an Effective Business Plan: Part II, The Marketing Plan
In the second part of this three part workshop, you will learn how to market your business, how to find your customers, how to launch and grow your business.
Fee: $30 Tuesday May 6, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Writing an Effective Business Plan: Part III, The Financial Plan
In this final workshop, you will learn how to track your business, prepare simple financial statements that allow you to know exactly how well your business is performing and how to package your financial information for leaders and investors.
Fee: $30 Tuesday May 27, 2008 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Reservations are required. Workshops are from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information call 562-634-3980 x10 or email mvillasenor@paramountchamber.com Workshops Presented
HELP WANTED
AUTO MECHANIC WITH TOOL EXPERIENCE. Trouble-shooting. TOP DOLLAR for TOP MECHANIC. Apply at Herald’s Garage, 8124 E. Alondra Blvd, Paramount. 562-633-2136, Ask for Joe.
SECURITY OFFICERS - Immediate Full Time & Part Time Positions. Must have valid guard and or gun permits. Call Central Patrol Service (562) 621-1500
Charles G. Hardy, Inc., Distributor of Building Material DRIVERS AND WAREHOUSEMEN wanted.15723 Vermont Ave., Paramount, Ask for Mark (562) 634-6560
SECURITY and PATROL OFFICERS NEEDED - Vernon Security currently has openings for Unarmed Guards and Patrol Officers to work all shifts in Paramount and surrounding cities. Must have a current guard card and a clean DMV for Patrol. Call Charles at 562-790-8993 Ext.102 or apply in person at 15317 Paramount Blvd Suite 201, Paramount, CA. Must bring your guard card when applying.
International Freight Forwarding Co. Hiring OPERATIONS, ACCOUNTING, CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES REPS for its Paramount Ca. Houston Tx., & NYC offices. Experience not required. Proficiency in Chinese a plus. H/Ins. 401K provided. EM to laofc@zencon.com or fax 562-663-6899
Soroptimist Club
Soroptimist Club President Judy Winters presents new club member Rosemary Vasquez. with a Soroptimist membership
The following women were recently recognized at a Paramount Soroptimist awards luncheon. Jaqueline Medina received the Violet Richardson Award for her volunteer actions with the PHS Macaws, Cynthia Worthy and Julia Prudenciano received the Women’s Opportunity Award for their efforts to obtain skills and training which will secure their economic future, and Adriana Lopez received the Making a Difference Award for her efforts in promoting safety programs to women. Some receipents received financial assistance to continue their education while others received awards of recognition. Presentations were also made by the offices of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, Senator Alan Lowenthal, Supervisor Don Knabe and the City of Paramount.
Best Business Ideas are Right in Front of You
By Ian Lamont Director- Small Business Development Center
Businesses know where there most successful and profitable ideas are located. They reside in your employees. The knowing is easy, creating and encouraging an environment and culture where innovation flows is the hard part.
While the beat and smartest business know-how has always resided in organizations, never has that knowledge offered more potential at every level of the business than it does now, in this Information Age. Think about the intellect and cutting edge technological comprehension even the youngest members of your business have today. The best and most profitable ideas no longer just flow down from the most senior people. Today ideas abound, they flow up, down and across. They are discussed in break rooms, not corner offices.
Forces like technology, globalization and the rise of free agency and the virtual work place are bringing another form of hidden capital to the forefront. That resource is “social capital.” Whether you are a large or small business, your future will greatly depend on how willing you are to operate very differently than you are today, how you learn to build trust, networks and a sense of community within your organization.
Social capital is being defined as “the stock of active connections among people: the trust, mutual understanding and shared values and behaviors that bind the members of human networks and communities and makes cooperative action possible.”
Huh? Sounds like something that would be written on the wall at a retreat for bureaucrats. I like this definition better; “Social capital is the ability of business to allow everyone in their company to be empowered and innovative… and… to be recognized and compensated for their contributions and results achieved.”
You don’t have to memorize either definition but you better embrace the concept of “social capital” or you are throwing away one of your most important business assets.
Fortune Magazine’s recent cover story was on Generation Y (yes, Generation X is old school now). The story’s headline was “Manage Us? Puh-leeze….. Today’s twentysomethings have their own rules. You just don’t understand them (yet).” The story dealt with the significant impact this generation will have on business NOW! I came into the business world in 1974. Whish makes me a member of the Baby Boomer generation. Back then I was willing to work hard and be loyal to any business who would hire and teach me. Today’s “twentysomethings” come into the business world believing the business is lucky to be hiring them and perhaps, already possessing your company’s next great idea.
Only the most innovative and progressive businesses being lead by open-minded thinkers will be able to fully embrace this concept and create the right culture.
A big part of the reason we hear so much about “free agency” and see resumes where young professionals have already have worked at more businesses than most Baby Boomers, is due to these Gen Yers looking for that “right culture.” Sure Gen Yers can be difficult, outspoken, abrasive and think they know it all. Baby Boomers, don’t kid yourselves, we were exactly the same way in our 20’s. We just didn’t show it. The biggest difference is these “twentysomethings” are a heck of a lot smarter and worldly than we were, and some of their ideas, just may be really good.
Individuals (including Gen Yers) will always have a need for the satisfaction gained
from recognition and appreciation by peers and elders and from the pleasure of giving as well as getting help.
So how do you build a business, a culture, where just like a capital investment in a tangible asset produces a return to the business, an investment in “social capital” will produce a return. In many cases, a return significantly faster and higher.
To start with, here are the benefits of investing in “social capital:”
• An environment is created and all individuals are empowered, where knowledge sharing occurs because trusted relationships have been built, goals have been shared and there are common frames of reference;
• Operating expenses are reduced, time is saved, due to trust and a cooperative spirit;
• Turnover rates plummet, resulting in reduced severance, hiring and training costs;
• Greater coherence, achievement and profits result due to a culture of stability.
Before we discuss further the value of “social capital” let’s be clear, “social capital” is not about everyone in an organization liking and accepting one another; it is not about being nice. “Social capital” is not about employees sharing details of their personal lives, erasing the line between work and home. That kind of coerced intimacy will ultimately damage trust and the environment your are trying to build.
Nor is social capital enhanced by paying lip service to equity and respect. Calling everyone in the organization an “associate” while the decision-making remains at the top merely breeds cynicism. Since “social capital” is about trust, relationship and commitment, it thrives on authenticity. Hypocrisy kills it.
OK, enough on what “social capital” is not and back to the value of it. The starting point of any investment in “social capital” is building trust. Today’s workers need to be responsive, inventive and cooperative. Trust is one essential lubricant that allows workers to be all of that and much more.
Low-trust organizations are characterized by manipulation, secrecy and the triumph of shrewd calculation over hard work. High-trust organizations, on the other hand, are rewarded with a culture that supports creativity and collaboration among its members.
Trust is not a uniform, invisible quality. It is largely situational. Many people experience trust in another person after a series of observations or trust-measuring experiments. Essentially, a person is judged trustworthy.
A powerful sense of higher organizational purpose can sometimes foster trust. A sense of duty, patriotism or idealism can help generate trust as well as commitment. People tend to trust organizations that have a calling beyond pure profitability, and they are more likely to trust colleagues who share their commitment to an important goal.
Building and maintaining trust as a fundamental part of your company’s operating culture is difficult. Most businesses don’t even come close. But the most respected and successful business, or for that matter the best organizations (it could be one department within a company, or a non-profit, a team, a service organization) all have trust as a common trait.
You can encourage trust by:
• Being trustworthy. Leaders set the tone, establishing the values and norms through their own conduct and actions. Simply “walk the talk” goes a long way.
• Being open and encouraging openness. Sincerely knowing the people around you, what their responsibilities are and even
what their professional goals are, builds connections and trust. Transparent and open promotion and compensation polices based on contributions and achievement help build trust and raises everyone’s performance.
· Empowering everyone. Individuals who know their opinion matters, that they can make a difference, will perform at their highest possible levels.
· Communicating openly and candidly. Tell everyone, everything you can about what is going on in the company- the good, bad and ugly. Answer questions and be accessible.
By the end of this decade some 64 million skilled Baby Boomers, possessing a significant amount of institutional knowledge and experience, will be able to retire. So how you do business and who you do it with is going to change significantly, whether you like it or not. You can be proactive and embrace your investment in “social capital” now, which is actually in
the company’s best interest anyway, or you can wait and risk it all.
Ian Lamont is the Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located in North Long Beach. The SBDC provides “no-cost ever” 1-on-1 business counseling and mentoring. Your Paramount Chamber has partnered with the SBDC to provide this free business counseling at the Paramount Chamber office for any business in the area. The SBDC has nine experienced business counselors, including, an Accountant, Attorney, Banker, Webmaster/ Technologist Sales & Marketing Executive, along with experience counselors in starting and running your own successful business. There is never a charge to meet with any of these counselors 1-on-1. The SBDC is hosted by Long Beach City College. To set up your appointment, call the Chamber or call the LB SBDC office at 562-570-4571. For more information, go to http://lbsbdc. lbcc.edu
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