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Official publication of the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce | 30,000 Circulation - Delivered to every home in Lakewood www.lakewoodchamber.com
Volume 40 Number 10
Council appoints longtime city commissioner Vicki Stuckey
New Council Member Vicki Stuckey at her swearing in on Sept. 9. At their Sept. 8 meeting, Lakewood City Council Members decided to fill the seat left vacant by the Aug. 31 retirement of Council Member Diane DuBois by appointing longtime resident and city commissioner Vicki Stuckey. Stuckey was sworn into office by Lakewood’s city clerk on Sept. 9, 2020. “I am so honored and humbled to have this opportunity to serve my fellow residents of Lakewood,” said Council Member Stuckey. “I love living in Lakewood. I love the parks, the residential neighborhoods, and our wonderful residents, community groups and events. I look forward to devoting myself to being the best council member possible, representing everyone in our community, and working with my colleagues and fellow
residents to keep our city in great shape and make it the best it possibly can be.” Stuckey has been a resident of Lakewood for 28 years. She has been a Lakewood city commissioner for 19 years, serving four years on the Community Safety Commission and 15 years on the Planning and Environment Commission. She has served as chair of that commission four times. Stuckey has been active in several Lakewood community organizations, including the Pan American Association and the board of directors of Lakewood Regional Medical Center. Stuckey retired in 2019 after working 34 years for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. She rose through the ranks from deputy, to sergeant, to lieutenant (including service as a watch commander at two
Sheriff’s Stations), and she ultimately became a captain and the commander of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, managing the 65 sworn and civilian personnel of that station. “I think Vicki Stuckey is a great choice for serving Lakewood, especially at this unique point in our history,” said Mayor Todd Rogers. “As we all know, Lakewood continues to diversify, and I think it is important that we have a variety of perspectives and life experiences represented at the highest levels of decision making. Vicki is a longtime resident who knows our community well. She has a wealth of experience already in the operation of Lakewood government and I think she can step right in and hit the ground running to effectively serve out the remainder of Diane DuBois’ seat at this important time for our city.” The City Council had the option to hold a special election or to appoint someone to fill the 18 months remaining in the Diane DuBois term, as was done the last time a Lakewood council seat was vacated mid-term, in 2012. A special election would have cost the city over $200,000 and, due to state election timing rules, could not be held until March 2021, leaving the seat vacant for seven months. The seat would then be up for its regular election cycle in 2022, meaning the new council member’s term would only last for one year. ♦
'Thank a Servicemember' needs your help
Kids enjoy creating their own cards and messages of thanks.
The City of Lakewood’s seventh annual ‘Thank a Servicemember’ campaign is in full swing, collecting cards and letters of appreciation to send to our U.S. military servicemembers stationed far from home. There’s plenty of time to get creative--the deadline to deliver the cards to City Hall is Friday, Dec.
4. The city will send the collected cards and letters to the nonprofit organization Operation Gratitude for delivery with care packages sent to U.S. servicemembers overseas. You can pick up a special free postcard at City Hall to write your message, or make or write your own card or letter. COVID-19 health and safety
precautions will introduce some slight changes to this year’s campaign. Many of the usual pick up/drop off locations remain closed, but Lakewood City Hall will have postcards and a collection box at the screening desk. Alternatively, you can print or submit your notes online, eliminating the need for travel or contact. During these unprecedented times, please take a few minutes to share your appreciation for the sacrifice of our men and women serving our nation overseas. They will receive your greeting during the holiday season. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ TAS to learn more about Thank a Servicemember and how you can get involved. With additional questions, call the city’s Community Relations office at (562) 866-9771 ext. 3123. ♦
October 2020
Celebrate Halloween with two fun family activities
Although Lakewood’s traditional Halloween carnivals at the parks must be canceled due to COVID-19, residents can still enjoy Halloween fun this year. The City of Lakewood will offer three nights of Drive-in Movies at the Lakewood Center Del Amo Blvd. parking lot: • Friday, Oct. 23: Addams Family 2019 • Friday, Oct. 30: Beetlejuice • Saturday, Oct. 31: Casper Registration information will be available Oct. 1. Sign up at www. lakewoodcity.org/ecatalog (use the keyword Halloween). Movies will begin at 7 p.m. with car staging beginning at 6 p.m. For the FAQ and all the details, see www.lakewoodcity.org/ DriveInMovie. Additionally, Lakewood residents can participate in a fun ‘Spooktacular’ Halloween Photo Contest on Halloween weekend
via email and Instagram. Dress up the kids, the pets, and your home for a chance to win a prize. Originality is encouraged! The top winners in each category will receive a prize: • Spookiest costume • Most original • Grandparent/grandchild duo • House decoration • Best-dressed pet costume • PLUS…bonus category: Best Pumpkin Carving The contest runs from Friday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. There is no entry limit per participant but only one winner selected per household per category. Must be a Lakewood resident to receive a prize. To enter, post your photo on Instagram with the hashtag #LakewoodFun, or email your photos to Lakewoodfun@lakewoodcity.org with “Halloween Photo” in the subject line. ♦
See Halloween ad on back page for further details
Appointment needed to register for Project Shepherd assistance The holiday season can be tough for some Lakewood households, including those who have faced unemployment or underemployment for many months. If you are a Lakewood resident facing tough economic times, your Lakewood neighbors want to help. Registration is required to receive help from Project Shepherd for Thanksgiving and the December holiday. This year, due to COVID-19, residents must first call to schedule an in-person appointment. Starting Monday, Oct. 19, residents may call the Burns Community Center Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 562-925-7512 to set an in-person registration appointment for Nov. 4-18. Visit www.lakewoodcity.org/ ProjectShepherdRegistration for
additional information. Eligibility requirements: • Lakewood residents only. • Those who are low-income, unemployed or on public assistance. To register, bring the following: • A current utility bill (water, gas, electric) or government award letter. • Identification for each person in the household, including children. Project Shepherd would like to thank our sponsors Farmers & Merchants Bank and Macy’s for their generous support this holiday season. ♦