"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often." ~Johnny Carson
HEWS MEDIA GROUP
Winner of Fourteen LA Press Club Awards from 2012-2018.
Serving Cerritos and ten other surrounding communities • November 26, 2021 • Vol. 36, No. 3 • loscerritosnews.net
Rogue Water Director
Letter From Downey City Attorney: Central Basin Director Leticia Vasquez 'Grossly Negligent' By Brian Hews Hews Media Group-Community News has obtained a scathing letter from Downey's law firm, Huntington Beach-based Scarborough Law, slamming Central Basin Director Leticia Vasquez for a video she published online related to Downey's drinking water. It is another disturbing - and costly - action by the embattled Vasquez; recently, HMG-CN published an article about Vasquez and her crony associate, Joey Martinez, based on a video obtained by HMG-CN that shows the two trespassing at Central Basin offices violating multiple parts of the agency's Administrative Code while acknowledging
on the video, they were looking to "start a ruckus" with Central Basin employees. Vasquez was seen entering a secure and taking files; MArinez also attempted to view the personal files. The moves forced CB GM Alex Rojas to purchase identity theft accounts for those affected and set the agncy up for possible lawsuits. The Scarborough letter set the tone early, "This office represents the City of Downey regarding false and defamatory statements that were recently publicized by you in a recent You Tube video." The video introduced Vasquez
See VASQUEZ page 7
Boxer and Hawaiian Gardens Native Abner Mares' Ninth Annual Turkey Giveaway By Tammye McDuff Boxing champion, and Hawaiian Gardens native, Abner Mares hosted his 9th Annual Turkey Giveaway in Hawaiian Gardens. The drive-through event Thanksgiving dinners to sixty Hawaiian Gardens families November 21 at the City Hall parking lot. Mayor Luis Roa acknowledged Mares saying,”We are so thankful for this donation and want to give a huge shout out to Abner Mares for this amazing gift to our residents.” Mares is a boxing champion, broadcaster, entrepreneur and philanthropist born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and at age seven his family moved to the city of Hawaiian Gardens, California. “I was raised in this beautiful city for many years, my whole family
as well and this is the ninth year for my turkey drive. It’s all about giving back to the community.” Councilman Jesse Alvarado said, "Abner lived and trained in our facilities here and we are very proud of him and will continue to support his donations to our residents.” Hawaiian Gardens is proud of Mares many accomplishments, “We wish him continued success, and are grateful to him for coming back to the community time and again. Thanks to the generous donation from former World Boxing Champion and hometown hero” added Roa. “This is an important way for me to give back to my community,” said Mares. “When I was growing up, my family relied on shelters, food banks and giveaways like this to feed our family at Thanksgiving and during the holidays. I know what it’s like to be in that position. This is a way for me to give back and help people who were like me when I was growing up.”
ABNER MARES at Hawaiian Gardens City Hall giving away turkey and apple pies.
GROUNDBREAKING IN NORWALK SPROUTING UP: (right to left) Sal Flores, Project Manager with Grapevine Development; James Acevedo, Owner of Grapevine Development; Norwalk City Manager Jesus Gomez; Norwalk Mayor Jennifer Perez; and Councilwoman Margarita Rios at the groundbreaking.
Lakewood Man Arrested for Threatening to Bomb SBA Offices By Brian Hews A Lakewood man was arrested on a federal criminal complaint filed Wednesday alleging he threatened to bomb Small Business Administration (SBA) offices and then, the following year, assault SBA employees in response to his inability to obtain COVID-19 emergency business loans. Christopher Joseph Antoun, 29, was arrested Saturday on a complaint charging him with one count of making threats by interstate communication. According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Antoun owns Federal Student Loan Consulting LLC, a company he runs out of his Lakewood residence. In early 2020, Antoun attempted to obtain a COVID-19 Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). These loans provide accessible and borrower-friendly capital to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 3, 2020, after he failed to receive approval for an EIDL loan or an advance from the
See LAKEWOOD page 2
Sprouts Farmers Market to Open in Norwalk By Tammye McDuff The Norwalk Planning Commission recently unanimously approved the new development of a new 22,440 square foot building that will be the future home of a Sprouts Farmers Market, scheduled to start operation in fall of 2022. A groundbreaking was held Friday, November 19, 2021 with property owner John Love of Commercial Shapell Properties and the Norwalk City Council. The property is located at the southwest corner of Alondra Boulevard and Maidstone Avenue and is directly east of the Wienerschnitzel and the former Norwalk Indoor Swap Meet site. To make room for the new building, the existing 33,911 square foot multi-tenant commercial building will need to be demolished, which is expected to begin in early December of this year. On the northeast corner of the property there will also be a 4,900 square foot commercial building, along with related site and landscaping improvements. The 4,900 square foot commercial building will have space for three tenants, which are currently not identified. “Residents have been re-
questing a grocery store that offers a wide selection of natural and organic foods and the City of Norwalk will finally be getting its very own Sprouts Farmers Market,” stated Mayor Jennifer Perez, “There is a misconception that cities have the authority to dictate which businesses operate in their cities, but that is all up to property owners and developers. However, the City of Norwalk is committed to planning for the economic prosperity of our community and continues to look for ways to improve our City that will ensure a thriving future for ways to improve our City that will ensure a thriving future for those who live, work and play here.” Love added, “this is an exciting new opportunity to bring something new into the community. This property holds a special place in our hearts. Norwalk was the first place that we built homes, but this property was our very first commercial development.” The company still has the original photo of the opening in their lobby. Sprouts is headquartered in Phoenix, the grocer employs over 35,000 workers and operates over 360 stores. The development is expected to be completed by early fall of 2022.