August 7, 2020 HMG-CN eNewspaper

Page 1

LAST WEEK! Win a $100 Eureka Burger Gift Card!

LOS CERRITOS

See page 16

Serving Cerritos and ten other surrounding communities • August 7, 2020 • Vol 34, No. 52 • loscerritosnews.net

CERRITOS TRIPLETS HELP THE HOMELESS DURING COVID WRD APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF MONITORING WELL IN CERRITOS

HMG EXCLUSIVE

CENTRAL BASIN MANAGER PAYING AGENCY EMPLOYEES WITHOUT APPROVAL

BY BRIAN HEWS

Finance Director Andrew Hamilton refuses to submit financial reports for scrutiny. BY BRIAN HEWS Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community News has learned that Central Basin Finance Director Andrew Hamilton has been issuing paychecks to Central Basin employees despite the fact that the board has not passed a 2020-’21 budget. The budget stalemate is due to Directors John Oskoui and Bob Apodaca; they are defying a court decision from last week deliberately not attending special board meetings called to approve the budget. In addition, the actual amount of payroll has not been approved as an item on the consent calendar during regular board meetings, and Hamilton is not submitting

See CENTRAL BASIN page 12

KITS FOR HOMELESS: Cerritos residents Josiah, Jacob and Jared Joseph with LAFD officials display their COVID Kits for the Homeless. They were inspired by paramedic Jose Perez and his actions helping the homeless. Firefighter Perez, a 16-year veteran, recently died after contracting COVID. Photo courtesy of the Joseph family. BY TAMMYE MCDUFF Josiah, Jacob and Jared Joseph are making their mark. As part of the curriculum for Los Angeles Urban League 2020 Online Biz Camp, these young men had to turn an idea into a business. Partnering with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Biz Camp is a four week summer program that teaches

teens how to develop a business plan, learn critical thinking skills and learn what it takes to be your own boss. Instead of baking cupcakes or creating shirts, the Joseph brothers took it to a whole new level. After holding a family meeting they decided to give back to the community and develop CoVID Kits for the homeless. Initially the project was made possible

See TRIPLETS page 12

FIFTH ANNUAL CITY HALL SELFIE DAY COMING FRIDAY AUGUST 14

Lakewood~The Water Replenishment District (WRD) is embarking on a project to construct two new wells as part of WRD’s Regional Groundwater Monitoring Program (RGWMP). One well would be in Paramount in the other well will be in Cerritos. In a phone call WRD President Vera Robles DeWitt told HMG that the wells will be in Progress Park and Cerritos Park East. Because groundwater, water contained in deep underground aquifers, cannot be directly observed; WRD must track it through deep wells and specialized monitoring equipment.

See WRD page 14

PROP 17 WOULD ALLOW PAROLEES INTO THE BALLOT BOX. HOW WOULD THEY VOTE? BY BALA THENAPPEN

ALL ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT PRIDE: City Hall Selfie Day is a celebration of local government and gives employees and residents the opportunity to get out in their community and show off their best camera phone skills while showcasing their local government buildings. The pictures must be posted to social media using hashtag #cityhallselfie to enter the contest. Story on page 9.

This November’s ballot will feature proposition 17, which would allow Californians on parole for a felony conviction to vote. Currently, felons must complete their prison sentence and their parole sentence to vote. Could parolees swing elections in the state’s most competitive districts? The term “parolees” applies to people who are allowed back into the community from prison before their prison sentence is scheduled to be completed, as long as they follow certain guidelines and reporting requirements. Roughly 52,000 Californians are expected to be on parole in 2021. California parolees should be expected to lean left as a voting bloc. In 2007, Florida gave 150,000 ex-felons who had been convicted for less serious offenses

See PROP 17 page 4

ElTepayacCafe.com

WE ARE OPEN FOR TAKEOUT AND DELIVERY!

Take a break from cooking and let us cook for you. Grab a meal that will put a smile on the entire family's face. With our generous portions of your favorite comfort food, your family will be happy and well fed for days. Our entire menu including beer are available for to-go or by delivery through our website, Postmates, Uber Eats, Doordash and Grubhub.

Open 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.

562.263.6455


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.