October 2, 2020 La Mirada Lamplighter eNewspaper

Page 1

Winner of Fourteen LA Press Club Awards from 2012- 2017.

LAST WEEK! Win a $100 WWW.LMLAMPLIGHTER.COM 6 Delivered to 10,000 Homes Every Week MIRADA, CA., OCTOBER 2, ELIVERED TO OMES VERY EEK LALA MIRADA, CA., NOVEMBER 222020 , 2019 Eureka Burger Card! HMG-CN EXCLUSIVE CALTRANS REROUTED TRAFFIC WITHOUT INFORMING CERRITOS, ILLEGAL MOVE WILL COST THE CITYGiftOVER $5 MILLION

LOS CERRITOS

See page 16

MARIO BELTRAN EXTORTED MARIJUANA BUSINESSES IN COMMERCE, CITY OFFICIALS ARE INVOLVED

BY BRIAN HEWS

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ta or Artesia is a city designated ows onto arterial streets.â€? The City is claiming that the during the construction period. HMG EXCLUSIVE The City then cited the nurerouting has caused over $5 “Caltrans has failed to coor- truck route, commercial vehicles merous safety representatives hazards caused by million in damage to the streets, dinate thus far, and any further over 6,000 pounds are strictly Hews Media Group-Los Cerand responded once again one hour calls from Commerce BY BRIAN HEWS Bell City Councilman Mario Beltran ritos Community News has ob- increased pollution in the area, lack of communication or con- prohibited on the streets, per the rerouting of trafďŹ c, concerns later. informing them that they made it to the to develop a plan in which each would that have been voiced by Cerritained a letter, dated September increased trafďŹ c noise, and in- sultation with the City and its City Municipal Code.â€? final cut and that’s when Beltran would profit off the issuance of On November 30 the The Caltrans rerouting of tos residents in calls and emails 6, 2019, addressed to Caltrans creased the safety risk of resi- residents is unacceptable.â€? call, a strong indication that there was licenses in the city of incriminating email was The long-time political operative is from the city of Cerritos that dents. The City blasted Caltrans for trucks has caused severe dam- to both HMG-LCCN and the sent from the Cannabis Commerce.â€? former Councilman peak City. between Commerce blasts theBell stateCity agency for rerout-who Further the letter states that establishing a detour route on age and increased trafďŹ c atcommunication Team back to Jafari employees and As evidence, worked for the Calderons. TheBeltran. rerouting on Carmenita ing tractor-trailer trafďŹ c through Caltrans is in violation of the southbound Carmenita between hours, the extensive damage with a salutation Beltran would thetwo company lawsuit takes largeinform trucks by schools, the City due to I-5 construction project’s theďŹ nal Environmental the I-5 and Artesia Blvd., and alone is estimated “to cost $5.2 BYthat BRIAN HEWS if they did not engage him a lobincluded an obligates eastbound Artesia Blvd. between million thattoincluded Impact Report which repair,â€? and the “averStowers Elementary andasCarmeprojects. byist and pay kickbacks, Beltran would Jafari, another lawsuit obtained by HMG-CN email conage daily trafďŹ c on said streets nita Middle school in addition Shockingly, the rerouting was the agency to coordinate with cit- Carmenita and the I-5. Lakewood~The Water Replenishment Director Andrew notand allow the license to be approved. owner Kintu, is alleging thatthe East Los Anversation increased ies to minimize adverse impacts “Neither stretch of Carmeni- has signiďŹ cantly doneFinance without notifying City. District (WRD) is embarking on a projHamilton refuses to submit and “Mario.â€? what could beSee awells smoking gun, geles political operative Mario that was at CALTRANS page 14 ect to In construct two new as part of includedRegional in the lawsuit was Beltran’s The lawsuit WRD’s Beltran has been demanding kickbacks first between ďŹ nancial reports for scrutiny. Groundwater Monitor-exlegal contract, which demanded the owner alleges the Ma- ingtensive from businesses trying to open a mariProgram (RGWMP). a $50,000 payment, ownership rio in the email juanaBY dispensary in Commerce and that of From the One well would be in 10% Paramount in the BRIAN HEWS wellcompany will be in if Cerritos. in the it was sold, and a is Mario Beltran other some city officials are participating in Earth, LLC, In a phone call WRD and is evidence that $2,500 payment for anPresident indefiniteVera length the extortion. Arion Jafari, Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Robles DeWitt told HMG that the wells he is working with of time. and Commerce’s The lawsuit News was filed by From Community has learned thatthe will be in Progress Park and Cerritos Park Central Finance Director theBY city in his MARTIN illegal Beltran threatened thatout if From “Commercial CanEarth, LLCBasin and includes Beltran Andrew and THOM action, jumping of herthecar East. Hamilton has been issuing paychecks to nabis KITS FOR HOMELESS: and Jared Joseph with LAFD Earth did not return the contract in 24the Permit Team,â€? who Cerritos residents Josiah, Jacobscheme. the city of Commerce. the boy and helping Because grabbing groundwater, water contained Basin employees despite display COVID Kits for the Homeless. They were inspired by paramedic hours the license would be pulled. The scheme involved mariInCentral an explosive accusation, thethe fact areofďŹ cials employees oftheir Commerce. The City of Lakewood held underground woman. in deep aquifers, cannot that the board has not passed a 2020-’21 Jose and his actions the homeless. Perez, a 16-year veteran, Daysobserved; later, toldmust Beltran ThePerez conversation beganhelping on NovemjuanaFireďŹ ghter dispensaries paying a license lawsuit stated, “the action is based itsfirst annual Award of Valor lunSheJafari took them to Artesia be directly WRD trackthey itHigh budget. recently died after contracting COVID. Photo courtesy of the Joseph family. cheon on Nov. 6inforto thankthrough the men School, where they received medhe would not participate in his illegal fee and providing all necessary upon the corrupt conduct of the city of ber 24 when the team sent a developer deep wells and specialized moniThe budget stalemate is due to Direcequipment. and women of the Los toring Angeles ical assistance and were ultimatemation. kickback scheme, and just a few days agreement to Jafari. Jafari sent the Commerce illegally conspiring with tors John Oskoui and Bob Apodaca; they County Sheriff’s Department and ly transported the hospital. Dispensary owners receive signed agreementMCDUFF back November 28, convicted felona and former BY TAMMYE teens how to develop awould business plan, Seeto COMMERCE page 13 are defying courtdisgraced decision from last See WRDseless page 14 acFire Department, as well as the Because of her learn critical thinking skills and learn week deliberately not attending special community volunteers Josiah, Jacob and Jared Joseph what it takes to be your own boss. Instead who pro- tions, the City of Lakewood reboard meetings called to approve the tect and serve Lakewood. cently awarded Bridget with the are making their mark. As part of the of baking cupcakes or creating shirts, the budget. Bridget Perrizo, a staff memMayor’s Award at the city’s ancurriculum for Los Angeles Urban League Joseph brothers took it to a whole new In addition, the actual amount of payat Artesia High was honored nual Awards of Valor ceremony. 2020 Online Biz Camp, these young men level. After holdingber a family meeting they roll has not been approved as an item on decided to give backwhen to theshe community and people that helped two "I always wondered what I the consent calendar during regular board had to turn an idea into a business. Partnering with the Network for develop CoVID Kitswas forbeing the homeless. attacked by a dog. would do when faced with a situmeetings, and Hamilton is not submitting Teaching Entrepreneurship, Biz Camp is Initially the project Bridget, was madewas possible headed back to ation like this one," said Perrizo. work lunch See $&/53"- #"4*/ page 12 a four week summer program that teaches Seefrom TRIPLETS pagewhen 12 she spot- "By the grace of God, I had the BY TAMMYE MCDUFF ted a dog attacking a woman and courage to take action. I'm so young boy. The dog had knocked glad that both the mom and son One of the priorities of the Norwalk them to the ground and they were are okay, and I'm so honored to City Council was to involve Norwalk BY BRIAN HEWS screaming for help. receive this award.â€? youth in an official way to provide input Bridget immediately took BY BALA THENAPPEN TRASH piles up at a condominium complex in Hawaiian Gardens. The City chose Waste Resources See HERO page 15 into City Operations, in particular to proAfter a meeting with LA County DeIncorporated as their new hauler, who said they would immediately begin trash pick up. Photo Brian Hews. gramming, communications and developpartment of Publicballot Health Director This November’s will featureDr. ment projects. Barbara Ferrer, andwould with cardrooms sayproposition 17, which allow City Manager Jesus Gomez stated Californians on would parole for a felony coning that they work collaboratively viction Currently, felons must with to thevote. LACDPH, cardrooms in Los See YOUTH page 12 complete their prison sentence and their Angeles county will be allowed to open parole sentence to vote. outdoor facilities withCould up toparolees 60 tables. BY BRIAN HEWS “Poor leadership, no foresight included several default letters, swing elections in the state’s most comon the situation, typical of this which, under California’s Public No food or beverage will be allowed. petitive districts? THE CITY hasHawaiian enhanced the La MiradaCode History Tour with signage at locations throughout While rotting trash is accumu- City Council,â€? former Resource Section 49000, For the smaller cardrooms, HollyThe term applies to peoMirada. (l-r): starts Stephen HPAC Chairperson; Gail Pearce, HPAC wood lating in many parts of Hawaiian Gardens La Mayor ReyPictured Rodriguez the Thrasher, clock on termination. Park,“paroleesâ€? Crystal, Larry Flynt's Luck ple who are allowed back into the comMember; Marlene Olsen, HPAC Vice Chairperson; Harry Scott, HPAC Member; John Lady and Hustler, it is a welcome Gardens, Mayor Myra Maravilla told HMG-LCCN. City staff even went the extra decifromwill prison beforethousands their prison Lewis, Mayor; Steve De and the City Council ďŹ nally conThe staff report included in Ruse, step Councilmember; and attempted to Raymond work withFernandez, HPAC Member; munity sion that generate of jobs. sentence scheduled to be completed, Tonymeeting Aiello, HPAC Member; Sabrina Sermeno, Senior Recreation Leader. ducted aREPORT hearing, waiting an en- last week’s presented CWS to cure the breaches and STAFF It isisequally as welcome for the larger as long as they follow certain guidelines tire week, and allowing the trash clear evidence that CWS was in defaults starting in March of this cardrooms, Commerce, Bicycle in Bell and reporting requirements. Roughly to accumulate more, to oncefound violation of its contract with the year, each of which gave CWS Three maleeven hispanics were Gardens, and The Gardens Casino in 52,000 Californians are expected to be againearly discuss terminating CWS’ Mayor MaravillaMCDUFF and the steps to resolve theLadefaults. TAMMYE Mirada. dead Thursday morning in theCity, but BY Hawaiian Gardens, but the maximum parole in 2021. contract. of a home in Norwalk, includIn addition to the La default no-was once part of a Spanish ontable Council were apparently afraid to Mirada backyard count of 60 is less than 25% of California parolees should be expectM. found Brownin apull the termination tices, the City also attempted to Rancho Los Coyotes. leav- the The yeartrigger, 2020 marks diamond land grant called ing Under at leastthe oneRalph who was their capacity. ed to lean left as a voting bloc. In 2007, Act, Maravilla andauthorities the City Counmeetings Gone with CWS drivingforbythestinky anniversary City of arrange La Mirada. are thebut cattle when the land was swimming pool, said. ing residents The move will generate thousands of gave 150,000 ex-felons who had ALL ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT PRIDE: City Hall SelďŹ e Day is a celebration of local government and gives employees cil The couldNorwalk have sent out a notice did not piles of trash for the foreseeable To commemorate this 60th CWS milestone, theattend partmost of themeetAbel Stearns rancho, gone too Florida Sheriff's Department jobs also at the casinos and will the opportunity out in their community and show off their best camera phone skills whileARTESIA showcasingHIGH their local enses forbigger less received serious off and and heldresidents a meeting within twoto get ings. future. staff-member Bridget Perrizo the Award of City has enhanced the La Mirada History are the sheep that grazed La Mirada fields been convicted buildings. The pictures must bevoluminous posted to social using hashtag #cityhallselďŹ e to enter the contest. Story Lakewood on page 9. for saving two in a dog attack. daysgovernment to address the situation. staffmedia report Valor SeeCARDROOMS PROP 17 pagepage 4 12 at locations throughout See from LA MIRADA page 12 See NORWALK page The 12 Tour with signage See

CENTRAL BASIN MANAGER PAYING AGENCY EMPLOYEES WITHOUT APPROVAL

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

A

ARTESIA HIGH STAFF-MEMBER RECEIVES AWARD OF VALOR FROM LAKEWOOD

Norwalk City Council Approves Youth Commission

The New Normal La Mirada’s New Self Guided Historic Tour

FIFTH ANNUAL CITY HALL SELFIE DAY COMING FRIDAY AUGUST 14

L.A. 17County PROP WOULD Cardrooms Will ALLOW PAROLEES OpenTHEOutdoor INTO BALLOT Facilities Next Week BOX. HOW WOULD THEY VOTE?

TRASH WILL FINALLY GET CLEANED UP IN HAWAIIAN GARDENS

Three Men Found Dead in Norwalk

See TRASH page 15

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