W e e k l y COLTON COURIER Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use!
Vol 145, NO. 8
THIS WEEK
Gloria’s Corner and Words To Think About
Fire station to be named after fallen firefighter
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By Anthony Victoria
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Assemblymember Reyes sworn in by community, hailed by labor and environmental leaders PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
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A photo of Colton firefighter David Lodarski who was killed by a drunk driver on Oct. 10, 2015 near Reche Canyon.
he Colton City Council on Tuesday approved plans to rename a fire station after fallen firefighter David Lodarski. “We’re excited about it,” expressed Colton Fire Chief Tim McHargue. McHargue submitted an application to the Parks and Recreation Commission to rename Fire Station No. 214, located on 1151 South Meadow Lane, the David Lodarski Station. Lodarski’s life tragically came to an end when he was struck by a drunk driver in October 2015--just one week before he was set to retire after serving the city for 37 years. Lodarski began working
Lodarski cont. on next
Residents meet with leadership to raise concerns over crime
Dignity Health hospitals reach 62 local schools during kindness challenge A12
INSIDE ONE SECTION, 16 PAGES
Gloria’s Corner Words To think About Legal Notices Opinion
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Mayor Richard De La Rosa along with Councilmembers Dr. Luis Gonzalez and Jack Woods during a council meeting last month. By Anthony Victoria
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PHOTO/ANTHONY VICTORIA
esidents gathered for a neighborhood meeting on the city’s west end last Thursday to discuss their concerns with mail theft, vandalism, street racing, and homelessness. The meeting was organized by Mayor Pro Tem David Toro (First
District), with his colleagues Mayor Richard De La Rosa and Councilman Isaac Suchil also present to address questions. According to several residents, there has been a rise in mailbox theft in the past several months. Items ranging from important mail to packages have been stolen from the area.
In addition, residents addressed concerns with vehicles that violate speeding laws along the Pepper Avenue corridor and ‘drifters’, young people who choose to illegally engage in the motorsport behind the Food 4 Less. Watch cont. on next page
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February 9, 2017
Leyva Bill Helps Small Businesses, Communities Apply for Green Funds
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n response to growing needs by low income and disadvantaged communities seeking funds for climate mitigation and adaptation, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today introduced legislation that will help to continue California’s local leadership on climate and substantially improve the ability of local cities, non-profits and small businesses to compete for climate investment funds. Sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, SB 263 will provide capacity-building support to small communities and businesses to develop projects, partnerships, leadership, resources, and applications to compete for state funding. California is home to some of the worst air quality in the nation, particularly communities in the Inland Empire that serve as a primary route for transporting goods from the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to other parts of the nation. Many of California’s most polluted areas are small disadvantaged communities— regions with higher rates of poverty and elevated incidences of asthma and cancer. These smaller communities, non-profits and businesses oftentimes do not have the infrastructure, technical expertise or marketing capabilities to develop and pursue state financing options, leaving them at a clear disadvantage. “SB 263 will help to connect small communities and businesses with critical funding to help lessen the negative impacts of poor air quality,” Senator Leyva said. “There is currently no single place for these communities and groups to turn to for assistance, so I am pleased that SB 263 will help to increase use of these funds in disadvantaged areas across California. This legislation will also help to lower the cost of doing business and decrease the burden on taxpayers as these small communities and businesses access available funds. The Building Local Climate Leadership Program addresses a real gap between the resources currently available for small communities, non-profits and businesses and their ability to access them.”