March 21, 2019

March 21, 2019

VOL. 34, No. 12

Rent costs in Officials touted 2.25-mile LAX Los Angeles, Automated People Mover at groundbreaking Orange counties rising at fastest pace in 11 years

By Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

Rent costs in Los Angeles, Orange counties rising at fastest pace in 11 years CPI data shows L.A.-O.C. rents up at a 5.5 percent annual pace in February — biggest jump since January 2008.

Orange County Register Tenants in Los Angeles and Orange counties were hit with the fastest rate of rent inflation in 11 years in February, according to the local Consumer Price Index.

L.A.-O.C. rents, by CPI math, rose at a 5.5 percent annual pace last month. These facts reveal just how big that is …It’s the biggest uptick since rents jumped 5.9 percent in January 2008. It’s far above February’s regional inflation rate for all goods and services, which rose at a 2.5 percent annual pace. It tops the national increase for rents (3.5 percent) and is the key reason why local inflation topped the U.S. rate of 1.5 percent, lowest since August 2016. It’s the largest rent hike in February among two dozen metro areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just ahead of Atlanta’s 5.2 2 percent and San Di-

Local leaders celebrated the beginning of construction on a people-mover system at Los Angeles International Airport that for the first time will allow the region’s flyers to get their terminals entirely on public transportation.

The $4.9 billion, 2.25-mile shuttle system — dubbed the Automated Peo-

ple Mover — will take about four years to complete.

The end result will be a system of automated, electric-powered trains arriving every two minutes at three stations just outside the airport, and three inside the airport’s terminal loop.

Officials said each train will carry

SCOTUS Endorses

up to 200 people at a time, for free.

They said the system in total is expected to carry about 85 million passengers per year.

The completion of the people mover will mark the end of what for decades has been something of a sore point for the area’s 2

U.S. Detention Policy Reuters News

The Supreme Court on Tuesday endorsed the U.S. government’s authority to detain immigrants awaiting deportation anytime - potentially even years - after they have completed prison terms for criminal convictions, handing President Donald Trump a victory as he pursues hardline immigration policies.

The court ruled 5-4 along ideological lines, with its conservative justices in the majority and its liberal justices dissenting, that federal authorities could pick up such immigrants and place them into indefinite detention anytime, not just immediately after they finish prison sentences.

The ruling, authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, left open the possibility that some immigrants could challenge their detention. These immigrants potentially could argue that the use of the 1996 federal law involved in the case, the Illegal

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JOIN US ON

Page 2 Continued from page 1: Officials touted 2.25-mile LAX Automated People Mover at groundbreaking

public transportation boosters — a light-rail network that stopped miles short of the region’s biggest airport.

“We can’t have a truly world-class airport until we have public transit that brings people right to the terminals,” Garcetti said.

Metro still won’t reach LAX itself, even after its still-under-construction Crenshaw/LAX line through South L.A. and Inglewood is completed. The last station on the line will be built at the intersection of Century and Aviation boulevards, about a mile from the LAX sign at the airport’s front entrance. But the people-mover will fill the mile-long gap.

L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who represents South L.A. and parts of the Westside and South Bay, said Metro could now finally be considered a “grown-up” public transportation system.

Both Garcetti and City Councilman Mike Bonin of Westchester and Playa del Rey said they hope the peoplemover will help end decades of suffering for nearby residents dealing with airport-related congestion on their streets. The system could end up reducing the number of cars circling the LAX loop each day by the thousands.

Before the groundbreaking, work on the people-mover had already begun. David Graham-Caso, a spokesman for Bonin’s office, said crews were Continued from page 1: SCOTUS Endorses U.S. Detention Policy

Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, against them long after finishing their sentences would violate their due process rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Most of the plaintiffs in the case are legal immigrants.

The law states the government can detain convicted immigrants “when the alien is released” from criminal detention. Civil rights lawyers in the case argued that the language of the law shows that it applies only immediately after immigrants are released.

The Trump administration said the government should have the power to detain such immigrants anytime.

It marked Trump’s latest immigration victory at the court. The conservative justices also were in the majority in June 2018 when the court upheld on a 5-4 vote Trump’s travel ban targeting people from several Muslim-majority countries.

Tuesday’s decision follows a February 2018 ruling in a similar case in which the conservative majority, over liberal dissent, curbed the ability of immigrants held in long-term detention during deportation proceedings to argue for release.

March 21, 2019 already working to bury power lines and relocate water mains and other utilities.

He said major construction — what he called the “columns and cranes” stage of the project — wouldn’t begin until 2020. Funding will come from “a combination of airport revenue bonds, existing airport revenue” and fees on passenger tickets.

Construction on the people mover will be happening at the same time as other modernization efforts across the airport, all intended to be wrapped up by the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

Bonin said the entire effort was massively complex, given that the airport would have to continue to operate that entire time — “like doing open heart surgery on a patient who is awake while you’re doing it,” he said.

L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents a district that sprawls from the South Bay to Hacienda Heights, said the people-mover would complete plans in the works for decades. She said the project will be well worth it for residents who know the specific pain of trying to catch a flight out of the L.A. area.

“We in Los Angeles know the nine most terrifying words in the English language are ‘Hey, can you give me a ride to LAX?” said. “In a few years, our answer to that dreaded question will be, ‘No, take Metro to the Automated People Mover.’”

American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Cecilia Wang, who argued the newly decided case for the challengers, said that in both rulings “the Supreme Court has endorsed the most extreme interpretation of immigration detention statutes, allowing mass incarceration of people without any hearing, simply because they are defending themselves against a deportation charge.”

Wang said the ACLU is “looking into follow-up litigation along various avenues.”

Trump has backed limits on legal and illegal immigrants since taking office in January 2017.

Under federal immigration law, immigrants convicted of certain offenses are subject to mandatory detention during their deportation process.

They can be held indefinitely without a bond hearing after completing their sentences.

In April 2018, conservative Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch joined the court’s four liberals in a 5-4 ruling that could hinder the administration’s ability to step up the removal of immigrants with criminal records, invalidating a provision in another law, the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Continued from page 1: Rent costs in Los Angeles Orange counties rising at fastest

ego’s 4.9 percent. And, it topped rent inflation contained in the new CPI for Riverside and San Bernardino counties (4.6 percent).

It is significant to note that the CPI’s tracking of what it costs to be a renter is a bit different from other widely discussed industry measurements. These figures are derived from a survey of consumers, not by polling major landlords. So the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ “cost of renting a primary residence” reflects a broad sample of renters and the properties in which they live.

No matter the data, however, local renters have suffered from significant rent hikes in recent years because apartment supply hasn’t kept up with ballooning demand thanks to job creation and population growth.

By CPI math, local rents rose 4.9 percent in 2018; 5.1 percent in ’17; and 4.7 percent in ’16. The overall L.A.O.C. inflation rate averaged 2.8 percent in those three years.

These rent-cost jumps were a sharp change from the days during and just after the Great Recession when renters could find some bargains. Rent hikes averaged only 2 percent yearly from 2009 through 2015.

On the other hand, today’s rent increases serve as a reminder that landlords have significant pricing power

when the local economy is strong.

Local rents jumped on average 5.3 percent between 1999 and 2008, fastgrowth years preceding the big downturn in the business climate. Strangely, as rents rise this year, inflation elsewhere in the regional economy has cooled. February’s 2.5 percent annualized gain for overall L.A.-O.C. inflation is a 20-month low, down from 3.2 percent in January and 3.6 percent a year earlier.

This may be explained starting with a major expense of life: gasoline. Pump prices are down 2.5 percent in the last 12 months, by CPI math. Plus, household energy costs rose by only 1.5 percent in the year.

Food costs fluctuated, depending on where you dined. The price of eating out rose a sharp 4.5 percent while eating at home rose only 0.1 percent.

Surging restaurant wages are a key factor in this gap.

Shopping for clothing or big-ticket items was less painful to the local wallet. Apparel costs were 3.8 percent less and the prices of “durable goods” (such as appliances and furniture) fell by 0.5 percent over 12 months, while medical bills rose just 1.5 percent, according to the local CPI. Inflation’s divergent paths add up to housing becoming an even bigger bite of the typical L.A.-O.C. household budget.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WEST BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT WATER STANDBY CHARGE **REVISED**

West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) continues to expand its water recycling program.

The program’s projects increase the supply of

drinking water to property owners within West Basin’s service area by using recycled water for non-drinking water purposes (e.g., irrigation, parks, industrial cooling towers).

West Basin has adopted a resolution of intent to levy water standby charges.

A copy of this resolution is available for public review

at West Basin’s below-specified Avalon Boulevard Office.

The resolution

describes how West Basin will fund the debt service obligation on West Basin’s water recycling facilities by the proposed levying of a water standby charge.

The proposed annual standby charge for a single-family

home or duplex is equivalent to $2.00 per month per acre or per parcel of less than one acre; $1.33 per month per condominium unit, apartment unit, and hotel/motel room; and $10.00 per month per parcel or per acre for parcels larger than one acre for all non-residential uses.

NOTE:

THIS IS THE SAME CHARGE AS CURRENTLY IN EFFECT.

RATE INCREASE WHATSOEVER.

THERE IS NO

The charge, if adopted, will be collected on

the annual property tax bill, or as directed by West Basin’s Board of Directors.

PLEASE NOTE that the Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on

March 27, 2019, at 12:30 pm at West Basin’s address shown below to receive

comments and written protests, if any, on continuing the proposed water standby charges for West Basin’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019.

In addition, the Board will review all public protests and/or written comments before considering adoption of the proposed standby charge.

Any person may mail or file a written protest with West Basin’s Board

secretary, at West Basin’s offices, to be received no later than 12:30 pm on March 27, 2019.

The protest must identify the landowner and contain

a description sufficient to identify the land owned by the landowner.

“In all of Coast Guard history, there have only been 5 Black female aviators. All five of us, The Fab 5, flew into Moton Field, AL (Tuskegee) to celebrate this historic, monumental occasion!”- LT Angel Hughes

West Basin Municipal Water District 17140 S. Avalon Blvd., Suite 210 Carson, CA 90746 Patrick Sheilds (310) 217-2411 General Manager West Basin Municipal Water District

Page 3

March 21, 2019

CONGRESSMEMBER WATERS’ BILL DON’T PAY THE IRS

GIVES DEFRAUDED STUDENTS A PENNY MORE THAN

THEIR DAY IN COURT REQUIRED BY LAW U.S. Representative Maxine Waters and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin have reintroduced bicameral legislation designed to strengthen students’ ability to hold for-profit colleges accountable in court for their misconduct. The Court Legal Access & Student Support (CLASS) Act prohibits any school receiving Title IV student aid funding from placing restrictions on students’ ability to pursue legal claims, individu-

arbitration provisions and ultimately ensures that students have a right to their day in court.”

“Mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses amount to traps in contractual fine print that hurt people and undermine their ability to seek justice.

Predatory for-profit colleges often use these clauses in their student enrollment agreements in order to shield themselves from accountability,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “Students who

ally or with others, against higher education institutions in court.

The CLASS Act aims to end the strategic use of mandatory arbitration and class action waiver clauses in enrollment agreements by for-profit colleges. Legitimate non-profit colleges and universities do not include mandatory arbitration clauses in their enrollment agreements, but these clauses are a hallmark of the for-profit college industry.

“The for-profit college industry is rife with bad actors that lure potential students into some of the most expensive academic programs, all while knowingly and fraudulently misrepresenting the quality and success of these programs. These schools use mandatory arbitration clauses and other tactics to shield themselves from being held responsible for their wrongdoing,” said Waters.“I am proud to introduce bold legislation that eliminates mandatory

were hung out to dry by deadbeat forprofit schools, with mountains of student loan debt, should be allowed to hold these schools directly accountable in court. That’s why I’m reintroducing the CLASS Act which would end this shady practice in for-profit college enrollment agreements.”

The House bill is has numerous cosponsors and is supported by groups including the American Association for Justice, the Center for Justice & Democracy, Consumer Action, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, the Institute for College Access and Success, Public Citizen, the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients), the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the National Employment Lawyers Association, the National Student Legal Defense Network, and Young Invincibles.

Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

TRUCKING COMPANIES ARE

HIRING FELONS TO FILL THOUSANDS OF DRIVER OPENINGS

Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor/San Gabriel Valley Tribune

The American Trucking Associations says the industry needs another 51,000 drivers to keep pace with increased shipping demands from Amazon, Walmart and other mega-retailers. The demand has prompted an increasing number of trucking companies to give non-violent, ex-offenders a second look.

Steps to a new life Making the leap from inmate to employee doesn’t happen overnight.

Training, either in prison or soon after release, is a key part of the transition.

El Monte Truck Driving school in Irwindale is among those helping get felons to work. Louie Pena, who han-

dles recruiting and placement there, said the school skips background checks as it’s well known the trucking industry is often a lifeline for people with criminal histories.

“When someone pays $4,000 to $8,000 for training … they wouldn’t put up that kind of money if they weren’t serious,” he said.

John Kearney, CEO of Advanced Training Systems, said hiring felons makes sense, as these job candidates are especially eager to find work. Kearney’s Florida-based company makes virtual simulators used to train truck drivers.

“The concern is where you draw the line in terms of their record,” he said.

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Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

No one wants a visit from the Internal Revenue Service. But if you get too generous with your calculations or overly aggressive with your deductions, you may need to back up your tax return.

In most cases, you’ll receive a request for more information if your return falls under review. In tax year 2017, 70 percent of the agency’s return examinations were conducted by mail

threshold, your tax return is more complex and has more places for the IRS to review.

There is much wiggle room when it comes to reporting business income and deductions on Schedule C, so it can be easy to misstate – or inflate – information to your benefit. The IRS looks for: claiming more deductions than profits - reporting round numbers for income and expense values; reporting a business loss for too many consecu-

rather than in person.

Still, if you receive a notice from the IRS, take it seriously. If you want to avoid a full audit, respond quickly with the documentation that the agency requests, such as letters from charities or bank statements.

Here’s what could trigger an audit or review.

Certain deductions you take can’t be fudged without raising some eyebrows at the IRS. For instance, the IRS receives information on the mortgage interest you paid, so you can’t inflate that figure. Others – such as charitable contributions – are easier to overstate, since the IRS doesn’t get documentation from charities on your donations.

But the agency uses statistical algorithms to make sure the deductions you claim are in line with your income.

If they’re too high, they may request back-up documentation.

Missing income- If you’re tempted to “forget” to include income from a side gig or contract work, don’t.

The IRS receives copies of your W-2 and 1099 forms from companies you worked for. It will match the information it has against your tax return. If that data doesn’t line up, your return will be flagged for review.

If you have a foreign financial account – such as a bank account, brokerage or mutual fund – you may need to report it to the IRS when you file your taxes. If you fail to file Form 8938 and you are required to do so, you could be fined $10K. If you don’t file within 90 days after the IRS sends you a notice, you can be assessed an additional $10K for each 30-day delay, up to $50K. Simply earning a lot of money can be a red flag for an audit. For instance, the IRS examined 0.5 percent of all individual returns for the 2017 tax year.

The examination rate increased to 0.8 percent for non-business filers reporting $200,000 to $999,999 in income, and 4.4 percent for individual returns with $1 million or more in income.

Once you cross that $1 million income

tive years; and writing off 100 percent of an item as a business expense that is often used personally, such as a car or cell phone The IRS scrutinizes cash businesses, such as taxis, bars, hair salons and restaurants along with those in the sharing gig economy like Uber or Lyft drivers. If the IRS has reason to believe you aren’t being truthful, they will start questioning things.

If you don’t file taxes with your child’s other parent, you both can’t claim the child as a dependent. This also can become confusing if a grandparent or other relative lives with or helps support the child. While this is usually an honest mistake, it could still trigger an IRS review or letter if the same dependent is claimed twice.

Generally, the child must be younger than 19 and live with you for more than six months of the year. There are exceptions for older children who are full-time students. For divorced parents, use the “tie breaker rules” found in IRS Publication 501 to figure out who can claim the child.

There are special rules that allow you to deduct rental real estate losses against your regular income. First, you can deduct up to $25,000 in losses if you actively participate in the renting of your property. That phases out if your income exceeds $100,000 and vanishes when it reaches $150,000.

You can still write off these losses if you are considered a real estate professional – someone who spends more than half of their working time and 750 hours a year in real estate. If claim yourself as a real estate pro, the IRS could take a microscope to your return.

Make sure to document the hours you spend on your real estate business in case you’re fingered for a review.

Finally, good luck with your 2018 income tax return. If you practice the policy that you will not pay a penny more than the law requires, you will win in the end, audit or no audit.

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March 21, 2019

WITH A $10 MILLION ENDOWMENT PLAN,

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INVESTS IN HBCUS Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

Dr. Glenda Glover, International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha (c) presents the first round of the AKAHBCU Endowment Fund.Photo: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In its 111-year history, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority has made black excellence its mission. This year, to close out Black History Month, the oldest historically African-American sorority made a major investment in black futures.

On Thursday, at the Alpha Kappa Alpha International Headquarters in Chicago, International President Dr. Glenda Glover presented $50,000 each to 32 historically black colleges and universities on behalf of the newly formed Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, led by Executive Director Erika Everett. The $1.6 million is the first installment in a $10 million endowment gift the sorority has pledged over the next four years.

Speaking with The Root, Dr. Glover, who is the 30th international president of AKA, as well as president of the historically black Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn., (the largest and only statefunded HBCU in the state), spoke on the rallying cry answered by her sorors in response to the challenges faced by many of the country’s HBCUs, including the recently belea-

guered Bennett College, one of the first beneficiaries of an endowment from the sorority.

“As part of our call to action, the membership has become excited,” Glover said. “We have joined in answering this call to help sustain the strength of our colleges and universities—to market HBCUs, promote HBCUs and make financial contributions to HBCUs.” Glover’s ties to HBCUs are strong; she was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha while an undergraduate student at Tennessee State. She also holds an MBA from Clark Atlanta University, has been the Dean of the College of Business at Jackson State University and Chairperson of the Department of Accounting at Howard University.

“You can just imagine how excited I am,” Glover said, calling it a “full circle moment” to lead two institutions she loves while contributing to the success of the HBCU community at large.

“As an HBCU president, I know firsthand the needs of HBCUs—the challenges that they encounter, the financial needs and the need for sustainability for HBCUs,” she added.

“So, knowing that—and given that I’ve spent the better part of my professional life in the HBCU community, I knew it was time for us to take

U.S. SENATE PASSES LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN

HBCUS ACCORDING TO THE PHILADELPHIA TRIBUNE Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

The U.S. Senate has approved a pair of bills designed to strengthen the partnerships between federal agencies and historically Black colleges and universities throughout the country.

The HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students Act, or HBCU PARTNERS Act, would require federal agencies with relevant grants and programs to expand participation of historically Black colleges and universities, share their plans with Congress, and track their progress toward their goals.

And the reintroduction of the HBCU Preservation Program would reauthorize funding for grants to restore historic buildings and sites on the campuses.

The legislation, which is supported by The United Negro College Fund and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is expected to pass the House of Representatives and could become law within a mat-

ter of weeks.

“Partnerships are a high priority under our new strategic plan,” Lincoln University President Brenda Allen said in a statement to The Tribune. “Through a myriad of strategic partnerships, Lincoln works with local, regional, national and international partners to develop property, conduct research, solve community problems and contribute to the cultural life of the community.”

Allen noted that the HBCU Historic Preservation Program would provide “critical funding” to the historically Black university located in Chester County, which was founded in 1854.

As a point of comparison, public universities receive 43 percent of their revenues from grants, federal contracts, or appropriations on average, while HBCUs only receive approximately 1 percent. These startling statistics come courtesy of David K. Sheppard, the senior vice president of General Counsel for the

on an initiative that dealt head-on with sustainability, and that’s what’s why this endowment was important to us, because endowments represent sustainability. ... We’re answering the call on a daily basis.”

The 32 predominantly black institutions benefitting from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation endowment are: Albany State University, Alcorn State University, American Baptist College, Bennett College for Women, Chicago State University, Coppin State University, Fayetteville State University, Florida Memorial University, Fort Valley State University, Grambling State University, HarrisStowe State University, Le MoyneOwen College, Lincoln University, Livingstone College, Miles College, Mississippi Valley State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Philander Smith College, Savannah State University, Shaw University, South Carolina State University, Southern University at New Orleans, St. Augustine’s University, Stillman College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Voorhees College, West Virginia State University, Wilberforce University, Wiley College, Paul Quinn College and Edward Waters College.

The beneficiaries of AKA’s endowment were chosen based on perceived need, including existing endowments.

“For the most part, HBCUs are having challenges trying to build up endowments, and endowments

represent scholarships to students,” she explained, “and that contributes to student success and graduation rates, and helps the school out, overall.

“I say the three most chilling words a college president can hear [from a student] are ‘I’m going home,’” she added. “So, we’re doing what we can to keep students in school.”

Glover again praised AKA membership for rising to the challenge of sustaining the many institutions that further the education and advancement of black students. “We’d like the country to remember that Alpha Kappa Alpha accepted the challenge,” she said. “I’m thankful to the members of the sorority for answering that call.

“You know, HBCUs are a vital part of the nation’s higher education community,” Glover continued.

“Many people may not be familiar with the contributions that have been made by HBCUs, but we have staying power, and we produce such great individuals.”

To make a donation to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation and help sustain the future of HBCUs, visit their website.

Correction: 3/2/19, 4:29 p.m., ET: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed the location of Tennessee State University in Memphis, which is the birthplace of Dr. Glover. The university is actually located in Nashville, and the article has been corrected to reflect this.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a nonprofit that represents the Black college community.

“That’s a jarring statistic,” Sheppard told the Tribune. “In essence, what the legislation will do is allow our institutions to undertake the capacity building efforts that have been lacking to try to close the divide. “It’s not only simply about our HBCUs surviving, but thriving, legislation like the HBCU PARTNERS Act will set the stage to allow the nearly 300,000 students who attended HBCUs in 2015 to thrive.”

The act builds on the president’s 2017 executive order on HBCUs. It will require federal agencies with relevant grants and programs to undertake annual planning and coordinate their efforts to support and expand HBCU participation those programs. The bill strengthens the rigor and transparency requirements of existing law by requiring that agencies track their progress toward past goals and share their plans with Congress. In addition, it codifies the president’s board of advisers on HBCUs, ensuring an ongoing avenue for the institutions’ priorities and policy concerns to be raised.

Sheppard, who formerly served as vice president for legal and government affairs and general counsel

at Delaware State University, is particularly fond of the fact that this legislation would provide Congress with oversight and ultimately enforcement.

“That is a relevant issue on every one of our campuses and being able to have those funds available to maintain those facilities and have them meet current federal law whether it’s related to the Americans with Disabilities Act or something else is imperative,” Sheppard said.

“We do need those resources. Both pieces of legislation are important.”

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, who introduced the HBCU PARTNERS Act with Republican Sen. Tim Scott, released the following statement: “HBCUs today continue their tradition of opening higher education to new generations of students. They educate 300,000 students across the country, 70 percent of whom receive Pell grants and charge almost 30 percent less tuition than their peer institutions. I’m proud to make sure that federal agencies actively work to support HBCUs’ critical missions.”

Page 5

March 21, 2019 Continued from page 3: Trucking companies are hiring felons

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

SHAME ON TRUMP! SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! I join the bold Republican Senator from Georgia, Jonny Isakson, who was one of the few Republicans to denounce Trump for his deplorable criticism of Senator John McCain for his vote against repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and complaining that he did not receive a thank you after the senator’s Washington funeral.

Isakson said, “I just want to lay it on the line, that the country deserves better, the McCain family deserves better, I don’t care if he’s president of the United States, owns all the real estate in New York, or is

building the greatest immigration system in the world. Nothing is more important than the integrity of the country and those who fought and risked their lives for all of us.”

I think it is a shame when black NFL players kneel during the National Anthem, in protest to excessive police brutality against people of color and Republicans say it is disrespectful to our troops and Trump calls them ‘sons of bitches. But, when Trump repeatedly attacks a deceased war hero, republicans are silent.

Trump has also been especially critical of Special Investigator Robert Mueller, whom he has described as one who is advancing a democratic witch hunt. Captain John S, McCain was a U.S. Navy pilot who was shot down in battle and held captive by our enemy. He received two Purple Hearts, the highest military honor for his service.

Captain Robert Mueller, a registered Republican, served honorably in the U.S. Marines and received a Purple Heart for his brav-

ery in battle. Yet Cadet Bone Spurs-Donald Trump lied about his medical condition, paid a family Cadet Trump physician to support his bogus excuse for not serving in the military and was a draft dodger.

Another shameful element of our POTUS is the fact that when it comes to the KKK, racists, white nationalists, etc., Trump “doesn’t know enough about it to have an opinion. Yet, he claims to know more than military generals, etymologists, nuclear

physicists, scientists, and doctors.

As far as Trump’s promises are concerned, the world now knows that Mexico is not paying for his southern border wall and the hundreds of thousands of Americans who suffered through the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, were victims of his failed campaign promise But another one of his promises, made in May, 2015, turns out to be yet another shameful act on the part of our president.

He said, “I was the first and only potential BGOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.”

Yet, his most recent budget cuts $1.5 trillion from Medicaid, $845 billion from Medicare and $25 billion from Social Security.

I could go on but this week’s paper only has eight pages and that is not enough to cover all of Trump’s misdeeds, lies and despicable actions. It is my opinion that Trump’s presidency is not only shameful, it is a disgrace.

Case-by-case basis Knight Transportation, a Phoenix-based trucking company with local facilities in Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga, hires felons. Applicants are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, which includes checking their recent and past history while also looking at where they are in life now.

Knight doesn’t hire felons whose convictions were as recent as five years ago. But those who are hired make good money.

Entry-level drivers earn somewhere in the mid-$40,000-to-$50,000 range, and seasoned drivers can earn six figures.

Help For Felons, a website that provides support and resources for felons, lists more than 40 trucking firms that hire drivers with criminal backgrounds. They include Swift Transportation, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Knight Transportation, Barr-Nunn Transportation and Western Express, among others.

Nine of the companies hire people with convictions that are 10 years old or more while others will consider applicants whose convictions occurred as recently as five years ago. Still, others hire on a case-by-case basis.

The current climate is good for felons in search of work. The shortage of truck drivers is just one reflection of the broader economic situation and there are more job openings right now across the economy than there are people who want to work.

So people who didn’t have that chance three, four or five years ago now have a chance.

But they have some catching up to do. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent in January, its lowest level in a decade, yet the jobless rate among the formerly incarcerated stood at 27 percent.

Employment drives recidivism rates down. Landing a job also could keep felons from a return trip to prison. More than half a million people are released from federal and state jails and prisons in the U.S. each year and about two-thirds will be rearrested within three years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice.

But a study by America Works and the Manhattan Institute shows recidi-

vism rates dropped significantly for nonviolent offenders who found work shortly after leaving prison.

In prison-to-work programs in six cities across the country, states with overall recidivism rates of about 31 percent to 70 percent saw those rates plummet to as low as 3.3 percent for felons placed in jobs shortly after their release.

Ban the Box California is among more than 30 states that have adopted a “ban the box” law. That prohibits private businesses with five or more workers from making pre-offer inquiries regarding a job applicant’s criminal history. Inquiries are allowed only after a conditional offer of employment is made.

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Willie Brown VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy ASSISTANT EDITOR Francis Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Francis Taylor Anne Cheek La Rose QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public cir­c ulation, published weekly

by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

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Page 6

March 21, 2019

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

DISCOVER ANOTHER NEW BASKETBALL TREND

By Michael Johnson

The Los Angeles Clippers are 8-2 in their last 10 games and they are in eighth place in the Western conference playoff race. Eight teams from the west and eight teams from the east make the NBA playoffs. Their record is 42-30 with 10 games remaining in the regular season.

Montrezl Harrell and Ivica Zuba to operate around the basket.

Other factors in their success is the play of their bench. Their reserves are ranked at the top in scoring and rebounding. Lou Williams is the AllTime leading reserve scorer and Harrell is one of the top rebounding players The Clippers recent success has coming off the bench. They are the best been a compilation of many things. scoring duo coming off the bench in The number one reason maybe the the NBA. maturation of their two rookie starting guards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and The addition of Zubac has paid Landry Shamet. strong dividends for the Clippers. He protects the rim, scores, runs the floor, Gilgeous-Alexander has become sets effective slip screens, has good more aggressive on both ends of the hands and takes up space in the middle. court and he has discovered the value “He is much better than I thought,” said of his mid-range jumper and he is able teammate Patrick Beverly. “Thank you to get to the rim. He is also playing like Lakers for sending him to the Clippers.” a big guard. At 6’6 he is contesting, altering and even blocking shots of the Finally, the Clippers are successful smaller opposing guards and using his because of the insertion of Beverly in length to his advantage. the starting lineup. The Clippers now run a three guard, one forward and one His confidence as a point guard center starting lineup and at 6’1, 180 and floor director is becoming more pounds Beverly is one of the guards. evident each game as the regular season comes to an end. It will be interesting What a difference Beverly has to watch him in the playoffs. made defending the oppositions best player at the guard or small forward Landry has also shown a lot of position. Arguably, Beverly is the best confidence, scoring 21 points in recent defender pound for pound in the NBA. game and he is showing his prowess as He is tenacious, relentless and a very a very capable 3-point shooter. That’s high energy player. He is also very good news for the Clippers because that irritating to opposing players and he helps them space the floor on offense, is very intelligent according to Clipper leaving more room for their big men, coach Doc Rivers.

Montrezl Harrell of the Clippers gets ready to slam home two points.

The Clippers need to win a few more games to make it to the playoffs.

Maybe the new trend in the NBA will be a Patrick Beverly prototype.

A player with a high basketball I.Q., fearless, an agitator and a consummate team player.

Lakers forward forward Kyle Kuzma and the rest of his teammates will be in action at home Friday against Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m., Sunday against Sacramento at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against Washington.

Page 7

March 21, 2019

EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

MAJOR EVENTS PENDING

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

During the brief staff meeting, the council Staff report recommending approval of an agreement with Medina Masonry to install bollards throughout Parking Garage #2

on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency , 6225 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, 90045. Tickets as well as sponsorship opportunities may be obtained by calling the

developed a traffic plan that will allow us to maintain two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane of traffic on Florence however, Centinela will be fully closed. This closure has been re-scheduled for Sunday, April 14, 2019 through April 22, 2019.

Detour Route: Centinela traffic will be detoured to use LaBrea during this full closure. Additional traffic mitigations such as PCMS Boards, detour signage, traffic control officers, traffic signal phasing and additional community outreach will be implemented to properly alert travelers to the closure and the

located at 115 South Locust Street.

(Bond Funds) Staff report recommending approval of an agreement with Medina Masonry to install bollards throughout Parking Garage #2 located at 115 South Locust Street. (Bond Funds) The Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce invite the community to support the City of Inglewood State of the City Address

chamber at 310-677-1121.

As part of Metro’s Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, Walsh Shea Corridor Constructors (WSCC) will be working on the full depth reconstruction of the roadway between Beach and Florence, Prairie and Hillcrest in the City of Inglewood. This work will require a continuous 10 day full closure to complete this work. Through our ongoing coordination, we have

appropriate detour route.

The Inglewood Police Department is now accepting applications and is encouraging residents to sign up for the next Inglewood Police Department Community Police Academy. Topics covered will include patrol procedures, traffic investigation communications, criminal investigations, narcotics enforcement and jail procedures. The program dates

IN THE

CITY OF

INGLEWOOD

Inglewood’s 2019 Earth Day

Music Festival & Environmental Information event

City Hall South Lawn,

April 20 2019

Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., and the Inglewood City Council announce the 2019 Earth Day Music Festival and Environmental Information event. It will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The event is a free, family fun Day

with valuable information provided by vendors related to preserving our environment. Exhibitors will display how, individually and collectively we can; conserve resources, recycle and keep the earth green and clean.

Additionally, there will be musical performances by recognized musi-

cal greats: Eric Benét, Kenny Lattimore, Con Funk Shun, Club Nouveau, Shaunice, and our own Mr. Phillip Lauth. The Festival will be hosted by KJLH Radio Personality Guy Black.

“The City is on a trajectory unparalleled by any in the nation. This event is another high quality, positive example of what the new Inglewood brings to Los Angeles County.

Together and individually we can make the Earth a better place. The musical performances will turn this serious educational experience into an outdoor concert,” states Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. The City welcomes one and all to come out to this FREE, exciting event on Saturday. April 20, 2019,

fare April to June, 11, 2019 and the class locations are the Inglewood City Hall Community Room A in City Hall. Registration information is available at www.cityofinglewood. org/1085/Inglewood-Police-Community-Academy.

Registration is already underway for Dodgers RBI Baseball which includes playing opportunities from young people between the ages of five and 18. Online registration may be completed online at dodgersbiinglewood.leaqueapps.com. More information may be obtained by calling 310-412-8750.

Mothers in Charge Los Angeles announced a Community Healing Circle, a healing discussion and support for families impacted by violence. Everyone is welcome on April 1st from 6 pm-7:30 pm at the Inglewood Community Center District at 1201 La Tijera, Inglewood, 90302.

Wanda M. Brown, Inglewood City Treasurer, invites the community to ‘get your house in financial order,’ by participating in the free, City Treasurer Community Workshop that will be conducted in the Community Room A, in the Inglewood city Hall on April 27th from 10 am-2:00 pm. A broad and comprehensive range of financial related matters from eliminating debt and reverse mortgages to Understanding student loans and everything you need to know about wills and trusts will be presented.

Mark your calendars now for the District 2 Pet Clinic where a broad range of services will be conducted for pet owners including discounted inoculations and electronic chips for lost animals and the 2019 Earth Day Music Festival to be conducted in the City of Inglewood on Saturday, April 20th.

10:00 to 6:00 pm at Inglewood City Hall, 1 West Manchester Blvd., South Lawn (Manchester Blvd side).

Attendees may bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. No canopies or umbrellas will be allowed.

There will also be food trucks, a kid’s zone, face painting and crafts along with the environmental information booths.

The festival is co-sponsored by Consolidated Disposal Service/A Republic Services Company and the Los Angeles Clippers. For more information contact Ms. Angela Williams, Environmental Services Manager, at (310) 412-5333.

Page 8

Trump Reverses Obama Again: Does Not Ban Gun

Purchases By Mentally Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

Trump killed an Obama regulation that would have tightened gun background checks, signing a bill to undo one of his executive actions following the San Bernardino shootings in 2015, that would have made it harder for mentally ill people to buy guns.

The Obama administration rule required the Social Security Administration to submit records of mentally disabled people to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the FBI database used to determine whether someone can buy a firearm under the 1993 Brady Bill.

The rule would have applied to about 75,000 people who were“adjudicated as a mental defective” and who had applied for Social Security benefits, and had a mechanism to notify those affected so they could appeal. But congressional Republicans said the rule could ensnare people who had mental health issues but otherwise were competent to own a gun.

The Social Security Administration finalized the rule last Dec. 19. But under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has 60 legislative days to disapprove of any new regulation on straight majority votes. The vote was 57-43 in the Senate and 235-180 in the House.

Trump and the Republican Congress have already used that tactic three times, rolling back Obama-era regulations requiring oil and mining companies to disclose payments to foreign governments, and the stream protection rule that required coal companies to mitigate the effects of mining on waterways.

The bill signing fulfills a campaign promise for Trump. Even before Obama announced his executive actions before his State of the Union Address last year, Trump said he would “un-sign that so fast” once he becomes president.

Trump signed the bill without a public ceremony, the last day to sign it into law under the constitution’s 10-day requirement.

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March 21, 2019

LEGAL NOTICES

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019046835 The following person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019057254 The following person is doing business as:

My Cozy Camping 316 West 64th Street Inglewood, CA 90302

Beautyverse; The Beautyverse Magic Beautyverse; A Beautyverse 1601 N. Hollywood Way, Apt. G Burbank, CA 91505

Registered Owner(s): Adriana Marcela Beischl Sabogal, 316 West 64th Street, Inglewood, CA 90302 Registered Owner(s): Tiffany Jeneen Hankins, 1601 N. Hollywood, CA 91505 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) on February 25, 2019. commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 6, 2019.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. false is guilty of a crime.)

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be Adriana Marcela Beischl Sabogal, Owner. false is guilty of a crime.)

Tiffany Jeneen Hankins, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on February 25, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 6, 2019.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Professions Code.)

Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original Original February 28; March 7, 14, 21, 2019 March 21, 28; April 4, 11, 2019 IT004223012002048 Inglewood Today IT004223012002050 Inglewood Today Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019071387 The following person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019069944 The following person is doing business as:

GSD Trucking 1013 E. 65th Street Inglewood, CA 90302

Maclink 8763 S. San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90043

Maclink 10250 Spencer St., 1116 Las Vegas, NV 89183

Registered Owner(s): Edward Martinez, 1013 E. 65th Street, Inglewood, Registered Owners: Kenya Williams, Jomar Maclin, 10250 Spencer St., CA 90302 1116, Las Vegas, NV 89183 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on March 19, 2019. on March 18, 2019.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Edward Martinez, Owner.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Kenya Williams, Jomar Maclin, Owners.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 19, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on March 18, 2019.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original March 21, 28; April 4, 11, 2019 IT004223012002049 Inglewood Today

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.)

Original March 21, 28; April 4, 11, 2019 IT004223012002051 Inglewood Today

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Inglewood Planning Commission hereby gives notice that it will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the Community Room, First Floor, Inglewood City Hall, One Manchester Boulevard, to consider the following matters: 1. A public hearing to consider an application by Lynne Weaver, representing Three Weavers Brewing Company, for Special Use Permit No. 2019-002 (SP-2019002) to amend Condition No. 5 and 6 of Planning Commission Resolution No. 1699 for Special Use Permit No. 1193 (SP-1193) for an existing brewery and tasting room on a 2.99 acre C-3 and M-1 (Heavy Commercial and Light Manufacturing) zoned property at 1031 W. Manchester Boulevard (AIN 4127-029-014).

A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2019-010) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the Planning Division office of City Hall and via email at mfewell@cityofinglewood.org.

2. A public hearing to consider an application by Jakim Stewart, representing Drobe Stogies, for Special Use Permit No. 2019-003 (SP-2019-003) to allow onsite consumption of alcoholic beverages within an existing cigar lounge on a 3,300 square-foot, C-2 (General Commercial) zoned property at 1322 North La Brea Avenue (AIN 4002-029-029).

A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2018-088) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the Planning Division office of City Hall and via email at mfewell@cityofinglewood.org.

3. A public hearing to consider an application by Belinda Williams, representing Universal College of Beauty, Inc., for Special Use Permit No. 2019-004 (SP2019-004) to amend condition No. 5 of Planning Commission Resolution No. 1764 for Special Use Permit 1232 (SP-1232) for an existing 4,800 square-foot beauty school within a one-story shopping center on a MU-1 (TOD Mixed-Use 1) zoned property (AIN 4015-027-038).

A Notice of Exemption (EA-CE-2016-003) has been prepared stating that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a copy of which is available for public review in the Planning Division office of City Hall and via email at tkay@cityofinglewood.org.

If you will require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 412-5280 or FAX (310) 412-5333, One Manchester Boulevard, 1st Floor, Inglewood, California 90301. All requests for accommodations must be received 48 hours prior to the day of the hearing.

“If you challenge the proposed amendment in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing.”

“Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar onu este numero (310) 412-5280.”

In the event that this Planning Commission meeting is not held, or is concluded prior to a public hearing item being considered, the public hearing will automatically be continued to the next regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting.