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La Habra’s Independent Community Newspaper
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Tennis anyone?
No. 95507
July 20, 2017
West Nile risk high in La Habra By Jay Seidel La Habra Journal
Emily Jett/La Habra Journal
A quick return: People from all over played tennis and enjoyed the grand opening of the new iTennis La Habra next to Portola Park on Euclid Avenue. The new managers of the former La Habra Tennis Center recently remodeled it to make it community friendly and a place for them to share their passion for tennis. The new courts, clubhouse and pro shop provide a great deal for those interested in the sport. More info on Page 7.
Heights seeks assessment to pay for roads
By Jay Seidel La Habra Journal
LA HABRA HEIGHTS
The residents of La Habra Heights will be asked to vote on a benefit assessment district in November in an effort to help repair the roads within the city. Supporting council members of the 3-2 vote at last Thursday’s council meeting said that they felt that the results released from a commissioned study indicates that a benefit assessment district is the best way to go. “After looking at the results of the road funding survey, hearing from the professional consultants, and our citizen Roads Committee, it is my opinion that the residents will be most comfortable with the Benefit Assessment District approach for funding,” said Councilman Michael Higgins who voted for the assessment. Councilmen Brian Bergmen and Kyle Miller also voted for the assessment, which will cost residents about $170 annually on their property tax bill.
Higgins added that based on the facts presented by the committee and the study, he believed the residents would be most comfortable with the Benefit Assessment District approach for funding. “Of all the choices the assessment option is the most familiar to the community,” he said. The survey was conducted by Godbe Research, who were hired by the council as a consultation firm, and found that approximately twothirds of voters supported assessment district while only less than half supported the utility users tax. The utility tax, which was recommended by the Roads Committee, would have been a 3.5 percent utility users tax, which would cost residents approximately $20 per month Mayor Jane Williams joined Francis in preferring the utility tax. Roads Committee Chairman Dennis Laherty explained that he and the committee, can support either option, as long as the priority
Jay Seidel/La Habra Journal
Rough Road: The La Habra Heights City Council approved Thursday a benefit assessment to fund road repair to be on the November ballot.
remains on road repair. If approved by the voters in Novermber, the funding program will last 10 years with the goal to obtain a 75 PCI (pavement condition index) on the city’s roads. The index, which is between 0 and 100, is used by transportation civil engineering to indicate the general condition of pavement. Higgins added that all of the fund will go to the roads, and that any and all contract and monies will be audited by the citizen roads committee.
The third mosquito that tested positive for West Nile Virus was discovered in La Habra last week Orange County Vector Control noted the mosquitoes were collected from La Bonita Park. The previous mosquitoes were discovered last month in the same park. Vector Control routinely monitors populations of adult mosquitoes and test groups of adult female mosquitoes for the presence of WNV and other mosquito-borne viruses. The San Gabriel Valley Vector Control urges La Habra Heights residents to do the same. While none have been discovered in the Heights, there is still a need for precaution, said Jason Farned, Public Information Officer for the SGV Vector Control. WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes are WNV carriers ("vectors") that become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread WNV to humans and other animals when they bite. Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will display symptoms which can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms generally last for just a few days. Less than one percent of individuals infected with WNV will develop severe illness or possibly death. A person can reduce their risk of WNV infection by: l Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. l Use repellent containing the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. l Dump or drain standing water l Repairing broken or torn screens on windows and doors. For more information and updates contact: www.ocvector.org
WHAT ’ S INSIDE THIS ISSUE LH Collaborative challenges community to drink better
Sonora grad hoping to change perspectives through filmaking
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