Vol. 51, No.17
Serving the San Gabriel Valley Since 1966
April 24, 2013
Special Section
Local Events
Chamber
Sports
Student's Corner
Temple City, San Gabriel, & ROSEMEAD PAGE 8
page 2, 3 Visit Car Culture at http://www.midvalleynews.com/
page 6,7
page 10,11,13
page 3
State VFW Commander Visits El Monte El Monte
by Elvira Quinteros
El Monte, CA Permit No. 64
U.S. Postage Paid
showed up for a night of great food and entertainment. VFW members from Arcadia-Monrovia, La Puente, Whittier, Pico Rivera, West Covina, Azusa, Sierra Madre and San Dimas-La Verne attended along with 6th District commander Carlos Aldana. El Monte City Councilmen Jay Gomez and Bart Patel presented Mr. Fulk with a certificate of appreciation and spoke to the gathering. Gomez a Vietnam photo L to R: EM Councilman Bart Patel, Veteran Commander Michael Felix, State Commander with two Earl Fulk and Jay Gomez sons who have served visit to District 6 of which and also saw combat, spoke includes El Monte. about the City’s commitment Over 150 people to Veterans and the Housing project the city is sponsoring on the corner of Stewart and Ramona which will house forty (40) homeless Vets. Councilman Bart Patel also spoke of the city’s commitment to Veterans and his relationship with Veterans of Foreign Wars. Councilman Bart Patel has been both a supporter and participant of VFW activities and fundraisers for years and vowed to continue his support. Representatives from State Senator Ed Hernandez and Assemblyman Ed Chau also spoke and presented certificates. State commander Fulk Said, “I can not believe this is the same Post I visited four years ago! This Post looks fantastic! The improvements done by such a small group is truly amazing! Presorted Standard
On Friday, April 12th, California State VFW Commander Earl Fulk and his wife State Auxiliary President Rene Fulk paid a visit to Greater El Monte VFW Post 10218 as part of the Annual
VFW continued to pg 9
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Long-Time El Monte Community Volunteer Retires El Monte
Mr. Bill Yates is retiring Arroyo High was 350, the from the El Monte Air Relargest membership for any sources Board after 56 years school in California, Hawaii, of service. He first began and Nevada. his career at the Los Angeles In addition, Mr. Yates County Air Pollution Control served as Vice-President District and moved to the of the El Monte Chamber State Health Department. and was part of the “Trade Then he moved to the Air Delegation,” serving as an Resources Board in Downadvisor to the California town Los Angeles, which On behalf of the moved to El Monte in 1971. community of Mr. Yates lives quite a El Monte, thank you busy life. He is involved with the Red Cross, Mr. Yates for your volunteering and using service and dedication. his vacation time, helping out after many disasters, including: Whittier NarState Leadership Initiative to rows Earthquake, Hurricane Eastern Europe. He repreIniki, 911, and Hurricane sented the American Red Katrina. At one time, Mr. Cross, the Chamber, and the Yates served as the Chairman State of California. of the San Gabriel Valley I asked Mr. Yates how he Red Cross. Even today, he would like to be rememhas promoted the Red Cross bered. He told me that Blood Drive at the El Monte children should be our first Air Resources Board. priority. Mr. Yates wants to Besides the Red Cross, be remembered as someone Mr. Yates also volunteers who inspired kids because his time with the El Monte they are our future. He said Kiwanis and has held the he was inspired by the Boy office of President and was Scouts of America, and his very active with Key Club at troop #270 in Cleveland, Arroyo and Mountain View which was the largest troop High Schools. Actually, the in the projects. His mom was membership in Key Club at a den mother and he attained
by Jo Anne Disney
the rank of Eagle Scout. But he named three people that have inspired him: Carl B. Stokes, the first black mayor of a major U.S. (Cleveland) and was elected the first black Democrat to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1962; Louis Stokes, “who rose from Cleveland’s projects to become a lawyer, and was elected Ohio’s first black congressman;” and Judy Chu, U.S. Representative for California’s 27th Congressional District, who “is a dynamic lady and proactive and supportive of her district.” Does Mr. Yates ever have any free time for himself? One of his favorite things to do is attend the Kentucky Derby each year. Mr. Yates has been going to the Derby since Telly Savalas owned horses there in the 1960’s. What will Mr. Yates do after his retirement? He plans on moving back to Cleveland, Ohio to help his sister who has Alzheimer’s. Of all of his accomplishments in life, Mr. Yates is very proud to be a great-great-grandfather and I am sure he is looking forward to more volunteering. In photo: Bill Yates photo by Jo Anne Disney