SUPERVISOR ZEV
YAROSLAVSKY
THIRD DISTRICT
DISPATCH #3
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2004
Welcome to this latest
edition of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's e-mail newsletter for Third
District constituents! At your request, you'll be hearing from us
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AN
URGENT MESSAGE FROM SUPERVISOR YAROSLAVSKY ON THE STATE BUDGET:
I have received
numerous calls, letters and e-mails asking about the Governor's budget
proposal and its impact on local government. I wanted to share my
thoughts with you at this very early stage in the budget debate.
California finds
itself in today's financial mess because for the past several years,
state government has been spending more than it was taking in. While
Gov. Schwarzenegger bears no direct responsibility for creating this
debacle, as the state's Chief Executive he bears a large responsibility
for fixing it.
I share the Governor's
assessment of the situation that the state must learn to live within its
means. Failure to do so will only push the deficits higher and threaten
California with bankruptcy. Moreover, I agree with the Governor that the
state needs a long-term policy that insures fiscal solvency and
stability. California's failure to engage this issue has driven down the
state's bond ratings to a notch above "junk" status, burdening taxpayers
with billions of dollars in added interest costs just to borrow money
for legitimate purposes.
However, it's simply
wrong for the Governor to balance the state budget by robbing cities and
counties of hundreds of millions of dollars in local property taxes to
meet the state's own spending obligations. We pay our local taxes to our
local jurisdictions for police, fire, paramedic, library and other vital
municipal services. For the State of California to reach into local
governments' treasuries in order to cover its expenses is nothing more
than an old fashioned heist. It's not the state's money; it's your City
and County's money. Taking local property taxes threatens our ability to
provide these vital services.
Those of us in local
government are required annually not only to present balanced budgets,
but also to implement them. Deficit spending is strictly forbidden. Here
in the County of Los Angeles, we routinely make difficult and
politically painful decisions to cut spending, and even to raise
revenues when necessary. In so doing, the County - which stood on the
brink of fiscal oblivion barely eight short years ago - has turned its
fortunes around. We have adopted responsible budgets and established a
prudent reserve. We have been able to meet most of our critical
obligations and respond periodically to massive emergencies such as
earthquakes, brush fires or floods. Most cities and counties around the
state can say the same.
It appears to me that
our County and other local governments statewide are essentially being
punished for their prudence by a state government eager to plug a $15
billion dollar state deficit caused by the carelessness of the state
itself. That's why Mayors, County Supervisors, Sheriffs and District
Attorneys throughout the state have responded so angrily to the
Governor's proposed budget.
I am committed to
fighting this property tax shift. It strikes at the heart of the most
basic services Los Angeles County and City government provide. State
officials say that local government should "share in the pain" of the
State's deficit solutions, but we have already borne the pain of
balancing our budget as the law requires. We're living within our means;
we must not be pressed into service so that the state can live beyond
its means.
There is a great deal
at stake in the pending budget battle. On the local level, our budget
uncertainties are challenging enough without continually jeopardizing
our local property taxes. Please let the Governor and your state
representatives know how you feel, and show them that you're paying
attention. Remind them that taking our money does nothing to solve their
budget problems; it just allows them to continue their profligate
spending at our expense.
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WHAT'S NEW -
Board Moves to Shore Up Troubled Hospital Facility
- Following a series
of negative reports and increasing concerns expressed by state and
federal health officials about conditions and medical care at
County-operated Martin Luther King-Drew Medical Center in South Los
Angeles, the Board of Supervisors is moving aggressively to implement
recommendations contained in a
Task Force Report produced by a team headed by Dr.
David Satcher, U.S. Surgeon General from 1998-2001.
Hollywood Bowl Band Shell Nears Completion
- On January 15, 2004, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky joined Board
colleagues Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Gloria Molina, along with
representatives from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, for a beam-signing
and steel-topping party to celebrate completion of the steel frame for
the brand new Hollywood Bowl band shell, a larger and dramatically
improved version of the beloved Hollywood icon. Hearkening back to the
clean and classic lines of its 1929 design, the new shell boasts a
cleaner look and superior acoustics for orchestra and audience alike.
Concert goers will experience the new shell for themselves when it makes
its debut for the 2004 Summer Bowl season. Click
Hollywood Bowl Shell
to learn more about this exciting project.
SFV
MetroRapid Busway Designated "Orange Line"
- The San Fernando
Valley MetroRapid Busway, a 14-mile long cross-Valley transit project
currently under construction to link North Hollywood to Warner Center,
will be known as the "Orange Line" under a motion adopted by the MTA
Board on January 22, 2004. Sponsored by MTA Board Chairman and County
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the designation pays tribute to the region's
rich history of citrus production in the early 20th century
before the post-war housing boom replaced acres of fruit orchards with
miles of suburban tract homes.
Yaroslavsky Funds Topanga Ballfield Restoration
- Thanks to a $70,000 County grant, it'll soon be "Play Ball!" on the
Topanga Community House baseball field once the replanted and restored
ballfield is ready for Memorial Day and the community's annual
celebration, "Topanga Days." The grant completed a fundraising effort
that included a $37,000 grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation and
$30,000 in private donations. Yarolslavsky and the County have
previously assisted Topanga with grants for the Topanga Symphony, the
Community House Improvement project, and seed money to launch a local
emergency-preparedness effort.
Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Hails "Exceptional" County Compliance
With Comprehensive Plan
- The County of Los Angeles has earned high marks from the Santa Monica
Mountains Conservancy for its "exceptional" compliance with the Santa
Monica Mountains Comprehensive Plan, a regional planning document
adopted in 1979 by the State Legislature aimed at protecting the land
and guiding responsible development in the environmentally sensitive
area. In its recently-released Annual Report for 2002-2003, the
Conservancy noted that the County's planning staff "increasingly
understands and anticipates the planning principles represented in the
Plan," and credited Regional Planning Department biologists for
improvements in the quality of the County's environmental impact
analyses.
Topanga Library Project Advances
- On Friday, January 16, 2004, the County of Los Angeles officially
applied to the State Library Board for its funding grant to complete the
Topanga Library Project. The 11,000 sq. ft. library would be built on
property owned by the County Waterworks District. Pending state
approval, construction would begin in May 2006, with the completed
project scheduled to open in September 2007. Click
Messenger library clip for a local perspective on
the project in the Topanga community newsletter.
County Seeks State Funding for Sylmar's El Cariso Park Playground
- The County of Los Angeles has also applied for state grant funding to
build a universal playground at El Cariso Community Regional Park in the
Sylmar portion of Supervisor Yaroslavsky's District. The playground
would be in full compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities
Act, allowing children using wheelchairs, leg braces and walkers to play
safely in at least 70% of the play area. The new playground project
would join four other play areas in the 79-acre park, which serves
nearly 13,000 residents in the surrounding community.
UCLA Names Yaroslavsky "Local Legislator of the Year"
- On January 12, 2004, capping a day dedicated to local government
outreach and advocacy, UCLA names Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev
Yaroslavsky as the recipient of the inaugural UCLA Local Legislator of
the Year Award. UCLA officials said that the new award is intended to
recognize the contributions of an elected official to local government,
the community and UCLA. A donation will be made in his name to the UCLA
School of Public Policy and Social Research to help support a summer
internship for a student whose specific interest is public service.
Third District Transit Projects Moving Along
- On January 29, 2004, MTA Board Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky rode a virtual
whirlwind of transit events around his Third Supervisorial District:
|
At 9:30 a.m.,
Yaroslavsky joined Mayor James Hahn, Councilmember Tom LaBonge and
other officials to celebrate a groundbreaking for the new $43
million NoHo Tower project in North Hollywood. Located in the
burgeoning NoHo Arts District at the corner of Lankershim Blvd. and
Cumpston St. across the street from the North Hollywood Metro Red
Line Subway station, the 15-story, 191-unit building will be the San
Fernando Valley's tallest residential tower. The project is being
developed by Santa Monica-based JSM Construction. |
|
At 11:00 a.m.,
Yaroslavsky joined Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and
Councilmember Bernard Parks on the inaugural ride of the Crenshaw
Metro Rapid Bus, the newest addition to the MTA's expanding grid of
special bus lines offering more frequent service, fewer stops, and
traffic signal priority that has reduced passenger travel times as
much as 25% over conventional bus routes. The 18.5 mile Crenshaw
Metro Rapid Line 710 serves one of the County's busiest transit
corridors, and runs from Hollywood/Vine Metro Red Line Station all
the way to the South Bay Galleria. |
|
At 3:00 p.m.,
Yaroslavsky paid tribute to the legendary Lakers announcer Chick
Hearn at a special ceremony to rename the Metro Blue Line Station at
Pico and Flower in honor of Hearn, who passed away in August 2002.
Joining Yaroslavsky for the occasion were Hearn's widow, Marge, and
other officials. |
County Health Department Launches New On-Line Database for Apartment
Building "Housing Violations"
- To assist apartment hunters and condo buyers in evaluating housing
units for prospective sale or rent, the County of Los Angeles Department
of Health Services has launched a new on-line database of apartment
building inspection reports from November, 1, 2001 - present. Like its
restaurant inspection program, the Department's Environmental Health
Division routinely inspects all apartment buildings and condominiums
with 5 units or more to ensure that residential housing within Los
Angeles County is safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. Click
housing inspection reports and enter loc! ation
data to access the information.
Animal Care and Control Department Offers Amnesty Program for Pet
Licenses
- The County's Animal Care and Control Department is now offering a
special six-week animal licensing amnesty program from January 1 -
February 15, 2004 for residents served by the Los Angeles County
Department of Animal Care and Control. Department officials are
reminding residents that a license tag is the surest way to reunite
stray pets with their owners, and in the event that a dog bites someone,
allows proper follow-up for appropriate medical treatment. For license
fees and locations of the nearest shelter, please call (562) 728-4706
for assistance. In the Third District, the County's Agoura Shelter is
located at 29525 Agoura Rd. in Agoura, and is open Monday - Tuesday and
Thursday - Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm, and Wednesday 9 am - 7 pm; the
number there is (818) 991-0071. Click
County Animal Care and Control
for the Department's informative Website. |