Whittier Dispatch

La Mirada polling results on a tax increase

2011-12-15T01:22:27Z

La Mirada officials who think a tax increase will provide needed revenue for street and other improvements received some good news from a poll by Godbe Research of Newport Beach.
Here are some of the key details of the poll.

The company interviewed 502 likely November 2012 voters from Oct. 20-25. Each interview took about 18 minutes. There is a 4.3 percent margin of error.

The poll on support for a one-half percent sales tax showed:
Definitely yes: 30 percent
Probably yes: 33 percent
Definitely no: 20 percent
Probably no: 15 percent
Don't know: 2 percent

The poll on support for a one-quarter percent sales tax showed:
Definitely yes: 42 percent
Probably yes: 24 percent
Definitely no: 19 percent
Probably no: 11 percent
Don't know: 4 percent

The poll on support for a utility users showed:
Definitely yes: 19 percent
Probably yes: 31 percent
Definitely no: 33 percent
Probably no: 11 percent
Don't know: 4 percent

The poll on support for increasing the existing business license tax by $50 for most small businesses and $1,000 for most large businesses showed:
Definitely yes: 21 percent
Probably yes: 26 percent
Definitely no: 31 percent
Probably no: 13 percent
Don't know: 9 percent

The poll identified important issues on a scale of three with 0 being not at all important, one, somewhat important, two, very important and three, extremely important.
Here are the ratings:
Maintaining police services, 2.4
Protecting local property values, 2.3
Maintaining city streets, 2.2
Maintaining sewers and storm drains, 2.1
Preventing local tax increases, 2
Maintaining sidewalks/curbs/gutters/trees, 2
Maintaining city parks/recreational services/facilities, 2
Maintaining cultural/performing arts programs, 1.5

The poll also looked at attitudes on economic outlook:
About the same: 55 percent
Better: 22 percent
Worse: 20 percent
Don't know: 4 percent
Source: Godbe Research

RIO HONDO COLLEGE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS FOR AREA 2 CANDIDATES

2011-11-05T23:20:00Z

RIO HONDO COLLEGE AREA 2
(Data reflects numbers through Oct.22)

Fernando Centeno
Raised $19,546, spent $5,301 and has $13,244 in cash left over
Contributors:
Rio Hondo College Faculty Association, $5,000
CMAC Transport of Paramount, $2,000
Political Action for Classified School Employees, $1,800
Alliance Service Group of Whittier, Consuelo Diaz of Whittier, Rory Olivarez of Glendale $1,500
California Construction Management of Whittier, $599
CH2M Hill Engineers of Englewood, Colo., David Kenney of Pico Rivera, Esther Romero of Los Angeles, Michael Sullivan and Associates of Los Angeles, $500
El Monte City Manager Rene Bobadilla, Golden State Consultants and Associates of Whittier, David Gondek of San Dimas, El Monte Councilwoman Norma Macias, Nakadas Assoiciates of Los Angeles, Pacifica Services of Pasadena, Salvador Ramirez of South El Monte, TECS Environmental Compliance Services of Pasadena, $250
AIM Consulting Services of La Puente, $200
Re-elect Teresa Parra of Highland, $150
Beatriz Martinez of Pasadena, R and M Associates of Whittier and Susana Smith, assistant superintendent for El Rancho Unified School District, $100
Claudio Davalos of Pico Rivera donated banner signs, $1500, and Marcos Rodriguez donated metal pipe banner stand, $500

John Lautzenhiser
Filed form stating he will spend less than $1,000

Louis Reyes
Raised $15,974 spent $13,495 and has $2,478 in cash on hand
Contributors:
Ron Calderon for state controller 2014, $5,000
Hernandez for Assembly 2012, International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 12, $1,000
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 11 PAC, Laborers Local 300 Small Contributor Committee, former state Sen. Richard Polancdo, Service Employees International Union $500
South Whittier School board member Janet Baird, Rebecca Barrantes of Whittier, William Sanchez of Upland,Sprinkler Fitters Local 709 PAC, $250
Whittier Councilman Bob Henderson, Alexander Rooker of West Sacramento, Tres ES of Los Angeles, $200
Fredy Ceja of Los Angeles, $186
Mario Beltran of Bell Gardens, Jaime Lopez of Whittier, Carmen Perez of Long Beach, Celeste Zabala of Pico Rivera, $150
Angelita Medina of unincorporated West Whittier, $147
Ilma V. Avila of Montebello, Michele Bonds of Astoria, NY, Pedro Chavez of Oxnard, Anthony Crump of Los Angeles, Marcos Castaneda of Newhall, Vivian Castro of Upland, Arturo Chavez of Los Angeles, Joseph Dzidrums of Whittier, Montebello Unified School District board member Geraldine Guzman, Derek Humphrey of Sun City, Mike Javanmard of Lake Forest, Jaime Lopez of Whittier, Carmen Prez of Long Beach Melinda Ramos-Alatorre of Los Angeles, Ulisses Sanchez of Los Angeles, Gary Townsend of Los Angeles, Trena Varos of Whittier and Celinda Vazquez of Hawthorne, $100
Rodney Mojarro of Whittier donated location for an an event, $250

Vicky Santana
Raised $33,453, spent $16,258, has $17,195 in cash on hand
Contributors:
Marcus Allen of Carlsbad, Alfred Balderrama of Monterey Park, Blue Shield of California, Glenn Gritzner, LIUNA Local 777 PAC, $1,000
Adele Andrade-Stadler, $800
Rio Hondo College trustee Maria Elena Martinez of Pico Rivera, $799
Norma Dominguez of Los Angeles, $600
Edward R. Ortega of Los Angeles, $400
Antonia Jimenez of Redondo Beach, $350
Hector Huffington of Seal Beach, $311
Juanita Corona of Neewberg, Oregon, Peter Navarro of Los Angeles, Gayle Zimmering of Calabasas $300
Friends of (Rio Hondo College trustee) Angela Acosta-Salazar, Vibiana Andrade of Monterey Park, Atlantic-Firestone LLC, Arnold Berghoff of Beverly Hills, Linda Gattegno Berghoff of Beverly Hills, Claudia Kiti Bustamante of Pasadena, Michael J. Bustamante of Sacramento, Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, Los Angeles County Medical Association PAC, Moreno and Perez of Los Angeles, PRV Wealth Management of Los Angeles, Service Employees International Union Local 721, Friends of Paul Tanaka, Union of American Physicians and Dentist Medical Defense Fund, Moises Vasquez of Whittier, $500
Anna Marie Salas of Cudahy, $299
Luis Ayala Jr. of Alhambra, Law Office of Bernardo De La Torre, $250, Leon Garcia of Hacienda Heights, Jorge Morales of South Gate, Law Office of Felipe Plascencia of La Habra, David Ryu of Los Angeles, Tony Salazar of Whittier, $250
Hazel Ortega of Whittier, $210
Lilia Bustamante of Anaheim, Harold Dash, public relations executive for Cerrell Associates, Reuben De Leon, of Los Angeles, Yesenia Fernandez of Pico Rivera, Rio Hondo College trustee Norma Garcia of El Monte, David Gomez of Bellflower, Victor Griego of Los Angeles, Gerry Hertzberg of Los Angeles Doreen Martinez of Brooklyn, N.Y., Luis Perez of Bell, Darline Robles of Whittier, Jose Sahagun of Hacienda Heights, Law Office of Samuel Salazar, $200
Anna Maria Salas of Cudahy, Jacqueline White of Diamond Bar, $199
Phillip Chen for School Board (of Diamond Bar), $198,
Teresa Villegas of Los Angeles, $175
Edgar Cisneros of Montebello, LA City Controller Wendy Greuel, Mar-C Hair Consulting of Los Angeles, Andrea Ordin of Pacific Palisades, Salvador Ortiz of Los Angeles, $150, Carlos Rodriguez of Whittier, Irma Rodriguez-Moisa of Cerritos, Gabriel Sandova of Washington, D.C., Sobol Orthopedic Medical Group of Los Angeles, Veronica Vargas of Los Angeles, Law Office of Mario D. Vega of Los Angeles, $150
Sean Andrade of Alhambra, Hector Huffington of Seal Beach, Martha Jimenez of Glendale, Caroline Martinez of Pasadena, Sandra Salazar of Norwalk, $125
Raul Alvarez of Montebello, Enrique Aranda of Norwalk, John Babbitt of Cerritos, Angela Castro of Huntington Beach, Herlinda Chico of Long Beach, Michelle Duenas of West Covina, Allison Byne Fields of Seattle, Diego Cardoso of Los Angeles, Nancy Chaires of Elk Grove, Richard Espinoza of Whittier, Catherine Fernandez of Oakland, Law Office of George Gallegos, Erica Gonzalez of Alhambra, Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles, Meg Guilford of Washinton, D.C., Anna Marisa Harding of La Mirada, Antonia Hernandez of Pasadena, Kathleen House of Long Beach, Les Howard of Whittier, Christopher Ige of Los Angeles, Natalia Jimenez of Alhambra, John Lackner of Los Angeles, Claude Martinez of Hacienda Heights, Jorge Melgoza of Berkeley, Robert Meneses of Chino Hills, Jorge Morales of South Gate, Anthony Navarrete of Los Angeles, Edgar Ortega of Los Angeles, Vivian Pacheco of San Francisco, Anna Pembedjian of Glendale, Wayne Plumtree of Los Angeles, Desiree Portillo Rabinov of La Crescenta, Salvador Ramos of Bell Gardens, Daniel Ramos-Santana of Whittier, Rebecca Rangel of Orinda, Calvin Remington of Ventura, Lisa Rodriguez of Los Angeles, Luis Rodriguez of Los Angeles, Romero and Associates of El Monte, Gilbert Saucedo of Los Angeles, Saucedo Group of Beverly Hills, David L. Schorr of Los Angeles, Lisa Scott of Monterey Park, Roxanne Marquez Shalygin of Los Angeles, David Stowe of Los Angeles, Jorge Torres of Los Angeles, Veronica Vargas of Los Angeles, Sergio Vasquez Jr. of Los Angeles, Lillian Vega of Fullerton former Rio Hondo College trustee Michelle Yanez-Jimenez of Whittier, Maria Yepez of Monterey Park, Jane Zones of San Francisco, $100
Source: Documents filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

Rio Hondo College campaign finance reports for Area 4 candidates

2011-11-05T23:00:00Z

Rio Hondo College Area 4
(Reports reflect data through Oct. 22)
Ronald Lawrence-Gonzales
Raised $16,592, spent $15,768, owes $10,775 and has $11,598 in cash on hand
Contributors:
Rio Hondo Faculty Association, $5,000
Ronald Lawrence-Gonzales School Board committee, $700
R&M Associates of Whittier, $1,063
International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 12 of Pasadena, Laborers Local 300 Small Contributor Committee, $1,000
American Eagle Towing of Santa Fe Springs, District Council of Iron Workers PAC of Pinole, DRIVE Committee of Washington, D.C. Service Employees International Union Local 12, $500
Colin Young of Huntington Beach, $335
Mary Lawrence of Hawthorne, $300
Cement Masons Local 600 PAC of Bell Gardens, Montebello Unified School District board member Geraldine Guzman, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza for Assembly, Committee to Re-elect (Santa Fe Springs Councilman) Bill Rounds, Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local Union 105, $250
Matthew Koutroulis of Whittier, $225
Angelita Medina of unincorporated West Whittier, $214
Mary Jane McIntosh of Norwalk, $200\
Evelyn Garcia of Pasadena, Mike Javanmard of Lake Forest, Alexandra Rooker of South Pasadena, RSL and Associates of Whittier, $150
Jesus Urquidi of La Mirada, $115
Enrique Aranda of Norwalk, James Chandler of South Pasadena, William Clark of Fullerton, Coalition of Latinos for Political Advocacy of Burbank, Whittier City School District board member Jennifer De Baca, former state Sen. Martha Escutia of Whittier, Deborah Hubbard of Hawthorne, Garvey School District board member Henry Lo, Joseph Perez of Hacienda Heights, Anthony Rendon of Whittier, Ignacio Rendon of Whittier, Phranda Wolfe of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, $100

Margarita Macedonio
raised $7,179, spent $3,886 has $3,534 in cash on hand, accrued expenses $341
Contributors:
Campaign comittees of Rio Hondo College Board trustees Angela Acosta-Salazar and Norma Garcia, $500
Max Espinoza of Sacramento, $250
Former Rio Hondo Superintendent Rose Marie Joyce, Hugo Maldonado of Monrovia, Lourdes Ramirez of Irvine, , $200
Robert Bergman of San Antonio, Texas, Jeannette Flores of Covina, Luz Herrera of Whittier, Dora Huerta of Downey, Alberto Gonzalez of Belmont, Mass., Ofrelinda Gonzalez of Pico Rivera, $100, Rio Hondo College trustee Maria Elena Martinez, El Monte Mayor Andre Qunitero, Alfonso Salazar of Whittier, $100
Aaron Blaine of Santa Barbara, Maria Calleros-Castaneda of Whittier, $150
Gardenia Gonzalez of Montebello DJ equiplment for fund raiser, $306, Christina Misa of Montebello, donation of food and supplies for meetings,
$216, Norma Fernandez of Pasadena, food for fund-raiser, $100

Gary Mendez
Raised $4,297, spent $2,566, and has $2,730 in cash on hand
Contributors:
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12 of Pasadena, $1,500
GK Kworks of Irvine, $500, Plumbers Local Union No. 78 of Los Angeles, Quatro Design Group of Los Angeles, Southern California Pipe Trade District Council No. 16, $500
Cement Masons Local No. 600 of Bell, OPCMIA Plasterers Local Union No. 200, $250

Frank Vasquez
Filed form stating he will spend less than $1,000
Source: Documents filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

Little Lake City School District campaign finance reports

2011-11-05T22:26:21Z

LITTLE LAKE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
(Reports reflect data through Oct. 22, 2011
Ken Arnold
Raised $14,500, spent $14,022 and has $477 in cash on hand
Gave $7,700 to campaign
Contributors:
Vernola Towing of Norwalk, $5,000
Little Lake Education Association, $1,500
Santa Fe Springs Councilman Bill Rounds, $250

Lynn Berg
Raised $3,732, spent $3,605 and has $126 in cash on hand
Loaned $2,010 to campaign
Contributors:
Santa Fe Springs Councilmen Bill Rounds and Joe Serrano, $250 each
Albert and Laura Rios, $100
Norwalk Councilman Luigi Veronla donated $572 in unassembled signs
Norwalk Councilman Mike Mendez donated $500 in unassembled signs, Norwalk

Richard Martinez
raised $5,127, spent $4,810, has $318, cash left over
Martinez loaned campaign $1,000, has paid back $500 so far
Contributors:
Little Lake Education Association, $1,500
Santa Fe Springs Councilman Joe Serrano, $500
Santa Fe Springs Councilman Bill Rounds, $250
former Santa Fe Springs Councilwoman Betty Putnam and Daniel Zamora of Santa Fe Springs, $200
Lynn Berg campaign committee, $180
Nicholas Aquino, Los Nietos school board member; Jeff and Janet Baird, Whittier Union High and South Whittier school board members, respectively; Grace Hu of Cerritos; and Arturo and Araceli Trevino of La Mirada; $100
Norwalk Councilman Mike Mendez donated $500 in signs, Norwalk Councilman Luigi Vernola, $572 in signs

AJ Mumtaz
Filed report, show no money raised, no expenses
Janet Rock
Raised $2,509, spent $2,343 and has $165 in cash left over
Gave campaign $100
Little Lake Education Association, $1500
White Water Inn of Cambria donated $600 in sign materials
Source: Documents filed with Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

Whittier City School District campaign finance reports

2011-11-05T01:51:43Z

WHITTIER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
(Reports reflect data through Oct. 22)
Kenia Davalos
Raised $19,263, spent $19,031, including $825 in unpaid bills, and has $1,057 in cash on hand
Loaned $2,000 to campaign
Contributors:
DRIVE Committee of Washington, D.C., $1,000
Glory D. Hammes of Whittier and Anna Kusnier of Walnut, $500
Ena Alvarez of Bellflower, $200
Elizabeth Mendia, $150
Virginia Ball of Whittier, $100

Irella Perez
Raised $15,571, spent $11,560, and has $4,011 in cash on hand.
Contributors:
Glory Hawn of Santa Fe Springs, Air Cleaning Perfection, $3,500
Niki Bargheri of Sherman Oaks, Glory D. Hammes of Whittier, Steve Kerdom of Denneno Kerdom of South Gate, $1,000
Raquel Antines of Oakland, $750
Steve Kerdom of South Gate, $600
George Perry of Duxbury, Mass., Ken Chan of Buena Park, Tom Davis of San Diego, and King Pouv of Monterey Park, $500
John K of Ranco Cardova and Maria Quezada of Phillips Ranch, $250
Judy Keller of South Pasadena, Leslie Stuart of Redondo Beach, $200Whittier Councilman Bob Henderson, Jeuss Pina of Long Beach, $150
Ralph and Marina Anaya of Whittier, Peter Arasonwan of Gardena,
Bella Bautista of Glendale, Jake Bakero, of San Bernardino, Edward Beall of Torrance, Fernando Elizondo of Salinas, David Gomez of Ventura, Frederick LaValle of Whittier, Jim Greb of Long Beach, Gloria Lorenza-Franco of Lakewood, Jaime Martinez of Whittier, Vicky and John Schoenfeld of Torrance, Thomas and Carmela Franco of Whittier, Gonzalo Moraga of Long Beach, W.E. Mutt of Whittier, Seven Neal of Long Beach, Sergio Rojas of Seal Beach,Jerry Sunbrara of Huntington Beach, Mary Umahi of Gardena

Cecilia Perez
Raised $14,705 spent $13,352, and has $3,221 in cash on hand.
Lloaned campaign $6,750
Contributors:
California Laborers for Equality and Progress, $2,000
Laborers International Union of North America, $1,000
Bernardino Torre of Whittier, $250
Alex Reza of Santa Clarita, $235
Angelica Ruiz of Whittier, $220
Cynthia Carrillo of Whittier, Marc Grossman of Sacramento, Irvin Hershenbaum of Los Angeles, Alex Moisa of Whittier, Michaela O'Neill of Seal Beach, and Jesus Ramirez of Whittier, $200
Claudia Wiedeman of Whittier, $150
Ernesto Medrano of Whittier $149
Vito Adragna of Whittier, $139
Hilda Hernandez of Baldwin Park, $134
Susana Rubio of Delano, $125
Brian Oscar of Whittier, $110
Ira Gottlieb of Santa Monica, Sonia Rodriguez of Keene,Cynthia Ruiz of Bakersfield and Tania Ybarra of Parlier $100
Source: Documents filed with Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District campaign finance report

2011-11-04T21:17:20Z

NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
(Reports reflect data through Oct. 22
Diane Gramajo
Raised $3,000, spent $1,339, didn't state how much cash on hand in her repor
Loaned campaign $1,000
Contributors: PAC for Classified Employees of California School Employees, $2,000
Also was fined $60 for turning in report on Nov. 3. It was due Oct. 27.

Karen Morrison

Raised $3,420, spent $2,065, and has $154 in cash on hand
Loaned campaign $1,200
Contributors:
PAC for Classified Employees of California School Employees, $2,000
Marian Hill of Dana Point, $100

Chris Pflanzer
Raised $5,157, spent $4,895 and has $372 cash in hand
Loaned his campaign $2,400
Contributors:
Mary Jane McIntosh of Norwalk, $1,254
Kip Jentz of Chula Vista, $300, former Norwalk Councilman Gordon Stefenhagen, $150; Jeff Duahamel of La Mirada, $125, and former La Mirada Councilman Pete Dames, $100

Jesus Urquidi

Raised $10,344, Spent $4,142, and has $6,202 in cash on hand
Loaned his campaign $5,000
Contributors
PAC for Classified Employees of California School Employees, $2,000
BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, Texas, CSI Electric, Norwalk Councilman Luigi Vernola, $500
and Jay Bell of Santa Ana, $250
Vivian Hansen of Paramount, $200
Clay Sandige of Rancho Santa Margarita, and former Norwalk Councilman Gordon Stefenhagen, $150
Norwalk Councilman Leonard Shryock, Loyd Toda of Cerritos, and Jesus Urquidi (father), $100
Source: Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

El Rancho Unified School District

2011-11-04T21:00:00Z

Sorry for the delay. Here is the next campaign finance reports.

EL RANCHO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
(Reports reflect data through Oct. 22)
Delia Alvidrez
Raised $11,423, spent $4,490, and has $6,932 in cash on hand
Contributors:
El Rancho Federation of Teachers, $5,000
Aron Pedrosian of Montebello andArsen Sarkisian of Montebello, $250
Librado La Farga of Pico Rivera, $100

Maggie Cardenas
Raised $11,947. spent $10,054, including $500 in unpaid bills, and has $207 cash in hand,
Loaned campaign $6,902
Contributors
PAC for Classified Employees of California School Employees, $2,600
District Council Iron Workers, $500
Arnold Tovar of Whittier, $320
Marina Caballero of Pico Rivera, $200
Lucila Saccone of Pico Rivera, $160
El Rancho Unified School District school board member Rachel Canchola, $105
Anna and Alfred Ogas of Prescott, Ariz., Martin and Rosa Zamarripa of Pico Rivera, Mayro Zazveta of Pico Rivera, $100
Anthony De La Rosa, donated web site, $101

Alfred Renteria Jr.
Raised $17,458 spent $15,818 has $1,644 in cash on hand.
Loaned his campaign $5,000 and provided $877 in beverages, food, gift cards and prizes for fund-raiser
Contributors:
Alfred Renteria Jr., $629
Reina Duarte of Rancho Cucamonga, $1,000
Aron Pedrosian of Montebello and DRIVE Committee of Washington, D.C., $500
El Rancho School board member Rachel Canchola, $455
Rachel Canchola, El Rancho Unified School District board member, $300
Kenny and Kropf of Pico Rivera, $249
Jimmy Gutierrez of Chino, $150
Pico Rivera Councilwoman Barbara Contreras, $139
Adeline Viera of Pico Rivera, $110
Blue Pride Football Foundation of Whittier, John Chow of San Gabriel, Julie Espita of Pico Rivera, Alfred Ogas of Prescott, Ariz., Ramona Redondo of Los Angeles, Edgardo Reyes of Chino, Carmen Sanchez of Pico Rivera, Angelica Torres of Pico Rivera, and Ronald Wakefield of Whittier, $100
Antoinette Paez of Pico Rivera donated $295 in gift basket and prizes for fund-raiser

Susan Weinman
Raised $2,175, spent $4,582, including $2,840 in unpaid bills to herself for mailers and signs, and has $433 in cash on hand.
Gave campaign $700
Contributors:
Manuel Torres of Pico Rivera, $260
Russell Crawford of Guayaquil, Ecuador, $250
Anne Crawford of Carmel, Ana Gutierrez-Harrison of Downey, Carolyn Johnson of Santa Barbara, Mike Johnson of Goleta, Emily Morris of Duarte Lois Roberts of Carmel, Alicia Telles of Sun Valley, $100
Source: Documents filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

Pico Water District campaign finance reports

2011-11-04T02:00:00Z

Pico Water District
(Reflects data through Oct. 22)
David Raul Gonzales: Filed form stating she will spend less than $1,000

Carol Pierce: Filed form stating she will spend less than $1,000

Henrietta Salazar
Raised $2,122,spent $1,337, and has $785 in cash on hand
Contributors:
Ramon Becerra of Missionn Viejo, $1,000
Carol Pierce of Pico Rivera, $400
Frances Rodelo of Chino, $200
Source: Documents filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

Orchard Dale Water District campaign finance reports

2011-11-04T01:00:00Z

ORCHARD DALE WATER DISTRICT\

Dennis Azevedo: Filed form stating he will spend less than $1,000

Yvette Stevenson-Rodriguez
Raised $2,580, spent $1,762 owes $545 to herself and has $1,362 in cash on hand
Contributors include: Local Union IBEW, $1,500
Gideon Kracov of Los Angeles, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, $250
Central Basin Municipal Water District board member Robert Apodaca, Jan and Jeff Baird South Whittier and Whittier Union High school board members, Mario Trujillo of Downey, $100

Loyd Timm: Filed form stating he will spend less than $1,000

La Habra Heights Water District campaign finance reports

2011-11-04T00:24:00Z

For the second election, all of the campaign finance reports were available on time at the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office.

As we did two years ago, we'll report some of the basic information for the Whittier-area school and water board elections. We'll list them one at a time, in no special order. The information will include the total amount of raised, spent and how much cash they have on hand as well as all of the contributors above $100.

The goal is to get all of these published by Friday giving you the voters several days to take a look before the election. First off will be the La Habra Heights Water District Board of Directors.

LA HABRA HEIGHTS WATER DISTRICT
(Reflects data through Oct. 22)
Judy Hathaway-Francis
Raised $2,391, spent $3,860, owes $2,204 to herself and has $735 in cash on hand
Contributors include Judy Ennis and Roy Francis (husband) of La Habra Heights, $300
Janice Jensen of La Habra Heights, $200.
John Bridges, James Koury, Margarita McCoy, Catherine Metzger Richard McLish of La Habra Heights, and Toshi Yokota of Monterey Park, $100

Pam Mc Vicar
Raised $3,522, spent $2,318, and has $1,203 in cash on hand.
Loaned $500 to her campaign, no contributions $100 and above.

Mark Perumean
Raised $2,061, spent $688, has $1,372 in cash on hand
Contributors: Marty for Brea City Council, $500
Carol Perumean donated $1,186 to host luncheon at home

Robert Wilson
Filed form stating he will spend less than $1,000
Source: Documents filed with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office

La Habra Heights blogger Stephen Blagden says he's not "anti-Shauna"

2011-09-08T01:25:16Z

A day before the La Habra Heights City Council is to make a decision on whether to keep City Manager Shauna Clark, she got a vote of confidence from an unexpected source.
La Habra Heights blogger Stephen Blagden said it isn't true that he doesn't like City Manager Shauna Clark.

"I actually disagree that I'm anti-Shauna," he said. "Any problems that I have with her would be over policy or the execution type thing that has her taking the direction from the council," he said. "Shaun's very competent and capable," she said. "She does what she's told to do."

Still, Blagden in his blog, www.lahabraheights.net, often criticizes city actions, such as how it does weed abatement and its spending policies. But he blames the City Council members, not Clark.

Is Whittier city staff now anti-liquor?

2011-09-07T18:39:26Z

Has the city planning staff changed philosophies on allowing restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages? Typically, a new restaurant would come in or an old one would apply to the city for permission. The normal background checks would occur, police would look it over and if all was OK, staff would recommend yes. Then, the Planning Commission and sometimes the City Council would argue and occasionally overturn staff. Bu they mostly went through. In fact, there are 31 liquor licenses in the Uptown area.

But on Tuesday, when the new restaurant, Wingmaster, 6518-22 Greenleaf Ave., suite 12, a new restaurant that also plans on selling buffalo wings, came to the commission looking for a conditional use permit to sell beer and wine, the staff recommendation was negative. "Staff is not supportive of beer and wine for on-site consumption based on the fact that the census tract No. 5015.04 is overconcentrated," stated the staff report. "It should be noted that there is an existing restaurant (Bambooze Sushi and Brew House) located within the same shopping center that has an active beer and wine license." That's an issue that typically got short shrift from city staffers, in particular dealing with restaurants.

However, the Planning Commission came to the rescue Tuesday, voting 5-0 to override staff and provide the conditional use permit for Wingmaster. It will come back in a month and approve the actual necessary resolution.

Whittier seeks legislation to exempt Nelles from anti-redevelopment law

2011-09-04T14:59:00Z

When the state Legislature decided to abolish redevelopment, Whittier city officials warned that the state's sale of the now-closed Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility might be jeopardized because money was needed to provide help to the developer, Brookfield Homes. Well, the city is now working with Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Industry, and state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, on legislation that would exempt the site from the laws to eliminate redevelopment.

There is no bill language yet available, but Jeff Collier, chief assistant city manager, said there could be a vote some time next week. "The language would allow this to go forward and essentially allow for the prior redevelopment law to still apply."

Collier said the city hasn't reached any agreement with Brookfield that purchased the property for $42.5 million. But as much as $20 million in redevelopment funds might be needed to subsidize low- or moderate-income housing or other needed street improvements.

Any such bill must be passed out by Friday when the state Legislature will adjourn until next year.

Questions about overconcentration of liquor licenses

2011-09-03T15:00:00Z

When approval for a new 7-Eleven at the northwest corner of Beverly and Norwalk boulevards was denied in March by the City Council, it was in part because there is an overconcentration of liquor licenses where it's location. But then, there's the Valero gas station, which is kitty corner to the proposed 7-Eleven. Its owner also wants to sell alcoholic beverages and will be asking the Planning Commission for approval at its 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting.

Only there are no other liquor licenses in its area. And yet the two locations are divided by the distance of the diagonal of the intersection. Jeff Collier, chief assistant city manager, said it's because of the way the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control looks at areas.
"It's just the way they draw the boundaries for the census tracts," Collier said. "We were making that argument when they were talking about the 7-Eleven."

In that case, there were two licenses nearby but also several on Whittier Boulevard. Valero, however, has none in its census tract. "It's the anomaly for the law the way it's written," he said.

In any case, it will be interesting to see what happens at Tuesday's meeting. Will residents show up in protest or will no one be there? We'll report what happens on-line and in the paper the following day.

On-site vs. off-site liquor consumption, is there a difference?

2011-09-03T01:04:46Z

Is there a difference between selling alcoholic beverages to be used in your restaurant or taken out of a convenience store.

The 7 p.m. Tuesday Planning Commission might just illustrate that there is. The Valero gas station at the southeast corner of Beverly and Norwalk boulevards is requesting permission to sell beer and wine. Considering that a 7-Eleven and Walgreen's have been denied permission to do the same thing, Valero just might run into opposition.

However, the new restaurant, Wing Master, 6518-22 Greenleaf Ave., suite 12, Whittier, want to sell beer and wine on-site. Of late, requests like these have gone through Planning Commission easily as long as they're not asking to sell hard liquor or stay open past midnight. Wing Master isn't requesting either. Tuesday could provide another clue if there's a difference.