Over Half of La Mirada Residents Will Not be Voting in City Council Election
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| On August 3, 2016 the La Mirada City Council was served with a demand letter from MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund) stating the city was in violation of the California Voter Rights Act and had to change from an at-large election system to a by-district election system. The district boundaries are depicted above. |
La Mirada~The City Council election will take place on March 7th and over half of the residents will not be able to vote.
Let me try to explain this to you without confusing you more.
Traditionally, La Mirada has used an at-large voting system. Depending how many spots were available, the top vote-getter(s) from all of La Mirada would win the election.
Those days appear to be over.
This past Summer, the Mexican legal Defense & Education Fund (MALDEF) sent a letter to the city demanding they change their voting system to by-district rather than at-large, alleging all areas of the city have not being represented, citing the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.
Rather than face a legal challenge in which the city could ultimately lose and spend thousands of dollars in the process, La Mirada officials complied with MALDEF”S request and changed their voting system, creating five electoral districts, but still had to pay $30,000 in costs to settle.
It continues to get confusing.
Two incumbents terms are up this March, Andrew Sarega and Pauline Deal.
Choosing from multiple district boundary submissions, the council last year approved a map that has Sarega and Deal in the newly formed District 2.
This created an open spot for District 1, which currently has no council member residing within its boundaries. Competing for that spot are myself, Jim Emmerling, Diane Gramajo and John Lewis.
Only Districts 1 and 2 will be participating this March.
Districts 3, 4 and 5 will have an election in March 2019 when Mayor Pro-Tem Ed Eng, Larry Mowles and Mayor Steve DeRuse’s terms are up.
So, this March 7th, three out of every five La Mirada residents will not be participating in the election.
Valley View Avenue Interchange Project Update
Construction on the I-5 widening of the La Mirada segment has begun. As of Wednesday, January 18, Valley View Avenue is reduced to one lane in each direction over the freeway crossing and the southbound I-5 freeway Valley View Avenue off-ramp is closed. These restrictions will remain in place for approximately three years. The Valley View Avenue southbound freeway on-ramp will remain open during this first phase of construction, but will be temporarily closed in about a year.
Caltrans is warning motorist to expect delays and use alternate routes. Portable changeable message signs have been placed in the vicinity to notify the motoring public.
Additional information is available on the City of La Mirada’s website, Caltrans website and my5la.com.
Dulles Elementary Students Win Golden Ticket with Production of the Musical âWilly Wonka, Jr.”
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Dulles Elementary students held two performances of the musical “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr.” at Benton Middle School on Jan. 27 and 28. |
Adorned by top hats, green wigs and golden tickets, Dulles Elementary School students heralded the arrival of the “Candy Man” and brought to life the timeless characters of Charlie Bucket and the Oompa-Loompas during two performances of the musical “Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Jr.” held recently at Benton Middle School.
The two-act musical, adapted from Dahl’s beloved children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, highlighted the talents of 60 Dulles Elementary K-5 students and incorporated musical numbers, choreography, elaborate set changes and star turns for its featured players.
“This is a very exciting night for the Norwalk-La Mirada community,” Dulles Principal Shanti Gallegos said. “This is an opportunity for all Dulles Dolphins to participate in a musical and it has been an extraordinary learning experience for our students as they develop skills in leadership and the arts. This was a total community effort, and I would like to thank the District, the Dulles school staff and PTA, the Center Stage Theater and all of our Dulles families for their hard work and dedication.”
“Willy Wonka, Jr.” is Dulles’ inaugural music production, designed to give all students, from kindergarten to fifth-grade, an opportunity to enhance their appreciation of art, as part of Dulles’ science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum.
“The musical production of ‘Willy Wonka’ perfectly encapsulates all of the positive qualities of the Norwalk-La Mirada educational experience, providing a rich cultural climate for our students to excel in, while engaging parent and community participation,” NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “Congratulations to Shanti Gallegos, the Dulles PTA and our budding thespians for putting together such a wonderful show.”
From Maddi’s Closet Event Raises $47,000 to Fight Children’s Cancer
Nearly 150 area residents joined the fight against children’s cancer at a fundraiser sponsored by From Maddi’s Closet at Dodger Stadium recently.
“From Maddi’s Closet’s dinner event at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium raised over $47,000 to assist with patient support programs,” says President and Founder Donna Holmes. “We greatly appreciate the support of the individuals and organizations that contributed in so many ways to making this event such a life-changing gift for these children.”
The “Knock it Out of the Park” themed dinner was the major fundraiser for From Maddi’s Closet in 2016 in its efforts to help children fighting cancer. In recent years, the local non-profit group has donated more than $361,000 to help with children’s cancer research and provide emotional and financial support to thousands of patients and their families.
After a delicious Stadium Club dinner, attendees enjoyed an exclusive Stadium tour, which included access to the Vin Scully Press Box, the 5th floor Memorabilia Aisle, the Dodger Awards Hallway, the Dugout, Bullpen, as well as a walk around the playing field. The group also enjoyed a special reception with former Dodger players Wes Parker and Mickey Hatcher.
Participants donated generously to supply special needs equipment for young patients. Silent and Live Auctions of items supplied by businesses and individuals were also an important means for raising funds during the evening.
“Childhood cancer is the number one disease-related killer of children in our country, and we appreciate our local community’s strong support for the fight against this terrible disease,” says Holmes.
Several major awards were presented at the event to individuals and organizations that have championed efforts to fight children’s cancer.
Is La Mirada Now a Divided City?
Forty years ago, I began my career as a realtor in La Mirada. A home was about $53,000. Today, they’re around $500,000. Life is about change. Change is inevitable and our City Council election on March 7, 2017 is no exception.
In the past, candidates had to appeal to the entire city to get elected. I know, because I go way back to the days of Lou Piltz. Where church retreats, the Kiwanis Club, Little League games along with Easter Egg Hunts and festivals, was the way to show your commitment to our city.
But this past summer the Mexican-American Legal Defense Education Fund (M.A.L.D.E.F) threatened the city with a major lawsuit, if they didn't create a Latino District. The way state law was written our Council had no choice but to comply.
The result is La Mirada has five new Council Districts. Districts 1 and 2 will be up for election in March. The Latino District is #1 and despite District #2 having a healthy 41% Latino population, no Latino chose to run.
MALDEF had claimed a plethora of complaints by Latinos that no Latino could win a City Council seat in La Mirada. MALDEF’s problem is that our current Mayor Steve DeRuse is Latino! MALDEF’s goal was to only elect Latinos and they failed.
So there it is in a nut shell. Council seat #1, might elect a Latina and Council seat #2, has no Latino candidate.
Finally, please vote on March 7, 2017.
City of La Mirada Election March 7th
The City of La Mirada will be holding a by-district election on Tuesday, March 7 to fill two City Council seats. Members of Districts 1 and 2 will be elected in March 2017, while Members of Districts 3, 4, and 5 will be elected in March 2019.
The last day to register to vote in the March 7 election is Monday, February 20. Registration forms will be available at City Hall, the La Mirada Library, the Post Office, or may be requested by mail by calling the Los Angeles County Elections Registration Request Line at (800) 481-VOTE (8683).
For general questions about the election, contact the City Clerk’s office at (562) 943-0131.
Resident Robbed at Gunpoint When She Arrives Home
La Mirada~A home invasion robbery occurred sometime Tuesday morning when a resident returned to her home in the Green Hills area.
The La Mirada Blog has learned a woman returned home with her son and found two men inside the home on Grayville Avenue.
The woman’s purse was taken after one of the men pointed a gun at her and demanded it. The suspects then fled the scene.
No injuries were reported and authorities are investigating. Anyone with information about the incident are encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department at (562) 863-8711.
Annual Lou Piltz Memorial Spaghetti Dinner Set for February 10th
Dinner benefits La Mirada Meals-on-Wheels (MOW), serving home-bound residents since 1975
La Mirada~The 30th Lou Piltz Memorial Spaghetti Dinner will be served at the La Mirada Activity Center on Friday, February 10th from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The menu will be spaghetti, salad and garlic bread for $8.00. Coffee and soft drinks will be available. La Mirada Ebell Womens’ Club will provide delicious desserts. A 50/50 drawing, opportunity prizes and live entertainment featuring choral and musical groups from La Mirada High School will complete the evening.
Tony Aiello, editor of the La Mirada Blog, will be the guest MC for the evening’s festivities.
Guests are warmly welcomed to attend, and all profits will benefit the MOW program in the community. Tickets may be obtained through any Kiwanis member or may be purchased at the door.
This is a major fundraiser for the La Mirada Meals-on-Wheels organization which is entirely volunteer-driven except for two part-time employees.
La Mirada MOW, since its inception in 1975, has served over 400,000 meals to shut-ins and provides food and comfort along with support and encouragement for those unable to provide for themselves, in our community.
The activity center is located in the Civic Center complex at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
The event is named after former La Mirada City Councilman and popular community member Lou Piltz who passed away in 2013. Piltz was a main player and instrumental in the organization of the event.
For more information call (562) 943-0037 or visit the MOW website.
Winter Storm Pounds La Mirada
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| La Mirada Creek is a roaring river in this photo taken at Creek Park by Blog fan T. Jackson on Sunday January 22, 2017. |
The final storm in a series of three, pummeled La Mirada yesterday with over three inches of rain and a steady downpour for most of the day.
La Mirada Creek Park overflowed its banks at Creek Park but the flood control channel functioned like it should. Many spectators were out at the park to look at the rare scene.
Damage was reported throughout La Mirada with many downed trees. A retaining wall was destroyed when part of a backyard gave way along La Mirada Boulevard, just north of Rosecrans Avenue spilling mud and debris onto the sidewalk making it impassable.
Many storm-related photos were sent in by readers. You can view the photos photos on our Facebook page our Twitter page.
Southbound I-5 Valley View Off-Ramp to Shut Down For Two Years
La Mirada~Beginning today, Valley View Avenue will be reduced to one lane in each direction between Alondra and Artesia Boulevards as part of the I-5 Corridor Improvements..
Also, the southbound Valley View Avenue off-ramp is now closed for approximately 24 months as workers will construct a new off-ramp.
Heavy traffic delays are anticipated and signed detours will be posted.
Motorists are encouraged to visit My5LA.com to receive alternative route information, updates about construction work, road and lane closures, night and weekend work and other information related to the I-5 Corridor Improvements.
The I-5 Interchange Project will widen the I-5 to add one High Occupancy Lane (HOV) and one general purpose lane in each direction.
Improvements include the widening the Valley View Avenue bridge from four to six lanes , reconstructing the adjacent frontage roads, adding a railroad overpass and reconfiguring the interchange.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2018.
