Resident Advocacy Group Forms in La Mirada Over Train Noise
Advocacy group forms to seek resident protection from future noise by lobbying for a sound wall
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| Residents who recently gathered at a home on San Ardo Drive to discuss a railroad sound wall |
La Mirada~The Valley View Grade Separation Project, now officially started, and in its early stages, has rekindled an issue as old as the city itself-train traffic and the noise associated with it; and a former school board member is heading up a new advocacy group to ensure resident’s interests are protected.
The Valley View project-a $65 million joint venture between Caltrans, BNSF Railway, and the cities of La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs will create a railroad bridge and underpass, allowing the Valley View Avenue traffic at Stage Road, to flow underneath the tracks, eliminating the need for a grade signal.
When the endeavor is completed, sometime in late 2014, barring any unexpected occurrences the trains will no longer have to sound their whistle at the intersection, bringing relief too many. More importantly, traffic congestion will be essentially eliminated at the intersection.
However, that’s not good enough for Nancy Jenkins and her dozens of neighbors in the Neff Park/Stage Road area of La Mirada who are concerned train traffic and the noise associated with it, that they experiencing now, will only increase in the future.
After a city-sponsored informational meeting about the Valley View project held on August 13th, many of the group felt disenfranchised.
“They made us feel like we weren’t allowed to speak,” said Jenkins, who said the group repeatedly asked about a sound wall and was told over and over again it is not in the city’s budget.
“It was understood that in no uncertain terms nobody wanted to address the problems of the sounds we live with 24/7,” said Jenkins, “This is nothing new for us. We have had issues with the noise around here for a very long time.
Group member Carlos Garcia concurred, “They seemed to get mad when we started asking questions.”
Then, Jenkins said, a city-provided facilitator attempted to lead the group with feel-good chants, yes chants, leaving attendees with their jaws dropped. “It was just an inane thing,” she said.
Since then, Jenkins along with others, have created an advocacy group, organizing and mobilizing, by canvassing the neighborhood and gathering signatures for a petition to present to the city, with the hopes in finding some support for a sound wall.
She also is looking forward to discussions with city officials about the wall, and gives the city the benefit of the doubt, as their might have been some misunderstandings at the city-run meeting.
The group currently has over 650 signatures and their goal is to get about 800, and then present the petition at the October 23rd City Council meeting. Most of the initial supporters live on San Ardo Drive which runs parallel with the train track, but now the effort has reached as far north as San Esteban Drive to the north, and Figueras Road to the east.
Jenkins, a former Norwalk-La Mirada School Board member, who last served in that capacity in 1987 after three terms, is the informal leader of the group.
She and the others want to make it perfectly clear, their main concern is the new third mainline track slated to be laid down soon.
La Mirada Symphony Fundraiser Tickets On Sale
La Mirada~The La Mirada Symphony is kicking off their new season with a fundraiser dinner on Saturday, October 13 called the Golden Island Gala. 
The event will be held at the Dale Tiffany Showroom at 14765 Firestone Blvd. in La Mirada. Food will be catered by Wood Grill Barbeque.
Entertainment includes Hawaiian Dancers, a Silent Auction, Photo Booth and a raffle. Dale Tiffany will offer a 20% discount on their merchandise purchased between 5-6pm.
Tickets are $65. For more information visit http://www.lamiradasymphony.wordpress.com/ or call 714-930-6209.
Crossroads Shopping Center Getting Facelift
La Mirada~Demolition work is underway at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard.
The demolition work will clear the site for the development of a 13,650 square foot Walgreens Pharmacy drug store. Construction on the new drug store is set to begin in November. Other improvements at the shopping center will include the a 30,000 square-foot supermarket and other retail shops. This project will be completed in 2013.
“This is the first development to be guided by the modern design standards set forth in the Imperial Highway Specific Plan,” says City Manager Tom Robinson. “We are looking forward to the economic benefits and aesthetic improvements this project will bring to our community.”
Demolition work will continue at Crossroads through the coming weeks. Storm drain line relocation at the site will be completed by the end of September, and grading work will follow in October.
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Matadores Start Out League Play With Dramatic Win; Should Coast Through Suburban
La Mirada~The La Mirada High School Football team beat Norwalk in dramatic fashion this past Friday night 29-23, in the opening game of Suburban League play for both teams.
Norwalk took the lead 23-20 with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter on a field goal by Jorge Perez.
However, La Mirada's Gerry Myres found Tyler Luatua for a 59-yard catch-and-run touchdown, securing the win for Matadores (4-1, 1-0).
Myres completed 9 of 15 passes for 178 yards, and saved his longest completion of the night for the winning score.
Adam Carrasco carried the ball 29 times for 165 yards, including all of his teams 66 yards in a grueling 3rd quarter 11-play TD drive.
After a tough pre-league schedule in which the Mats went 3-1, Norwalk may be the Matadores toughest foe in a notoriously very weak Suburban League, made even weaker this year with the recent announcement of the discontinuation of the varsity football program at Cerritos High School, another Suburban team.
The program was shut down due mostly from ongoing Cerritos parent concerns about player safety.
Now a five team league with Cerritos gone-don't look up-because the Mats have only four games remaining for the regular season.
Another key contest for the Mats will be the regular season finale November 2nd at home vs. rival Mayfair.
La Mirada next travels to Bellflower Friday, September 28th to take on the Monsoons (2-2, 0-0).
Traffic Incident Snarls Traffic at Theatre Center
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| Photo sent into the La Mirada Blog by Twitter follower shows victim being loaded into ambulance. |
La Mirada~Two cars collided last night in La Mirada resulting in one victim being transported to the hospital.
The incident occurred a little after 9 p.m. at Rosecrans Avenue and the La Mirada Theatre Center's north entrance; located next to Panera Bread.
Apparently the vehicle traveling westbound on Rosecrans was attempting to turn into the center, and was cut off by the vehicle traveling eastbound on Rosecrans also attempting to turn into the center, said Lt. Woolum of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
She said both vehicles were traveling at a slow rate of speed and the accident was considered minor.
However, one victim was transported to the hospital complaining of neck pain.
Photos sent in our by Twitter fans show the two vehicles involved were SUV's.
Get instant La Mirada news at twitter.com/lamiradablog
La Mirada Library to Host Semi-Annual Book Sale
La Mirada~The Friends of the La Mirada Public Library, or “Friends of the Library” (FOL), will host its next semi-annual Book Sale on Saturday, October 6, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The fundraising event will be held at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Blvd. (behind the fire station), in the City of La Mirada.
The book sale will offer a w
ide selection of quality secondhand hardcover and paperback books as well as audio and video materials at bargain-basement prices. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., customers may buy bags to fill with books for only $3.00 per bag.
“As always, we will have a fantastic variety of materials for patrons to choose from,” said FOL Ways and Means Vice President Hal Malkin. “Everyone from young readers to senior learners will find something that will appeal to them at affordable prices.”
Proceeds from FOL book sales and other projects are used to support the library in different ways. “The money we raise,” explained FOL President Malena Hough, “helps to supplement the library’s book collection and present live shows for children and the community.”
“We invite anyone who shares our passion for the library to join the Friends of the La Mirada Public Library,” Hough said. Information about FOL is available at the library and the book sale.
The Friends of the La Mirada Public Library, Inc., is a nonprofit association of community-minded individuals committed to focusing public attention on the library’s services, facilities, and needs, and to encouraging and facilitating gifts and donations in support of the library.
Weekly Crime Report: Rash of Residential and Vehicle Burglaries Plague La Mirada This Past Week
CRIME REPORT
The following is the crime report for La Mirada for September 10-16, 2012.
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An assault was reported on the 13500 block of Duffield Ave. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. An assault occurred on the 12800 block of Elmrock Ave. A suspect was arrested by responding deputies.
Residential Burglary-Four residential burglaries were reported last week. All four incidents involved point of entry through an unlocked kitchen window. A burglary was reported on the 13000 block of Edwards Rd. Miscellaneous jewelry was stolen. An incident occurred on the 15100 block of Hayford St. Jewelry and a tablet device were stolen from the home. A burglary occurred on the 13000 block of Bluefield Ave. An incident was reported on the 14300 block of Elmrock Ave. It is unknown if any items were stolen.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15000 block of Rosecrans Ave. It is unknown if anything was taken from the business.
Vehicle Burglary-Four vehicle burglaries were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. A window smash burglary was reported on the 14800 block of Beach Blvd. Various items were taken from the vehicle. A burglary was reported on the 11900 block of La Mirada Blvd. Two rear-row seats were stolen from the vehicle. A burglary occurred on the 13900 block of Ramhurst Dr. A purse and electronics were stolen from the vehicle.
Grand Theft -A theft was reported on the 15200 block of Rosecrans Ave. Various electronics were stolen from the business.
La Mirada Cub Scouts to Host Recruitment Night
La Mirada~The Cub Scout Pack 919 of La Mirada is holding their Fall Round-up Recruitment Night this Friday, September 21, 2012, at 6 p.m.
The location of the event is the Community Presbyterian Church, 13701 Hillsborough Drive in La Mirada (near Behringer Park).
Cub scouting is a program tailored for boys 1st through 5th grade, guiding and helping them to become reliant, dependable, and caring individuals.
For almost 50 years, Pack 919 of La Mirada, has been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to assist parents in strengthening character, good citizenship, and physical fitness in youth.
Along with teaching family values, scouting offers a lot of fun including family camps, hikes, bike rides and many other fantastic events, making it fun with a purpose!
For additional information contact Cub Master Moses Covarrubias at (562) 774-7439.
Game Stop in La Mirada Robbed
La Mirada~A theft occurred tonight at the Game Stop at 15724 Rosecrans Avenue in La Mirada.
Lieutenant Woolum of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station told the La Mirada Blog that around 6:23 p.m. a male Hispanc, described as in his early 20's and wearing sunglasses and jeans, took an iPad and two iPhones from the store.
There was no last seen direction, or any description of any getaway vehicle available.
If you have any information about the theft please contact the Norwalk Sheriff's Staton at (562) 863-8711.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 9/3-9/9/12
The following is the weekly crime report for La Mirada September 3-9, 2012
Robbery-Two robberies were reported last week. A robbery was reported on the 14500 block of Leffingwell Rd. Cash was stolen from the victim as he entered his vehicle. A robbery occurred on the 14800 block of Neartree Rd, the incident is currently under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 15500 block of Talbot Dr. A suspect was taken into custody by Sheriff's Deputies. An assault was reported on the 14800 block of Neartree Rd. The incident is currently under investigation.
Residential Burglary-A residential burglary was reported on the 13200 block of Crete Dr. Various jewelry and coins were stolen from the home.
Other Structure Burglary-Three commercial burglaries were reported last week.A burglary occurred on the 12200 block of La Mirada Blvd. Currency was taken from the business. An attempted burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Valley View Ave. A burglary was reported on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. Currency and safes were among the items stolen from the location.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A grand theft was reported on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. Diamond rings were stolen after being left on restroom sink inside the location.
Join C.E.R.T.
The La Mirada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a 20 hour all-risk, all-hazard training offered by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This valuable course is designed to help your family and neighbors for a disaster. Lessons include Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue.
For more information on upcoming CERT classes or to join the La Mirada CERT program, contact the La Mirada Community Sheriff's station at (562) 902-2960.
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