Third of Five Part Series: An Inside Look at the La Mirada City Council Candidates-Randy Gray
La Mirada~There are five candidates running for La Mirada City Council. The election is scheduled for March 5th. In the race is Councilwoman Pauline Deal who was appointed to replace Susan Tripp in the summer of 2011; Mayor Gabe Garcia, seeking a second four-year term; Planning Commissioner and businessman Steve Keithly; Paramount Unified Schools Administrator Randy Gray; and Newport Beach Police Officer Andrew Sarega.
The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada has invited all of the candidates to speak at their weekly meeting, and all have accepted. We will provide a brief snippet and some insight to each of the candidate’s speeches.
The schedule is as follows: Andrew Sarega-January 23rd; Gabe Garcia-January 30th; Randy Gray-February 6th; Steve Keithly-February 13th; and Pauline Deal-February 20th.
The following is the first of a five-part series in which we hope to provide you a snippet and some insight into each of the candidate’s speeches. As of now, there has been no candidates forum scheduled for the community.
The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada and the La Mirada Blog are not political organizations. These reports are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Kiwanis Club of La Mirada or the La Mirada Blog Network.
Randy Gray was welcomed to the podium as a candidate in a field of five on the ballot for the coming election to City Council. He expressed thanks for the breakfast where he sat next to his dentist who was close by.
Gray said that he received his Doctorate at USC and lived 20 years in the City of La Mirada. His wife Burgess attended Gardenhill School. After they met and married they resided 1 year in Chino Hills and then returned to La Mirada where they were anxious to live when the price was right. They have now resided in The Landmark area for 13 years. They have three children – 19, 16 and 15. His oldest is involved in TV and movie productions, his younger daughter and son are high school students. It is time, he believes, to enter into public service by a seat on the City Council.
Gray has had experience with the sport’s organizations in La Mirada for many years, such as AYSO and Little League. He understands the challenge his is facing with 2 openings out of 5 council seats at this time, but this is his opportunity to make himself known in the community. His children are old enough to understand and appreciate his efforts and life that it will bring to the household. His current involvement is in public education. He taught at Paramount High School and eventually moved to the central district office in the area of finances where he joined in responsibility for a 10 million dollar budget. He experienced considerable decision-making and preparing data. Between raising children, his professional life and his personal experience, his common sense ability is strong.
Rosecrans Closing for Five Days
La Mirada~Valley View Avenue-from Rosecrans Avenue to Gannet Street-will close for five days from Thursday, February 21st through February 26th.
The closure is pat of the Valley View Grade Separation Project.
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Catalytic Converters Stolen in Two Separate Incidents; Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: February 4-February 10
Residential Burglary-An incident was reported on the 12900 block of Woodridge Ave. Various jewelry and other items were stolen from a bedroom at the location.
Vehicle Burglary-A window-smash burglary was reported on the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. A purse containing identification and credit cards was stolen from the vehicle. Car stereo equipment was reported stolen from a vehicle on the 16400 block of Valley View Ave. A purse was stolen from a vehicle in a window-smash burglary near Beach Blvd. and Rosecrans Ave.
Grand Theft -A catalytic converter was reported stolen from a vehicle parked in front of a residence on the 14200 block of Whiterock Dr. A grand theft was reported on the 15900 block of Valley View Ave. The incident is under investigation. Two catalytic converters were stolen from a vehicle parked on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd.
Grand Theft Vehicle-Three vehicle thefts were reported last week. A truck was reported stolen from the 14700 block of Firestone Blvd. The vehicle was recovered by the Long Beach Police three days later. An older model Honda was reported stolen from the 13000 block of Mcnally Rd. The vehicle was recovered the same day by the Costa Mesa Police. A vehicle was reported stolen from the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd.A stolen older model Honda was recovered on the 15500 block of Alondra Blvd. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Buena Park the previous day.
Game Between Rivals to Decide League Title
Season of Streaks for Matadores Culminates With Last Regular Season Game Deciding League Title
La Mirada~In a season that has had more ups and downs than gas prices, the La Mirada High Boys Basketball team plays the biggest game of their season-thus far-tonight at Mayfair High School.
The Matadores will face the Monsoons, with both teams at 10-1 in league and the Suburban League title on the line.
The Matadores only league loss was against Mayfair January 11th, 54-44 at La Mirada.
Mayfair lost to Norwalk January 25th, 67-53.
2nd year head coach Bryce Jones says the team is ready, "We feel pretty confident. We have had four straight days of practice. The guys know what to do and we know what we did wrong last time against them. There's a lot on the line. This is why we work hard all year."
A league title would almost guarantee a first-round home game in the CIF playoffs beginning next week.
La Mirada is looking for their first outright Suburban League title since 1982.
UPDATE: The Matadores lost to Mayfair 60-59 in a very exciting game Friday night. The Mats actually took the lead 59-58 with 38.6 seconds left but, couldn't pull out the victory. The Matadores (17-11,10-2), second-place finishers in the Suburban League, now await the release of the CIF playoff pairings on Sunday to find out where and who they play next.
La Mirada Symphony Offers Free Concert February 23rd
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| Guest pianist Teresa de Jong Pombo will perform at the free concert February 23rd at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts |
La Mirada~The La Mirada Symphony continues its Golden Anniversary season with the “Celebration of the Masters”
concert February 23, 2013, 8 pm at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Music Director Dr. Robert Frelly of Chapman University will conduct selections including Prelude to Die Meistersinger by Richard Wagner and the Symphony No. 8 in G Major by Antonin Dvorak.
Guest pianist Teresa de Jong Pombo will perform the Piano Concerto No. 21 by Mozart. Ms. de Jong Pombo has toured extensively throughout the United States, Austria, and Columbia. She is on the faculty of Orange Coast College and the Colburn School of Performing Arts.
Admission and parking is free. A $5 donation is suggested.
The La Mirada Theatre is located at 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. For more information visit LaMiradaSymphony.com or call 714-420-0262.
Second of Five Part Series: An Inside Look at the La Mirada City Council Candidates-Gabe Garcia
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| Mayor Gabe Garcia spoke recently at the Kiwanis Club Meeting as part of the groups program highlighting the five city council candidates. In his speech, Garcia made no mention of his recent arrest, and indicated he is still running. |
La Mirada~There are five candidates running for La Mirada City Council. The election is scheduled for March 5th. In the race is Councilwoman Pauline Deal who was appointed to replace Susan Tripp in the summer of 2011; Mayor Gabe Garcia, seeking a second four-year term; Planning Commissioner and businessman Steve Keithly; Paramount Unified Schools Administrator Randy Gray; and Newport Beach Police Officer Andrew Sarega.
The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada has invited all of the candidates to speak at their weekly meeting, and all have accepted. We will provide a brief snippet and some insight to each of the candidate’s speeches.
The schedule is as follows: Andrew Sarega-January 23rd; Gabe Garcia-January 30th; Randy Gray-February 6th; Steve Keithly-February 13th; and Pauline Deal-February 20th.
The following is the first of a five-part series in which we hope to provide you a snippet and some insight into each of the candidate’s speeches. As of now, there has been no candidates forum scheduled for the community.
The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada and the La Mirada Blog are not political organizations. These reports are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Kiwanis Club of La Mirada or the La Mirada Blog Network.
On January 30th, Mayor Gabe Garcia was welcomed to speak as the second of the five candidates running for a position on the La Mirada City Council. Gabe recalled that he was here at Kiwanis in 1993 when he was a candidate for a position on the Board of Education of the Norwalk-La Mirada School District. He has been married for 25 years with 2 children who were two and five at his last visit 20 years ago. Much has happened since.
In 1993 the district was upside down, and believed that he helped turn the situation He served 12 years on the board, 12 years on the ROP board. For the city he served eight years on the La Mirada Planning Commission and four years on the Safety Commission. He has learned well how to be involved with the community and how it operates. He also spent time as a teacher of catechism at his church.
Bicycle Stolen from Garage on Alondra; Weekly La Mirada Crime Report: January 28-February 3, 2013
The following is the crime report for La Mirada January 28-February 3, 2013:
Aggravated Assault-An assault was reported on the 14200 block of Mansa Dr. A suspect was taken into custody at the location for pushing the victim to the ground.
Residential Burglary-Three residential burglaries and one attempted burglary were reported last week. A burglary occurred on the 14300 block of Foster Rd. A small amount of currency was taken from the location. A bicycle was reported stolen from a garage located on the 15300 block of Alondra Blvd. A burglary was reported on the 15000 block of Tacuba Dr. An attempted burglary was reported on the 16200 block of Incline Ct. The front double doors were possibly kicked in.
Other Structure Burglary-Three other structure burglaries were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 14300 block of Rosecrans Ave. An incident occurred on the 13200 block of Parise Dr. A cell phone was taken. Entry was made through the side garage door. The incident remains under investigation. A shoplifting incident was reported on the 15200 block of Rosecrans Ave. Various cosmetics were stolen from the business.
First of Five Part Series: An Inside Look at the La Mirada City Council Candidates-Andrew Sarega
La Mirada~There are five candidates running for La Mirada City Council. The election is scheduled for March 5th. In the race is Councilwoman Pauline Deal who was appointed to replace Susan Tripp in the summer of 2011; Mayor Gabe Garcia, seeking a second four-year term; Planning Commissioner and businessman Steve Keithly; Paramount Unified Schools Administrator Randy Gray; and Newport Beach Police Officer Andrew Sarega.
The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada has invited all of the candidates to speak at their weekly meeting, separately, and all have accepted. We will provide a brief snippet and some insight to each of the candidate’s speeches excerpted from The Kiwanis Chronicles.
The schedule is as follows: Andrew Sarega-January 23rd; Gabe Garcia-January 30th; Randy Gray-February 6th; Steve Keithly-February 13th; and Pauline Deal-February 20th.
The following is the first of a five-part series in which we hope to provide you a snippet and some insight into each of the candidate’s speeches. As of now, there has been no candidates forum scheduled for the community.
The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada and the La Mirada Blog are not political organizations. These reports are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Kiwanis Club of La Mirada or the La Mirada Blog Network.
At the January 23rd meeting, candidate, Andrew Sarega expressed his pleasure at being allowed to speak to the members concerning his reasons for running for a position on the La Mirada City Council.
He was raised in La Mirada, attended Escalona Elementary School, Benton Jr. High, and La Mirada High School. He studied for a time at Biola which he interrupted to play professional soccer in Europe. After a debilitating injury he returned to La Mirada. He then was accepted into the police department in Newport Beach and remains there after five years service. Due to his honorable record he received a Life Savings Award, is on the Board of the Police Action Committee, and is a Reserve Coordinator. Sarega is a graduate of Cal St. Fullerton with honors in Criminal Justice. He speaks three languages and is working on a fourth. He has Real Estate and Appraisers licenses, owns his own appraisal business, is president of a corporation, and is involved in a used car business.
Crime Rate Drops in La Mirada
La Mirada~Crime in La Mirada has dropped by 37.7 percent since 2005, according to a review of statistics from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
La Mirada's low crime rate is attributed to the cooperative efforts of the City and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, crime prevention programs such as Neighborhood Watch, and active community support for crime fighting efforts.
Major crimes dropped by three percent in 2012. The number of total major crimes fell from 891 to 864.
Statistics detail the number of major crimes reported in the eight most serious crime categories: arson, 4; homicide, 2; rape, 4; robbery, 20; assault, 70; larceny, 491; burglary, 170; and automobile theft, 103. La Mirada experienced a drop in thefts and stolen vehicles in 2012.
Members of the La Mirada City Council are scheduled to review a report on local crime trends at a meeting this month.
"We appreciate the strong support we receive from the La Mirada City Council and members of the community," says Sheriff's Captain Patrick Maxwell. "Our crime prevention partnership is producing excellent results, and we will continue working with the community to make La Mirada an even safer."
For information on how to become more involved in crime prevention efforts, call the La Mirada Community Sheriff's Station at (562) 902-2960 or visit the City's website at www.cityoflamirada.org.
