I-5/Valley View Interchange Project Finally Gets Underway
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U.S. Representative Grace Napolitano, Assemblyman Ian Calderon, Supervisor Don Knabe, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, La Mirada Mayor Steve DeRuse await to speak at the I-5/Valley View Interchange groundbreaking. Photo Tony Aiello (c) La Mirada Blog 2016 |
La Mirada~The time has finally come as Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced construction of the final phase of the $1.9 billion I-5 South Corridor Improvement Project has officially got underway.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at an old furniture store parking lot Wednesday, October 26th.
The sixth and final segment, the $631 million I-5/Valley View Interchange Project, extends from Artesia Boulevard to North Fork Coyote Creek near Alondra Boulevard and will add new carpool lanes and general-purpose lanes in each direction through the cities of Buena Park, La Mirada, Cerritos and Santa Fe Springs.
“This is the final hurdle toward making transportation safer and less congested along this vital stretch of the I-5 South corridor,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. It brings us one step closer toward improving freeway connections for commerce and the local communities.
The project will replace the two bridges at Valley View with a six-lane overcrossing that will span 1,600 feet. Additional improvements include the construction of a railroad bridge, reconfiguring on-and-off ramps and the realigning of Firestone Boulevard.
Guest speakers at the ceremony included Grace Napolitano, U.S. Representative, Congressional District 32; Ian Calderon, Assembly Member District 57; Supervisor Don Knabe, LA County Fourth District and Metro Board Member; John Fasana, Chair, Metro Board and City of Duarte Councilmember; Steve DeRuse, La Mirada Mayor; Eric Garcetti, First Vice Chair, LA Metro Board, and Los Angeles Mayor; and Monica Gourdine, Associate Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
No closures of Valley View Avenue are expected for the duration of the project; however South Firestone Boulevard will be closed for an extended period of time.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2019.
It’s Time for Haloweenfest at Neff Estate
The City of La Mirada invites families to enjoy a festive time at the City’s annual Halloweenfest on Monday, October 31 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the historic Neff Estate, 14300 San Bruno Drive.
The free event will feature a haunted maze, a Jack-O-Lantern contest, games and crafts, and food booths. House tours of the historic Neff Estate will also be offered. This family-oriented event is perfect for all ages.
A costume contest for participants and their pets will take place throughout the evening. Arrive early to enter and win!
The costume contest categories and start times are as follows:
Pets, 5:30 p.m; Ages 2 and under 5:50 p.m; 3 to 5 6:20 p.m; 6 to 8 6:50 p.m; 9 to 12 7:20 p.m.; 13 and up 7:50 p.m.
For more information, call the City’s Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.
La Mirada to Host Council Districting Informational Workshop Oct. 20
La Mirada~The City is in the process of considering modifying its elections from the current at-large system, where all voters elect all members of the City Council, to a by-district system, where only voters in a given district vote on one person to represent them. The City held the first of three public hearings on October 11 to gather community input to assist in setting City Council districts. Two more public hearings are scheduled for Tuesdays, October 25 and November 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
The City is also hosting a City Council Districting Informational Workshop on Thursday, October 20 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to educate residents on the districting process. City staff will provide a demonstration of the on-line mapping tool that residents can use to participate in the process. Four map drafts are currently available online on the City’s website along with the district mapping tool where residents can suggest their own districts.
For more information on the Council Districting process, contact (562) 943-0131.
City Will Change to District Voting for March 2017 Election
The City of La Mirada has scheduled three Public Hearings to receive public testimony and gather input to consider modifying its elections from the current at-large system, where all voters elect all members of the City Council, to a by-district system, where only voters in a given district vote on the person to represent them.
The number of representatives on the City Council will remain at five.
The first Public Hearing was held on October 11, with the other two slated for October 25 and November 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers at La Mirada City Hall.
The City Council members made the decision they would elect by district rather than fight a lawsuit from the Latino voting rights group, the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and face the possibility of having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The city received the letter from MALDEF that stated, “We have received complaints from Latino voters in the city of La Mirada that the use of an at-large election system for the election of city council members results in Latino voter dilution. We reviewed the demographic and electoral information pertaining to your jurisdiction, based on our investigation we believe that the city of La Mirada is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and must convert to a by-district election system.
La Mirada is comprised of 36% Latino who are voting age however none of the five current members of the city Council is Latino and, with one exception, there have been no Latino city council members since the City’s incorporation.
Based on that, MALDEF concluded that the lack of success of Latino candidates results from the inability of Latino voters to elect candidates of choice due to racially polarized voting among the electorate.
Latest La Mirada News Bites #4
Paper/E-Waste Recycling and Free Mulch Event
EDCO and the City of La Mirada are sponsoring a free paper shredding, e-waste collection and mulch event on Saturday, October 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the
La Mirada Community Gymnasium parking lot, 15105 Alicante Road. All items will be shredded onsite with a limit of three bankers boxes (10”x12”x15”) per household.
Unwanted electronics (e-waste) will also be collected including TVs, computer monitors, printers, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, and answering machines. No household hazardous waste material will be accepted.
Free mulch will be available while supplies last. This is a self-serve, self-loading service, so residents must bring their own cans/bags and shovel. Limit of 3 cans/bags per vehicle will be enforced. If you plan to haul your mulch in an open truck or trailer, remember to bring a tarp to cover the material.
This event is for La Mirada residents only and proof of residency, such as a CA Driver's License or utility bill indicating a La Mirada address is required.
For more information, call the Public Works Department at (562) 902-2385.
La Mirada Volunteers Clean Up Creek Park
The “Love La Mirada” community group recently held a service day event in conjunction with the City of La Mirada’s Helping Hands program. Approximately 15 total volunteers painted the Creek Park sign and a bridge, picked up trash, and cleared walkways of debris.
“This event was a great way to promote the City’s Helping Hands program,” says Community Services Supervisor Lisa Montoya. “It was also an excellent opportunity to partner with a local organization to help better the community.”
The Helping Hands program provides free services to seniors, low-income and disabled La Mirada residents. Services include minor outdoor home maintenance and yard assistance, such as lawn mowing, planting, hedge trimming and painting.
The program is held on the last Saturday of each month, with exceptions during holiday weekends. This month’s event will take place on Saturday, October 29. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Resource Center at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers may sign up prior to the event or simply arrive at the Resource Center on the day of the event.
Community members, local businesses, churches and other groups make this worthwhile program possible. For more information about the program, call the Activity Center at (562) 902-3160.
La Mirada Property Values Continue to Rise
Property values in La Mirada have grown by more than 4.5 percent during the past year according to a recent report by the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office.
La Mirada’s assessed value increase was $265 million, which is its highest mark ever at $6,051,859,016.
The increase in value is attributed primarily to the Assessor’s adjustment pursuant to Proposition 13 and re-assessments of property that were sold prior to January 1, 2016. The new figures were part of the 2016 Assessment Roll recently released by the Assessor’s Office.
The local housing market has also remained strong. The median sale price of a single family home in La Mirada from July to October 2016 is $525,000. This represents a $40,000 (8.2 percent) increase in median sale price from 2015.
For more information, call the La Mirada Economic Development Office at (562) 943-0131.
La Mirada Community Foundation to Host Gala for a Cause
The La Mirada Community Foundation is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and Clean Comedians for its Gala for a Cause on Friday, October 14 at 7 p.m. at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. It is a black tie-optional event featuring live comedy, magic, and music. There will also be a silent auction, desserts by Simply Irresistible, and a chance to win prizes from local businesses.
The Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money for a variety of programs in the La Mirada community. It supports services and programs for La Mirada residents, as well as community youth organizations and educational programs. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in La Mirada.
To purchase tickets, visit LMGala.com. For more information, contact La Mirada Community Foundation President Michael Lord at (562) 397-0921.
Dog Walkers Can Help Deter Criminal Activity
La Mirada~The next Captain K-9 meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 11 at Behringer Park, 15900 Alicante Road, at 6 p.m. Dog owners and their pets are encouraged to attend.
The Captain K-9 Dog Walker Watch program encourages recreational dog walkers to serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for local law enforcement,” says
La Mirada Safety Education Officer Mary Cipres.
Captain K-9 participants are trained to effectively observe and report suspicious activity while on routine walks with their dogs and how to best help dispatchers and deputies respond to criminal activity.
For more information on the Captain K-9 Dog Walker Watch program, contact
the La Mirada Community Sheriff’s Station at (562) 902-2960.
Reports of Abduction Attempts Continue to Unfold
La Mirada~We recently received multiple messages from concerned parents and residents about a possible child abduction at Windermere Park this past Monday and then at Behringer Park on Tuesday evening, but authorities have told us no crimes have been committed in either instances.
La Mirada Soccer Association President Ruben Orozco sent out a letter to parents Monday evening advising them of an apparent abduction attempt. The letter quickly went viral on social media within the La Mirada area.
Tuesday, a school administrator in La Mirada became concerned when hearing of the letter so she contacted Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District officials, according to our unnamed source.
An e-mail was immediately sent out to NLMUSD board members from the head of security for the district, Elaine Williams, advising that local law enforcement officials had informed the district no crime occurred near a child and there is no merit to the claim.
We contacted Lt. Robin Limon at the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station who said the call came in at 5:40 p.m. but was a “suspicious person only” incident and a report was taken.
However, Limon said there currently is an active ongoing investigation.
The league then sent out an additional letter on Tuesday evening stating a similar “kidnapping” attempt had occurred, this time at Behringer Park.
Limon told us there is no record of an incident at Behringer Park on Tuesday night.
Calls made to La Mirada Lieutenant Kevin Beggs have gone unreturned.
We will have more information here if it becomes available.
UPDATE: 21:28-100616: Since our initial report, the father of the child involved in the incident has contacted us. He advised us the first incident DID occur at Windermere Park on Monday. He asked his name not be used. He said a kidnap attempt investigation is ongoing. He told us his three-year old child was playing near bushes at the park while his five-year old played soccer. He said a male popped out "from behind the bushes" with his arms outstretched towards his daughter. He chased the man away. Report was taken, investigation ongoing.
We apologize if anyone was misled. We only reported the information that we were given. Parent recently exclusively contacted us only.
The family of the child has asked us to share the description of this man:
Hispanic Male, approximately 5'7 to 5'8, about 150-160 lbs, light complexion, dark brown hair, facial goatee, wearing cap; drove away in a tan 4-door sedan.
The Latest #3: College Expo at JGHS, Fall Youth Sports Leagues Forming, Friends of Library Book Sale
Annual College Expo at JGHS
Admission representatives from over 50 colleges will offer workshops and information at the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s 5th annual College expo.
The event was created by counselors in the district to connect students with college and career readiness.
Topics including financial aid, community college transfer options, admissions and entrance exams, among others, will be covered by specialists to help young people plan to meet their goals.
The expo runs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 19th at John Glenn High School, located at 13520 Shoemaker Avenue. Food will available for purchase from clubs.
Friends Fall Book Sale
Join the Friends of the La Mirada Library at the Fall Book Sale to purchase books at astoundingly low prices. The Friends will have their annual sale on Saturday, October 8 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center. The Activity Center is located at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
A pre-sale for members only will be held on Friday, October 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The $10 annual membership can be paid at that time. A wide variety of books will be available.
For more information, contact the Friends of La Mirada Library at LaMiradaFOL@outlook.com or look on Facebook for Friends of the La Mirada Library.
Youth Sports Leagues Forming
Register now for fall youth sports leagues offered by the City of La Mirada. Recreational youth sports offered for the fall season includes Friday Night Football, Volleyball, and Volleytennis. Children ages 5 to 17 are invited to participate.
Get ready to spend Friday nights out at the field, with La Mirada’s semi-annual Friday Night Football league. Open to participant’s ages 5 to 14, the league is played with flags and emphasis is on football fundamentals. Friday Night Football games are played at Behringer Park during the fall season. The league cost is $70, and includes one practice during the week and one game on Friday night.
The City of La Mirada’s Youth Volleyball league is back in swing for the fall season. Open to ages 9 to 17, the league focuses on the basics of volleyball, including passing, setting, hitting, serving, and defense. The Youth Volleyball league is held at the La Mirada Community Gymnasium and the cost is $75.
Volleytennis is offered to 7 to 8 year olds who want to play volleyball. The net in this league is lowered to a tennis-level height, and the ball may bounce between each hit. This league is the perfect introduction to the sport of volleyball and allows kids to learn basic passing and serving techniques. Games are played on Saturday or Sunday afternoons at the community gym.
City Debuts New Smartphone App
La Mirada~Keeping in step with these technological times, the City of La Mirada recently launched the “My La Mirada” smartphone application and web portal for residents to access local services. “My La Mirada” enables residents to submit, track, and view service requests through their smartphones or online.
Residents can submit a variety of service requests and report issues such as graffiti, potholes, broken, street signs, and public records requests using one convenient system. Requests and issues are delivered to City staff and are tracked from start to finish. Residents have the option to receive notifications, real-time status updates, and comments on the submitted requests.
“My La Mirada” enhances communication between residents and City officials. To help reach all residents, the application supports 17 languages In-app widgets provide users information about local news, programs, services, events, and public facilities.
“My La Mirada” was launched in partnership with Accela, Inc., an innovative civic software company that helps residents and local governments connect to improve the quality of life in their communities.
“The ‘My La Mirada’ service request system is an innovative and convenient way for residents to stay connected to the City and report issues affecting local neighborhoods,” says City Manager Jeff Boynton.
The “My La Mirada” smartphone app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Service requests can also be submitted online at www.cityoflamirada.org. For more information on the “My La Mirada” system, call (562) 943-0131.
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