Staff Reports Walnut – Walnut Mayor, Tony Cartagena, a Filipino-American and long time resident of Walnut, has appealed for disaster relief aid from various organizations, companies and community members in the San Gabriel Valley to benefit the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (named Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines). Collaborative efforts have been established by St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community Church, the City of Walnut, and Atlas Shippers International. The Philippine provinces of Leyte, Samar, and the northern part of Cebu in the Visayas region have recently experienced one of the deadliest disasters ever recorded. The storm began on November 3, and intensified through the Pacific making landfall on November 7 in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with winds of 196 mph. Millions of people have been affected by Haiyan, and up to 10,000 may have been killed. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of November 16, “12,487 people were injured, and 1,179 are still missing. A total of 1,962,898 families were affected in 44 provinces, 536 municipalities and 55 cities.” Major Reynaldo Balido, spokesman for NDRRMC said, “Thousands may have been swept out to sea as storm surges hit ground zero in Samar and Leyte.” A memorial mass was held on November 16 at St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, including five family members of parishioner, Blas Taon, lost in the storm. Although the storm dissipated on November 11, the Philippines are left devastated. Mayor Cartagena said that items most needed for the victims are towels, light blankets, water, canned goods, and toiletries. Monetary donations are also welcome for the purchase of these items. If you would like to help, items can be dropped off at Walnut City Hall, 21201 La Puente Road, Mondays through Thursdays, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For monetary donations, please make checks payable to St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Community (for Haiyan Relief Operations). All donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact Fabiola Huerta, City of Walnut, (909) 595-7543; Gilbert Adajar, Packing and Sorting/SLR Basketball League, (909) 261-1953; Rea Guilas, Atlas Shippers International, (626) 965-9200; and for general information, Honchee Natividad, (909) 576-4991.

Staff Reports Chino Hills – Chino Hills City Council members will begin interviewing 13 of the 82 applicants who submitted applications on Monday for the City Manager position. Current city Manager Mike Fleager announced his retirement in May, with Nov. 30, being his last day in office. Fleager was originally appointed as City Manager in February 2009 and his contract was extended to Nov. 30, 2014 after the Council voted in 2012. In the interim, City officials have decided to hire Kathleen Blomo as the Interim City Manager at a cost of $80,000 while city officials continue the search. Fleager will continue to be paid through January due to his accrual of administrative vacation time making his official last day Jan. 31, 2014. According to the City website, the City Manager must be able to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the City of Chino Hills including the departments of Community Development, Community Services, Finance, and Public Facilities and Operations, and the office of the City Clerk and City Manager; to coordinate assigned activities with outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Mayor and City Council. The city Manager also is in charge of overseeing a $37.8 million dollar budget, 156 full time employees and 76,000 residents. City Council members are hopeful that a qualified applicant will be found among the pool of qualified applicants. If a qualified person is not found, the search will continue until the perfect person can be found.

By: Jennifer Madrigal Eastvale – Eastvale city officials have decided to continue pursuing the funds from Senate Bill 56 (SB56) which will attempt to collect funds lost when lawmakers decided to divert vehicle license revenue to local law enforcement grants. As a result, Eastvale has lost roughly $8 to $9 million since the decision was made in 2011. This affects not only our city, but the cities of Jurupa Valley, Wildomar and Menifee, who all were expecting that money as part of their operating budgets. The four cities had been working together with a lobbyist in Sacramento to get the funds reinstated, but were unsuccessful in past budget years. With lawmakers recessing in September with no resolution in sight, hope for seeing the funds seemed lost. Mayor Ike Bootsma had decided to stop fighting as he felt there was a better use of the $3,000 dollars per month that was being paid to a lobbyist. Wildomar, Jurupa Valley and Menifee also pay $3,000 per month. However, there seems to be a change coming and Bootsma now has hope that Eastvale may be able to get the funds back. According to Chuck Dalldorf, California Senator Richard Roth’s Communication Director, “Senator Roth’s number one priority is getting this bill passed this upcoming legislative session”. Nancy McFadden, a senior advisor to Governor Jerry Brown, has also said that their administration is committed to finding a long term solution to the cities’ predicament in early 2014. The commitments of the Senator and Governor’s offices, as well as conversations between city officials of all four cities affected by the cut, have renewed Eastvale’s desire to fight for at least another budget cycle. SB56, sponsored by State Senators Roth (D-Riverside) and Bill Emerson (R-Hemet), would have used property tax revenue to restore millions in funds that were lost by the four newest California cities: Jurupa Valley, Eastvale, Menifee and Wildomar. While Eastvale was hit hard by the cut, the City of Jurupa Valley seems to have received the worst of it. Jurupa Valley incorporated just two days after the decision to divert funds was made. Last summer, state lawmakers had approved a measure that would have restored funds, but it was vetoed by Governor Brown. They lost $6.7 million, half of their general fund budget, in the first year. The city has started the disincorporation process because if funding is not restored during the 2014 budget year, Jurupa Valley will be out of money in 2015. Another piece of legislation, Senate Bill 69 (SB69), was amended and contains almost the same language as SB56. This bill, according to Senator Roth’s office, is most likely to pass. SB69 is currently with the Assembly Rules Committee awaiting assignment to the Policy Committee in January 2014.

By Sarah Armijo

Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar launched a new program on Nov. 15, called “Report for Reward”, which will reward helpful citizens up to $500 in exchange for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of a person damaging property as a result of a burglary.

City officials say that the purpose of this program is to help combat residential and vehicular crimes within city limits.

“The Report for Reward program provides a mechanism by which the City can financially reward reports by members of the public that lead to the identification and arrest of persons who damage or destroy property while attempting or executing a residential or vehicular burglary,” according to a City news release.

The first reading of this program occurred at the Oct. 1 city council meeting, where it was unanimously approved for implementation.

Assistant City Manager, David Doyle, said in a statement that the Report for Reward program lends reinforcement to the cooperative effort by City staff, Sheriff deputies, and community members to deter criminals from coming into the City to take what doesn’t belong to them.

The City of Diamond Bar is also working hard to aggressively market the program via all City communication mediums.

“We want word to get out beyond just Diamond Bar residents – this program is open to all members of the public, with the exception of City and Sheriff’s employees,” said Cecilia Arellano, Public Information Coordinator for the City of Diamond Bar.

“The intent of this new program is to encourage everyone – whether they live here, work here, or are just visiting – to lend their eyes and instinct to our shared goal of keeping burglars out of our city,” Doyle said in the statement.

“Our hope is that the financial incentive gives individuals that extra push to be actively vigilant of their surroundings and immediately report suspicious activities to the Sheriff’s station,” he added.

After suspicious activity is reported, representatives from the City and the Sheriff’s Station will review the reports and determine if a financial reward is earned, then decide how much the reward would be.

“To qualify for a reward, the information provided will have been considered as playing a key role in the identification and arrest of individuals who damage or destroy property while attempting or executing a residential or vehicular burglary,” according to the City release.

To participate in the “Report for Reward” program, report suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Station at (909) 595-2264. However, if the burglary is in progress, please call 9-1-1.

For more information about the program, including answers to frequently-asked questions, please visit the City website at http://www.diamondbarca.gov/RFR.

Staff Reports Walnut – Ten burglaries were reported in the City of Walnut, and that was just last week. Are they all related and some sort of an anomaly, or has Assembly Bill 109 really proven to increase our crime rates and put citizens in jeopardy? The Little Hoover Commission, an independent state agency designed to investigate state government operations, states that crime is trending upward. In Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s August 31, 2013 crime statistics show burglaries in Walnut have increased 63% (from 73 to 119); and grand theft auto is up 65% (from 17 to 28). Just a few months later, LASD statistics say 184 burglaries have been reported year to date, up from 107 at this time last year. With AB109, the prison realignment assembly bill signed by Governor Jerry Brown, over 43,000 prisoners are now serving time in local jails instead of state prisons, and due to overcrowding, some “low risk” offenders are being released early to county parole officers. Some Walnut residents expressed concern at the City Council meeting on November 13, and the City Council is reportedly gathering information on the number of prison releases to the area to see if there is any correlation. One such resident, Ray Ayers, a victim of one of last week’s burglaries, said that mailboxes on and around Walnut Canyon Road have been broken into over the last month, and now the houses have been broken into in the same area. “Ours was a forced entry using a crowbar. Our next door neighbor’s son was home when the attempted burglary was done, and our neighbors across the street came home to find their door wide open from a forced entry,” said Ayer’s wife. “Another neighbor told us that a burglary occurred up the street from her as well.” Ayer’s wife further stated that it took 45 minutes for the sheriff to come to their home. When the investigating detective returned the next day to fingerprint, she mentioned there were seven other homes burglarized that she had to print. Violent crimes may have decreased, according to LASD statistics, but property crime is up. Ayers says “It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.” Now, more than ever, Neighborhood Watch programs are critical. The Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station is committed to helping organize this program throughout their jurisdiction, with 70 programs already in effect. A neighborhood working together can make a difference. To set up a Watch in your neighborhood, or partner to prevent or report a crime, contact the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station at (909) 595-2264 or (626) 913-1715. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Sarah Armijo SGV – The results are in for the Local and Municipal Consolidated Elections held on Nov. 5. Congratulations to the following winners of this year’s election. In the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Directors election, Helen Hall and Cindy M. Ruiz were re-elected, with Y. Tony Torng filling the last seat. For The Diamond Bar City Council election, Steve Tye and Ling-Ling Chang were re-elected, with Nancy A. Lyons filling the last seat. In the Mt. San Antonio College Board of Trustees election, Laura L. Santos was elected into Area #3 and Robert F. Hidalgo was elected into Area #4, which are both newly created trustee areas for the Mt. SAC board. David K. Hall will remain in his position in Area #2 and Judy Chen Haggerty will remain in her position in Area #6, due to both running unopposed. For the Walnut Valley Water District Board of Directors election, Edwin M. Hilden and Barbara A. Carrera remained in their seats, due to running unopposed. Re-elected to the Pomona School District Board were Dr. Roberta A. Perlman, Adrienne Konigar-Macklin, and Andrew S. Wong. For the Rowland Unified School District election, Cary Chen was re-elected, with Angelena M. Pride and Lynne Ebenkamp filling the last two seats. Re-elected to the Chaffey College Governing Board was Kathleen Brugger and Katherine J. Roberts. For more information about these results, visit http://www.lavote.net or http://www.sbcounty.gov.

Staff Reports Walnut – The Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station serves the residents of Walnut, Diamond Bar, Rowland Heights and the unincorporated areas of Covina Hills and West Covina. With an area this big, they are fortunate to have deputies specializing in bringing value to the cities. They are fortunate to have Doug Daley, Liaison/Community Services Deputy for the City of Walnut. For the past six years, Deputy Daley has been solving problems for the City of Walnut’s more than 30,000 residents. Working directly with residents and through approximately 70 Neighborhood Watch programs, Daley really has his finger on the City’s pulse. Serving on the Traffic Safety Committee, Deputy Daley works to resolve traffic issues for the City and its schools. He also works with his partner, Officer Gina Soto, on the Red Light Camera Program, conducting data research to help combat one of the most serious traffic problems facing Walnut residents today. The critical program, run exclusively by Officer Soto, is designed to increase the safety and quality of life for Walnut residents by reducing red light running. Deputy Daley is often called to lecture at various city functions and events. He also holds student forums at Suzanne Middle School, and is in the process of starting a group for the students of Walnut High School. Of all the hats he wears, Daley says his main goal is to keep the City Manager, and the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff Station’s Captain, Jeffrey Scroggin, satisfied with the handling of all city issues. Deputy Daley began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 1990. Prior to working at the Walnut station, he worked in a patrol capacity for the Temple station. Before entering into law enforcement, he had a career in the business world for manufacturing conglomerate, Rockwell International. He holds a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. All in all, Doug Daley is another deputy making a difference for the City of Walnut, and beyond.

By Jennifer Madrigal Chino Hills – Cities like Brea, Claremont, and Diamond Bar all have dog parks for their residents. Why not the City of Chino Hills? While a dog park was once in the plans for Chino Hills, it has yet to be built and local residents are wondering what would it take to have one here? Groups like DogParkforChino Hills.org have started petitions to get City Council members to consider the planning of a dog park, and hope to forge a partnership with the City of Chino Hills to build a community dog park for families to enjoy with their dogs. Currently, groups of local residents are trying to obtain commitment signatures to demonstrate community support for a dog park. Once these signatures are collected, they hope to be able to work with City officials to secure a location in Chino Hills for the dog park. Local groups would then love to be able to participate in the planning, construction, management, and maintenance of our community dog park. The funds to build the park could hopefully be obtained through private sponsorships to help cover the costs associated with the development and maintenance of the facility. According to the group, Dog Park for Chino Hills, the following is needed to ensure a safe and appropriate Dog Park: • At least two acres of land (three acres would be better). • A large, fenced area to give pets opportunities for exercise and socialization with other dogs. • Separate areas for larger and smaller dogs. • Double-gate systems for each area, so that people can bring their dogs in and out safely. • Shade and drinking water since dogs can get overheated quickly. • Materials for dog owners to clean up after their pets (trash cans and baggies such as those already provided by the City at existing parks and trails). • And, most importantly, community involvement. For more information about a dog park in Chino Hills, contact http://www.dogparkforchinohills.org. Make sure to also check out the Chino Hills “Dog Park for a Day” event on Nov. 9 at Crossroads Park, 2765 Chino Hills Parkway. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special guest, “Gator”, the celebrity dog. The event will include off-leash areas for large and small dogs to run (current license or rabies certificate required), prizes for best costumes, vendors, food booths, craft corner for kids, and drawings for prizes. For more information, call (909) 597-3111.

By Kimberley Sander Industry – On Saturday, Oct. 26, a human foot and calf were found at a water pollution control plant in Carson, on Monday morning, Oct. 28, the upper torso of a woman’s body was found in a waste treatment plant near Industry, and on Thursday, Oct. 31, additional human remains were discovered at the same location in Carson. The remains all seem to belong to the same individual, possibly a Hispanic female, sheriffs reported. The foot and calf were discovered in a separation pond early Saturday morning at the county’s Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP) on Figueroa Street. Maintenance workers reportedly discovered the torso in a water reclamation pool while checking on a plugged line at the San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) on Workman Mill Road, next to Whittier. The additional human remains were discovered by a facility employee at the Carson location at around 7:57 a.m. on Oct. 31. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Coroner has yet to identify the remains. Carson’s JWPCP, the largest of the Sanitation District’s wastewater treatment plants, provides treatment for 280 million gallons of wastewater per day, serving a population of 3.5 million people throughout Los Angeles County. Through a variety of procedures, wastewater is disinfected and sent to the Pacific Ocean through a network of outfalls. The WPR provides treatment for 100 million gallons of wastewater per day, serving a residential population of approximately one million people. Approximately 42 million gallons of that water is reused at over 130 different reuse sites, including the irrigation of parks, schools and greenbelts. The rest of the water is sent to the San Gabriel River. The two plants are directly linked. The labyrinth of sewage lines, pools, pumps and tanks at the plants leaves one wondering why or where the remains entered the plants. It’s possible the body could have come in through a manhole or sewer cover and become mutilated through the journey. Whatever circumstances surround the mystery, Sheriffs are treating the situation as a homicide. The victim’s identity and cause of death will be determined by the Coroner. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact them at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous information may be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA, plus your tip, to CRIMES (274637). You can also visit the website at http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Staff Reports SGV – Local and Municipal Consolidated Elections are on Nov. 5, with quite a few elections in the surrounding areas. The Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Directors consists of five elected board members elected to overlapping four-year terms (in odd-numbered years). They are responsible for setting district policies and establishing long-term goals to ensure operational efficiency. There are three open spots, with the following candidates running: • Helen Hall, incumbent • Cindy M. Ruiz, incumbent • Y. Tony Torng • S. Sean Monemi The Diamond Bar City Council has three seats open, with three incumbents and three challengers running. The following six candidates will be running in this election: • Ron Everett, incumbent • Ling-Ling Chang, incumbent • Steve Tye, incumbent • Joseph Kim • Nancy Lyons • Martin Nakaishi Walnut Valley Water District has five Board of Director members elected to overlapping four-year terms (in odd-numbered years). They are responsible for setting district policies and establishing long-term goals to ensure operational efficiency and efficacy. The candidates for the open seats are: • Edwin M. Hilden (unopposed) • Barbara A. Carrera (unopposed) Mt. San Antonio College Board of Trustees is also having an election. Due to redistricting, the Mt. SAC Board will be expanding from five to seven elected members, covering areas 2, 3, 4 and 6. To view the area map, visit http://www.mtsac.edu/initiatives/board. The Board of Trustees establishes policies relative to the strategic direction of the college operations, and is accountable to the community for the performance and welfare of the institution. Two incumbents are running unopposed. The candidates for these areas are: • Area #2: David K. Hall (unopposed) • Area #3: Marlen Garcia and Laura L. Santos, incumbent • Area #4: Steve Herfert, Robert F. Hidalgo, and William “Bill” Robinson • Area #6: Judy Chen Haggerty, Esq. (unopposed) Pomona School District Board members serve staggered four-year terms, with elections taking place in November. Three positions are elected one year, and two positions are elected two years later. Members are elected to administer and perform the district business, including compliance with state and federal laws and Board of Education policies. Three spots are open with the following candidates running: • Adrienne Konigar-Macklin, incumbent • Dr. Roberta A. Perlman, incumbent • Andrew S. Wong, incumbent • John Mendoza The Rowland Unified School District is governed by an elected Board of Education. The board has three spots open and five total board members. Up for election are two incumbents and five challengers: • Cary Chen, incumbent • Gilbert Garcia, incumbent • W. Chang • Lynne Ebenkamp • Phillip Estrada • Anne Ma • Angelena Marie Pride The Chaffey College Governing Board is composed of five members elected by the community and a student member elected by the college student body. Three candidates will vie for two seats on the Chaffey Community College board: • Kathleen Brugger, incumbent • Katherine J. Roberts, incumbent • Zafar Inam On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is also the last day for Vote-By-Mail Ballots to be turned in by the voter at any polling place in the jurisdiction. To find your polling place and view the sample ballots, visit http://www.lavote.net.

Staff Reports Walnut – It’s true that public pools bring good things to a community. From swimming lessons and healthy exercise to organized water sports, water safety and, well, fun, which is why a new Aquatic Center may be in Walnut’s future. The City of Walnut currently provides a program utilizing the Walnut High School pool. The Walnut Unified School District allows public use during the summer, offering a multitude of courses for swimmers of all ages and abilities; but priority belongs to the high school’s aquatic team. Nearby Mt. San Antonio College also allows public use of their pool with organized programming, but Walnut itself doesn’t have an aquatics center to serve its nearly 30,000 residents. One individual in particular feels the Walnut High School’s nearly 40-year old pool does not meet the needs of the community. Claudine Stines, who has lived in the city since 1973, seems intent on formulizing a plan that would help the city approve the project. She has spent the last several months gathering information on the benefits of an aquatic center, and has made some progress. According to recent information from Stines, she hosted a Community Awareness booth at the Walnut Family Festival on October 12 to provide information and facilitate the collection of signatures on a petition for this project. Suzanne Middle School’s Art Department provided a display, “What Would Your Ideal Aquatic Facility Look Like”, to instigate some creative ideas from the students. The five finalists in the contest were presented with awards at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on October 15, where an Aquatic Park Subcommittee Report was also presented. Stines reports that back in 2007, the Park and Recreations Commission formulated a proposal to the Walnut City Council regarding the development of an Aquatics Park and Building Complex in the Three Oaks housing development. Due to the economy at that time, the $10 million budget item lay dormant. Six years later, Stines is happy to report that the City of Walnut Parks and Recreation Department has agreed to place the topic on their November 19 agenda. Up for discussion is the feasibility of using the nine acres selected for an Aquatic Center back in 2007, currently owned by the City, Three Oaks and Walnut Ranch. There is also acreage in the hills above Country Hollow Drive, currently adjacent to tennis courts and a soccer field that might allow for an expanded version of an Aquatic Center. Steins is encouraged by the City’s willingness to at least discuss feasibility, but admits there is a long way to go to achieve the goal. She has directed a petition to Mayor Tony Cartagena, and invites you to join her in showing that the community agrees upon the need for an Aquatics Center. If you would like to sign the online petition, visit http://chn.ge/1e1ewyp.