By K.P. Sander Rowland Heights – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), the largest in the world, provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. LASD has 23 patrol stations and dozens of substations, Walnut/Diamond Bar and Rowland Heights among them. With over 18,000 employees, LASD has the power to make a difference for the county’s 10 million or so residents. One man in particular is making a difference, Deputy Louis Denver. He is the Community Relations Deputy, and his responsibilities are extensive. Serving Rowland Heights, Denver’s main focus is on community relations and crime prevention. Serving in this position since February of 2012, Deputy Denver provides critical information on societal concerns to our local schools. After-school programs benefit from his expertise in awareness and prevention of bullying, drug use, and gangs. In a society where nearly half of all children will experience bullying while at school, his lectures are invaluable. Pre-schools and children’s programs at local churches also benefit from Denver’s instruction on stranger awareness, general safety and bullying. Deputy Denver’s community relations aren’t just about the schools. He also lectures at senior centers, adult schools, and morning breakfast clubs (through the Rowland Unified School Resource Center) on crime prevention and disaster preparedness. He holds crime prevention meetings at retirement homes and local apartment complexes. There is even a Mature Driver class taught by Denver to help motorists 55 and older become safer drivers, and save on their car insurance. Community events for the Rowland Heights area are attended by Denver for promotion of the Sheriff Department’s special programs for children, and crime prevention. He coordinates events such as the Safe Community Festival, and National Night Out. Denver is also station liaison for the popular Special Olympics Torch Run, helping to raise millions of dollars for the Special Olympics movement worldwide; and he collaborates with Target and their “Shop with a Cop” program. It’s hard to believe there is still time left in Deputy Denver’s schedule, but he also conducts Neighborhood Watches throughout the Rowland Heights community. Local banks can take advantage of his lectures on robbery awareness and general safety. Denver also meets with business owners and assists them in developing safer working environments and crime prevention for employees. Denver assists the Rowland Heights Sheriff’s team with search warrants, parole, and probation compliance checks, as well as saturation patrols. He also works with the station’s Booster Club, and is the Coordinator for the Walnut/Diamond Bar Station Ride-Along Program. Prior to taking on the community relations aspect of the Sheriff’s department, Denver was a Field Training Officer at the Walnut/Diamond Bar station from 2008 until 2012. From 2005 until 2008, he was on patrol for the City of Industry’s Sheriff’s Station, and also part of the Industry Special Problems Team. Denver was on loan to the Lakewood station for a short time at the end of 2004, and he worked for the Temple station from 2001 to October of 2004. Deputy Denver was hired by the Sheriff’s Department in 1995, and began his career at the Men’s Central Jail. Before that, he was a reserve police officer for the City of Tustin, and an associate probation officer for the San Bernardino County Probation Department. With all of his expertise and dedication to the community, Deputy Louis Denver is out there, working to make Rowland Heights a better, safer place to live and work, and truly making a difference.

Staff Reports SGV – Walnut, Diamond Bar, and Chino Hills are among the best places to live, with the City of Walnut previously voted as one of the 50 best small towns to live in America, and Diamond Bar and Chino Hills recently ranked among the top 20 safest large cities in California. After CNN Money Magazine looked at over 3,200 towns throughout the nation with populations ranging from 5,000 to 50,000, the magazine ranked Walnut number 49 in the top 50 best small towns to live in America. The list was announced in August after the magazine used public school performance records, housing costs, commute time, poverty, safety information, the number of households with children, education level of adults in the community, unemployment levels, median income and diversity, in order to decide which cities would make the list. This week, Diamond Bar and Chino Hills were ranked among the 20 safest large cities in California, according to patch.com’s analysis of the FBI’s Annual Uniform Crime Reporting program. Diamond Bar was ranked number 16 and Chino Hills was ranked number 11 out of the top 20 large cities. The FBI figures are based on violent crimes per 1,000 residents. The ranking of the top 20 safest large cities is as follows: 1. Irvine – 0.51 crimes per 1,000 residents 2. San Ramon – 0.61 crimes per 1,000 residents 3. Murrieta – 0.66 crimes per 1,000 residents 4. Pleasanton – 0.68 crimes per 1,000 residents 5. Laguna Niguel – 0.73 crimes per 1,000 residents 6. Eastvale – 0.74 crimes per 1,000 residents 7. Mission Viejo – 0.76 crimes per 1,000 residents 8. Palo Alto – 0.80 crimes per 1,000 residents 9. Yorba Linda – 0.81 crimes per 1,000 residents 10. Rocklin – 0.83 crimes per 1,000 residents 11. Chino Hills – 0.84 crimes per 1,000 residents 12. Camarillo – 0.92 crimes per 1,000 residents 13. Temecula – 0.94 crimes per 1,000 residents 14. Orange – 0.97 crimes per 1,000 residents 15. Cupertino – 0.97 crimes per 1,000 residents 16. Diamond Bar – 0.97 crimes per 1,000 residents 17. Arcadia – 0.99 crimes per 1,000 residents 18. Menifee – 1.09 crimes per 1,000 residents 19. Simi Valley – 1.11 crimes per 1,000 residents 20. San Clemente – 1.15 crimes per 1,000 residents Violent crimes are defined as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. The FBI report stated that with a population of 56,470, Diamond Bar had a total of 55 violent crimes, 1 forcible rape, 17 robberies and 37 aggravated assaults. With a population of 76,632, Chino Hills had a total of 65 violent crimes, 2 forcible rapes, 22 robberies and 40 aggravated assaults. Figures used in the original FBI crime report were submitted voluntarily by law enforcement agencies throughout the country, according to fbi.gov. The FBI warns that when rankings are created, they provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, tribal area, or region. They also state that rankings often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. For more information about the FBI Crime Report, visit http://www.fbi.gov.

Staff Reports Walnut – Several streets will be closed in the City of Walnut on Sat., Oct. 12, 2013, due to the 37th Annual Walnut Family Festival, a very well-known community event that you don’t want to miss out on. The closures start off on Pierre Road from La Puente Road to Meadowpass Road, which will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m. for the 5K and 1K runs. City of Walnut officials stated that adjoining streets will be closed by Sheriff cars as runners pass by, and re-opened when safe. The closures should be relatively short, but you will be directed to go south to La Puente Road during the races. The northbound lane on Meadowpass Road will also be closed from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 8:30 a.m., due to the races. The Family Festival Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on La Puente Road and will proceed east from Lemon Avenue to the end of the route at Suzanne Road. The following roads will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to noon, due to the parade: La Puente Road east from Lemon Avenue to Morningside Drive; Lemon Avenue northbound from Vejar Road to Meadowpass Road; and Meadowpass Road will be closed for the safety of the children, adults and horses that are participating in the parade. All four lanes of Meadowpass Road will be closed from the driveway of St. Lorenzo Ruiz Church to Lemon Avenue. Vehicles must travel east on Meadowpass Road from Pierre Road to Amar Road to exit the area. Please exercise caution when driving on Meadowpass between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., as there may be school buses and children moving about on that road. In addition to major road closures at La Puente, Lemon and Suzanne, there will be no (non-emergency) vehicular traffic allowed to enter La Puente from San Vincente, Old Post Road, Citadel Road or Southcoast Drive during the parade. If you think you may need to leave the area between 8:30 a.m. and noon, the City of Walnut asks to please make arrangements to move your vehicle prior to 8:30 a.m. that morning. Suzanne Road will also be closed from La Puente Road north to Fuerte from 4 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 11 through midnight on Sat., Oct. 12. Marcon Drive will be closed Sat., Oct. 12 from 6 a.m. to midnight. Please use caution when driving in Walnut during these hours. There will be children, adults, horses, carriages and other vehicles participating in the parade and runs. The City of Walnut hopes you will join the community in attending the Family Festival, which will include a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, a variety of food, crafts, business, game and community awareness booths, and an amusement area for children. The pancake breakfast is sponsored by the Walnut/Diamond Bar Lions Club, and they will be at Suzanne Park from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. serving pancakes, sausage and juice. The Walnut Family Festival main event will be held at Suzanne Park, 625 Suzanne Road in Walnut, with the grand opening at 10 a.m. and festivities concluding at 6 p.m. The theme this year is “Cruzin’ Around the World”, which focuses on all the wonderful places residents of Walnut lived before. In addition to the traditional Family Festival favorites like the jump booths, dunk tank, and a variety of game booths, committees added a petting zoo and horse rides by Walnut Valley Riders. There will also be a large variety of foods to satisfy all of your taste buds. There will be Italian ice, pizza, hot dogs, chili-dogs, tri-tip sandwiches, nachos, churros, snow cones, funnel cakes and more. Over 30 booths were secured for this year’s Family Festival, including the Arts & Crafts booths, Community Awareness booths, and a Business Expo that allows you to get acquainted with many of the local businesses available in Walnut. Make sure you stop by this awesome event this Saturday! For more information regarding the Walnut Family Festival or the road closures, please call (909) 598-5605.

Staff Reports Walnut – The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) prohibits the hunting, killing, capture or harassment of any marine mammal, or the attempt at such, and enacts a moratorium on the import, export and sale of any marine mammal, part or product in the United States. But this protection didn’t keep a Walnut couple from allegedly selling millions of capsules of seal oil and other illegal products from 2007 until 2010. According to Harpseals.org, Lin Liang and Denian Fu, a married couple from Walnut, were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on Thursday, October 3, with eight counts of smuggling seal oil from China, and selling it as a nutritional supplement via mail order in the U.S., China and Vietnam. They face fines of more than $1 million and five years in prison. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency focused on the conditions of the oceans and atmosphere, and helping to improve our stewardship of the environment, was responsible for bringing an end to the illegal import and export transactions of the Walnut-based Nu-Health Products, after a lengthy investigation. Liang and Fu are also reportedly charged with falsifying documents, labels, and customs declarations, and the importation and falsification of lamb placenta, honey bee royal jelly and propolis products. Harp seals, indigenous to the eastern Canadian seaboard, are the victims of the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the world. Mainly killed for their pelts, their oil is also used as a supplement with deceptively marketed health benefits. Due to the high levels of toxins in their blubber coming from the food they ingest (which can be high in heavy metal, PCB, and DDT), their oil benefits are often falsified as omega-3 supplements . There are as many marketing lures for the oil as there are warnings of toxicity. More than 90,000 harp seal pups were killed this year in Canada alone. They are shot or bludgeoned to death for products that are illegal under MMPA. To find out how you can help put an end to this tragedy worldwide, visit http://www.harpseals.org for more information.

By Raymond Mendoza Eastvale – In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of “pot houses” in Eastvale, City Council members held a first reading of Ordinance number 2013-13, which would allow the city to inspect Eastvale rental properties to ensure the properties are not being used for illegal activity. According to the City Council agenda, Ordinance number 2013-13, titled the “Single-Family Residential Rental Registration, Inspection and Crime-Free Rental Housing Program” is meant to crack down on the number of homes being used to illegal marijuana grow house activity by allowing the city to inspect their rented properties to ensure a crime-free environment. Mayor Ike Bootsma stated that the idea behind the registration and inspection act was to ensure the safety of all Eastvale residents, as well as the illegal bypassing of electric meters to obtain stolen electricity. “It’ll bring in better renters and make a safer neighborhood because when (criminals) bypass the Edison meters and things like that, we have fire hazards,” said Bootsma. “One of these days we’re going to have a major problem with a house burning down.” While the safety of Eastvale citizens is a major concern to all members of the council, Council Member Jeff DeGrandpre noted a bit in hesitancy of adopting the ordinance due to the possibility of infringing on the privacy of Eastvale residents who rent their homes. “I want to make sure if we’re doing something like (Ordinance 2013-13), it’s going to have an impact and not break any laws either,” DeGrandpre said. DeGrandpre stated his belief that the Eastvale police are handling the situation with great success and that Ordinance 2013-13 would not be as effective as other City Council members might think. “At this point I’m not convinced that will happen,” said DeGrandpre. “I think our police department is doing a great job of closing (the pot houses) down. I think the word is out that Eastvale is not a place to go (for criminals).” City Manager Carol Jacobs was adamant that the ordinance would not allow city officials to obstruct anyone’s privacy and that inspection requests can be denied by both the renter and landlord. Jacob’s noted that there needs to be a reasonable amount of evidence in order to enforce an inspection and that the process for enforcing an inspection would be similar to a police officer getting a court ordered warrant to search a home. “People have a right to say ‘no’,” said Jacobs. “We’re not going to barge into somebody’s home- we aren’t barging into anywhere. Unless the tenant and or the property owner gives consent for us to do the internal inspection; we will not do the internal inspection.” Jacobs, like Bootsma, also believes that the ordinance’s main goal is to ensure a safe community for all residents of Eastvale and that these inspections could prevent potential fire hazards, theft of electricity, and the illegal, dangerous structural modifications caused by illegal grow house activity. DeGrandpre, who was concerned about the rights of the residents, was the lone vote against imposing the ordinance. “I voted against it because I felt the ordinance wasn’t enough,” he said. “It needs more teeth! It needs more than a renter saying ‘no’ to an inspection.” According to Eastvale Police Sgt. Justin Rowan, the Eastvale Special Enforcement Team have arrested 12 individuals in 2013 as a result of shutting down 22 illegal grow houses. “With the 22 residences we investigated, we’ve seized approximately 10,000 marijuana plants, approximately 200 pounds of processed marijuana and in the course of those investigations we’ve determined that approximately $3.5 million worth of electricity have been stolen related to those investigations,” Rowan said. Within the last two years, 45 grow house operations have been brought down by the Eastvale Police Department and all 45 of those illegal grow houses were rental properties. “This is truly a public safety ordinance,” said Jacobs. “It’s not about stomping on people’s rights or wanting to get into people’s homes: I have no interest in being in people’s homes. I have an interest in stopping illegal activity, dangerous illegal activity, before somebody blows up a residential block…that is the purpose of this ordinance.”

Staff Reports Chino – A Diamond Bar woman was arrested, along with two other women, for allegedly taking part in a prostitution service at a Chino massage parlor. Last week, Ting Kang, 30, of Diamond Bar, was arrested on suspicion of pimping, pandering, and maintaining a place of prostitution. Mie Ja Sim, 61, of Hawaiian Gardens, was booked for allegedly aiding in prostitution and Xochitl Garduno, 25, of Moreno Valley, was arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution. The women were arrested and booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. The prostitution investigation started when detectives received a tip that Nana’s Massage Therapy, located in the 5400 block of Philadelphia St. in Chino, was possibly being used for prostitution. The business was said to be found on an adult erotic massage parlor website. The officers obtained a search warrant and seized evidence associated with prostitution and pimping. This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Chino Police Department (909) 628-1234.

By Sarah Armijo Walnut/Diamond Bar – An exciting new Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale program is in town and community members of ALL ages are encouraged to audition. This brand new program was designed for the many talented community members we have in the Walnut Valley. The Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale is a passionate, talent-based ensemble committed to make music at the highest level of creativity. Ensemble members will have the opportunity to work with world-renowned concert artists and participate in a wide variety of performances. Founder of the program, renowned conductor and musician, Dr. Nové Deypalan, says that the Walnut Valley Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale program can really benefit the community. “There isn’t a program like this in the area,” said Executive Director Cristina Pacheco. “There are youth programs in Walnut Valley, but there isn’t a community program like this one.” “Now community members don’t have to travel far to be a part of a community Orchestra and Master Chorale group,” said Dr. Deypalan. “This program is something that the Walnut Valley can really embrace. Having an Orchestra and Master Chorale will help the city thrive even more,” he added. The group will work under the direction of Dr. Deypalan, who is a two time-winner of the International Conducting Workshop and Competition. He has performed and led his ensembles abroad and in prestigious concert venues, including Carnegie Hall. His higher education began at the College of Music, University of the Philippines. He completed his Bachelor of Music in Conducting Performance at Chapman University in Orange, California, and obtained a Master of Music in Choral Music from the University of Southern California. Dr. Deypalan also received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. He is also the Music Director at local church, St. Lorenzo Ruiz, in Walnut. Both Dr. Deypalan and Pacheco encourage the community to sign up for this new program. The symphony is open to community members of all ages. The chorale is open to participants 16 years or older. They encourage anyone who is passionate about making music to audition. “Our hope is to gather the talent in this area,” said Pacheco. “They will have an opportunity to share their talent with the community.” This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the formation of a wonderful musical endeavor in the Walnut Valley. Sign up for an audition now! Orchestra Auditions are on Sat., Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Walnut Senior Center, located at 21215 La Puente Rd. Walnut CA 91789. Master Chorale Auditions are on Sun., Oct. 6, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., also at the Walnut Senior Center. There is a $20 application fee and scholarships are available upon request. To sign up for auditions, please visit: http://www.walnutvalleysymphony.org. The program’s first show is scheduled to be held on Dec. 18 and 19, at 7 p.m., at the Mt. SAC Performing Arts Center. For more information, you may call (909) 907-4237 or visit the website listed above.

Photo By Raymond Mendoza
Tina Javid, Public Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company, at the DB City Council meeting.

By Raymond Mendoza Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar City Council meeting for Sept. 17 introduced residents to a newly appointed planning commissioner, safety tips from the Southern California Gas Company and the approval of five items on the agenda for the final council meeting of the month. Southern California Gas Company Public Affairs Manager Tina Javid started off the City Council meeting with a brief slideshow to inform Diamond Bar residents of the potential hazards of dealing with gas leaks, as well as free services offered by the gas company in preparation for winter. Javid stated that SoCalGas is attempting to inform citizens about what to do in case of a damaged pipeline. Information concerning the location of gas transmission and high pressure distribution pipelines in each city and neighborhood can be found at socalgas.com. Since Diamond Bar has a high volume of residential homes, the federal government takes special consideration since a gas pipeline problem could have major consequences in concern to the safety of citizens. “(In the nation) Every 3 minutes there’s a gas line that’s damaged,” said Javid. “And it’s typically by third party contractors that are doing work for cities, businesses to get that work done.” After Javid’s presentation, public comments were started off by resident Nancy Lyons discussing the problem of vacant storefronts in Diamond Bar, specifically the former Ralphs supermarket. Library Manager Pui Ching Ho used her public comment time to invite residents to take part in a wide variety of activities at the Diamond Bar library. In response to Lyons’ concerns of the loss of jobs and sales tax revenue along with the vacant lots being a public eyesore; City Manager James DeStefano noted that while Diamond Bar fared well during the recession, it was not completely immune to the loss of businesses. “The good news is that a national grocery store operator is going to be moving into that space in 2014,” said DeStefano. “They’re not quite ready to announce who they are just yet.” City Council members then quickly motioned to approve all five items on the agenda in one motion. City Council members unanimously approved all items on the agenda, which included the City Council minutes for Sept. 3, 2013 and Ordinance No.07 (approved amendments to the development code and official zoning map for the affordable housing land use and zoning designation project) also approved, was the payment of two median modification construction contracts; the first at Grand Avenue and Summitridge Drive for $35,518.20 and the second at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Silver Hawk Drive for $41,659.55. Both construction contracts were awarded to L.M.T. Enterprises dba Tyner Paving Company. Once the council approved all the agenda items, Mayor Pro Tem Ron Everett stated his recommendation for the appointment of the new planning commissioner following the resignation of Steve Nelson and the process of deciding between nine applicants. “After careful review of the candidates, it is my privilege and pleasure to recommend the City Council confirm the appointment of Ashok ‘Ash’ Dhingra to fill the unexpired term of former Planning Commissioner Steve Nelson,” Everett said. The City Council members then unanimously approved Dhingra for the job of planning commissioner and followed the approval of his new position with a short speech, promising his best work to the residents of Diamond Bar. The final item on the agenda saw a brief comment section for each City Council members, in which members spoke about various aspects of Diamond Bar life, including Diamond Bar community day at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona, services offered by Foothill Transit and the inaugural football game at Diamond Ranch High School.

By Raymond Mendoza Walnut – Political mudslinging is a well known tactic to the general public during Presidential elections; however the perils of negative campaigning can also threaten the validity of elections for city government, such as elections for City Council or the Board of Trustees for a school district. For small cities like Diamond Bar and Walnut, negative campaigning might seem like an impossible feat for such friendly communities, yet no election is without some form of controversy. With the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees’ elections on the horizon for November 5, candidates and citizens are aware of the negative campaigning that is being directed toward some of the candidates running for re-election. WVUSD Clerk Cindy Ruiz chose not to focus on the bad aspects of local government and negative campaign slurs and instead believes in each candidate showing their value and work ethic to the city they represent. “I’m a believer in running a positive campaign and not tearing somebody else down,” said Ruiz. “Run a positive campaign, run on my own merit and not do anything negative against another candidate.” WVUSD President Helen M. Hall, on the other hand, stated that politics are much less harsh in comparison to other higher forms of government and claimed that there is less conflict since school boards are non-partisan, making each candidate’s political party a null topic. “At the school board level typically we don’t see (negative campaigning),” said Hall. “It’s a non-partisan race meaning it’s not Republicans and Democrats it’s just all students in a district… so in that sense, no: in the School Board level, I’ve never had the opportunity to be part of (negative campaigning). It really hasn’t happened in our district.” After assuring that negative campaigning rarely happens for Board of Trustees elections, Hall did mention that elections for City Council can sometimes be “more cut throat.” And “cut throat” could very well be an applicable term for former Diamond Bar City Council Member and former Mayor Eileen Ansari, whose 2001 bid for Diamond Bar City Council re-election was lost following claims that she was linked to terrorist activities due to her marriage to a Muslim man. “Well it was post 9/11 and as you know my family and my husband are Muslims, so some really nasty stuff was put out about me,” said Ansari. “It cost me the election and it was such negative things.” Even though Ansari’s City Council election was almost 12 years ago, she still claims that the negative campaigning against her is what made her lose the election and that political muckraking was the only way she could have lost her seat as a City Council member. “That would be the only way to get me out of office,” said Ansari. “I was liked and I think that was the only way they could get me out of office was to do something about 9/11 to me, and as it turns out it was really horrendous how they could do something like that to somebody.” So while Ansari’s election is now a thing of the past, the former City Council member hopes that the upcoming WVUSD election will be free from political lies and negative campaigning.