(November 4, 2009) -- In remarks delivered at a fundraising event mainly benefiting the LB Area Chamber of Commerce (labeled a "State of the County" speech by its organizers), L.A. County Board of Supervisors chair Don Knabe today (Nov. 4) cited a number of projects that he said would receive County funding...some of which were in LB, but most of which were elsewhere in his District.
In remarks prepared for delivery for the Chamber event at the LB Convention Center, Supervisor Knabe said the County is planning to undertake as many as 75 separate projects in his District...among them the previously announced Termino Ave. Drain ("a $23 million effort to improve flood control and water quality in several neighborhoods around Colorado Lagoon and Belmont Heights. Nearly 90-percent of the costs are being covered by the County. It's an effort that the City, County, and community have been working on for nearly 20 years").
Supervisor Knabe noted that construction would require "temporary destruction of the Wild Oats Community Garden between 10th Street and Anaheim Street" but "our community partners and those who have plots in the garden have been incredibly understanding and willing to work with us because they know that the temporary disruption of the garden is for the long-term benefit of an entire community and for the environmental health of an important watershed. It’s vital to reestablish this community garden once the two-year Termino Drain project is complete, so I'm announcing that I'll be contributing $10,000 to Long Beach Organic for the specific use of rebuilding and reestablishing the community garden."
Supervisor Knabe said that within $161 million of 4th district infrastructure funds, roughly $42 million will be used to construct and expand a number of facilities...including to the San Gabriel River bikepath.
"Residents in Cities of Long Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Artesia, Cerritos, Bellflower, Norwalk, Whittier, and Downey will soon be able to enjoy vast improvements to the San Gabriel River Bike Path. $3.56 million will be invested to refurbish and rebuild nearly 8 miles of the path, from Del Amo to Florence," Supervisor Knabe said. He also cited the following:
[release text] The historic Torrance Health Center will get $2.78 million for an advanced HVAC system that works for a tuberculosis testing facility, new security systems, and space for public health outreach programs.
Benefitting the City of Whittier, unincorporated South Whittier, and the City of La Mirada, we will be constructing a new 11-thousand square foot family service center for $10.32 million at our Sheriff’s Training Center. It will include youth and adult job training programs, recreation programs, classrooms, and child care services. It will be operated by one of our local community-based organizations, which will also have office space inside.
The $4.1 million Orange Grove Neighborhood Park will be built on a six-acre site in unincorporated Hacienda Heights, complete with parking, restrooms, playgrounds, and exercise stations.
A new lifeguard headquarters station will be built in the City of El Segundo. The 13-hundred square foot, $1.7 million building will also include space for our Junior Lifeguard Program.
In the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Los Verdes Golf Course will receive $985-thousand to install a high-tech, water-saving irrigation system...
After some initial hiccups from the California Coastal Commission regarding impact on local animals, we’re finally moving forward on a project I funded to rebuild over four miles of the South Bay Bike Trail. We hope to start construction on the $4.9 million project next September, after the busy summer season, and have it completed in nine months, before the summer of 2011. A total of 21-thousand feet of the bike trail will be rebuilt, with sections in Playa del Rey, and the Cities of El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance.
Lakewood Golf Course will receive a multimillion dollar upgrade for additional storage, numerous handicap access improvement, and junior golf access.
Finally, I will be funding two major projects for San Pedro. First, I’m using $2.48 million to renovate and expand the San Pedro Service Center. The Center, which opened its doors in 1972, has continued to expand its services over the years, while receiving hardly any upgrades. An addition to the northeast side of the building will include an 800-square-foot multi-purpose room. A 1,350-square-foot addition to the southeast side of the building will provide two daycare classrooms.
Meanwhile, I have directed $4.97 million for the construction of a new three story building dedicated to serving approximately 13,000 homeless and working poor people in San Pedro, Lomita, Wilmington, and Harbor City. The new building will include a food pantry, office space for case workers, indoor playground, nursery, after school program space, and other specialized facilities for homeless children.
Supervisor Knabe said the Port of Long Beach ("keynote sponsor" for the Chamber event) "continues to show tremendous leadership on innovative efforts that will be the backbone of retooling our economy for the 21st century. Leaders from both of our local ports are here today, and both have the long term vision for keeping our goods movement and greening efforts on the cutting edge globally."
In wrapping up his remarks, Supervisor Knabe stated:
As Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, I will continue to work hand-in-hand with my colleagues, and with elected officials from every level of government to create new jobs, preserve existing jobs, and to find solutions during this most challenging of occasions.
Every business, organization, and government and community leader here today has skin in this game -- a stake in our economic recovery. Today, competition is not nearly as vital as cooperation. Cooperation thrives in a climate of open, honest dialogue. Personal and political rhetoric for the sake of private goals pollutes the atmosphere and blocks out progress...
Supervisor Knabe thanked LB Chamber Board Chair Lori Lofstrom, the Chamber's Board of Directors, CEO Randy Gordon and his staff "for playing host today and for their tireless efforts to organize this wonderful event."
The Chamber gives a portion of its fundraising event proceeds to some area non-profits.
Knabe, who has periodically delivered similar speeches for other groups, began delivering "State of the County" speeches for the LB Area Chamber of Commerce in 2007...after LB Mayor Bob Foster indicated that he would be phasing out the practice of his predecessor, Beverly O'Neill, who let the Chamber use her City Charter-mandated "State of the City" message as a luncheon fundraiser.
