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Monterey Park & West Valley
Serving Monterey Park, Rosemead, Alhambra,
San Gabriel, East L.A. & Neighboring Communities
Rosemead
Okays New
Budget
The Rosemead City Council
approved a nearly $36 million
budget for fiscal year 2013-14 at
its Tuesday night meeting (June
12).
The budget was balanced
for the fifth year in a row, said
City Manager Jeff Allred.
Balancing the budget also impressed Mayor Polly Low.
“At this time I think it is
pretty amazing we can have
a balanced budget,” she said.
The ongoing operations of the
general fund budget of nearly $19
million are balanced with no surplus for the upcoming fiscal year.
Consequently, a full scope of services to residents will be continued without service reductions.
OTHER
NEWS
Rosemead Queen Taymar Quezada was introduced to the council.
Quezada is a junior at Rosemead
High School, where she plays tennis, track and soccer and sings in
the choir. She also has a 4.0 grade
point average
The council voted to place
liens on properties where the
owner is delinquent in not paying
the trash bill. The liens will go
into effect on June 28.
The council approved continued funding of a school resource
officer at Rosemead High School
in conjunction with the El Monte
Union High School District.
The council also approved
he Traffic Commission’s recommendation to install traffic
calming measures and striping
plans in the vicinity of Rosemead Place and Earlswood Drive.
The council gave approval to ne-
(Continued on Page 5)
!
June 15, 2013
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Election
Countdown
Voters to Cast Ballots July 2 To
Hand Off Fire Department to County
With less than two weeks to
go before the July 2 Special Election for Measure FF that would
transfer the Monterey Park City
Fire Department to the County
of Los Angeles, political action is
expected to heat up with “Yes”and
“ No” forces taking to the streets.
Hundreds of lawn signs for
and against the measure are expected to pop-up and scores of
precinct walkers are expected to
be knocking on doors of voters.
The proposed measure would
amend a current city ordinance
and direct the city to negotiate for
transferring all city fire department services to the Consolidated
Fire Protect District of Los Angeles County.
Measure FF was placed on
the ballot by an initiative petition circulated by David Diaz, a
resident who is also City of Los
Angeles firefighter, with the support of the Monterey Park City
firefighters union.
Opponents of Measure FF
have criticized the $100,000 cost
of the special election for the
single ballot measure. No other
questions will appear on the ballot.
Voters have a choice of voting by mail or going to one of
eight polling places that will be
open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on
election day.
In their argument in favor of
Measure FF, proponents stated
that “Your Yes vote on Measure
FF will improve fire and paramedic service in Monterey Park
and save taxpayers more than $30
million over 10 years.”
David Diaz, former councilwoman Betty Tom Chu, Christine
Chandler, a member of the Fire
Citizen Committee, Tom Guzman, a Monterey Park Resident
and Mario Lenni, president of the
Monterey Park Fire Fighters Association, signed the statement.
This is the second time in the
last 20 years that firefighters have
sought to transfer their jobs to the
county.
The ballot argument from
opponents of Proposition FF
states, “This Proposition requires
Monterey Park to transfer its entire Fire Department/emergency
medical services to County of
LA for 10 years. With Proposition FF citizens lose both of MP’s
ambulances and they will not be
replaced by the County Fire District. They also argue that with
Proposition FF, the city will lose
15 firefighters and emergency
personal personnel.”
Signing the argument against
FF were council members Peter
Chan, Hans Liang and Anthony
Wong.
Current Mayor Teresa Real
Sebastian and Council Member
Mitchell Ing have taken a neutral
position on the measure.
At the urging of the City
Firefighters Association, the city
has been examining the financial
and service impacts from transferring the city fire department to
the county for the last two years.
The study and subsequent proposals from the county was required
under a salary agreement with the
firefighters’ union. The union actually paid for the study.
In the meantime, a citizens
committee was appointed by the
council to also review the results
of the study.
(Continued on Page 5)
ALHAMBRA POLICE keep an eye on an “armed student”
during an emergency exercise at Alhambra High School. Police
and school district went through emergency drills on June 14.
See story on page 7.
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Page 2
Beachcomber
Monterey Park - West Valley Journal
If I only Had Some
Disneyland Stocks!
By Dave Barron,
Journal Editor
A once a year trip to Disneyland
was magical. Then as prices went up,
we changed our routine to once every
two years.
Now that the Disney Corporation
has raised one-day ticket prices to $92,
it may be a once every five years – if
ever again. I haven’t been there for
three years because of the huge crowds
and lack of entertainment for this mature person.
Going to Disneyland used to be a
family event. I spent one day at Disneyland on my honeymoon nearly 50
years ago. Later, as we had children we
went regularly.
I was lucky to have generous inlaws. They would host an annual trip
to Disneyland for all their seven grand
children and their parents. Sometimes
the kids would even bring a long a
friend. Parents handled some of the
expenses for meals and souvenirs. I remember a couple of time that we had a
picnic lunch.
My in-laws would spend between
$200 to $300 getting the family inside
the happiest place on earth. Eventually,
that stopped and died a natural death.
For a long time, high school graduating classes would go to Mickey’s
park for an All-night Grad Party. I don’t
think many schools do that anymore.
Disney said in a statement that
starting Sunday, a one-day adult ticket
to one park will cost $92, a $5 increase.
Kids’ tickets also jumped $5, to $87.
Parking will go up to $16.
The prices apply to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park. Buyers of annual passes will
see similar increases.
The Disneyland statement says the
price hikes were brought on by a variety of factors, but the tickets “represent a great value given the breadth and
quality of attractions and entertainment
at the parks.”
I think part of the reason is that
they (Disneyland) doesn’t expect to
get any resistance from tourists or the
younger generation. Many people think
nothing of spending a hundred dollars
at Chili’s or Olive Garden for regular 4
course dinner, especially if you have a
couple of $10 glasses of wine or a tall
$5 glasses of beer. And, if you can put
it on a credit card, it’s so much easier.
I have friends and relatives that
have annual passes. I guess they probably will renew them. What’s a few
more dollars more on a credit card.
However, these folks make sure they
get their full value by going to Disneyland at least once a month.
Maybe that’s the way to beat out
the increase in prices. Buy an annual
pass and go regularly. This will bring
down the per-visit cost substantially.
I don’t suggest we boycott Disneyland. I understand from friends who
work there, that it is a great place to
work. Salaries and benefits are very
competitive. The only disadvantage
is that they work during the holidays
and weekends and long hours (on your
feet). I wouldn’t want to impact their
employment.
What do you think? What are you
going to do?
Monterey Park &
West Valley Journal
www.sgvjournal.com
David Barron, Editor & Publisher.
Shel Segal, Associate Editor
Yoshiko Kamino, Graphics Contractor
Leticia Platt, Accounting
David Munoz, photo consultant, Margie Ramirez, contributing
photographer, Sergio Medrano, Marketing and many news contributors.
Published monthly with the help of writers, subscribers,
community organizations and contributors and many
stakeholders
Published by Barron Communications
P.O. Box 987, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Offices at 199 W. Garvey Ave., Ste. 205, Monterey Park, CA 91754
[email protected] - (626) 607-6837
EDITORIAL
June 15, 2013
Keeping Monterey Park A
Complete City
No to Measure FF
Whether we have lived in Monterey Park forty years or just a few years, we
take great pride in our city. We have beautiful vistas, great schools, a tremendous
library, a great police department, our own water department, a system of 13
parks, a great senior citizen center and a super fire department.
Each one is an underpinning for life as we know it here and an important support for one of the greatest cities in San Gabriel Valley.
If we got rid of our police department, we would have to rent cops from the
County Sheriffs department. Deputies have a reputation of shooting first and asking questions later.
If we sold off our valuable water department we would have to satisfy our
thirst by buying from private suppliers at higher prices. These water agencies are
regulated by the Public Utilities Commissioners making more than $100,000 a
year and meeting only in San Francisco.
What if we transferred our library to the County? Service would be dependent on an outside bureaucratic agency that has trouble meeting its budget every
year.
What if we transferred our recreation department to the county? Would the
county close some of our parks because we have too many? And, then tell us to
get our recreational opportunities in East L.A. and El Monte? What about Langley Senior Center, would that still be open or would seniors have to go to the
Montebello Senior Center?
But let’s get to the point of this Editorial.
If we sold off our fire department to the county, that would cripple our city
by making us dependent on the county. It would be the beginning of the end for
Monterey Park. Our city would not be the same. One of the main reasons for living in this city would be gone.
Whether you came here in the 1950s or in the 2010s, the city you bought into
would not be the same It would be a ghost town of rented cops and rented firefighters, contracted public services and vacant parks, gyms and libraries
This is why we recommend that you VOTE NO on Measure FF, the proposal to transfer the Fire Department and our life-saving ambulance service to
the County.
OPINION
Monterey Park’s Reputation at Stake
Dear Editor & Residents of Monterey
Park:
If Measure FF passes at the July 2nd
special initiative election, Monterey Park’s
image, as a first class independent City,
with its own police, fire department, ambulances and other city services, will suffer as
a consequence and property values would
suffer.
Monterey Park has had a fine reputation as a good city to live in and to raise
children. Our elementary schools are all
academic achievers and Mark Keppel
High School is among the highest rated in
the State. We have an excellent recreation
and parks system, with parks distributed
throughout the city, including gymnasiums,
swimming pools, and tennis courts. Langley Center is one of the finest senior centers
and we have an excellent library and civic
center complex. We are one of the safest
cities in the San Gabriel Valley, with a superior police department, fire department
and paramedic ambulance service.
Monterey Park voters MUST turnout
in numbers to vote NO on FF to protect
our city from an LA County take over. Our
friends throughout the region will assume
that the City of Monterey Park is weak
and in trouble, or why would the residents
meekly vote to transfer the city fire depart-
ment and ambulances to LA County control? That would be accepting reduced
safety for our residents and surrendering
about one-third of our city staff. We also
give the county all of our multi-million dollar equipment – SO ONCE IT’S GONE,
IT’S GONE. We can never regain our own
Fire Department.
LISTEN to your present and past
elected city officials that you voted for, as
they do NOT support Measure FF. The
Monterey Park Police Officers Association, SEIU 721 - Monterey Park General
Employees, and Concerned Citizens of
Monterey Park are also strongly opposed
to FF.
Monterey Park firefighters are outsiders (only one of the fifty lives in the city)
who placed this measure on the ballot for
their own financial gain. It does not benefit
us residents.
Be sure to vote NO on FF to keep your
superior fire department, life saving ambulance services, and your city’s irreplaceable image and reputation.
Sincerely,
Yukio Kawaratani, Lucia Su and Terry
De Wolfe
Members of the Concerned Citizens of
Monterey Park
June 15, 2013
Monterey Park - West Valley Journal
Page 3
LETTER TO EDITOR
Concerned Parent at
Highlands School
Dear Editor,
I have two concerns regarding the Alhambra School District and wanted to see
if you are aware or interested in these subject. If you are not can you let me know
who I should contact regarding these matters?
The first is, Alhambra School District
is changing their volunteer rules. Parents
are now required to obtain LiveScan and
fingerprints and TB tests in order to go to
field trips. There is a petition https://www.
change.org/petitions/alhambra-unifiedschool-district-ausd-alhambra-ca-districtwide-policy-should-only-require-megans-law that has 120 signers so far. Their
excuse so far is that this is something they
enacted a while back ago but did not enforce it till beginning of 2012-2013 school
year. And the reason they have to do this
is due to No Child Left Behind. I had
called around other school districts in our
area and LiveScan and TB tests are NOT
requirements. This is very discriminatory
as LiveScan is expensive and not everyone
has health insurance and feels no need to
jump through hoops to get the TB test. A
lot of parents had stopped volunteering because of this. There are kids at school that
desperately needs help. What the kids are
required to know in fourth grade is not the
same as what we were required to know
when we were their age. If these kids are
not helped early on, they will fall further
and further behind. I can just see that they
will SUFFER for their rest of their school
years. This will really leave the child behind.
The second is regarding the lockdown
on May 16, 2013 http://www.sgvjournal.
com/monterey-park/1927-phone-threatcloses-monterey-park-schools. It was reported that the schools had done it correctly but that is not the case. Our school did
not notify parents that day. And I know as
a fact that they were letting kids in and out
of the cafeteria. The school wants to put a
fence up yet they fail at what is most important, what to do during a lockdown. I
cringe at the thought when a real crisis happens.
Amy Wu, School Parent
Recall Against
Garvey School
Trustee Fails
MISS MONTEREY PARK contestants gather for a photo at a recent reception
at the Chamber offices at the El Encanto building. Miss Monterey Park will be
crowned at a dinner on June 28. - Photo by Dave Barron
Eight Contestants Seek Miss
Monterey Park Pageant Title
Eight young women are competing
for the title of Miss Monterey Park in
the annual pageant sponsored by the
Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce.
The contestants will compete at a
pageant scheduled on Friday, June 28,
6 p.m. at the Ocean Star Restaurant in
Monterey Park.
This year’s candidates are Cecily
Ramirez, Christina Gallegos, Michelle
Ruan, Jessica Ramos, Hilda Guerra,
Krystal De Leon, Desiree Michelle Tiet
and Sherene Chou.
To qualify candidates must be
between 18 and 28 years old and live,
work or go to school in Monterey Park.
They will be judged on their talent,
public speaking ability, beauty and
poise by judges who have not yet been
announced.
Sponsorships and tickets for the
pageant dinner are available by contacting
the chamber at (626) 570-9429.
Gas Company Installs New Meters in Homes
San Gabriel Valley -- Just seven months after the launch of its system-wide upgrade
of natural gas meters, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has successfully installed
more than a quarter million advanced meters for customers in five counties and is at work
in the San Gabriel Valley.
Installations are currently going on in Rosemead and Alhambra. Monterey Park is
scheduled for installations in the fall.
In all, SoCalGas plans to upgrade six million natural gas meters through 2017, adding a small communication device to customer meters on a carefully planned schedule
throughout its service territory.
Since initiating advanced meter installations in southeast Los Angeles County in October 2012, SoCalGas has moved steadily forward and expects to be installing in several
service regions by the end of 2013, including metro Los Angeles, and Kern, Riverside,
San Bernardino, Tulare and Ventura counties. Throughout the process, SoCalGas customers and communities have been informed by frequent mailings, notices and emails,
notifying them several weeks before installations begin.
The new advanced meter device is markedly different from electric smart meters and
only turns on for a fraction of a second a day—a total of less than two minutes a year—to
securely and safely send natural gas usage data from a customer’s home or business to
SoCalGas customer centers. SoCalGas will make the usage information available for the
customer to view online the next business day.
The 15-minute upgrade process involves adding a small battery-powered communication device on existing residential and business customers’ meters.
Veronica Summers, last
miss
Monterey Park, was present at a recent
reception to advise the candidates.
ROSEMEAD: A recall effort
targeting a Garvey School District
Trustee has failed, according to the Los
Angeles County Registrar Recorder’s
Office. The target of the recall was
Trustee Janet Chin, who is currently
serving on her second term.
The Registrar’s office said
proponents of the recall did not get
enough qualified signatures to force
a recall election. A total of 3,856
signatures or 20% of the school districts
registered voters was needed .
The recall effort was led by the
Garvey Educational Association, the
teacher’s union for the district. The
union has been in disagreement with
District Superintendent Sandra Johnson
since her appointment to head the school
district more than 2 years ago.
Chin and a majority of trustsees
approved a controversial contract
extension and pay raise for Johnson and
the union launched the recall effort.
Chin was elected to the board of
education in 2007 and re-elected in
2011. She has three children attending
district schools.
Garvey District schools covers
portions of Rosemead and Monterey
Park.
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June 15, 2013
Rosemead Police Drill Conducted
At Alhambra High
Budget
ALHAMBRA -- Police
The training involved Aland
the
School
District
conhambra
Police Department
Tops
ducted a joint training exercise School, Resource officers, Alseveral senarios ranging hambra patrol officers and de$36 Million with
from a school lockdown caused tectives, training alongside Al-
Paid Political Advertising
DON’T BE CONFUSED--
VOTE NO ON FF
VOTE NO ON FF
• A NO on FF vote KEEPS OUR MONTEREY PARK AMBULANCE - and its fast response time –
SAVING LIVES. In a medical emergency every minute counts! A YES vote on FF gets rid of our Ambulances,
switching to the County system of calling a private ambulance. Now, it’s common sense – there’s no way that the
private ambulance, coming from “somewhere” outside of Monterey Park, can arrive nearly as fast as ours– minutes
are precious. You may be saving your or your loved one’s life – VOTE NO on FF.
calling the shots. If there weren’t a lot of money in it for them, they just would have said “No – not
interested”. They are interested! AND HOW!! The reality of the situation is that County
Fire is in trouble – a $43 million deficit! – and so they are roping-in as many independent cities
as they can. Here’s what LACFD Chief Osby said: (LA Times) “I’M TRYING TO GET
ALL THE MONEY I CAN.”
Last year the voters of El Segundo voted NO to the exact same plan (they called it Measure P – you can look it up).
They chose to not be taken as suckers – they voted 90% NO! For the same reason you should vote NO. Within
the last year Montebello, West Covina & Downey turned back County Fire attempted takeovers. Let’s be as smart as those cities.
Let’s not be embarrassed!
WHO IS IT THAT URGES YOU TO VOTE NO ON FF?
Park free at the Atlantic Station and hop
on Metro Rail’s Gold Line. With service every
6 minutes during rush hour, you can relax
and enjoy the trip as you zip past the tra;c.
Metro Rail also connects you to Pasadena,
Hollywood, Long Beach, Culver City and
dozens of points in between.
60
Bl
• Think …you got it: The LA COUNTY FIRE DEPT. They’re more than “in on” the GRAB , they are
East LA to downtown,
in just 30 minutes!
ic
OUTSIDE OF MONTEREY PARK , so the negative consequences for our City are of no concern to them. They are OUTSIDERS who
want to run your City. Who else is in on the GRAB?
Park free at Atlantic Station and ride the Metro Gold Line
Plan your trip at metro.net.
3rd St
TO
• MONTEREY PARK POLICE OFFICERS ASSN
Atlantic
Station
E
Bl
ERC
ntic
Atla
OMM
TO C
• Concerned Citizens of Monterey Park (ID 1294816) -founded 2006 as a residents-interest organization - a voice for the
residents. Phone: 626 573 3241 or [email protected]
13-2198tr ©2013 LACMTA
TO DOWNTOWN LA
• SIEU 721 Monterey Park General Employees Service Assn.
RK
• THE FIREMEN. The average MP fireman made over $140,000 last year – they want more. And, all but one of our Firemen live
Go Metro to Downtown LA.
nt
Who is doing the grabbing?
metro.net
la
FF IS A MONEY GRAB!
518-4449
PA
MEASURE
To participate or join the planning committee call 818-
At
to KEEP the fire equipment that we’ve already paid for. A YES on FF vote results Monterey Park’s giving our equipment to the County
along with $2 million to update it. Then we will have annual County fees that go up every year, starting at 5.5%, and at 10 years, the sky is
the limit (try going down to the Board of Supervisors to complain – lots of luck). At that point, we are prisoners – we can’t start over. Vote
to control your own money - VOTE NO on FF.
Rosemead High School
July 13-14
EY
• A NO on FF vote PROTECTS MONTEREY PARK’S – AND YOUR –POCKETBOOK – we get
SIGN-UP TODAY
Rosemead Relay for Life 2013
ER
full staffing. A YES on FF vote results in a County contract, with fees that go UP every year – negatively impacting Police
funding, resulting in fewer police. The minute the County contract goes into effect, our Police budget takes a $300,000 hit.
(Pomona switched to County Fire – and, as the result of rising County Fire fees, the Pomona Police Force has been cut 15%,
and now faces another 7% cut). Vote to keep Monterey Park a safe city – VOTE NO on FF.
CE
• A NO on FF vote KEEPS OUR MONTEREY PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT at
MISS ROSEMEAD CROWNED
Taymar Quezada was crowned as Miss Rosemead at last weeks City
Council meeing. Following her coronation she posed for a picture
with members of the Rosemead City Counci. As city queen she will
reign over several city events.. Quezada is a junior at Rosemead
High School, where she plays tennis, track and soccer and sings in
the choir. She also has a 4.0 grade point average.
hambra Unified School District
support staff, campus supervisors and school administrators
in simulated emergency crisis
situations or scenarios. Also
observing were administrators
from other AUSD schools.
Sgt J. Johnson of the Alhambra police said volunteers
acted as role players as the officers. During the drill school
staff work through unexpected
simulations involving school incidents. The school campus was
empty except for participants
because the school semester
ended the day before.
During one of the drill involving a scenario with an active shooter, numerous gunshots were heard at neighboring
streets and Alhambra city all.
Teachers, staff and police
were scheduled to gather after
the drills for a debriefing.
Johnson said a similar training exercise was held in June
2011 and was well received by
school staff and officers.
NT
staffed. A YES on FF vote switches Monterey Park to the County, and the County plan immediately reduces staffing by 30%! Vote to keep
your family and your property protected – VOTE NO on FF.
a distraught student armed with
a gun and another one involving
an “active shooter” on the campus of Alhambra High School
on June 14.
The training exercise involved police officers as well as
school employees and teachers
learning how to respond to a variety of situations.
During a mid-morning
briefing, staff was advised to
become more familiar with the
campus and its surroundings so
that they can efficiently follow
instructions in an emergency.
“You have to know which
is the north side of the campus,
so that if you are directed to go
there there is no problem,” said
an exercise director.
The first scenario involved a
“student” armed with a gun who
threatened suicide. After the student was isolated and a school
locked down was launched, the
police took over. She was talked into laying down her weapon
and surrendering to police.
AN
• A NO on FF vote KEEPS OUR MONTEREY PARK FIRE DEPARTMENT – and keeps it fully
(Continued from Page 1)
gotiate to extend street sweeping
services with Athens Services for
two more years. That company’s
current agreement with the city is
set to expire June 30.
Funding is for the purchase
of two new utility dump trucks
for use in public works operational activities was approved by
the council.
The purchase of these new
trucks will replace two trucks,
which are more than 20 years old.
In addition, members of the public are now encouraged to report
abandoned shopping carts directly
to the retrieval contractor at (800)
252-4613, or to the city’s Public
Works Department at (626) 5692262.
This information will be
disseminated to the public in
the city’s Rosemead Resources
newsletter, on the City’s website
www.cityofrosemead.org
and
through informational flyers.
(Shel Segal can be reached [email protected]
MO
DON’T BE CONFUSED…
Page 5
Monterey Park - West Valley Journal
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RA IN
GE G
June 15, 2013
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Monterey Park - West Valley Journal
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Monterey Park - West Valley Journal
Page 6
Volunteers Honored With Tree Plaques
Two long term volunteers were honored at
Monterey Park’s Annual
Three Memorial Ceremony
held at Garvey Ranch Park
on Tuesday, June 4.
Honored were Herb
Motonaga and Catherine
Wills.
Motonaga, who passed
away earlier this year, was
a prolific volunteer who
assisted the city as leader
of the Eastside Optimist
Club, the city’s 4th of July
Celebration, Play Days and
holiday celebrations.
He was a Recreation
and Parks Commissioner
for more than 10 years. He
was also recognized as one
of the “People Who Difference” in the community.
Catherine Wills has
been an active Monterey
Park resident for many
years and involved with the
Soroptimist Service Club,
a nursing home board and
vice president of the United
Democratic Club for many
years.
She also served on the
city’s Personnel Board and
a leader of the Annual People Who Make a Difference
Award Program.
During the ceremonies, plaques was placed
at a tree at Garvey Ranch
Park. Dan Costly, director of parks who served as
master of ceremonies, explained that the city annually accepts nominations
for tree plaques.
The nominations are
reviewed and approved by
the city’s historical heritage
commission and the city
council.
Friends, relatives and
elected officials attended the ceremonies sand
praised the contributions of
the two volunteers. Elected
officials present included
Mayor Pro Tem Anthony
Wong and Councilman
Hans Liang, along with
City Clerk Vincent Chang
and Treasurer Joseph Leon.
Former Councilman Mike
Ing also spoke on the community service of the two
honorees.
Summer
Interns
Wanted.
HONORED--Friends and associates gathered to
place a plaque in front of a tree to honor Catherine
Wills (center) at Garvey Ranch Park.
Contact the
West Valley Journal
(626) 572-7450
or email News@
SGVJournal.com
June 15, 2013
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.
Making Each Moment Count
Sheila Yonemoto P.T.
The way I see it,
life consists of moments,
similar to a moving picture
made up of still pictures
strung together. The quality of films improves with
the number of still pictures
that are put together, which
means smaller movements
of change are recorded
making the “motion” more
fluid. This is similar to how
photographs are made and
how the number of pixels
make a difference in the
clarity of the picture. The
more pixels, the less grainy
it looks, and the more defined it looks, especially
when you enlarge the picture.
If we apply this
same principle to our lives,
we may be able to see frame
by frame how we look
to others. If a moment in
time is scanned and frozen
for you, what would you
want to see? Perhaps that
is what we do when someone dies. At the funeral,
the eulogy tries to capture
the essence of the person
by certain moments in his
or her life. Certainly, it is
only a very brief summary
of a person’s life, but we try
to give a positive report to
gain closure.
I am sure that
most people do not live life
trying to make a nice story
for their funeral, but, perhaps we can look at living
life, knowing there will be
an end to it. How can we
make the most of what we
have left? If we choose to
think that life is made of up
moments, then all we have
is what presents to us now,
in the moment. How do we
choose to make the most of
that moment?
Do you consider
the person in front of you
or beside you and make the
encounter meaningful and
pleasant? Do you eat your
food with thought as to
how it nourishes your body
or makes it more effective?
Do you do your daily tasks
with enthusiasm, thinking
of how it is going to help
you realize your dreams?
Are you living your life
with the purpose of accomplishing great things?
Sometimes, the
entire weight of the world
seems to be hanging on our
heads, and setting off on
life’s journey seems daunting. But, if you consider
that all we have is the moment right before our eyes,
then maybe we can make
that moment the best moment there is.
Sheila
Yonemoto,
P.T., has been a physical
therapist for over 30 years,
specializing in Integrative
Manual Therapy utilizing a
holistic approach. She can
be reached at Yonemoto
Physical Therapy, 55 S.
Raymond Ave, Suite 100,
Alhambra, CA 91801. Call
626 576 0591 for a FREE
consultation and FREE insurance evaluation, or visit
www.yonemoto.com formore information.
ATTENTION
If you worked at either of the
Southern Counties Gas Co.
“Trigg St.” or Monterey Park
Facilities
during the 1950’s-1980’s
Please contact Sandy Cline
toll free at 1-800-994-1279.
June 15, 2013
Monterey Park - West Valley Journal
Future of Fire
Dept. on City
Ballot
Obituary
Merwin Chew
CHEW – Merwin
William Chew born in
Burbank, Calif. Nov. 4,
1925 and passed into final
rest on April 29, 2013 due
to a massive stroke at the
age of 87½.
He is survived by his
children, Cheryl, Gary, Brian and Eric Chew, 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and 3 siblings, Nolan
and Roger Chew and Janie
Boucher.
Merwin was raised in
So. Pasadena and Burbank,
graduated from Burbank
High, served in the Navy
during WWII. He retired
from California County Title Insurance Company in
Santa Ana at the age of 80.
Merwin was a dedicated member of Burbank
First Presbyterian Church,
where and he and his wife
of 60 years, Dorothy were
married. They bought a
home in Monterey Park
in 1948 when there were
green rolling hills and pollywog ponds along Garfield
Ave.
He was extremely devoted to Dorothy’s care
during her battle with Alzheimer’s until her death in
2008.
Merwin was buried
beside his wife at Oakdale
Cemetery in Glendora on
May 11, 2013. Merwin
lived a very full and happy
life, but will be missed by
his family members and
many friends.
Donations
in
his
memory are welcomed by
Burbank First Presbyterian
Church 521 E. Olive Ave,
Burbank CA 91501 or Alzheimer’s Assoc. National
Capital Area Chapter, 3701
Pender Dr. #400. Fairfax,
VA 22030
MPk Firefighters
Respond to Blaze
On Monterey Pass
Monterey Park Fire
Department responded to
450 Monterey Pass Road in
the city for a reported structure fire on May 23.
Monterey Park fire units
were assisted by units from
Alhambra and Los Angeles
County fire departments.
First arriving units found
heavy fire involvement in a
front storage, gated yard of
the location and an attached
dwelling.
No injuries to civilian
or fire personnel were reported. Damage to the location and structure was estimated to be approximately
$25,000.
Chau Honors Local Business
Assemblymember Ed Chau (D-Monterey Park) presents
Sher C. Li with an award for her contributions to the 49th
Assembly District as both a business and community
leader during the California Small Business Day celebration held at the Sacramento Convention Center. Thomas Li and Sher C. Li founded Lee’s Collection, Inc. in
early 1998. Throughout the company’s history, Sher and
Thomas have been very active in the community. Benjamin Kwan Graduates
HOUSTON, TX (06/06/2013)-- Benjamin Kwan
of San Gabriel, Calif., graduated from Rice University on
May 11. Kwan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Kinesiology.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson delivered the
commencement address. Rice University President David
Leebron congratulated the graduates with a handshake as
they walked across the stage.
Summertime Here
Rosemead Lists
Community Events
Rosemead, CA – The City of Rosemead is welcoming summer by offering a variety of fun-in-the-sun activities to residents of all ages.
The Rosemead Aquatic Center and the Splash
Zone at Garvey Park open for summer on June 22nd.
Rosemead pools offer swim lessons for all ages and
ability levels, day and evening recreation swim, swim
team, water polo basics, and a number of classes. Swim
class registration begans at Rosemead Aquatic Center
on Saturday, June 8th.
Parks will be open for free afternoon recreation and
lunch for school aged youth. Shelters available for rent
for family picnics and barbecues and walking and jogging trails and fitness zones for those wanting to keep
in shape. “If you just want to relax or quietly read a
book, there is an abundance of open space and plenty of
shade at all Rosemead parks,” city press release states.
Summer events include the July 4th for a 5K, carnival, live entertainment, and fireworks at Rosemead
Park.
On August 2nd, families with gather at Rosemead
Park for a Summer Survival Camp-out. Zapopan Park
will feature this year’s National Night Out and Emergency Preparedness Fair on August 6, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Lastly, Garvey and Rosemead Parks will also host our
annual Rockin’ Rosemead Summer Concerts on Friday
nights from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.:
July 12, Sally Hansen Latin Band (Garvey Park)
July 19, Chico (Rosemead Park)
July 26, Eight Ball (Garvey Park)
August 2, Suave (Rosemead Park)
The city also offers youth and adult sports, preschool, senior programs and activities, and many special
interest classes. For more information, call Rosemead’s
Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 569-2160 or
visit the city website at www.cityofrosemead.org.
Continued from Page 1)
Before the study was
complete and presented to
the council, Diaz proposed
an initiative measure and
obtained nearly 5,000 signatures to qualify the measure for a special election.
The group supporting
the measure is identified
itself as a “Citizens Committee” and is funded by
$20,000 donation from the
firefighters union. They
have volunteers and paid
staff walking the streets to
convince voters to vote yes
on the measure.
In addition to yard
signs and banners, the
group has paid for television commercials on cable
television.
Opponents of the
measure are members of
the Concerned Citizens of
Monterey Park. They have
raised more than $15,000
through fundraisers. They
are placing yard signs and
banners, mailing brochures
and also knocking on doors
of voters.
Page 7
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you by editing and rewriting your letters, memos and reports. Call Dave
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Photography for your party, press conference and other special
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Will share executive office space, by day, week, month. Good
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Document, Shipping, Packing, Services
201 W. Garvey Ave., Ste. 1102
Monterey Park, CA
Tel (626) 280-8012 Fax (626) 280-8007
Mon-Fri 9-7; Sat 10-5
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OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
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Page 8
Monterey Park & West Valley Journal
Reading Rockets Team Wins National Award
Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library has been
awarded the Public Library Association’s (PLA) Innovations in
Literacy Award for its “Reading
Rockets” youth literacy program.
The library is one of only
eight public libraries in the nation to receive this honor, which
recognizes unique and inventive
literacy programs that have a significant and measurable impact on
the community the library serves.
Reading Rockets was formed
by combining the library’s LAMP
Literacy and Project NEO (a nonprofit organization) resources to
provide free one-on-one tutoring
to children in 2nd through 6th
grades to strengthen vital literacy
skills and build confident readers.
“This national award exemplifies the positive and lasting impact our library makes in the City
of Monterey Park,” said Norma
Arvizu, Monterey Park City Librarian.
As part of the Innovations in
Literacy Award, Reading Rockets
coordinator and Senior Library
Clerk, Diana Garcia, will be
awarded $1,000 for registration
and travel to the Public Library
June 15, 2013
Reading Rockets
Free Tutoring for Children
in 2nd through 6th Grade
Children entering 2nd through 6th grade are
eligible for FREE TUTORING at the Monterey Park
Bruggemeyer Library to help students strengthen
their reading skills during the summer.
Tutoring sessions will take place July 1 through
READING ROCKETS TEAM Diana Garcia, Librarian; Mary
Wong head of Project Neo, and Monterey Park City Librarian
Norma Arvizu celebrated a national award received by the
Reading Rockets Project. - Photo by Margie Ramirez
MP Chamber Sets
Luncheon June 19
Association’s 2014 Conference
in Indianapolis, March 11–15,
2014.
She will represent the
Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library. Garcia was instrumental
in the planning and execution of
the Reading Rockets program and
was the author of the article submitted to the Public Library Association contest on behalf of the
library.
August 8, 2013 from 1:00- 3:00 PM on either
Tuesdays & Thursdays OR Mondays & Wednesdays.
Participants must be able to commit to attending ALL sessions.
Parents can register at the Children’s Desk.
For more information about this program, call Diana Garcia at
(626) 307-1358.
Monterey Park Chamber
of Commerce monthly B2B
Luncheon on Wednesday, June
19, at 11:30 a.m. will feature Dr. Kerrie Pratt, an expert on the digestive process.
For reservations contact the
Chamber Office to at 626-5709429.
318 South Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754
http://ci.monterey-park.ca.us/Library ◊ 626.307.1358
News 24-7
www.sgvjournal.com
It’s Your Choice
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quite simply the best at what
they do.”
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Carol Tanita
SGV Council - Mission Amigos
District Finance Chair
Serving Our Community Since 1982
55 South Raymond Ave, Suite 100 Alhambra, CA 91801
CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
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SGVC Boy Scouts of America
Distinguished Citizens 2009
2011 Rotary
International Award
2011 Small Business
of the Year Award
2011 Heart of the
Community Award