Patt Morrison for Monday, May 3, 2010

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Monday, May 3, 2010

1-3 p.m.

 

CALL-IN @ 866-893-5722, 866-893-KPCC; OR JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE ON THE PATT MORRISON BLOG AT KPCC-DOT-ORG

 

 

1:06 – 1:30

OPEN

 

 

1:30 - 1:58:30

Restructuring Fremont High, Part II: The Teachers

Patt continues her series looking at the restructuring of Fremont High.  In December 2009, LAUSD superintendent Ramon Cortines invited all staff, with the exception of a newly appointed principal, to reapply for their jobs at the school—one of the lowest performing in the district, with less than 2% of its students testing proficiently in math last year.  The decision is part of a process known as “restructuring,” an aggressive plan under the No Child Left Behind Act that allows districts to reconstitute a chronically underperforming school by hiring back no more than 50% of the current staff.  District officials see it as the best remedy for a school culture grown complacent with underachievement.  While not technically “fired,” teachers were outraged and felt they had no input in the decision—about 60% of Fremont’s teachers reapplied for their jobs by the March deadline.  Today Patt picks up where she left off last week with local district 7 superintendent Ramon Cortines to hear the experiences of some of the teachers at the school.

 

Guests:

Harold Gramajo, Fremont teacher in Economics for five years at Fremont High; he is also the soccer coach and volunteers to teach a computer class to Fremont parents. He chose to reapply for his position.

CALL HIM @

-         both agrees and disagrees with the restructuring

-         Fremont needs change. But they need to not blame the teachers

-         Has been very involved in the Small Learning Communities --API scores have gone up since then

-         Works closely with the parents, who he says are very confused about what is happening there

-         Built up his SLC community, now kids don’t know what to think.

-         Talk about the partnership with Humanitas  - was at soccer practice

 

Matt Taylor, elected UTLA regional area chair; he’s been an English teacher at Fremont for 25 years. He chose not to reapply for his position.

CALL HIM @

 

- Taylor claims UTLA is officially against the restructuring process

- UTLA supports the “Committee to Save Fremont” group started by Fremont teachers, but they aren’t leading the efforts

- Claims McKenna has not had a single meeting with Fremont parents OR Fremont students.

 

Joel Vodka, calculus teacher and AP coordinator at Fremont; he chose not to reapply for his position

CALL HIM @

- Been at Fremont for 10 years

- Taught at regular Fremont and magnet Fremont

- Did not reapply to Fremont because he believes “we need real reform”

 

 

2:06 – 2:30

Getting smarter in the fight against terrorism

From truck bombs to shoe bombs to underwear bombs, terrorists have never shown a lack of ingenuity in plying their deadly trade.  The profile of a terrorist, and even the kind of attack that can be classified as terrorism, is a constantly moving target that continues to keep law enforcement, policy makers and the military on their toes.  But even nine years after 9/11, the millions of hours and billions of dollars thrown into combating terrorism, there still seems to be a lack of intelligence—and the practical application of that intelligence—to stop terror attacks.  One must look no further than the failures of airport security in the attempted Christmas Day underwear bombing for examples of unlearned lessons in the fight against terrorism.  Moreover, there are future lurking dangers like cyberterrorism and the very real possibility of a terror attack using a weapon of mass destruction.  Are we ready for the next 9/11?

 

Guests:

Wesley Clark, retired General, U.S. Army; former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO

IN STUDIO

 

Erroll Southers, Associate Director of the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California

IN STUDIO

 

 

2:30 – 2:58:30

The price of black gold—who will pay for the Gulf of Mexico spill?

Ominous oil is spreading in the Gulf of Mexico and befouling wildlife and habitat and crippling the local fishing industry, who is to blame? BP’s shares are down but Transocean, the company that owned and operated the rig is also to blame - right? Or is Cameron International responsible because they manufactured the blowout preventer? Many say that this oil spill could be much larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. In 1994 the industry adopted voluntary standards – 16 years and thousands of spilled barrels of oil later what can be done make sure this doesn’t happen again and who is gonna pay for this mess?

 

Guest:

UNCONFIRMED

James Opaluch, professor of natural-resource economics at the University of Rhode Island

 

Geoff Parker, director of the Tulane Energy Institute; professor of economic sciences at the Tulane University School of Business

• The Tulane Energy Institute is funded, in part, by various aspects of the petroleum industry.

 

Michael Ziccardi, associate professor of clinical wildlife health at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; Director of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network

CALL HIM:

• His organization was formed in the 1990’s as a result of the Exxon Valdeez spill; he’s a specialist on the effects of petroleum on marine birds and mammals.
• He’s on the Gulf Coast right now organizing the animal rescue and clean-up operation.

 

 

 

Jonathan Serviss

Producer, Patt Morrison Program

Southern California Public Radio

NPR Affiliate for Los Angeles

89.3 KPCC-FM | 89.1 KUOR-FM | 90.3 KPCV-FM

626.583.5171, office

415.497.2131, mobile

jserviss@kpcc.org / jserviss@scpr.org

www.scpr.org

 

LA County Flood Control District -- Reacts to Court Ruling on Water Quality

Los Angeles County Flood Control District – Press Release

 

Don't Blame the Drain, Says Court Ruling

Federal Court judge rules in favor of the County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Flood Control District on key elements of landmark water quality lawsuit.

 ALHAMBRA, Calif.—In a decision with long-term implications for water quality regulators throughout the state, a federal court judge ruled this week that the drainage system managed by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District is not directly responsible for diminished water quality in the Santa Clara, Los Angeles, San Gabriel rivers and Malibu Creek. According to the April 26 ruling by Judge A. Howard Matz of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, "...[The Natural Resources Defense Council and Santa Monica Baykeeper] have failed to establish a basis for the Court to find that standards-exceeding pollutants passed through County or District outflows upstream of the mass emissions stations..."

Mark Pestrella, a Flood Control District official and deputy director for the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, said he was very pleased with the court's ruling.

"The judge's decision affirms a principle long held by Flood Control District officials: that a scientific approach is needed to improve the condition of local waterways and that protecting the water quality of the region is a responsibility shared by our residents and the 84 local municipalities within the Los Angeles Basin," he said.

The Flood Control District manages a world-class system of dams, channels and storm drains to protect the Los Angeles Basin from regional flooding and conserve rainwater. The Flood Control District, in conjunction with the cities within its boundaries, has invested heavily in clean water technologies and in District facilities to help cities and communities improve the quality of the water they contribute to the District's regional backbone flood protection system—diverting flows to sewage treatment facilities during summer months, installing filters on District catch basins, and constructing treatment wetlands to remove pollutants.

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ANTONOVICH GOING TO WASHINGTON TO MEET ON REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION & ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

 

 

 

       

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy Office:     (213) 974-5555  Cell: (213) 215-5176 E-mail:     tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

   April 30, 2010                                                                                                     For Immediate Release

 

ANTONOVICH GOING TO WASHINGTON D.C. TO MEET WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS ON REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION & ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will be in Washington D.C. next week to advocate for a newly revised 30/10 initiative to accelerate regional highways, transit projects, and public-private partnerships funded by Measure R.

 

Last Thursday, an amendment by Supervisors Antonovich and Ridley-Thomas was unanimously approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors adding highway construction and improvements, and regional transportation solutions to the 30/10 plan.  According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, Measure R highway projects will generate 341,500 jobs, $46.3 billion in economic output and $15.1 billion in earnings.

 

Antonovich will also push for measures to reduce the devastating impact of illegal immigration on local government including the adoption of a bonded-guest-worker program, cooperative medical clinics, and electronic identification verification.

 

The annual cost of illegal immigration to Los Angeles County taxpayers exceeds a $1.5 billion, which includes between $350 and $500 million for public safety, $500 million for healthcare, and $550 million in welfare and food stamp allocations.  Roughly 25% of Los Angeles County’s jail population is illegal, and 24% percent of the County’s total allotment of welfare and food stamp benefits goes directly to the U.S.-born children of illegal aliens.

 

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ANTONOVICH WELCOMES CHINESE ELECTRIC AUTOMAKER BYD TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY

 

 

 

       

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy Office:     (213) 974-5555  Cell: (213) 215-5176 E-mail:     tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

         April 30, 2010                                                                                   For Immediate Release

 

ANTONOVICH WELCOMES CHINESE ELECTRIC AUTOMAKER BYD TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY

  

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – BYD Company Limited, one of China’s fastest growing auto manufacturers, today announced it will establish the U.S. headquarters of three separate operating divisions in Los Angeles County, which has the potential to create up to 2,000 jobs for over the next three years.

 

Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, his wife Christine Hu, and Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Bill Allen met with BYD’s leadership multiple times in the U.S. and in China over the last two year to solicit their commitment to choose Los Angeles County as their gateway to the North American market.

 

LAEDC’s subsidiary corporation, the World Trade Center Association Center Association, Los Angeles-Long Beach, also led a delegation of local experts to visit BYD’s China headquarters as part of their attraction efforts. WTCA President Vance Baugham has managed the attraction project for the past 18 months.

 

(Pictured from left to right: Vance Baugham, President, World Trade Center Association Los Angeles—Long Beach; Christine Hu, wife of Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich; Bill Allen, President and CEO, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation; Wang Chuanfu, Chairman, BYD; and Stella Lee, BYD)

 

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Parole Office in Lancaster vandalized/criminal threats

Classification:	422 P.C./Criminal Threats	Incident Date:	02/14/2010
Author / Date / Time:	Det. Gillis/LAN OSS, 04/30/10, 1100hrs.	Incident Time:	Unknown

Incident Location:	43645 Pioneer Court, Lancaster (California Dept of Corrections Parole Office)
C/P Location:	N/A

Victim(s):	L.A. County Sheriff’s Department	Suspect(s):	Unknown
	California Dept. of Corrections

 

Incident Location:	43645 Pioneer Court, Lancaster (California Dept of Corrections Parole Office)
C/P Location:	N/A

Victim(s):	L.A. County Sheriff’s Department	Suspect(s):	Unknown
	California Dept. of Corrections

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Incident Location:	43645 Pioneer Court, Lancaster (California Dept of Corrections Parole Office)
C/P Location:	N/A

	Victim(s):		L.A. County Sheriff’s Department	Suspect(s):		Unknown
			California Dept. of Corrections
Victim(s):		L.A. County Sheriff’s Department			Suspect(s):		Unknown
		California Dept. of Corrections

Narrative:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	For Additional Information Contact:
Name	Phone	E-Mail Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the graffiti threats occurred, the handling investigator has received several anonymous tips.  One “person of interest” has been detained, but investigators are seeking additional help from the public.  A $10,000 dollar reward has been offered to the person who provides information, which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for making the threats.  The reward was sought and received by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich from the 5^th District, which represents the Antelope Valley area. 

 

Based on the fact that the California Penal Code Section 187 defines the act of murder, the agencies involved in this case are taking the matter very seriously.   

 

The Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Operation Safe Streets Bureau Gang Unit is handling the investigation, and is seeking the public’s help.  If you have any information that would be helpful or would assist with the apprehension of those responsible, please contact Detective Robert Gillis at 310-409-7007 or 661-940-3893.

 

 

Mehserle Advisory re seating

Los Angeles Superior Court Los Angeles County www.lasuperiorcourt.org Contact: Public Information Office 213-974-5227 Public Information Officer: Allan Parachini

    MEDIA        

ADVISORY

 

NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST

 

CORRECTION *** CORRECTION***CORRECTION

TRIAL DATE CORRECTED

 

April 30, 2010

 

Alameda County Superior Court Case #161210

 

People v. Johannes Mehserle

 

media seating for all future proceedings

bay area media organizations please take note

 

         This matter is calendared for a hearing on pre-trial motions on Friday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. and calendared for trial beginning with jury selection on Tuesday, June 1 at 8:30 and, tentatively, Monday, June 14 for opening statements and trial.  The case remains assigned to Department 104, Room 309, 9^th floor, of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W. Temple St., Los Angeles 90012. Media seating for jury selection may be more limited.

          Media outlets that wish to secure courtroom seating for all remaining proceedings in this matter, including the May 7 hearing and the trial, should call the Public Information Office beginning Monday, May 3, at 10 a.m. and concluding Tuesday, May 4 at 3 p.m. Seating reservations will not be accepted before or after these times.

         Judge Robert Perry, presiding, has indicated that, at this time, he does not intend to permit video or audio coverage of future proceedings. Media outlets that wish to submit requests anyway should do so as quickly as possible. They can be submitted by faxing to 213 621-7642. Please be advised that photography of any kind inside the courtroom or any public areas of the courthouse is strictly forbidden. Please contact the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Public Information Office if  you have questions. If you intend to cover the trial on an ongoing basis and have not yet contacted the Public Information Office immediately.

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Evacuation Exercises in Topanga Canyon on Saturday

 

May Is Mental Health Month

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Department of Mental Health

550 S. Vermont Avenue

Los Angeles, California 90020

Marvin J. Southard, D.S.W., Director

 

William T Fujioka Chief Executive Officer

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

	CONTACT: Kathleen Piché, LCSW (213) 738-4041 kpiche@dmh.lacounty.gov

 

 

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

OBSERVES “MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH”

 

Los Angeles (Friday, April 30, 2010)— The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) commemorates 50 years of community service with a full schedule of activities for “May Is Mental Health Awareness Month.” 

 

LACDMH Director Marvin Southard, D.S.W. stated, “Our department works in partnership with clients, families and other agencies to nurture hope, promote wellness, and support recovery of those diagnosed with mental illness.  Throughout May, we hope to reach out to Los Angeles communities to spread the word that persons diagnosed with mental illnesses can live independent and productive lives.” 

 

More information about the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and its programs, including “May Is Mental Health Month,” may be found at http://dmh.lacounty.gov/.

 

May 6             LACDMH “May Is Mental Health Awareness Month” Fair

9:30 a.m. to     Information Booths at the Hall of Administration

1:00 p.m.         Downtown Los Angeles, Civic Mall

                        For more information: Vicki Pierce, (213) 381-8135

 

May 13                       Community Partnering for Mental Health Wellness & Recovery

12 noon to       Arcadia County Park, Arcadia, CA

4 p.m.              For more information: Lonna A. Bennett, LCSW (626) 471-6534

 

May 15                       Northeast Peace March & Resource Fair

10 a.m.            Northeast Wellness Center and Northeast Mental Health Center

                        For more information: Laura Span, MA, LMFT (323) 478-8200

 

May 20                       “Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present, Transforming the

8 a.m. to          Future: 50 Years of Community Service with LACDMH.”

12 noon           The California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities, featuring District 2 Supervisor Michael Antonovich, U.S. Vets Steve Peck, wife of Army Major General Carol Graham, Joel Braslow, M.D., UCLA, and actress Mariette Hartley.

                        For more information:  Kathleen Piche, PIO (213) 738-4041

                       

1 p.m. to          Mental Health Commission Awards Presentations Luncheon

5 p.m.              The California Endowment Center for Healthy Communities

                        For more information:  Terry Lewis-Nwachie (213) 738-4772

 

May 20                           “A Celebration of 50 Years”

8:30 a.m. to     Antelope Valley Mental Health Center

11:45 a.m.       Booths, brochures, free gift basket drawing. 

                       

12 noon to       Luncheon plus LACDMH’s 50 Year History

3 p.m.              For more information:  Brenda Coon, MSW (661) 723-4260

 

May 21                       Partnership for Mental Health: Conference on Academic-Public

8:15 a.m. to     Collaborations for Research on Mental Health Recovery & Wellness

                        UCLA Covel Commons Conference Area (Invitees & Press Only)

                        For more information:  Kumar Menon (213) 639-6758

 

May 22                       Healthy Mind/Healthy Body Wellness Event

11 a.m. to        Recreation Park Band Shell, Long Beach

2 p.m.              For more information:  Patti LaPlace (562) 216-1966

 

May 22                       Breaking Emotional Barriers Through Theater, Dance & Music

9:30 a.m. to     Bethel Reform Church, Bellflower

                        (Partially sponsored by the Latino Behavioral Health Institute &

                        organized by LACDMH)

                        For more information:    Teresa Celada (714) 234-8510

                                                            Maria Morales (323) 777-6844

 

May 26                       Wellness Fair

9 a.m. to          LACDMH Parking Lot, 550 Vermont, LA

3 p.m.              For more information:  Farhad Akbari (213) 738-4294

 

May 27                       Celebrating Hope, Wellness & Recovery

12 noon           Hosted by Antelope Valley Wellness & Enrichment Center

                        Lancaster City Park, Lancaster (Free)

                        For more information or RSVP: Daryl Riley or Brett Hooper

                                                                        (661) 974-8400

 

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is the largest county operated mental health department in the United States, directly operating 75 program sites and more than 100 co-located sites.  It contracts with approximately 1,000 agencies and individual practitioners to provide a spectrum of mental health services to more than 250,000 residents of all ages each year.  The Department’s mission -- enriching lives through partnership to strengthen our community’s capacity to support recovery and resiliency – is accomplished by working with stakeholders and community partners to provide clinically competent, culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate mental health services to clients in the least restrictive manner possible. 

 

For more information about the Department, please contact Kathleen Piche, Public Information Officer at (212) 738-4041.

 

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