Monday, June 29, 2009

Good News: Hawaiian Gardens City Council donates funds to keep Summer School open in community! W2G!

Official seal of City of Hawaiian Gardens, Cal...Image via Wikipedia

This a great news for the Hawaiian Gardens community. I want to thank Cerritos resident Jason Amansec for passing this tid-bit along, and congratulations to the City of Hawaiian Gardens, and it's City Council for helping out the children this Summer, and thanks to the LA Times for a "POSITIVE" article about The Gardens! Peace!
Randy Economy

"Hi Randy,

I came across some positive news in the community that you can share on your blog: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/06/summer-school-is-back-on-track-in-hawaiian-gardens.html

The Hawaiian Gardens City Council should be commended for picking up the tab on the costs of providing summer school for the kids, after ABC had deep cutbacks due to the state deficit.
Thanks,
Jason Amansec
Fellow Cerritos resident



SUMMER SCHOOL IS BACK ON TRACK
IN HAWAIIAN GARDENS!
Published in the Los Angeles Times
1:51 PM June 24, 2009
Summer school, which was eliminated in Hawaiian Gardens because of state budget cuts facing the ABC Unified School District, is back on schedule for elementary students after the City Council agreed to pick up the tab.

The council voted 4 to 0 on Tuesday to spend nearly $120,000 in general funds to provide four weeks of instruction and breakfast for 640 students at the city’s four elementary schools.

“The city of Hawaiian Gardens believes in the importance of education,” Mayor Michael Gomez said in a written statement. “It was important that we find the [money] to ensure that elementary school children in our city have access to a comprehensive summer learning program.”

Parents will be notified by automated phone calls on how to enroll their children, or can call the district at (562) 926-5566.

ABC Unified, along with districts across the state, including Los Angeles Unified, eliminated summer school after learning that more state funding cuts were imminent. ABC had cut $20 million in spending in the coming school year, and learned that it would need to trim an additional $3.2 million. Parents across the state are scrambling to find summer placements for their children.
-- Seema Mehta

BMW Crashes into House on 195th Street. Amazing...no one was hurt.

Bayerische Motoren Werke AGImage via Wikipedia

Photo from KTLA-TV.

This is an incredible story. Check it out. It appeared on several local news channels on Friday and Saturday...and throughout the Cerritos Blogsphere. Scary accident happened over on 195th Street here in Cerritos last Thursday night. Car flies into house...CRRRASSSSHHH. An investigation is underway from the LA County Sheriff's Department here in Cerritos.
The accident happened about 2 a.m. in the 12000 block of W. 195 Street. A BMW crashed into the front bedroom of the home, but no one was in the bedroom at the time, said Lt. Richard Harpham of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

One woman was in the house at the time of the crash, but she was sleeping in a bedroom at the back of the home. The home was badly damaged, but the situation could have been much worse. She told local reporters that her grandson sometimes sleeps over in that front bedroom.

The driver was initially detained by police, but no charges were filed, Harpham said. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, but the driver may be cited for speeding. Duh.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Remembering Michael Jackson: He Helped Heal the World from Hunger, and for that we are a better Mankind

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson via last.fm

Tonight, the Black Entertainment Television Awards paid tribute to the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, the artist.

I wanted to take a moment to remember Michael Jackson, the Humanitarian. No other celebrity in the history of mankind has contributed more money to social causes, according to the Guniess Book of World Records.

Regardless of how he died, or how he lived his private life, I hope that we can celebrate his commitment in trying to make the world a better place for all of us the live.

I want to share this hallmark song from Michael, "Heal the World."

Listen to the words, (see below) and let's each continue to make our World a Better Place...and let's turn our words into POSITIVE Action.
RIP MJ! Randy Economy

HEAL THE WORLD...

Think about the generations and to say we want to make it a better
world for our children and our children's children. So that they know it's a better world for them; and think if they can make it a better place.

HEAL THE WORLD, By Michael Jackon
There's a place in your heart
And I know that it is love
And this place could be much
Brighter than tomorrow.
And if you really try
You'll find there's no need to cry
In this place you'll feel
There's no hurt or sorrow.
There are ways to get there
If you care enough for the living
Make a little space, make a better place.

Chorus:
Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for
You and for me.

If you want to know why
There's a love that cannot lie
Love is strong
It only cares for joyful giving.
If we try we shall see
In this bliss we cannot feel
Fear or dread
We stop existing and start living
Then it feels that always
Love's enough for us growing
Make a better world, make a better world.

Chorus:
Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race.
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for
You and for me.

Bridge:
And the dream we would conceived in
Will reveal a joyful face
And the world we once believed in
Will shine again in grace
Then why do we keep strangling life
Wound this earth, crucify it's soul
Though it's plain to see, this world is heavenly
Be God's glow.

We could fly so high
Let our spirits never die
In my heart I feel
You are all my brothers
Create a world with no fear
Together we'll cry happy tears
See the nations turn
Their swords into plowshares
We could really get there
If you cared enough for the living
Make a little space to make a better place.

Chorus:
Heal the world
Make it a better place
For you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make a better place for
You and for me.
There are people dying if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me.
There are people dying if you care enough for the living
Make a better place for you and for me.

You and for me / Make a better place
You and for me / Make a better place
You and for me / Make a better place
You and for me / Heal the world we live in
You and for me / Save it for our children
You and for me / Heal the world we live in
You and for me / Save it for our children
You and for me / Heal the world we live in
You and for me / Save it for our children
You and for me / Heal the world we live in
You and for me / Save it for our children

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Play Ball! An All American Night of Fun with the Los Angeles Dodgers! My 1,000th Blog Post...Thanks for your readership!





Note: This is MY 1,000th Blog Post...seems hard to believe...next....my 1 Millionth Reader, coming later this year. Thanks for your kindness! RrE

I had a total blast tonight with thousands of other good, loyal True Blue Los Angeles Dodger fans.

I went to the game between the LA Dodgers and Seattle Mariners tonight and sat in great Right Field Seats with my great friends Matthew Avila and Martin Garnier (seen) here in the bottom photo.

We ate at least a dozen and a half Dodger Dogs between us three. Anyway, the Dodger's lost tonight, but tonight it was about fun, and friends, funky fans all bleeding Dodger Blue.
Randy Economy Photos

Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson: You Are Not Alone tonight. RIP

Luto PopImage by Meet The Chumbeques via Flickr

Tonight, Los Angeles, and the World mourn the loss of the King oF Pop Michael Jackson, who passed from this Earth today at age 50.

I was about the same age as MJ and can remember the first time I heard him sing, when I was attending 2nd Grade at Carmenita Elementary School here on the Eastside of Cerritos, California.

I met Michael Jackson at the height of his popularity in the 1980's when I worked in the cable television industry at one of the very first MTV Music Awards in Universal City. What a thrill it was that night, and tonight I wanted to share a couple of my all time favorite songs!

You Are Not Alone, Micheal.
RIP

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Letters: Santa Fe Springs location needs to be held accountable once and for all

Official seal of City of Santa Fe Springs, Cal...Image via Wikipedia

Letters: I wanted to thank the person who sent me this note tonight, and they asked that I withold their name, and I will honor that request. If you want your opinion to be heard here on the Blog, drop me a note to RREconomy@AOL.COM. BTW, well said to this letter....!
Randy Economy

Randy,

As a former employee of the City of Santa Fe Springs the recent news that hit Cerritos should a bit familiar. In 2004 I had to canvas the City of Santa Fe Springs and walk door to door telling its resident not to drink the water because it was contaminated. Now the news I'm hearing is a company in Santa Fe Springs is responsible.

Posting these sensational news stories with out dated information from 2002 isn't helping the city or the value of your home. The City of Cerritos needs to do everything in its power to get front page headlines and air time when the EPA retracts this info, a retest is done, or the 2005 study tells us something different. What we need to know is how many tests were done, what formula was used when compiling this data, and more importantly how many retests were done.

Then there is the bigger question, how come we're just getting the data from a 2002 study? When a 2005 study is only a few months away. Is the 2002 team that much more efficient than the 2005 team? I'd be willing to bet that these same government bureaucrats couldn't duplicate the results that just rocked Cerritos and you that as well.

Name Held Upon Request
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Breaking News: City of Cerritos Issues Statement Regarding EPA Findings. Residents urged to attend City Council Meeting TONIGHT at 7 p.m.

Seen:
Suspected Toxic Site in Santa Fe Springs, California.
Randy Economy Photo

Here is more Breaking News regarding the EPA Findings about the City of Cerritos. This was issued this afternoon by the City of Cerritos. I want to urge all residents to attend tonight's meeting.
Randy Economy
City of Cerritos investigating EPA findings

From the City of Cerritos, CA:
The City of Cerritos is investigating the Environmental Protection Agency National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment report that indicates a Cerritos neighborhood has the greatest national potential risk for cancer caused by pollution.

The issue will be discussed at the City Council meeting to be held at 7 p.m. on June 25 in the Cerritos City Council Chambers. The meeting will be cablecast live on Cerritos TV3 and streamed over the City’s website.

According to EPA officials, the source of the pollution is a company based in Santa Fe Springs. The affected area is limited to a small area in the northeastern section of the City.

Sam Atwood with the South Coast Air Quality Management District said, “At this point we don’t see any indication that the cancer risk and air pollution would be any higher in the City of Cerritos than in the surrounding areas.”

The City was not informed in advance about the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment.

The City will take every possible action to investigate the issue and ensure the safety of the community.

The City of Cerritos constantly works to protect the environment. The City’s environmentally progressive programs are outlined below.

Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station at the Corporate Yard: The City constructed a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station at the Corporate Yard in 2007.

Compressed Natural Gas Trucks: The City has purchased three fleet vehicles through Clean Air Grants and is awaiting a contract to receive a $25,000 Clean Air Grant to purchase a new boom truck for tree trimming and traffic signal repair.

Compressed Natural Gas Street Sweepers: All vehicles used by the City’s Street Sweeping contractor are CNG powered.

CalMet Trucks Powered by Compressed Natural Gas: The City’s trash hauler CalMet is operating only CNG or other alternative fuel refuse collection vehicles in Cerritos.

COW Buses Run on Propane: All City buses under the COW program are propane dedicated vehicles.

Recycled Water: Each year, the City conserves approximately 815 million gallons of potable drinking water through the Cerritos Recycled Water Distribution System.

Electric Utility: The Magnolia Power Project is recognized as one of the cleanest producers of electricity anywhere. The City receives 10 mega-watts from the facility, which is enough power to provide energy for at least 2,000 average homes. The facility replaces two older power plants in Burbank. The new plant is twice as efficient and produces 90% less emissions than the old plants.

Tree City USA: In February 2009, the City of Cerritos was named Tree City USA for the eleventh consecutive year. The award is given by the United States Department of Forestry and the Arbor Day Foundation to cities who practice proper tree maintenance and preservation techniques, and for outstanding community forestry programs. In Cerritos, nearly every home has a City tree planted in its parkway and approximately 250 young trees are planted each year to replace those that are damaged or aged.

Cerritos Forestation Project: The City has received a $100,000 Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Grant to provide funding to plant 900 trees throughout Cerritos.

Streets Paved with Rubberized Asphalt Made From Used Tires: Several of the City’s arterial streets were paved with rubberized asphalt made partially from used tires mixed into the asphalt. Artesia Boulevard, South Street, Bloomfield Avenue, Studebaker Road, Carmenita Road and Marquardt Avenue were all paved using the method, diverting literally tens of thousands of used tires from landfills.

Walking Tracks Made From Used Tires: Two rubberized walking/running tracks at CPE and Liberty Parks are made partially from recycled tires. It is estimated that nearly 6,000 used tires were used to make these two tracks.

Solid Waste Recycling Program: New diversion rates in Cerritos exceed the State’s mandated 50% diversion requirement. In fact, residential diversion numbers in the City are now running at about 62%.

Traffic Signal LED Lamp Replacement Program: The City recently completed a program to change out all of the traffic signal lamps with LED lamps, which save at least 60% in energy.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

MSNBC: Cerritos Ranks First For Cancer Risk, residents may want to rethink thier "locale"

Official seal of City of Cerritos, CaliforniaImage via Wikipedia

By Olsen Ebright
NBCLosAngeles.com
updated 12:48 p.m. PT, Wed., June 24, 2009
Residents in Cerritos may want to rethink their current locale.

The city's 53,240 residents face the greatest risk of developing cancer from breathing toxic air, according to a new report released Wednesday.

The study, the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, is used by the Environmental Protection Agency to identify areas where residents could face the greatest health threats from air pollution, USA Today reported:

Almost 2.2 million people lived in neighborhoods where pollution raised the risk of developing cancer to levels the government generally considers to be unacceptable. There, toxic chemicals were significant enough that people who breathed the air throughout their lives faced an extra 100-in-1 million risk of getting cancer.

Many of those people -- about 847,000 -- lived in New York City. The worst single neighborhood lay between two freeways in Cerritos, Calif., outside Los Angeles. There, the EPA estimated an excess cancer risk of more than 1,200 in 1 million, 34 times the national average.

Three of California counties are in the nation's top 50: Orange County ranks 14th, Los Angeles County ranks 16th, and San Francisco County ranks 31st.

The EPA considered air pollutants from local industries, cars and trucks, as well other background pollutants from a variety of sources. The study is based on 2002 emissions, the most recent compilation.

And just to be fair, it's not all bad news from the fine city of Cerritos. Here are some highlights from the 2009 State of the City:

- Cerritos Library's Children's Area was named the Best Library for Children by "Los Angeles" magazine in the Best of LA issue - Vintage Cerritos affordable senior housing project recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors - The city's float in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade won the Grand Marshal’s Trophy - Cerritos Sculpture Garden received the Southern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award
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USA TODAY: More EPA Coverage on Cerritos Toxic Ranking

I wanted to give a shout out to Cerritos Resident Emil Ali who found this in USA Today in Washington, DC.  Emil is currently living on the East Coast, and he wanted me to share this with all of us here in Cerritos.
Randy Economy

By Brad Heath and Blake Morrison, USA TODAY

The government's latest snapshot of air pollution across the nation shows residents of New York, Oregon and California faced the highest risk of developing cancer from breathing toxic chemicals. The results, compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency, represent the most sweeping analysis to date of the state of the nation's air. The analysis is based on emissions from 2002, the latest year for which the EPA had detailed estimates of pollution from across the nation.

Called the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, or NATA, the study is used by the EPA to identify parts of the country where residents could face the greatest health threats from air pollution.

The assessment found air pollution generally presented high health risks around major cities such as New York and Los Angeles — although some of the counties where the air was even worse were in rural areas of Mississippi and Kentucky.

Almost 2.2 million people lived in neighborhoods where pollution raised the risk of developing cancer to levels the government generally considers to be unacceptable. There, toxic chemicals were significant enough that people who breathed the air throughout their lives faced an extra 100-in-1 million risk of getting cancer.

Many of those people — about 847,000 — lived in New York City. The worst single neighborhood lay between two freeways in Cerritos, Calif., outside Los Angeles. There, the EPA estimated an excess cancer risk of more than 1,200 in 1 million, 34 times the national average.

Pollution threats are still less pronounced than risks such as smoking, says John Walke, clean air director for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Even so, the assessment "shows we have a problem we should expect government to solve by reducing toxic air pollution, because it makes a lot of people sick."
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Eyewitness News: Cerritos California Most Toxic City In America.






Note: This is from Eyewitness Eyes tonight from ABC Television here in Los Angeles, and covers the Breaking News out of Washington, DC about Cerritos, California being named as "America's Most Toxic City." I am still stunned about this story, and it has become the talk of the town. What do you think? Randy Economy

CERRITOS, Calif. (KABC) -- The government's latest report on cancer risks from air pollution is out, and the news is not good for residents of L.A. County.

L.A. County has been ranked number 1 in the country when it comes to cancer risk due to breathing toxic air. Vehicle emissions are a major contributor when it comes to ranking Southern California's air quality.
"It's real smoggy, you don't get to breathe. A lot of trees, but no breeze," said Cerritos resident Tina Thomas.

In Cerritos, the problem is especially bad. The Environmental Protection Agency said the pocket of L.A. County where the 5, 605 and the 91 meet elevates the cancer risk 34 times what it is for the rest of the U.S. "You can see it in the air most of the time, and a lot of people have trouble breathing," Doty Guzman said. She said she and her husband George have noticed the worsening air quality during their daily rounds of golf.
Some players at the Iron-Wood Nine Golf Course keep tee time early to avoid problems with pollutants. "I find my eyes sometimes getting all messed up because of it. It's been a problem for a long time," said Logan Ruru. Orange County is sixth on the EPA's list of areas worst rated air.
The EPA lists vehicle emissions as one of the top pollutants contributing to the problem, and many Southern Californians don't know if locals can give up their habit of driving solo. "Because we're snobby and selfish, it's just the way it is, everyone likes their own personal space," said resident Virginia Rigali.

NBC NEWS: Residents in Cerritos MAY want to Rethink their current locale.

I don't care what anyone says, I love Cerritos, CA, and everyone needs to live here to understand about the magic of our community.
The feeding frenzy continues.
Randy Economy
NBC NEWS: Residents in Cerritos may want to rethink their current locale.
Study: Cerritos Has Toxic Air Problem

The city's 53,240 residents face the greatest risk of developing cancer from breathing toxic air, according to a new report released Wednesday.

The study, the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, is used by the Environmental Protection Agency to identify areas where residents could face the greatest health threats from air pollution, USA Today reported:

Almost 2.2 million people lived in neighborhoods where pollution raised the risk of developing cancer to levels the government generally considers to be unacceptable. There, toxic chemicals were significant enough that people who breathed the air throughout their lives faced an extra 100-in-1 million risk of getting cancer.

Many of those people -- about 847,000 -- lived in New York City. The worst single neighborhood lay between two freeways in Cerritos, Calif., outside Los Angeles. There, the EPA estimated an excess cancer risk of more than 1,200 in 1 million, 34 times the national average.

Three of California counties are in the nation's top 50: Orange County ranks 14th, Los Angeles County ranks 16th, and San Francisco County ranks 31st.

The EPA considered air pollutants from local industries, cars and trucks, as well other background pollutants from a variety of sources. The study is based on 2002 emissions, the most recent compilation.

The agency's results are based on an assumption that people would be exposed to the specific concentration of pollutants over 70 years. The pollutants would pose an excess cancer risk beyond the cases that would normally occur in an unexposed population.

And just to be fair, it's not all bad news from the fine city of Cerritos. Here are some highlights from the 2009 State of the City:

•Cerritos Library's Children's Area was named the Best Library for Children by "Los Angeles" magazine in the Best of LA issue.
•Vintage Cerritos affordable senior housing project recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
•The city's float in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade won the Grand Marshal’s Trophy.
•Cerritos Sculpture Garden received the Southern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award.
Copyright City News Service / NBC Los Angeles
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HOLY SMOKE: According to EPA, Cerritos California has AMERICA'S WORST AIR QUALITY. Wait a minute? How can this be?

View more news videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video.

.
I got many notes today about this national news story, that is also on every major news network. I wanted to share two of these notes. More to follow. Lot's more. What if the EPA is wrong? These two notes are from Cerritos Residents Gordon Hom and Jason Amansec. Thanks, Gordon and Jason!

Dear Randy: Cerritos scores 34 times higher than national average

Residents in Cerritos may want to rethink their current locale. Study: Cerritos Has Toxic Air Problem. Watch Video http://www.nbclosangeles.com/health/topics/SoCal-City-Ranks-Worst-in-Nation-for-Cancer-Risk.html
According to a new study, Cerritos has a problem with toxic air. The city's 53,240 residents face the greatest risk of developing cancer from breathing toxic air, according to a new report released Wednesday.
The study, the National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, is used by the Environmental Protection Agency to identify areas where residents could face the greatest health threats from air pollution, USA Today reported:
Almost 2.2 million people lived in neighborhoods where pollution raised the risk of developing cancer to levels the government generally considers to be unacceptable. There, toxic chemicals were significant enough that people who breathed the air throughout their lives faced an extra 100-in-1 million risk of getting cancer.
Many of those people -- about 847,000 -- lived in New York City. The worst single neighborhood lay between two freeways in Cerritos, Calif., outside Los Angeles. There, the EPA estimated an excess cancer risk of more than 1,200 in 1 million, 34 times the national average.
With this data, we can get CalTrans to reduce the bottleneck at the 91 & 605. I have no problem with our air, but let's use the data to our advantage. Get more money to improve our trees, coordinate traffic signals, get natural gas buses and City vehicles, enclose our sewage treatment plant or maybe the pollution monitor is in the wrong place.
Gordon Hom
Cerritos


Hi Randy,
I’m a fan of your blog and I recently saw a story posted on both Yahoo and NBC yesterday…I figure I’d share the link for you to read for yourself. I personally find this an embarrassment for our fine city and wonder if we’re just a victim of being in the middle of several major freeways or if there’s anything we can do about it. I “sniff” a new topic for your next article in the paper!

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/health/topics/SoCal-City-Ranks-Worst-in-Nation-for-Cancer-Risk.html

Thanks,
Jason Amansec
Fellow long time Cerritos resident

Assemblyman Juan Arambula Tells California Democrats to Shove It. Re-Registers as an "Independent"

(Seen: New Independent State Assemblyman Juan Arambula with former Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, last year in Sacramento).
As the "self-appointed" Chairman of the California Undecided Party, I want to congratulate Central Valley State Assemblyman Juan Arambula for LEAVING the DEMOCRATIC Party and becoming "Independent" from both the Democratic and Republican Party's.
We need MORE people like Juan to stand up to the corrupt two-party system here in California that has divided us into "Red" and "Blue" for far too long. I wish more "Moderate" members of the California State Legislature would follow Juan's bold move. Way to Go Juan. You are my NEW LEADER! LOL.
Randy Economy,
Self Appointed Chairman
California's Undecided Party (lol)

California Assemblyman Juan Arambula
re-registers as an independent

By Jim Sanders
Sacramneto Bee
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
A California assemblyman has split from the Democratic Party as both houses of the Legislature head toward a contentious vote this week on a plan to bridge the state's $24 billion budget gap.

Juan Arambula confirmed today that he has re-registered as an independent. Formerly a moderate within the Democratic caucus, Arambula is scheduled to be termed out next year from his Central Valley district, which encompasses portions of Fresno and Tulare counties.

It is not immediately clear how Arambula's decision will affect the coming budget vote, which includes more than a dozen bills that will require a two-thirds majority in both houses to take effect immediately.

Republicans were quick to applaud Arambula.

"I'm not a Republican," Arambula said. "I don't intend to be a Republican. I want to feel free to disagree regardless what party is involved."

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, in a written statement, said that Arambula has "been a thoughtful part of the leadership in the Democratic Caucus, so it's unfortunate he has decided to re-register. Juan has important perspectives to offer, and I hope he will continue offering them to his colleagues as part of our caucus."

"As to questions about what this may mean for the budget, the people in Assemblymember Arambula's district -- as in all our districts -- need good schools and a safety net for the most vulnerable, and the Democratic Caucus will continue fighting for those causes."

Two weeks ago, Bass named Arambula to head the Assembly Public Safety Committee in a shuffle necessitated by the departure of former Assemblyman Curren Price for the Senate.

Bass removed Arambula from the Assembly Budget Committee and a budget subcommittee on state administration upon his being named chairman of the public safety panel.

Arambula has a reputation for speaking his mind and not necessarily voting in lockstep with the Democratic caucus. Three years ago, then-Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez ordered Arambula to move into the Assembly's "doghouse," a shoe-box sized Capitol office often reserved for lawmakers in disfavor with their party's leader.

Arambula was relegated to the tiny, fifth-floor office of 807 square feet after refusing to fall in line with Democratic leadership on a record $37.3 billion bond package.

Arambula also was stripped at the time of his chairmanship of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy.

Weeks later, Núñez relented, reinstating Arambula as committee chairman and offering his old office accommodations back. Arambula is a former member of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and the Fresno Unified School Board.

The son of immigrant farm workers, Arambula possesses a master's degree in educational administration and policy analysis from Stanford University and a law degree from the University of California, according to the biography posted on his Web site.

He lives in Fresno with his wife, Amy. The couple has four adult children.

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Iran in Crisis: How to find the latest news from You Tube and CitizenTube

more pictures of todays riots and injuries #ir...Image by .faramarz via Flickr

I wanted to post TWO important videos here on my Blog regarding the latest news on the Crisis in Iran. This is from a group on You Tube called "CitizenTube" this is posting UP to the MINUTE videos from People in Iran "as it happens." Everyone needs to see what is happening in Iran.

Pass this along to your friends and address book.
Randy Economy

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Break out the BBQ: Summer is Officially Here in Cerritos, CA!











I live for Summertime here in Cerritos, Ca.
Today was PERFECT. Not too hot, just perfect. Around 77 degrees tops and tonight the wind is still, the crickets are screaming, and the stars are bright.

Tonight my bro Martin Garnier and mom Ro and our wonderful family pal Matthew Avila had an amazing meal that was for the "ages." Steaks, and lobster claws, and grilled peppers and green onions, string beans, pesto pasta, and on and on. I am stuffed. This morning began with a typical "Costco Run" and voila...instant magic! Matthew and Martin are NOW both BLOGGING, and you can find their links here on the left HAND column >>>>>>>>>>>>.
Thanks for a great night. Matthew was a HUGE help to us when we lived at the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel earlier this year when our house caught fire. Tonight, we celebrated friendship and hope for the future.
Let the good times roll.
Randy Economy

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LOCAL ECONOMY: 9,000 workers unemployed in Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens and Norwalk. Sobering data released

Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of...Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr



The state Unemployment rate has been released, with 11.3% of all Californians currently out of a job. The numbers released this week from the Department of Labor are sobering, to say the least.



Here is Cerritos, Artesia, Norwalk, and Hawaiian Gardens, the jobless numbers are still high and vary from city to city. This is a painful time here in our community and tonight we can place a number to those in our community who are without work due to the recession.
CERRITOS 6.20% Unemployed
Cerritos currently has a labor force of 29,100 people with 1,800 residents who claimed "Unemployment" benefits for last month for a jobless rate of 6.20%.



Artesia has a labor force of 8,200 people with 600 currently "Unemployed" for a jobless rate of 7.80%. Norwalk is having a tough time here in our area with 6,000 Norwalk residents currently without work, or a jobless rate of 12.00%, higher than the California state average by .2%. In Hawaiian Gardens, more than 12.20% of it's workforce is jobless accounting for more than 800 people.

Times are tough. These job totals are sobering. In the Cerritos, Artesia, Norwalk, Hawaiian Gardens community more than 9,200 people are currently in the ranks of the "unemployed." Let's hope that the worse is over. It can't get much worse.
Randy Economy

Related articles

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Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day! It's Dad's Day here in America!

APTOPIX US Open GolfImage by Current News Stories via Flickr


I just wanted to give a great big SHOUT OUT to all of the Dad's here in America who are celebrating Father's Day.

I am getting ready to head to Mass over at St. Linus Catholic Church here in Norwalk, CA, and last night I had a total blast celebrating with my "God Father" Dr. Steve Sherman, and his family over at Los Alamitos Fish Company.

My late father Dick Economy passed away 10 years ago, so today I keep him in my thoughts and prayers. My Dad loved watching The US Open on Fathers Day, and today, I have tuned in to watch all this annual event that is taking place back in a rainy New York. I'm thinking about how much fun my dad and I use to have playing golf over at the Cerritos Iron Wood Nine, where he scored a Hole in One, and other courses up and down California.

Happy Pops Day to EVERYONE! Sccchaaaawwwinnng!

Randy Economy




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Video in Iran: Tehran Video Shows Massive Violence from June 21, 2009



Someone in Egypt sent me this, from someone in Iran, and  I wanted to post this on my Blog. 

The violence in Iran is awful to watch, and this clip was shot and uploaded to You Tube less than 30 minutes ago...it's now 3:30 a.m. here in Cerritos, CA on Sunday, June 21, 2009. 

Send this post to your friends.  Remember, Freedom Isn't Free. 

God Bless Iran.

Randy Economy

Saturday, June 20, 2009

June 20th, 2008: One Year Ago Today our House caught on fire. What a Year!

TODAY...ONE YEAR LATER... ONE YEAR AGO...June 20th, 2008




Today marks the date in which our house caught on fire here in Cerritos, California. What a year this has been. It was 107 degrees here in Cerritos last June 20th when our car literally exploded in the garage sending smoke, flames, and ash everywhere.

My mom Rosemary and I and my dog Chickie moved into the Cerritos Sheraton Hotel that night. All I had was a pair of walking shorts, tennis shoes, no socks, and a t-shirt. We lived at the Sheraton for around 220 days. The staff at the Sheraton was remarkable, kind, and very loving. Thanks again to Chris Halderson, General Manager of the Cerritos Sheraton and his remarkable staff for making us part of the "Sheraton Family."

I lost everything in my bedroom, the garage, all my clothes, and everything else had smoke and asbestos damage.

Since then, our house was rebuilt, and it is a true Blessing to be back into a "Home Sweet Home." My dog Chickie passed away two weeks after we moved back home, and all of the lawn and garden has been replanted. Our house won the Grand Prize Award for our Area in the "Cerritos City Wide Pride Award" a couple of weeks ago, so we have lots to celebrate during this next year.

Again, thanks for everyone who helped us in our "hour of need" this past year. You are all in my Prayers and Thoughts today!

Randy Economy

Friday, June 19, 2009

Econo-My-Scene: Politics in the Age of Facebook, Twitter and Blogger.

This is my regular column here in the Los Cerritos Community News.  Thanks for checking out, and thanks for your support and readership!  This is actually quite funny.  Enjoy.
Randy

Econo-My-Scene:
Politics in the Age of Facebook, Twitter and Blogger.
By Randy Economy

I love Facebook.
I just started to Twitter, and I have been Blogging for the past 4 years.
Hitt me up, send me a "Friend Request" to "Randy Economy" and viola, you will be my new best pal. Facebook and Twitter is interesting to those of us who enjoy being involved in movements, campaigning for good people in public life, and to keep in touch with those we haven't seen in eons.

It's also a great place to speak out for and against "social causes."
I started a FB Group called "Throw Your Shoes At AIG Chairman Edward Liddy." What a riot. Within hours I had 150 new friends involved in a conversation about the corruption of the failed financial institution that has cost us taxpayers Billions upon Billions of real "bailout" bucks.

Candidates for local, state and national offices are ALL on Facebook.
I love seeing what Meg Whitman is doing in her campaign for California Governor each day on Twitter, and our Attorney General Jerry Brown also has a great following via his new Blackberry.

FB and Twitter and Blogger are great tools to engage new supporters, and to give them "insight" into your personal life, and what you do on a daily basis.
But sometimes, it's a tad disturbing to actually see what some of our elected officials post on their Facebook and "Twitter" updates" or "What I am Doing Right Now."

One local state legislator updates his FB and Twitter "status" at least 10 times a day. Instead of being a candidate for public office, he should be a candidate for a "reality tv" series called, "I'm a Politician, Get Me Out of Here."

"HEY. Just left a fundraiser over at Frank Fats and now heading to another fundraiser at the California Train Museum, then heading over to a friend's place for a pizza and beer bust to watch the Laker game," a recent posting claimed.  "Then, I am heading over for a nightcap at Camacho's. PARTY!"

Wait a cotton pickin' minute.

Do I really want to know that much information about the daily doings of those we send to represent us in Sacramento or Washington DC?

Pizza and Beer Parties, Drinking Games in bars, and going to fundraisers every night?

Huh?

No wonder we are in such a mess here in California.
One night I got flash message from a local Member of Congress telling me that they just woke up with a HUGE hang over after a night of wildness in Georgetown.

Political hangover's in Georgetown?

That's, way too much information.

It's time for us on Facebook to start telling our elected officials to get back to work, and get the job done, and stop the "fun and games" once and for all.

Sacramento and Washington has "Gone Wild."
 Social networking sites are a great tool for the people to keep tabs on those we like to call our "public servants."

Take my word on this. During the next campaign here in California, these daily postings from our politicians will come back to bit them in the rear.
Their own words and actions will come back to haunt them.  Hang on. I have an incoming message from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villiaraigosa. He's having din din over at the Ivy with some news anchor gal from KTLA. Now that's HOT!

Econo-My-Scene: Be on your toes, Politicians, we're watching your EVERY MOVE!!

Image representing Twitter as depicted in Crun...

QUICK NOTE:
I will be posting my bi-weekly column "Econo-My-Scene" later this afternoon (Friday) here on the Blog.  My column now runs EVERY other WEEK in the Los Cerritos Community News and covers life in the cities of Cerritos, Artesia, Pico Rivera, Norwalk, Lakewood, and Hawaiian Gardens, CA

PEEK:

It really drives me crazy to see some of the things our elected officials POST on their Facebook, Twitter and other "Social Media" outlets.

Stay tuned.

This is going to crack you up.

I've been watching our Politicians UP to in Sacramento and Washington, DC. to see how they REALLY spend their time working "for us" on the job.

Check back this afternoon...

Randy Economy

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