Public Information Office–Carson701 E. Carson Street, Carson, CA 90745

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Cast of Hit 70’s Show“Emergency!”Reunite in Carson

Cast of Hit 70’s Show“Emergency!”Reunite in Carson

C I T Y O F C A R S O N , C A L I F O R N I A , F A L L 2 0 1 1

City of CarsonRemembers the 10thAnniversary of 9/11

City of CarsonRemembers the 10thAnniversary of 9/11

CITY OF CARSON POSITIONSTATEMENT

Carson is a vibrant city with a small town atmospherewhere relationships are important. This is clearlyvisible throughout the community, from the stablesingle family neighborhoods, which make up nearlyeighty percent of the city's residences, to thepartnership between businesses and volunteerdriven agencies which strengthen the city's remarkablesocial fabric.

The social composition of Carson is Californiainminiature. It is a city with a balanced ethnic andcultural mix living together in harmony and prosperity.

The community takes pride in the large percentage ofCarson students who attend college, many toCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills, avaluable asset to the city.

Carson's strategic position in the heart of the powerfuleconomic engine that is Southern California attractsinternational corporations which recognize the city'sbright future. The city's proximity to the WestCoast's two major ports, as well as its intersectionby four Southland freeways, makes it a major gatewayto the Pacific Rim.

We, the people who live and work in Carson, takepride in our city and will continue to build relation-ships which ensure that future.

MeetingsMeetings are in City Halland the Community Centerunless otherwise noted,

and are open to the public.

City Council/RedevelopmentAgency 6 p.m.,

1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Citywide Advisory Commission7 p.m., 2nd Thursday(Only when necessary)

Economic DevelopmentCommission8 a.m., 1st Thursday,Community Center

Environmental Commission6:30 p.m., 1st Wednesday

Fine Arts and CulturalCommission7 p.m., 1st Monday

Historical Committee6 p.m, 2nd Tuesday & 4th Wednesday

Human Relations Commission6:00 p.m., 3rd Wednesday

Parks and Recreation Commission6:30 p.m., last Thursday

Planning Commission6:30 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesday

Public Relations Commission12:00 p.m., 4th Tuesday,

Public Safety Commission6:30 p.m., 3rd Thursday

Public Works Commission6:30 p.m., 2nd Monday

Senior Citizen AdvisoryCommission4 p.m., 2nd Monday

Veterans Affairs Commission6 p.m., 3rd Monday

Women’s Issues Commission6 p.m., 4th Monday

Mobilehome Park RentalReview Board6:30 p.m., 2nd and 4thWednesdays

Youth Commission7 p.m., 2nd Wednesday

Relocation Appeals Board(Meetings are held when required)

Sister Cities Association7 p.m., 4th Wednesday

Beautification Committee6:30 p.m., 2nd Tuesday

Elected Officials

MayorJim Dear

Mayor Pro TemJulie Ruiz-Raber

CouncilmemberElito M. Santarina

CouncilmemberMike A. Gipson

CouncilmemberLula Davis-Holmes

City ClerkHelen S. KawagoeCity TreasurerKaren Avilla

City ManagerDavid C. Biggs

_________________Editor:

Zarah CruzWriters:

Zarah CruzMargie Revilla-GarciaGraphic Designers:Carlos EsquivelVictor Gastelum_________________

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tthhee CCii ttyy ooff CCaarrssoonnto provide those who live andwork here with informationabout the city’s programs,

services, and issues. All questions, comments,

and contributing informationshould be directed to the City of Carson’s PublicInformation Office.

Address: 701 E. Carson St.,Carson, CA 90745Tel: (310) 952-1740 Fax: (310) 549-1466

E-mail: Zcruz@carson.ca.us

Website/E- newslettersubscription:

http://ci.carson.ca.us

NOW IN ASINGLE,

COMBINEDISSUE

Police & FireEmergencies 911Animal ControlCarson Animal Shelter(310) 523-9566

Birth, Death,Marriage RecordsCounty Registrar-Recorder(562) 462-2137

Building PermitsBuilding & Safety,(310) 952-1766

Public Transit andDial-A-Ride(310) 952-1779Hearing Impaired(800) 252-9040

Cable TelevisionTime Warner Cable(888) 892-2253

Chamber ofCommerce(310) 217-4590

City Hall(310) 830-7600

Code Enforcement(310) 952-1700, ext. 1786

Community Center(310) 835-0212

Crime PreventionNeighborhood Watch(310) 847-7481

DisasterPreparedness(310) 952-1700, ext.1603

DumpTransfer Station(310) 217-6300

ElectricitySouthern CaliforniaEdison Co., (800) 950-2356

GasSouthern California Gas Co.(800) 427-2200

Graffiti RemovalLandscape & Buildings(310) 952-1700, ext. 3500

HospitalHarbor General UCLAMedical Center(310) 222-2345

JobsJob Clearinghouse(310) 233-4888

LibrariesCarson Regional(310) 830-0901Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.(310) 327-4830

ParkingEnforcement(800) 654-7275

Parks & Recreation(310) 847-3570

Post OfficeMain No., (800) 275-8777

SandbagsStreet Maintenance(310) 952-1700, ext. 3520

Sewer Clean-up(626) 458-4357

Senior Services(310) 952-1775(310) 835-0212

Sidewalk RepairStreet Maintenance(310) 952-1700, ext. 3520

Sheriff’s Station(310) 830-1123

Street SweepingStreet Maintenance(310) 952-1700, ext. 3520

TelephoneAT&T(310) 515-7979

Trash CollectionWaste Management952-1700, ext. 3508or (310) 830-7100

Tree Trimming/Street Maintenance(310) 847-3520

WaterCalifornia Water ServiceCompany, (310) 257-1400Golden State WateCompany (800) 999-4033

Youth Services(310) 952-1788

p a g e t w o T H E C A R S O N R E P O R T

Parks, Recreation &Human Services Guide

C o m m u n i t y C o n n e c t i o n s

F A L L 2 0 1 1 p a g e t h r e e

D avid C. Biggs officially tookthe helm as Carson’s CityManager on September 26.

The City Council hosted a receptionbreakfast on his first day inCarson to welcome him to the City family.

Biggs’ appointment wasannounced at a special CityCouncil meeting on August 25,concluding six months of executivesearch to fill a position previouslyheld by Jerome Groomes who left inJanuary. Economic DevelopmentGeneral Manager Cliff Gravestemporarily held the position priorto Biggs’ appointment.

Prior to accepting the City Managerappointment for the City, Biggswas serving as the Interim AssistantCity Administrator in the City ofMontebello as part of the KosmontCompanies. Highlights of his lengthycareer in public administration includethe positions of City Manager for theCity of Tustin and the City of MorganHill, Assistant City Manager for theCity of Redondo Beach and Economic

Development Director for the City ofHuntington Beach. He also has priorexperience as the Downtown Develop-ment Project Manager for the City ofLong Beach, and a variety of economicdevelopment and redevelopment rolesfor the City of Santa Ana.

In his first address to thecommunity, Biggs expressedgreat enthusiasm in working fora “world-class city with greatamenities, a community with anotable state university inCalifornia State UniversityDominguez Hills, good residentialstock and a culturally diversecommunity.”

He conveyed his appreciationfor the vote of confidence by theCity Council in appointing himas the new City Manager, as hecommended them for “adaptingwell to the tough economictimes, and for the economicturnaround it is currentlyexperiencing.”

The City Council, for its part,expressed confidence over

Biggs, who was selected from a longlist of highly-qualified candidates.“We are very excited about bringingMr. Briggs on board,” says Carson’sMayor. “Carson will certainly benefitfrom Mr. Biggs’ remarkable leadershipand extensive experience in the different

Biggs Named Carson’s New City Manager

T he Carson City Council has approved a program that wouldhelp residents with some relief

from the high cost of prescriptionmedications. Sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC),the City of Carson will provide free prescription cards to citizens, oncethe program is in place.

The NLC Prescription Discount Cardcan be used by all residents of theCity of Carson and has no restrictionsbased on a resident’s age, incomelevel, or existing health coverage.

Residents can save an average of 23percent off the retail price of prescriptionmedications with the discount cards.The cards can be used at CVS phar-macies around the city, as well as atmore than 60,000 participating retailpharmacies across the country.

The City partnered with NLC on theprogram to help residents who arecompletely uninsured, and those whohave insurance but have specificmedications that are not covered bytheir insurance. In both scenarios,residents experience significant

savings on prescription medicationsnot covered by health plans.

Residents can obtain a free NLCPrescription Discount Card in a numberof ways. They can print them from theinternet at www.caremark.com/nlc,or get a card at Carson City Hallbeginning late October.

For more information on the program,please contact Dani Cook in the HumanServices Division at (310) 835-0212ext. 1480, or CVS caremark, which admin-isters the program at 1-888-620-1749.

City of Carson to Make Prescription Discount CardsAvailable to Carson Residents

continued on page 8

“It makes me

feel that I have

made a difference

in a very important

part of the

children’s life,

especially during

that developmental

stage when the

children hold and

absorb what you

say like gospel.”

p a g e f o u r T H E C A R S O N R E P O R T

P arents of senior high school students cross their fingers thattheir child gets to attend a good

college to get quality education. But forover 200 Carson parents whose childrenare between the ages 3-5, their hope is toget their children in the City of Carson’sEarly Childhood Program.

The City of Carson Early ChildhoodProgram has been in place since the1970s and has seen many successes inthe children that are now adults whoattended their program. Unlike other daycare programs and preschools in thearea, the Early Childhood Programteaches a curriculum based on

Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines, otherwiseknown as “emergent curriculum”developed by the State of CaliforniaDepartment of Education.

“It is very rewarding to see many successstories of the children that attended thisprogram,” says Early Childhood ProgramSupervisor, Zenora Bellard. “It makesme feel that I have made a difference ina very important part of the children’s life,especially during that developmentalstage when the children hold and absorbwhat you say like gospel.”

Ms. Raquel, who started out as anAssistant Teacher and eventually movedup to become a full-time teacher in theEarly Childhood Program, chose to stayand preferred teaching here over otherfacilities because she likes the curriculumthat they teach which prepares thechildren for kindergarten.

“Other facilities teach creative curriculum.Over here, we teach what’s called anemergent curriculum. When childrenleave here, they are set. They know theirnumbers, colors, shapes and 3 letterwords…they know how to write,”

Early Childhood Program’s Unique Curriculum

Preschoolers camp under the stars during summer fun activity in the classroom.

Preschoolers experience sensory fun with shaving cream during water play.

F A L L 2 0 1 1 p a g e f i v e

Ms. Raquel said in describing thecurriculum.

Many parents have had morethan one child attend the EarlyChildhood Program and areextremely proud of the fact thatthe first school that their childrenever attended is this programoffered by the City.

“Twenty years ago, my daughterattended pre-school here andnow my son Owen comes herebecause I really like the program.I like the teachers, the participationfrom other parents. My son’scousins are here too,” said parent SandySilorio.

Nina Franco, whose first child attendedthe program seven years ago wasextremely excited that her daughter Juliagot into the program after being on thewaiting list for almost a year. “I keptcalling practically every week on somemonths because I didn’t want to miss theopening of possibly enrolling my child. Iknow the quality of education here and Iwanted to make sure she made it in,”said Franco. “The teachers here are thebest. They treat us like family.”

Chad Respicio likes the ideal location ofthe Early Childhood Program for hischild. Respicio has received manyreferrals from family members about theprogram and thinks that overall, it is justthe right one for his child.

“The cost of what we pay for this welldeveloped program is significantly lessthan other surrounding preschools,” said

Respicio. “I like how the teachers runthings and I feel secure with the locationjust right next to the Sheriff’s Station.”For Dennis Arca, he knew that he wouldsend his son Dennis to no other program

other than the City’s Early Child-hood Program. “Two years ago,my first child got a good head-start in kindergarten after havingattended here. She was alreadyadvanced at the beginning of herkindergarten year. The teachers,teacher’s assistants are excellent.It is also pretty inexpensivecompared to surroundingpreschools,” said Arca.

Aside from the Early ChildhoodProgram located at the JuanitaMillender-McDonald CommunityCenter, there are two park locations that have anEarly Childhood Program run bythe City – one at Dolphin Parkand currently at Veterans Park

because of construction atCarson Park.

For more information about the EarlyChildhood Program, please call(310) 835-0212 ext. 1482 or 1485.

Makes Children Well-Prepared for Kindergarten

Early childhood participants enjoy an ice cream social to learn the letter “I” for the week.

Field trip at LA Zoo

“I like how the teachers

run things and I feel

secure with the location

just right next to the

Sheriff’s Station.”

p a g e s i x T H E C A R S O N R E P O R T

T he City Council adopted a balanced budget for fiscal year2011/12, based on estimated

revenues of $65.8 million and expendi-tures equaling the same amount.

The adopted budget will also generatea surplus of $88, 277 and bring theCity’s general fund balance to$21,093,939 at the end of the fiscalyear on June 12, 2012.

The increase in projected revenues forthe current fiscal year is due primarilyto an anticipated $1.5 million increasein sales tax revenues, offset by a$200,000 reduction in intergovernmentalrevenues and a $279,000 in fees.

In addition, the city’s 2% Utility UsersTax (UUT) is anticipated to bring in

additional $775,000 if the cap isremoved. Revenue increases canalso be attributed to modifications inthe city’s schedule of fees, in whichcertain fees are adjusted to be more inline with the cost of providing services.

The adopted budget projectsexpenditures to be $65,754,318, whichis approximately $3.8 greater than theyear-end estimates for the last fiscalyear. The most significant increasesare the return to work schedule for thecity’s workforce, in which employeesdid not need to take furloughs; $1 millionincrease in retirement and healthinsurance costs; $500,000 increase inCapital Asset Replacement Fund andadditional $440,000 in the cost ofthe Sheriff’s contract.

City Council Adopts a Balanced Budget

New High School Opens in Carson

Rancho Dominguez Preparatoryschool, the new schoolconstructed in the Carson area

has opened its doors to 1,250students from grades 6 through 12 onthe first day of school this fall.

The new school, which is part of theLos Angeles Unified School District,was built to relieve the overcrowdingat the two high schools that currently

serve the area – Carson andBanning highschools.

Rancho Dominguez is located onSanta Fe Avnue, on the border of aresidential area of Carson andindustrial area of Long Beach, andincludes a small middle school, aninth-grade academy and two themedacademies for 10th through12th grade.

Rancho Dominguez Preparatory isone of nine new LAUSD school sitesthat opened this fall, and part of theDistrict’s $19.5 billion New SchoolConstruction and ModernizationProgram to provide a safe and healthyneighborhood on a traditional, two-semester calendar for every student.

For more information about RanchoDominguez Preparatory School,please call (310) 847-6400.

C arson’s elected officials led thecommunity in a special ceremony marking the

10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

The Sunday afternoon ceremonyfeatured special performances byLisi Masalosalo, the Apollo WestCarson Players, and church choirsfrom the St. Philomena Church,Mission Ebenezer, and CentralBaptist Church.

Commander Todd Rogers, formercaptain of the Carson Station of theLos Angeles County Sheriff’sDepartment before his promotion tothe Department’s Region II FieldOperations, was the evening’sKeynote Speaker. Battalion ChiefWilliam Mayfield also addressed thecommunity on behalf of theLos Angeles County Fire Department.

Both speakers lauded the heroism ofpolice and fire personnel during thetragic attacks on America that tookplace exactly 10 years ago, andurged the community to continue toremember 9/11 and its place inAmerican history.

Candles were lit at the end of theceremony as a tribute to thecountless victims, the survivors andthe heroes 9/11.

Carson CommunityGathers to Commemorate10th Anniversary of 9/11

F A L L 2 0 1 1 p a g e s e v e n

Cast of Hit 70’s Show “Emergency!” Reunite in Carson

T he cast and the engines thatstarred in the famed 70’s televi-sion show “Emergency!” reunited

in Carson this summer for the first timein more than three decades after showwent off the air.

Dubbed as “51 in Quarters,” the eventheld just outside Fire Station 127 on223rd Street in where the TV showwas originally filmed, drew loyal fansfrom as far as Europe, Canada andthe East Coast who came to Carson towitness the reunion of Squad 51 andEngine 51, the fictitious fire squad andengine featured in the show.

The series ran on NBC for sevenyears and each hour-long episodefollowed fictional yet real-like exploitsof the Los Angeles County FireDepartment firemen and paramedicsas they braved their way through threeor four separate emergencies ata time when paramedicine was aburgeoning field.

The event was organizedby the Los Angeles CountyFire Museum, a non-profitorganization consisting ofnearly 3,000 firefighterswhose mission is to tell thehistory of the County ofLos Angeles Fire Depart-ment and its contributionto American Fire Servicesby showcasing its collectionand educating its visitors.The association alsoacquired the engine andrestored Engine 51.

Actors Robert Mantoothand Mike Stokerparticipated in the reunionevent and signedautographs for fans, whichconsisted of people whofollowed the show duringthe ‘70s and new fanswho discovered the show

through re-runs on the internet.

“This reunion may not ever happenagain so I had to make sure to comeout here,” said Scott Williams, whoflew in from Alberta, Canada after

winning the top place for“Emergency!’s Greatest Fan” contest.Williams recreated his backyard with“Emergency!” as its theme.

The second place winner, Jack Whobrey,a seven-year old boy from Atlanta,Georgia, flew in with his mother andwas more excited over going to the“Emergency!” reunion than going toDisneyland. “He has learned a lot ofmedical terms from the show,” said hismother Suzanne over her son’s fasci-nation with the show. “He plays therecorded show over and over againand has memorized many of the lines.For Christmas, he wants a realdefibrillator. This show has really beena great imagination builder for Jack,”she said.

Los Angeles was one of the first U.S.cities to have paramedics, typicallyfirefighters, trained to deliver criticalcare at the scene of an emergency.During its run, the show has beenrecognized numerous times over theyears for being a major force in drivingthe implementation of advanced lifesystems throughout the Los AngelesCounty during the 1970s.

World’s Biggest “Emergency!” Fan

The original engine from the show was restored by the Los Angeles County Fire Museum.

T he ongoing improvements to theCongresswoman Juanita Millen-der-McDonald Community Center

which started last April are nearingcompletion.

The project involved the removal andreplacement of the old roof, ventilationand air conditioning replacement andinstallation of solar panels, which wereall completed in September.

Upgrades alsoinclude thereplacement ofthe marqueeadjacent toCarson Street,the chandelierin Hall ABC,retrofit ofparking lotlighting,replacement ofexisting water

heaters with tankless water heaters,replacement of intercom system, andinstallation of security cameras.

The installation of solar panels isexpected to save the CommunityCenter $42,000 in its currentenergy consumption.

The remaining work is expected to becompleted in November.

p a g e e i g h t T H E C A R S O N R E P O R T

Community Center Upgrades Near Completion

C arson Park has temporarily shutdown to give way to constructionscheduled to take place from

October 2011 to October 2012.

The project, which costsaround $13 million, willinvolve the construction ofa 21,210 sq. ft. building for agymnasium, activity room,dance room, computerroom, a workout area,childcare facility and aconcession area.

The proposed improvementplan also includes upgradesor enhancements to the

basketball courts, baseball fields,and reconstruction of the parking lotincluding the addition of 41 parkingspaces.

New City Managercontinued from page three

aspects of city management.I'm confident that my colleagues andI have made a great choice in him.”

Biggs attended California StateUniversity, Fullerton, where hereceived his Bachelors in PoliticalScience, and is a graduate of theMBA program at the University ofCalifornia, Irvine. He also completeda Certificate program in ContinuousImprovement and Quality Manage-ment from the University of California,Santa Cruz extension program.

Biggs is a resident of Redondo Beachand an active member of the CaliforniaAssociation for Local EconomicDevelopment for which he is a pastBoard Member and Chair. He also isa member of the California Redevel-opment Association, serving on theMarketing and Publications Committee;the International Association of ShoppingCenters; and the InternationalCity/County ManagementAssociation with the CredentialedManager designation. He is also amember of the Urban Land Institute,and is a former Chair of OrangeCountry District Council.

New City Manager David C. Biggsposes with city employees during thereception on September 26.

Carson Park Closes for Construction