Temple City Voice

In a 0-5 vote, the Temple City Unified School District school board denied the passage of the Layoff and Reduction of CSEA #105 Classified Personnel on Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

The proposal would have laid off 22 part-time workers, reduced the hours of 24 more staff members, and halve the hours and benefits of one full-time employee at all school sites. The cost-cutting maneuver would have been estimated to save approximately $416,668.

The bold decision to delay further action, even in the midst of the economic downturn, was spurred largely by the disapproval of the tremendous burden that the plan forced upon the classified staff. These positions-which are comprised of media clerks and technicians, health clerks, instructional aides, and others-were the sole targets of the plan.

“We already have a $5.5 million balance, well above the 3% and 2% reserves [as required by the state and Temple City, respectively],” said Robin Penn, a dean’s office employee at Temple City High School and vocal opponent of lay-offs. “Four hundred thousand dollars wouldn’t make a dent in that.”

Penn, who has criticized the media for focusing on the plight of teachers while neglecting that of classified personnel, spearheaded a movement that brought Channel 4 News to Emperor Elementary School. The news team intends to investigate students’ interactions with the classified staff and present the information in a 2-minute segment, which will be aired later in the year.

Others feel that the process through which the cut was proposed was too rushed, as it hastily targeted one specific segment of the faculty in Temple City.

“Who’s going to pick up the burden? Or are we just washing our hands of it?” asked school board Vice President Rachel LaSota. “We need to go back to the drawing board on this.”

If the school board ever proceeds with layoffs, a plan would have to be approved of by June 30. However, all staff must be given a sixty days notice prior to being laid off, giving the board only until April 18 to notify the targets of all reductions.

For the time being, the board’s vote has shielded classified staff from harm’s way. But until further action is taken to quell the turmoil of a failing economy, the security of many educators’ positions remains in limbo.

This article was written by Jason Wu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 24, 2009.

The City Council tentatively chose Avant Garde to fix Temple City’s deteriorating economy on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Councilman Ken Gillanders voted against the proposal.

Avant Garde, an economic development consulting firm, was one of four consultants being considered.

The others included Keyser Marston Associates, JWA Urban Consultants, Inc., and Urban Futures. City staff had recommended the City Council select either Avant Garde or Urban Futures, both of which have worked with Temple City in the past.

Robert Paz, representative for Avant Garde, noted the firm would “look at redevelopment as a tool of community development.”

Once Avant Garde is contracted with the City, it will work current and new businesses, study city demographics and advertise to aid in community redevelopment. Avant Garde’s first project will be geared toward the Las Tunas area.

“We need a plan that more specifically addresses this town,” said councilman Gillanders. Gillanders pointed that Avant Garde specializes in improving poverty stricken neighborhoods, not affluent communities like Temple City.

Councilwoman Judy Wong, who supported hiring an economic consultant, suggested giving Avant Garde 30 days to come up with a more solid presentation. During discussion, councilmembers Fernando Vizcarra and Dave Capra both indicated they wanted to see a more detailed proposal.

Several attempts have been made to ameliorate the city’s economic state during the past twelve months.

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) proposal, lobbied by the Temple City Chamber of Commerce, was approved in June 2008.

Then in September, the City Council ended a non-retail business moratorium. The highly unpopular ordinance was enacted in April.

More recently, Temple City joined the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership (SGVEP), a regional economic organization. Membership with the SGVEP cost the city $5000.

After much consideration, councilman Capra made a motion to preliminarily consider Avant Garde. It passed by a 4-1 margin.

“If within 30 days Avant Garde is able to present an acceptable contracted together with a ‘model’ of what they think they can establish, the actual contract will be returned to the City Council for final approval,” wrote City Manager Charles R. Martin in his January 22 weekly report.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 24, 2009.

The Junior State of America (JSA), the largest student-run organization in the country, is dedicated to promoting political awareness among today’s youth. As a second-year club president, senior Evelyn Kessler explains the importance of JSA to students and the community.

What is the purpose of JSA?

Ever since its inception, the JSA has really taken it upon itself to spark political interest and reduce apathy among high school students. We inform our members about the world around them so that they can voice their opinions persuasively in weekly debates, discussions, and other politically-oriented activities.

As a club with such a long history of success, what has JSA tried to do differently this year?

One of our biggest moves this year was creating a JSA chapter at Oak Avenue Intermediate School. JSA has so much to offer high school students, so we wanted to get kids involved at even a younger age. Hopefully, offering JSA at this level will prepare students for the critical thinking that is often required in high school. But JSA does have a long-standing tradition, and we always pursue our mission of civic engagement.

How does JSA involve students outside of its weekly meetings?

We really make a concentrated effort to hold events that accurately represent the real world. We especially wanted to capitalize on increased political excitement that stemmed from the 2008 election. JSA held a mock election in which all students had an opportunity to vote for a presidential candidate and the California ballot propositions. We supplied informational materials to all classrooms so that students would be able to make well-informed decisions. This is just one of many things that we’ve done this year.

How has JSA influenced the community outside of the high school?

JSA has been extremely involved in real world politics. In 2007 and 2009, JSA banded with the Temple City Voice to host school board and city council candidates’ forums, respectively. The events gave city residents opportunities to speak directly with their future elected representatives before voting. Also, our JSA chapter has kept close contact with politicians like Assemblyman Anthony Portantino and DNC Deputy Political Director Ken Maxey. We’ve invited them to speak to us on several occasions. Under our new activism department, we have also tried to raise awareness by getting involved in community service. For example, a number of our members volunteered at the Los Angeles Food Bank.

What events will JSA be holding in the near future?

We’ve just come off of a successful Mini-Con, which is a day of debates and activities that we hold right here at school. Students from Temple City, other surrounding high schools, and even the Oak Avenue chapter were in attendance. We now look forward to attending the Spring State convention at the LAX Hilton from April 24 through 26. Our delegation will be able to interact with guest speakers and students from all over California in a weekend of debates, discussions, elections, and other activities.

Why should students join JSA?

JSA offers students an easily-accessible opportunity to develop their argumentative and oratory abilities. The club serves as a medium for many students, a vehicle that helps all members stay in contact with the ever-changing world around them.

What can JSA improve upon next year?

With some guidance from us, we hope that the Oak Avenue chapter continues to flourish and become even more involved with the high school JSA. Also, we look forward to seeing more members overcome the timidity that naturally comes with public speaking and being willing participants in our chapter.

This interview was conducted by Jason Wu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 17, 2009.

“Every 15 Minutes,” a program designed to promote awareness in high school students about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, put on its every-other-year presentation on April 3 and 4 at Temple City High School.

The program went to great lengths to emphasize the fatal consequences that result from drunk driving, as the title suggests, every fifteen minutes in the United States. To give students a real, hands-on idea of the irreversible costs of drunk driving, an assembly with a car-crash reenactment, watched as a “grim reaper” stole “dead” peers from their classes, and heard speeches from parents of true accident victims.

The assembly was a grand event so true-to-life, an actual crash was staged on Temple City Boulevard, where the entire block was sectioned off from regular traffic flow. Complete with a band of police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks, as well as the “bloodied” faces of familiar classmates, trickling smoke from the accordion-crunched car fenders, and sharp tearing sounds from the “jaws of life,” the presentation seemed all-too-real.

One participant, junior Josh Lin, acted as the “drunk driver.” He was subjected to questioning, a field sobriety test, and a trip to jail where he was fingerprinted and given a real breathalyzer test. Josh and other students who were chosen by teachers to participate in the reenactment and student “deaths” had discussions and workshops about drunk driving later on at night.

“At the beginning, I didn’t think too much about it” said Lin, “but during Thursday and Friday night, [the experience] hit me hard. I haven’t cried since elementary school, so it was weird.”

Along with the graphic car-crash reenactment, students were moved by their fellow classmates “dying” throughout the day. The program opened the eyes of one “dead” drunk driving victim, Nick Der.

“In the beginning, it didn’t matter as much to me because I didn’t drink or do drugs” Nick admitted, “but after pretending to be a victim, it changed my life. There’s always the possibility – even if I don’t drink, my friends could.”

Though the visual experience of the reenactment made a memorable difference in students’ lives, the school film class, Dragonflicks, documented the experience on camera, editing it overnight and presenting it to the school the next day. Junior Joshua Liu, Dragonflicks photographer, took still shots of the day’s events.

“I know what the program is about” Josh said, “so my job was to capture the event so people get the full feeling – the complete emotional impact so people who don’t know about [the program] and don’t get it can understand.”

The “Every 15 Minutes” program has done more than help students ‘understand.’ According to the “Every 15 Minutes” website, studies have shown that after viewing the program, students are less likely to drive while drinking, less likely to be passenger in a car with a drunk driver, and more likely to elect a designated driver.

As the website professes, “The Every 15 Minutes Program is a model of both school and community-based alcohol prevention that incorporates simulated alcohol-related consequences with community elements that include students, parents, educators, school administrators, health systems, and law enforcement personnel.”

For more information on the program’s content, you can visit www.every15minutes.com.

This article was written by Katie Brown. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 17, 2009.

A mistrial has been declared in a 2007 Temple City murder case against Philip Adrian Guerra and Christopher Gilbert Lopez.

Guerra and Lopez, both 20, were charged with committing a drive-by shooting that killed Deandre Netter, a Temple City resident, on July 25, 2007. Prosecutors will re-try the murder case, reported the Pasadena Star News on April 7, 2009.

The trial began on March 24.

Jurors heard testimony from Dejohn Netter, the twin brother of the victim, and Michael Minjarez, a boy who walked with the twins on the night of the murder. A decision was reached on Monday, April 6.

The jury voted to convict Guerra by an 8-4 margin and sought to acquit Lopez by an 8-4 margin, resulting in a hung jury.

Deputy District Attorney Donna Hollingsworth told Star News reporter Nathan McIntire that “the plan is to retry the case.”

During the trial, Guerra and Lopez both pled not guilty to killing Netter, then 17, on Golden West Avenue.

The two individuals surrendered to authorities in August 2007 after being sought by the Los Angeles County sheriffs. Law enforcement officials had released photographs of Guerra and Lopez to the general public on August 7.

A pretrial hearing has been set for April 21. Both Lopez and Guerra are expected to appear at the Pasadena Superior Court.

Lopez and Guerra are presently being housed at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 17, 2009.

The major issue the City Council addressed on January 6, 2009, was the hiring an assistant City Manager. The assistant City Manager would serve as an apprentice to City Manager and City Attorney Charles R. Martin, who has hinted at a possible retirement from the post.

“I don’t know how much longer Charlie will be around,” said councilman Fernando Vizcarra, “but he’s been making sounds like it won’t be forever.”

Martin, who currently serves as City Manager and City Attorney, was largely silent as the City Council tensely debated the issue. Councilmembers discussed either hiring an assistant to help Martin or waiting until litigation regarding the Piazza project was resolved before addressing the post of City Manager.

Councilman Dave Capra argued it was an unsuitable time to seek a new assistant because potential applicants may not want to be associated with a city that has a “black tag” associated with its name.

“I don’t think we’re going to get the best qualified candidate to come to our city right now,” said Capra.

Mayor Cathé Wilson and councilman Ken Gillanders sided with Capra. Wilson noted the option of calling Contract Cities and hiring an interim City Manager, if it was necessary.

Councilmember Judy Wong acknowledged the “pluses” of Temple City and praised Martin for his efforts. However, she offered an alternative solution – opening the position for potential applications, so that options would be available after the March elections.

“I’m not saying that the applicants [are] going to take over Charlie’s job, but at least we have some information in hand,” said Wong.

The audience was also adamant in voicing their opinions.

“I don’t think you should wait for another council” said resident Jerry Jambazian, “Some of you are possibly to blame, so I think you could right the situation.”

“You need to step up and do the right thing,” he added.

In February 2008, the City Council voted 3-2 to eliminate the position of deputy City Manager after having advertised and created the position in the summer of 2007. This occurred once councilman Capra signaled he no longer supported having an assistant serve under Martin.

On Tuesday evening, the roll call vote for advertising the position of assistant City Manager failed 3-2, with Gillanders, Wilson and Capra voting against Vizcarra’s motion to advertise the hiring of the position. Vizcarra and Wong voted in favor.

This article was written by Leslie Wu. It will be published in the Temple City Voice on April 17, 2009.

The Temple City Voice will not be publising this week because of the Spring Break vacation. We will resume publishing April 17, 2009.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a club that strives to promote tolerance by encouraging people to be open-minded and nonjudgmental about others. In this interview, junior Jasmine Tang shares her insight as president of this club.

What is the purpose of GSA?

Gay-Straight Alliance was created for peer support. [Its purpose is] to educate the school about sexual orientation issues and tolerance.

How does GSA impact the school?

I think it’s nice to [let] people know that there are [people] who care, so whenever they feel insecure, they know that they have backup. It also helps create awareness.

What sort of events does GSA do?

We do various LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) themed events such as walks, movie days, and occasional trips to see Gay Men’s Chorus.

What’s unique about the club?

One thing that you won’t find in other clubs is that we are very understanding and we aren’t judgmental. We are also a variety of people, resulting in different opinions during discussions.

What have you learned as president?

I’ve learned a lot in my first year of presidency. Club presidents are underappreciated, but they put in a lot of effort. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that I should always speak loudly and I should make [myself] clear and understandable.

Why should students join?

Students should definitely participate in our club because we aim to combat prejudice and inequality.

What changes do you hope will happen next year?

I hope we get more members, particularly underclassmen. I fear that our club will become inactive since [most] of our members are upperclassmen. GSA was never really an active club so when we finally had some actual progress, it [required a lot of hard work]. I hope that people will join and help us achieve our goals.

Are there any upcoming events?

Day of Silence is one of our hugest projects of the year and we are trying to get other clubs to participate in it as well. On the Day of Silence, people remain silent to represent the silence of those who are unable to speak out because of their peers or other reasons. We want to have a majority of people [on campus] doing this because it would make a huge impact for our school’s community.

This interview was conducted by Darren Lai. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 3, 2009.

The City Council voted unanimously to consider creating an assessment district on Rosemead Boulevard on Tuesday, December 16, 2008.

The city of Temple City officially acquired Rosemead Boulevard, also known as California Highway 19 in 2008. Jack Scott, then state Senator, and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino carried SB 910 through the various legislative committees. SB 910 relinquishes state control of the highway to Temple City.

On Tuesday evening, City Manager and City Attorney Charles R. Martin commented that the City Council had previously authorized improvements to Rosemead Boulevard. City staff has estimated the total costs to be around $6-8 million dollars.

Instead of having the entire City fund the improvement project, the City Council could approve an assessment district. An assessment district spreads the costs among the properties that would benefit from improvements.

“We have $6 million [dollars] in grant monies” said Public Services Manager Chuck Erikson. The grant monies can be used to ameliorate street lighting, medians and landscaping, he added.

The only costs Temple City or those in the assessment district have to pay are the costs above what the grant monies provide.

According to Erikson, there are approximately 300 properties along Rosemead Boulevard that may be placed in an assessment district. This includes the residents, condominiums and businesses.

“We want to improve our portion because he state does not want to” stated Martin when asked why Temple City acquired California Highway 19.

“H & A [Harris and Associates] has to contact every legal voter [in the area]” noted Martin.

The process takes approximately one year and voters must vote to support the assessment district in order to proceed. Then, the City Council must make the final authorization for the lighting district.

“This city has not engaged in many assessment districts” said Martin.

If an assessment district is created, an amount would be assessed on the property tax of the affected properties.

Harris and Associates will be paid $45,500 to assist Temple City in this process.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on April 3, 2009.

The local sales tax for Temple City and a majority of the cities in Los Angeles County increased by one percent on Wednesday, April 1.

Temporary tax increases were part of a legislative budget deal struck by California lawmakers in February. The state was then facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Sales tax is now 9.25 percent, an increase from 8.25 percent.

According to the California state Board of Equalization, “the 1 percent tax rate increase will expire on either July 1, 2011, or July 1, 2012, depending upon whether the voters approve the proposed Budget Stabilization constitutional amendment.”

California voters will vote on several budget-related measures, as part of the state-approved budget package, in a special statewide election on May 19.

In the City of El Monte, the sales tax went up 1.5 percent. The current sales tax rate is 9.75 percent, the highest in the San Gabriel Valley.

For residents of Los Angeles County, the April sales tax increase is just part one of two raises this year. Beginning July 1, the sales tax rate will again increase by 0.5 percent.

Los Angeles County voters supported Measure R, a county measure aimed at raising money for transportation purposes, by a 67.9%-32.1% margin on November 4, 2008. Measure R required 2/3rds support of voters before it could pass. It will expire in 30 years.

In Temple City, citizens voted 58.3%-41.7% in support of Measure R.

For now, the sales tax is 9.25 percent, but it will increase to 9.75 percent come July 2009.

This article was written by Chris Du. It will be published in the Temple City Voice on April 3, 2009.