La Mirada Blog
Articles by Tony Aiello
La Mirada Approves District-Based Election System
La Mirada~The City will be holding a by-district election on March 7, 2017 to fill two City Council seats The third and final public hearing was held on November 8 to gather input on draft City Council district maps.
The City Council initiated the change after a threat of a lawsuit from MALDEF (Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).
A total of 12 maps were considered by the Council including submittals from residents Dale Nowicki, Noel Jaimes and Zurich Lewis. MALDEF submitted a map as well. A firm the City hired also submitted map choices.
After the public hearing, the City Council approved to change the City Council election system from at-large to by-district and adopted a district map, known as Map 12 (submitted by Lewis), to be in effect by the March 2017 City Council election.
Members of Districts 1 and 2 will be elected in March 2017, while members of Districts 3, 4, and 5 will be elected in March 2019. Members must reside in the districts they represent. To view the District Map, visit the City’s website.
The map pits incumbents Pauline Deal and Andrew Sarega against each other in District 2. Both have already filed for re-election. In District 1, nobody has filed papers as of this time.
The nomination period opened at on November 14 and closes at 4:30 p.m. on December 9. If an incumbent does not file papers by December 9, the nomination period is extended until 5:30 p.m. on December 14. You must be a registered voter in the City of La Mirada on the date nomination papers are picked up at City Hall to qualify to run for the office of La Mirada City Councilmember.
The last day to register to vote in the March 7, 2017 election is February 20, 2017. Registration forms will be available at City Hall, the La Mirada Library, the Post Office, or you can request it by mail by calling the Los Angeles County Elections Registration Request Line at (800) 481-VOTE (8683).
If you have general questions about the election, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (562) 943-0131.
I-5/Valley View Interchange Project Finally Gets Underway
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U.S. Representative Grace Napolitano, Assemblyman Ian Calderon, Supervisor Don Knabe, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, La Mirada Mayor Steve DeRuse await to speak at the I-5/Valley View Interchange groundbreaking. Photo Tony Aiello (c) La Mirada Blog 2016 |
La Mirada~The time has finally come as Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced construction of the final phase of the $1.9 billion I-5 South Corridor Improvement Project has officially got underway.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at an old furniture store parking lot Wednesday, October 26th.
The sixth and final segment, the $631 million I-5/Valley View Interchange Project, extends from Artesia Boulevard to North Fork Coyote Creek near Alondra Boulevard and will add new carpool lanes and general-purpose lanes in each direction through the cities of Buena Park, La Mirada, Cerritos and Santa Fe Springs.
“This is the final hurdle toward making transportation safer and less congested along this vital stretch of the I-5 South corridor,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. It brings us one step closer toward improving freeway connections for commerce and the local communities.
The project will replace the two bridges at Valley View with a six-lane overcrossing that will span 1,600 feet. Additional improvements include the construction of a railroad bridge, reconfiguring on-and-off ramps and the realigning of Firestone Boulevard.
Guest speakers at the ceremony included Grace Napolitano, U.S. Representative, Congressional District 32; Ian Calderon, Assembly Member District 57; Supervisor Don Knabe, LA County Fourth District and Metro Board Member; John Fasana, Chair, Metro Board and City of Duarte Councilmember; Steve DeRuse, La Mirada Mayor; Eric Garcetti, First Vice Chair, LA Metro Board, and Los Angeles Mayor; and Monica Gourdine, Associate Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
No closures of Valley View Avenue are expected for the duration of the project; however South Firestone Boulevard will be closed for an extended period of time.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2019.
Reports of Abduction Attempts Continue to Unfold
La Mirada~We recently received multiple messages from concerned parents and residents about a possible child abduction at Windermere Park this past Monday and then at Behringer Park on Tuesday evening, but authorities have told us no crimes have been committed in either instances.
La Mirada Soccer Association President Ruben Orozco sent out a letter to parents Monday evening advising them of an apparent abduction attempt. The letter quickly went viral on social media within the La Mirada area.
Tuesday, a school administrator in La Mirada became concerned when hearing of the letter so she contacted Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District officials, according to our unnamed source.
An e-mail was immediately sent out to NLMUSD board members from the head of security for the district, Elaine Williams, advising that local law enforcement officials had informed the district no crime occurred near a child and there is no merit to the claim.
We contacted Lt. Robin Limon at the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station who said the call came in at 5:40 p.m. but was a “suspicious person only” incident and a report was taken.
However, Limon said there currently is an active ongoing investigation.
The league then sent out an additional letter on Tuesday evening stating a similar “kidnapping” attempt had occurred, this time at Behringer Park.
Limon told us there is no record of an incident at Behringer Park on Tuesday night.
Calls made to La Mirada Lieutenant Kevin Beggs have gone unreturned.
We will have more information here if it becomes available.
UPDATE: 21:28-100616: Since our initial report, the father of the child involved in the incident has contacted us. He advised us the first incident DID occur at Windermere Park on Monday. He asked his name not be used. He said a kidnap attempt investigation is ongoing. He told us his three-year old child was playing near bushes at the park while his five-year old played soccer. He said a male popped out "from behind the bushes" with his arms outstretched towards his daughter. He chased the man away. Report was taken, investigation ongoing.
We apologize if anyone was misled. We only reported the information that we were given. Parent recently exclusively contacted us only.
The family of the child has asked us to share the description of this man:
Hispanic Male, approximately 5'7 to 5'8, about 150-160 lbs, light complexion, dark brown hair, facial goatee, wearing cap; drove away in a tan 4-door sedan.
The Latest #3: College Expo at JGHS, Fall Youth Sports Leagues Forming, Friends of Library Book Sale
Annual College Expo at JGHS
Admission representatives from over 50 colleges will offer workshops and information at the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District’s 5th annual College expo.
The event was created by counselors in the district to connect students with college and career readiness.
Topics including financial aid, community college transfer options, admissions and entrance exams, among others, will be covered by specialists to help young people plan to meet their goals.
The expo runs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 19th at John Glenn High School, located at 13520 Shoemaker Avenue. Food will available for purchase from clubs.
Friends Fall Book Sale
Join the Friends of the La Mirada Library at the Fall Book Sale to purchase books at astoundingly low prices. The Friends will have their annual sale on Saturday, October 8 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center. The Activity Center is located at 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
A pre-sale for members only will be held on Friday, October 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The $10 annual membership can be paid at that time. A wide variety of books will be available.
For more information, contact the Friends of La Mirada Library at LaMiradaFOL@outlook.com or look on Facebook for Friends of the La Mirada Library.
Youth Sports Leagues Forming
Register now for fall youth sports leagues offered by the City of La Mirada. Recreational youth sports offered for the fall season includes Friday Night Football, Volleyball, and Volleytennis. Children ages 5 to 17 are invited to participate.
Get ready to spend Friday nights out at the field, with La Mirada’s semi-annual Friday Night Football league. Open to participant’s ages 5 to 14, the league is played with flags and emphasis is on football fundamentals. Friday Night Football games are played at Behringer Park during the fall season. The league cost is $70, and includes one practice during the week and one game on Friday night.
The City of La Mirada’s Youth Volleyball league is back in swing for the fall season. Open to ages 9 to 17, the league focuses on the basics of volleyball, including passing, setting, hitting, serving, and defense. The Youth Volleyball league is held at the La Mirada Community Gymnasium and the cost is $75.
Volleytennis is offered to 7 to 8 year olds who want to play volleyball. The net in this league is lowered to a tennis-level height, and the ball may bounce between each hit. This league is the perfect introduction to the sport of volleyball and allows kids to learn basic passing and serving techniques. Games are played on Saturday or Sunday afternoons at the community gym.
Diverse Group Gathers in La Mirada to Pray and Give Tribute
La Mirada~Over fifty residents & clergy leaders gathered on a beautiful late summer afternoon in the courtyard at the Civic Center Plaza for the annual La Mirada Prayer for 9/11.
The event had a theme of unity and recognized those we lost from the September 11th, 2001 attacks and also paid tribute to past and current emergency personnel and military members.
Speakers from Temple Beth Ohr, La Mirada Christian Church, La Mirada Masjid, and Living Faith Church were featured.
Latest La Mirada News
City Council
The council recently recognized Temple Beth Ohr of La Mirada on its 60th anniversary. Rabbi Mark Goldfarb was on hand to accept a certificate on behalf of TBO. The synagogue, located at Rosecrans and Santa Gertrudes, was started by eight Jewish families in La Mirada shortly after subdivision in 1954. They hooked up on a supermarket bulletin board.
A resolution was passed authorizing the installation of stop signs and pavement markings on the east and west approaches of Hesse Drive at Talbot Drive.
A resolution was passed to remove the ladder-type crosswalk, signs and pavement markings on Telegraph Road at Armsdale Avenue. It has been determined the crosswalk is no longer needed for El Camino High School which currently operates at the site. The crosswalk remained from when the school operated as Mesa Elementary School.
Wow! How awesome to see residents Joe and Millie Emmerling recently recognized for their 70th wedding anniversary. The Emmerling’s moved to La Mirada in 
September of 1960. “We were here when La Mirada wasn’t a city yet,” the 98-year-old Mrs. Emmerling told the audience. They received a plaque and two tickets to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts for their efforts.
The 1.5 acre parcel at 13400 Biola Avenue will be subdivided and construction of six single-family dwelling units will be developed. The parcel was formerly owned by Suburban Water and was the site of one of the original artesian water wells of Andrew McNally’s Windermere Ranch in the late nineteenth and early 20th century.
Sports
The La Mirada High School football team beat Orange Lutheran 24-17 on August 26th to open the 2016-17 campaign. The defending Suburban League and State Bowl champs then opened up the home season with a 34-0 loss to nationally ranked St. John Bosco this past Friday. The Matadores take on Mater Dei, also nationally ranked, this Friday September 9th on the road.
Eats
Although no lease has been signed yet, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen has submitted initial tentative plans to develop the lot adjacent to Savers at the Green Hills Shopping Center North at Imperial Highway and Santa Gertrudes.
C
onstruction has begun on the new McDonald’s at the former site of The Carriage at Imperial Highway and Telegraph Road. The new Mickey D’s will be an ultra-modern facility similar to the store in Brea.
Across the street, construction has also begun on The Habit Burger Grill which will occupy the former Starbucks and Verizon facility on the southwest corner of La Mirada Boulevard and Imperial Highway.
La Mirada City Council Recognizes Supervisor Knabe
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council recognized Supervisor Don Knabe on August 9th for his career of public service, local support, and leadership for the past 20 years. The Supervisor’s term ends in November.
During his time as Supervisor, Knabe saw the City of La Mirada’s facilities expand to include the Community Gymnasium, Community Resource Center, Activity Center,
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| La Mirada City Council members Ed Eng, Steve De Ruse, Larry Mowles and Pauline Deal with Supervisor Don Knabe (center). |
Community Sheriff’s Station, and Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center. His support was instrumental in making many of these facilities come to fruition.
Currently, Supervisor Knabe’s “Operation Libraries” project is investing over $4.4 million to renovate the La Mirada Library, which will open by the end of the year.
Supervisor Knabe also created the very popular Knabe Katch Fishing Derby in 1996. The 20th event takes place this year on Saturday, September 24th, as always at Regional Park Lake. The event’s future is uncertain after this year.
Supervisor Knabe was presented with a recognition plaque and a framed photo collage at the August 9th City Council meeting.
Traditional Japanese All-You-Can-Eat Buffet May Take Former China Star Spot
La Mirada~A new restaurant may be coming to La Mirada, occupying the empty building at the southeast corner of La Mirada Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue in the Theatre Center adjacent to the La Mirada Theatre for the Peforming Arts.
City Planner Gabriel Bautista told the La Mirada Blog that Shabuya, featuring all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu, has submitted plans for tenant improvements with the intent to remodel the inside of the building located at 15028 Rosecrans Avenue.
The La Mirada Chamber of Commerce has also also reported in their newsletter that Shabuya “has recently signed a lease with the property management company 
Kimco.”
Shabu-shabu is a traditional Japanese dish of thinly sliced meat and vegetables served at the dining table hotpot style-quickly boiled in water and accompanied with dipping sauces when finished. Seafood, chicken and lamb can also be used. The beef is usually rib eye or top sirloin and is traditionally served with shiitake and enokitake mushrooms.
We have tried to reach the owners of Shabuya, but so far our calls have gone unreturned. They currently operate the Shabuya in Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard and their website touts, “we pride ourselves as a traditional shabu-shabu establishment.”
The building has been vacant since China Star Buffet (also known as Asian Palace Buffet at one time) closed its doors in September of 2013.
Other Development News
Plans seem to be continuing for The Habit to take over the former Starbucks located at the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard. There seems to be indications that permits will be pulled relatively soon in relation to this project.
Matadores to Play in 49th 605 All-Star Classic
Whittier~Paul Tully and AJ Rivas from La Mirada High School will participate in the 49th 605 All-Star Football Classic Friday, June 3rd.
The game, pitting schools on the east side of the 605 freeway against teams on the west side, was started in 1967 by the Whittier Kiwanis Club and showcases high school seniors many playing in their last game.
This year, the game has been moved to Pioneer High's new Titan Stadium. Game time is 6:05 p.m.
La Mirada Paramedic Unit Collides With Vehicle
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| The paramedic unit from LA County Fire Station 49 in La Mirada collided with another vehicle this afternoon at La Mirada Boulevard and Oakwood Drive. Photo La Mirada Blog Twitter feed @LaMiradaBlog via Joe Flores |
La Mirada~A paramedic vehicle from L.A County Fire Station 49 in La Mirada collided with another vehicle today at the intersection of La Mirada Boulevard and Oakwood Drive.
The incident occurred about 1:30 p.m.
La Mirada Blog fan Joe Flores reported the paramedic unit was traveling northbound on La Mirada Boulevard. A female was driving southbound on La Mirada and attempted a left turn on to Oakwood.
It is unclear was caused the mishap. It is also unclear if the emergency vehicle had its lights and siren on at the time of the incident.
No injuries were reported at scene.
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