SEE PAGE 3 FOR california ranks #48 in business taxes
Pasadena Press
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014 - NOVEMBER 9, 2014
pasadenapress.com
SWAT Officer dies after being shot serving warrant in San Gabriel by Terry Miller A Pomona police SWAT officer shot in the back of the head while serving a search warrant in San Gabriel has died, Pomona Police Chief Paul J. Capraro said Tuesday eveing. “It is with a heavy heart that we must deliver the news that early this morning Pomona police SWAT Officer Shaun Diamond had succumbed to his injuries,” the Pomona Police Department said in a statement Wednesday. Diamond, 45, was hospitalized early Tuesday morning and listed in very critical condition at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena after authorities said he was shot by 36-year-old David Martinez during a predawn search warrant operation that was part of a investigation into a motorcycle gang. Martinez, who remains in custody, is due in court Thursday. Diamond was a 16-year law enforcement veteran, having also served with the LAPD and Montebello police. He joined the Pomona police in 2006 and was a member of the
VOLUME 1, NO. 27
California economy expected to grow strong in next 5 years By SHEL SEGAL
also activate its emergency operations center at a moment’s notice to coordinate emergency response efforts. We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the Pasadena Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and the Sierra Madre Police Department to provide immediate assistance should any
The Great Recession is long over with the California economy doing much better than the national economy, local economists said at a conference on Oct. 23. In addition, economists are predicting stronger job growth and a continued housing recovery. Kimberly Ritter-Martinez, an economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corps said at the Pasadena Economic and Business Summit at Brookside Golf Club that strong growth will be a mainstay of the next five years. Ritter-Martinez added the county’s GPD will outpace the national average through 2019, with job growth in the county through 2015 recovering all the jobs it lost during the recession. But she did say that many recently hired workers are part-time as many employees are still nervous about California’s economy, meaning they don’t want to take a chance with full-time hires. She also said she believes the Fed won’t raise short-term interest rates until next summer because of three reasons, one of which is a declining labor force participation rate. “That refers to the percentage of people who are either working or actively seeking work. In September
Please see page 2
Please see page 2
Shaun Diamond - Courtesy Photo
SWAT team since 2008. The shooting happened around 4 a.m. at a home in the 100 block of San Marino Drive in San Gabriel, the Pomona
Police Department said. Officers made entry into the home and were immediatePlease see page 4
Pasadena Unified issues statement on school shooting in Washington State Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald issued the following statement regarding the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington State: “The entire Pasadena Unified family is deeply disturbed by the tragedy that occurred in Marysville, Washington today. Our thoughts and prayers are
SEE PAGE 2 for $1 business license to help startups
with the families of MarysvillePilchuck High School.” “The safety of our students is the top priority at PUSD. We take many precautions to ensure that students remain safe while at school. All schools have school safety plans that detail the proper response to a variety of emergency scenarios. The district has a zero tolerance policy regarding weapons on campus. PUSD can
2 | NOVEMBER 3, 2014 - NOVEMBER 9, 2014
California economy expected to grow strong in next 5 years Continued from page 1
the national labor force participation rate was 62.7 percent, down from 62.9 percent the previous month and 63.2 percent a year earlier,” according to a published report. Also speaking at the conference was Selma Hepp, a senior economist with the California Association of Realtors. Hepp said while the market is strong, there are some areas for concern, mainly affordability among 18- to 34-year-olds. Hepp added that while housing inventory is up, it is still situated well below the demand, adding young and firsttime buyers face a lack of information when trying to purchase a home with many thinking a bank will not give them a loan. Mike Ross, CEO of Pasadena Center Operating Co., the nonprofit corporation that
manages Pasadena Convention Center, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, also spoke at this business summit. He said the city has seen a steady increase in hotel occupancy rates. Ross said the occupancy rate has jumped to 85 percent from 68 percent in 2010, adding there are plans to build several new hotels in the city and that is expected to help boost business to the convention center. This economic and business summit was a collaborative presentation by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the city of Pasadena. (Shel Segal can be reached at ssegal@beaconmedianews. com. He can be followed via Twitter @segallanded.)
Change lives. Make wishes come true.
Idea of $1 business license to help emerging startups wins support New high tech and other small startup businesses coming to Pasadena may qualify for a reduced business license fee of only $1 for the first year under plans given initial approval on October 20, 2014 by the Pasadena City Council. The Council approved the idea of friendly business license fees for startups and voted to have staff bring back formal change to the City’s schedule of fees and taxes. The change is expected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2015. Under the plans approved by the Council, the cost of a business license for qualified businesses would be $1 for the first year, and then revert back to typical rate that averages $390 for small businesses. The decision was aimed primarily at qualified, small start-up companies with no more than five employees that can help support the growing start-up community in Pasadena. “We are thrilled with the critical collaboration and sup-
port that we have received from the City of Pasadena as we work to nurture and expand the local start-up, innovation community. This is a terrific example of how the City Council’s leadership is embracing our local start-ups,” said Mr. Andy Wilson, CoChair of Innovate Pasadena. Innovate Pasadena, www. innovatepasadena.org, is a collaborative Pasadena organization of tech leaders, business entrepreneurs, city officials, venture capitalists and other interested parties who are working together to foster a pro-technology and high-tech startup environment in Pasadena. The Council’s action came as Innovate Pasadena and the City are co-sponsoring a week-long Innovation Summit event bringing together bringing together an impressive variety of creative entrepreneurs, tech experts and others for networking, idea Please see page 4
Statement on school shooting in Washington State Continued from page 1
Become a Make-A-Wish ®
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers for Make-A-Wish give their time and talents to help bring hope, strength and joy to children who are battling life-threatening medical conditions. We have a special need for volunteers in the Inland Empire to help local children.
Get Involved Today ocie.wish.org | 714-573-9474
problems arise.” “Crisis counseling and support is available to PUSD students in the wake of this incident in Washington. We also encourage staff and principals to re-familiarize themselves with emergency and security policies in light of this shooting.” Finally, it is important that if staff or students see something such as bullying or the threat of violent behavior they should say something. Information can be anonymously sent to the district by texting “tip PUSD” and a description of the concerning issue to 888777.
“To keep people informed in an emergency, the district is able to send critical information via text message. Text PUSD to 888777 to receive this service from the district.” “PUSD recognizes the tremendous trust that parents place in us when they send their children to school each day. We take this responsibility very seriously. I want to reassure students and parents that our schools are safe.” “Please join me and the staff and students of the district by offering our condolences to those affected by this tragedy.”
NOVEMBER 3, 2014 - NOVEMBER 9, 2014 | 3
hlr media EDITORIAL jschlueter@hlrmedia.com Editor Jennifer Schlueter Publisher HLR Media Advertising advertising@hlrmedia.com Submissions:
Please send all press releases to: jschlueter@hlrmedia.com HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC 1000 E. Walnut St., Suite 227 Pasadena, CA 91106
Phone: (626) 386-3457 Fax: (626) 600-4452
Alhambra PRESS ANAHEIM PRESS
Baldwin Park
Belmont Beacon INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
Pasadena Press
San Bernardino Press
California ranks 48th best on business taxes Annual release of the State Business Tax Climate Index California has the 48th best tax climate in the U.S. according to the latest edition of the State Business Tax Climate Index, released last Tuesday by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. The Golden State’s rank remains unchanged from its 48th place ranking last October. The Index, now in its 11th edition, measures how well structured each state’s code is by analyzing over 100 tax variables in five different categories: corporate, individual income, sales, property, and unemployment insurance taxes. States are punished for overly complex, burdensome, and economically harmful tax codes but are rewarded for transparent and neutral tax codes that do not distort business decisions. A state’s ranking can rise or fall significantly not only because of its own actions, but also because of changes or reforms made in other states. The breakdown of California’s ranking this year is as follows (1st is best, 50th is worst): •California’s overall State Business Tax Climate ranking: 48th •Corporate tax structure: 34th •Individual income tax structure: 50th •Sales tax structure: 42nd •Property tax structure: 14th •Unemployment insurance tax structure: 14th “The federal government is gridlocked, but state policymakers on both sides of the aisle are enacting truly fundamental reforms,” said Tax Foundation Economist and Manager of State Projects Scott Drenkard. “States are doing their part and it’s time that Washington steps up.” The report’s key findings include: •The 10 most competi-
tive states are: Wyoming (#1), South Dakota (#2), Nevada (#3), Alaska (#4), Florida (#5), Montana (#6), New Hampshire (#7), Indiana (#8), Utah (#9) and Texas (#10). •The 10 least competitive states are: New Jersey (#50), New York (#49), California (#48), Minnesota (#47), Vermont (#46), Rhode Island (#45), Ohio (#44), Wisconsin (#43), Connecticut (#42), and Iowa (#41). •The most notable ranking changes occurred in North Carolina, Nebraska, North Dakota, New York, Wisconsin, Maine,
and Kansas (see state specific press releases for more details). The goal of the State Business Tax Climate Index is to start a conversation between taxpayers and policymakers about how their states fare against the rest of the country. This report helps answer the questions: How well is your tax code structured? How competitive is your state compared to the rest of the county? Are businesses in your state spending too much time complying with onerous tax provisions? Are you double taxing things you shouldn’t?
Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
4 | NOVEMBER 3, 2014 - NOVEMBER 9, 2014
Do you know someone who truly makes a difference? Someone who is truly exceptional? An Unsung Hero, if you will? By terry miller Do you know of someone in your community, town or city who has a remarkable story? If so, we want to hear about them. Someone who has made a significant difference in your life or the lives of others in the community? We’re looking for stories about everyday people doing wonderful things in this world, not for themselves but for the benefit of mankind. There are a million stories out there and we want to have your nominations so we may shine a Beacon (if you’ll pardon our pun) on that individual with a feature story in our family of newspapers and companion websites. A couple of years ago we focused on a teenager who started a business collecting fruit from
peoples’ trees and donated to fresh food banks. He did it not for cash but because he cared enough to want to ensure that people were eating fresh fruit every day and didn’t want any food wasted . It is truly inspiring to see a high school student devote his weekends to such a project. In the coming months and years we’ll be featuring people in your city but first we need to know a little about them. In your suggestions, please include the name of the person, age (approx.) and city in which they live and of course a phone number. Tell us why you feel they deserve a special spotlight shined on their life? How long have you known this individual?
Any special circumstances we should know about? Suggestions might include: someone who cares for injured/ feral animals; a family who fosters children; a doctor who still makes house calls….we’re open to your suggestions. Nominations will be reviewed monthly by our Editorial Board. Please no phone calls, all submissions MUST be in sent via email . Decisions on whom we’ll profile remain entirely at the discretion of the Editorial Board. We appreciate any and all nominations. As the old adage goes” There are a million stories in the Naked City. This is one of them…” Please submit your suggestions to: jschlueter@hlrmedia.com
$1 business license Continued from page 2
sharing and inspiration. For small start-ups with limited resources, every dollar counts, said Mark Goodstein, Managing Partner of the Design Accelerator in Pasadena. “It’s all about investing as much as possible in new product and technology,” Mr. Goodstein said, “Innovative technology and design start-ups have always played a vital role in our local economy. We are excited to see the City support early stage companies when they are most fragile.” Stay connected to the City of Pasadena! Visit us online at www.cityofpasadena.net; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaGov, www.twitter.com/pasadenagov, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofpasadena. Or call the Citizen Service Center, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (626) 744-7311.
SWAT Officer dies after being shot serving warrant in San Gabriel Continued from page 1
ly met with gunfire, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department records. The 15-year veteran Pomona police officer was reportedly shot in the upper torso and taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena
for surgery, where he was listed in very critical condition Tuesday. One suspect, who reportedly has been previously arrested for domestic violence and weapons charges, was in custody. The shooting occurred
while officers were serving a search warrant that involved “outlaw motorcycle gangs” and were coordinated with multiple agencies and at multiple locations, according to police. “We are hoping for the best,” Pomona police Lt. Michael Keltner told the Los Angeles Times, on Tuesday “…he is very passionate about law enforcement… He’s a top notch guy.” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are continuing to assist Pomona Police Department investigate the shooting of a Pomona Police Officer during the service of a search warrant Tuesday, , October 28, at approximately 4:00 am. At the direction of LASD Homicide Bureau, 36 year-old David Martinez, a resident of San Gabriel, was booked by
Montebello Police Department for Attempt Murder on a Peace Officer. He is being held in lieu of four million dollars bail. Suspect Martinez’ criminal history includes assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence and is believed to be a member of the Mongols Motorcycle gang. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.