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MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014 - FEBRUARY 2, 2014 - VOLUME 3, NO. 4
Glendale – ‘Safest City to Live In’ reports say
Glendale Water & Power customers asked to step-up conservation Glendale Water & Power (GWP) encourages customers to increase their water conservation efforts and decrease water consumption. The statement followed Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order declaring a drought in California. Glendale and the other 25 member agencies of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) are calling for increased voluntary conservation throughout their service areas. Southern California’s two main sources of imported water – the Colorado River and Northern California -
-Photo by Terry Miller
The City of Glendale has long described itself as “a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and offers limitless opportunities” and a series of recent reports have confirmed Glendale’s position as a top city to live, work, and play. With FBI statistics ranking Glendale within the top ten safest mid-sized cities in the United States, the reigning title of best neighborhood in Los Angeles, and an overwhelmingly positive survey of
residents, Glendale’s quality of life has repeatedly been recognized. Glendale offers residents and business owners the reliability of a full service city. With a renowned Water & Power Department, the community rests assured that their utilities remain clean and functional with competitive rates. Glendale’s Class 1 Fire Department provides prompt response times and a high level of quality care. The Police Department utilizes a com-
LASD advises public of phone scams DO NOT give out any personal information to suspicious calls The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has recently been advised that citizens have received suspicious phone calls with the caller representing themselves as LASD personnel and asking for personal information in order to clear up warrants. Please be advised the Sheriff’s Department does not solicit warrant information by phone. If you receive any suspicious calls DO NOT give out any personal information, such as address, social secu-
rity number, bank account numbers, etc. Furthermore, citizens receiving emails asking for personal information and money are encouraged to contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www. ic3.gov, a website jointly sponsored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center, which offers internet crime prevention tips and an opportunity to file a complaint if you feel you are a victim of internet crime.
munity based approach to safety, engaging residents and businesses to ensure Glendale maintains its prestigious title among the safest cities in the nation. Glendale’s recreational opportunities include 45 park facilities and eight libraries. The quality of life these services provide is matched by the thriving culture created by local businesses. The downtown is booming with the growth of thousands of residential units and new
shopping and dining options such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Din Tai Fung. All of this growth is nestled in the Arts & Culture District of Glendale which is home to the historic Alex Theatre, Museum of Neon Art (in construction), and Central Library. The arts are further enriched by the Brand Library & Art Center’s recent renovations, returning the mansion to its original grandeur. Please see page 5
Verdugo Jobs Center to assist with Covered California Enrollment The Verdugo Jobs Center (VJC) has partnered with Covered California to provide healthcare enrollment assistance to the Glendale community. The Center’s multilingual Covered California Certified Enrollment Counselors work with individuals and families to determine which health plan options best fit their needs and guide them through the enrollment process before the March 31, 2014 deadline. “Residents may qualify for financial assistance and not even know it,” said Verdugo Jobs Center program
manager, Lori Kurdoghlian. She added, “The VJC seeks to educate consumers to make informed plan choices that will meet their healthcare needs.” Counselors can also help determine if individuals qualify for free or low-cost health plans. Community organizations, businesses, and employers are encouraged to refer members and employees who do not have health insurance coverage to the Verdugo Jobs Center. Interested residents can Please see page 4
continue to face dry conditions. Despite the record dry conditions throughout California, MWD does not plan on imposing water restrictions at this time. Due to Southern California’s ongoing efforts to dramatically lower demand and MWD’s significant investments in storage and infrastructure in recent years to capture water supply in wet years, mandatory water restrictions are not being implemented at this time. Glendale Water & Power has invested and positioned itPlease see page 3
California issues regulations to implement landmark green-energy bill The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted unanimously last week to adopt new rules for the injection of biogas into the state’s natural-gas pipelines, ushering in an entirely new clean-energy industry in the Golden State. Biomethane, a renewable form of natural gas, was previously banned
from the California pipelines due to outdated laws and a lack of regulations for testing and monitoring the gas. The regulations passed on Thursday (and the necessary statutory changes) stem from AB 1900, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto Please see page 4
Wong installed as mayor of Monterey Park Anthony Wong was installed as Mayor of Monterey Park in a ceremony Wednesday, January 22, at city hall. The installation ceremony featured remarks by outgoing Mayor Teresa Real Sebastian and the installation of Hans Liang as Mayor Pro Tem. Anthony Wong was first elected to the city council in 2007 and reelected in 2011. He is active in numerous organizations in Monterey Park such as the Chamber of Commerce and the Monterey Park Lions Club. This will be Anthony Wong’s second term
-Courtesy Photo
as mayor, which rotates among city council members every nine and a half months.