Norwalk High's Ken Cook repairs lives above all else

NORWALK – An adventurous kid by nature, Ken Cook was always on his bike.

Cook recalls having to always wait for one his uncles to come over if his bike ever broke down -- and for a kid, it felt like an eternity.

His mom suggested he go and ask the old man down the street -- who had the endless toolbox and the eternally open garage -- if he could fix it for him.

The old, grumpy man down the street surprisingly agreed to fixing little Kenny’s bike, though they had never even exchanged a neighborly smile or nod.

The next time something broke, old man Wendell refused to fix it for him. But instead, he agreed to show Cook how to fix his own bike.

Wendell helped Cook fix his bike, but most importantly taught him the virtue of paying it forward.

Today, Cook has a lot to be proud of. The army veteran and father of two young boys has been named one of Fender Bender Magazine’s Most Influential Teachers for his great work in the community, both inside and out of the classroom. He has also put Norwalk High School on the map as one of the best automotive programs in the nation, winning back-to-back SkillsUSA’s Model of Excellence awards for 2015-2016.

He clocks in at Norwalk High a little before 8 a.m. everyday then he oversees an after school collision repair center at Cerritos Community College from 4-6 p.m. He understands his students need a positive male role model, self confidence and skills that can open doors to a career. His program provides students with all of that and so much more.

“We don’t build cars; we build people,” said Cook as he takes a moment to proudly reflect on some of his most memorable student success stories from over the years.

The program is fully inclusive by design because Cook remembers growing up in a time when high school was less of a sanctuary and more of a penitentiary for students like him, who would much rather work with their hands than take a standardized test.

Cook's class converted a trailer into a fully-functioning mobile kitchen with a BBQ grill, sink, and refrigerator. (Photo by William Odis Martin)

While 41 percent of the students enrolled in the collision repair program at Norwalk High have a range of special needs, each student brings a special attribute to the team. Cook puts each in a position to succeed.

One of the big projects for last year’s collision repair class was to convert a trailer into a fully functioning mobile BBQ equipped with a grill large enough for two people, a sink, and a refrigerator.

Last Thursday, Cook’s class took the BBQ trailer out for a spin and showed off their grilling skills along with the culinary program. The students set up outside of Lowe’s in Norwalk serving up free tacos for the community from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Last year’s trailer was such a success, Cook is building a new and improved mobile BBQ trailer this year but this time with twice the grill space and a custom paint job. The class is currently finishing the trailer, which will be complete within the next few weeks, said Cook.

By helping kids in the neighborhood however he can, Cook hopes to steer the students in the right direction just as Wendell did decades earlier for him.

A complete stranger taking the time to teach him how to fix his bike made such a lasting impact on Cook’s life that he in fact named his firstborn son Wendel (dropping the extra ‘L’).

Cook and his class now makes custom bikes for students with special needs in the community who don’t have the means to afford them. Cook hopes to teach the next generation of little Kenny’s to pass on the love of fixing things.

PREVIEW: Norwalk Lancers face-off against top-ranked La Mirada Matadores

NORWALK – The (4-1) Norwalk Lancers football team is set to face-off with the (3-2) La Mirada Matadores on Friday at 7 p.m. Although the schedule says Norwalk is the home team, they will be entering hostile territory as the game will be on the La Mirada football field.

The Matadors come into the game as the fifth-ranked football program in the state and the 31st in the nation, according to MaxPreps. Their only two losses were to Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, two of the nation’s best football programs who often springboard their student athletes to Division 1 college football programs after graduation.

The Matadors were shutout in both their defeats allowing a combined 82 points over the two outings, though La Mirada is coming off an impressive 62-0 shellacking over Cerritos High School last week.

La Mirada’s senior stud quarterback Tristen Meyer’s numbers are impressive through five games, completing 40 of his 60 passes for eight touchdowns and allowing only one interception. Meyer is coming off his best performance of the season scorching Cerritos for five touchdowns. His 169.5 quarterback rating was nearly perfect as he completed 10 of 11 passes for 264 yards including his longest of the season of 51-yards.

The Lancers have a better record so far but have played weaker opponents. Over the last three games, the Lancers have outscored their opponents 108-27. Norwalk’s only loss this year was to Jordan High School (Long Beach), 6-7, in a defensive grudge match.

Both teams come into the game (1-0) in league action with the winner going home in first place with four remaining league games.

Write here...

Byron Dillon

November 26, 1921 - September 20, 2016

Byron Dillon was born in Harvey, Illinois 1921. During the Great Depression in 1935, his family migrated across Highway 66 to Los Angeles. He graduated from Poly Technic High School in Los Angeles, and went on to Loyola Marymount to receive his Biology Degree. He was drafted into the Navy during World War II and was stationed in San Diego. After the war he went to USC Dental School and graduated in 1948. Later he served as a captain in the Korean War. Byron practiced dentistry in Downey for 40 years. Byron was very active in the Downey community. He was a member of the Downey Elks Lodge, Exchange Club, and later in life active in Keep Downey Beautiful. Byron is survived by his loving wife Joan of 64 years of marriage. He has four children, Dr. Thomas Dillon D.D.S., Nancy Barras retired Downey teacher, John Dillon a pharmacist, and Dr. Donald Dillon D.D.S. Byron has seven grandchildren and 1 great grandson. The services will be held sometime in the near future at the Riverside VA Cemetery.

Patrick Joseph Hansen

October 13, 1948 - September 11, 2016

Pat Hansen loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully at his home in Downey, California on Sunday morning, September 11, 2016, surrounded with love after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Fresno, California and raised in Pomona, California, Pat graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in physical therapy. Upon graduating he moved to Downey, California and worked for twenty years at Downey Community Hospital as Department Head of the Physical Therapy Department. He opened a successful private physical therapy practice, Downey Physical Therapy Services, Inc., which he owned and operated until 1998. He loved all kinds sports but especially baseball and football and was an avid collector of memorabilia. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Diana (Johnston) Hansen and two sons, Shawn Patrick Hansen and Connor Joseph Hansen. In honor of our beloved Pat Hansen, an educational scholarship has been established and donations can be made to St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California.

'Memphis' opens Musical Theatre West's new season

LONG BEACH – Musical Theatre West opens its 2016-17 season with Broadway’s smash hit musical “Memphis” at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center Oct. 21 – Nov. 6.  

The winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book and Best Orchestrations, “Memphis” is filled with “roof-raising rock and roll, high-octane dancing, and an extraordinary tale of fame and forbidden love that sparked a cultural revolution.”

The show’s Tony-winning original score  features music by Bon Jovi’s founding member and keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”), who also pens the musical’s book. 

Tickets start at $20 and are on sale at musical.org or by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4. 

Inspired by actual events, “Memphis” is a story of a cultural revolution that erupted in the 1950s, in the segregated underground nightclubs, radio stations, and recording studios of Memphis. When Huey Calhoun, a rebellious DJ with a passion for R&B, discovers Felicia Farrell, an up-and-coming black singer in a club on Beale Street, they pursue a romantic and professional relationship, defying their place in society and in music. 

As their careers rise, they are challenged by personal ambition and the pressures of a segregated world. Will their love be able to withstand the trials of separation, greed and fame?

When “Memphis” opened on Broadway in 2009, audiences and critics went wild for the musical. The New York Times hailed, “[Composer] David Bryan evokes the powerhouse funk of James Brown, the hot guitar riffs of Chuck Berry, the smooth harmonies of the Temptations, the silken, bouncy pop of the great girl groups of the period.” 

Awards followed the critical acclaim. “Memphis” earned a total of nine Tony nominations, winning four of the top categories and seven Drama Desk Award nominations. 

When the production moved to London, the show garnered an additional nine Laurence Olivier Award nominations and the awards for Best New Musical, Best Theatre Choreographer, and Best Sound Design.

Long Beach’s International City Theatre releases 2016-17 schedule

LONG BEACH – International City Theatre has announced its 32nd season of plays at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, where ICT is the resident professional theater company. 

Set to open in February, the 2017 season ventures a look at the mysteries of life, love and the universe with two Los Angeles premieres and two crowd-pleasing revivals.

A fifth play will be announced at a later date.

Los Angeles premieres of “Uncanny Valley” by Thomas Gibbons and “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson challenge us to explore the unknown — the former taking us into the future of artificial intelligence, the latter the true story of 19th century women “computers” who mapped the stars at the dawn of modern astronomy.

Audience favorites “Forever Plaid” by Stuart Ross (the beloved musical revue that has its four protagonists returning from the dead) and Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Crimes of the Heart” tap into enduring mysteries of life and love.

The 2017 schedule is as follows:

Feb. 17 – March 5 (previews Feb. 15 and Feb. 16):
Forever Plaid — Miraculously revived from the dead, four young singers killed in a car crash on the way to their first-ever big concert get to fulfill their dream and perform the show after all – although it’s 60-plus years later and at International City Theatre!

Singing in close harmony, squabbling over the smallest intonations and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with over-zealous precision, the “Plaids” will keep everyone smiling and humming along to some of the great pop hits of the ‘50s. Written by Stuart Ross and with musical arrangements by James Raitt, Forever Plaid was first produced in 1990, yet remains one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history.

April 21 – May 7 (previews April 19 and April 20):
Uncanny Valley — What does it mean to be human? Playwright Thomas Gibbons explores the inherent unpredictability of consciousness, as well as ethical questions about our own mortality and how far we’ll go to live forever, in what The Washington Post describes as a “fascinating [and] cerebrally challenging” new play about artificial intelligence.

Sometime in the not-too-distant future, a neuroscientist works closely with an artificial being to teach him how to become more human and to grow beyond the “uncanny valley” — a term used to describe the discomfort we feel when we see electronic recreations of human beings that are oh-so-close, but just not quite right.

June 9– June 25 (previews June 7 and June 8):
Crimes of the Heart — Meg just left a man. Lenny never had a man. Babe just shot a man. Warm-hearted, irreverent, funny and touching, Beth Henley’s first play examines the plight of three Mississippi sisters betrayed by their passions as each is forced to come to terms with her “crimes of the heart.” Winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best American Play.

Aug. 25– Sept. 10 (previews Aug. 23 and Aug. 24):
Silent Sky — A celestial romance and true story of discovery, this riveting new play by Lauren Gunderson explores the life and career of Henrietta Swan Leavitt (1868-1921) as she fearlessly asserts herself in the male-dominated world of early astronomy. Hired by the Harvard Observatory as a human “computer” to catalog the stars, Henrietta’s story plays out against a landscape of early feminism and universe-revealing science, reminding us all what we can achieve when we allow curiosity and wonder into our lives.

“Luminously beautiful… an intellectual epic told on an intimate scale. Bottom line: Heavenly.” raved the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Oct. 20 Nov. 5 (previews Oct. 18 and Oct. 19):
TBA
 

For more information about ICT’s 2016 season, and to purchase subscriptions or single tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.internationalcitytheatre.org

Letter to the Editor: Ear protectors

Dear Editor:

In 1997, Evander Holyfield fought Mike Tyson in a much publicized, hotly contested, heavyweight boxing match.  

Thinking it would be a relatively easy win, Tyson did not spend much time in preparation for the fight. He was the heavyweight champion, and Holyfield has been less than spectacular in his previous fights. 

As the match wore  on, however, it became more and more obvious that Holyfield was getting the better of Tyson.  Frustrated with his inability to take command of the fight, Mike Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear.  

The moral of the story: I highly recommend that Hilary Clinton wear ear protectors to the next debate.

Hal Nelson
Downey

Sports Briefs: Lady Vikings win SGVL cluster meet in La Mirada

DOWNEY – The Downey High School girls’ cross country team won the first S.G.V.L. cluster meet last Thursday afternoon at La Mirada Regional Park. 

Downey runners finished fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth to finish with the lowest team score. In cross country, each team can enter seven runners but only the top five finisher times are counted in the final result.

Downey defeated Dominguez 15-50, defeated Gahr 15-42, defeated Lynwood 15-49, defeated Paramount 20-36 and narrowly defeated cross-town rival Warren, 25-30.

Downey senior Elsa Delgado finished fourth overall in a time of 19:46, junior Aadriana Higuera finished fifth in a time of 19:48, senior Morelia Venegas finished sixth in a time of 19: 52, sophomore Laura Velasco finished seventh in a time of 20:02 and senior Brianna Orozco finished eighth in a time of 20:12. Lady Viking runners finished in a total time of 1:40:07 and a team time of 20:01.40.

Downey’s sixth and seventh place runners were senior Alexandra Gurrola who finished twentieth overall in a time of 21:52 and freshman Jazmin Orozco who finished 28th overall in a time of 23:51.

Warren senior Trinity Gomez won the overall race in a time of 19:12, Warren senior Carlota Conant was second in a time of 19:33 and Paramount freshman Rebecca Mejia was third in a time of 19:46. 

■ The Warren High School boys’ cross country team won the first S.G.V.L. cluster meet last Thursday afternoon at La Mirada Regional Park.

Warren finished in first, third, fifth, seventh and tenth to seal the win. In cross country, each school is allowed seven runners to enter a race but only the five fastest times are counted in the final team time.

Warren defeated Dominguez 15-50, cross-town rival Downey 16-46, Gahr 17-45, Lynwood 15-50 and Paramount 23-32. Warren finished in a team time of 1:21:02 and an average time of 16:12.40.

Warren senior Daniel Ramos finished first in a time of 15:54, senior Alexander Garber finished third in a time of 16:06, senior Christian Gonzalez finished fifth in a time of 16:10, junior Emiliano Rodriguez finished seventh in a time of 16:17 and junior Adan Castellanos finished tenth in a time of 16:35. 

The Bears’ sixth place finisher was senior Kevin Antuna, 13th overall, in a time of 16:56 and seventh place finisher was sophomore Anthonie Avila, 16th overall, in a time of 17:07.

Paramount junior Diego Mejia finished second overall in a time of 15:58, Paramount junior Genobevo Franco finished fourth overall in a time of 16:10, Gahr senior Adrian Casa finished sixth overall in a time of 16:13, Downey senior Miguel Lopez finished eighth overall in a time of 16:24 and Paramount senior Alexis Vargas finished ninth overall in a time of 16:31.

■ The Warren High School football team was defeated by St. Paul at St. Paul last Friday night, 47-37. 

With the loss, the Bears are 0-4-1 and still seeking their first win of the season. The Bears concluded their preseason schedule at the conclusion of the St. Paul game. 

Warren has a bye this week in preparation for the start of S.G.V.L. play next week against Paramount at Paramount.

In the St. Paul game, the Bears were tied with the Swordsmen 14-14 at the end of the first quarter. St. Paul outscored the Bears 12-10 in the second quarter and took a 26-24 lead into the locker rooms at halftime. 

The Swordsmen outscored Warren 7-0 in the third quarter and led 33-24 entering the fourth quarter. St. Paul outscored Warren 14-13 in the fourth quarter and came away with the hard fought, 47-37 win.

Bear quarterback Chris Venegas completed 18/37 pass attempts for 233 yards. Venegas threw for three touchdowns and had two interceptions. Venegas completed passes to six different Bear receivers. Jordan Mayes led all Bear receivers with six catches for 35 yards and also had one touchdown.

The Bear ground game accumulated 191 yards on 36 carries. The Bears also had five different players carry the ball. Sebastian Valencia led all Bear rushers with 92 yards on 15 carries and also had one touchdown rushing. 

The Warren defense was led by Donovan Taylor’s four solo and three assisted tackles, Nicholas Cid’s four solo and two assisted tackles and M.J. Togafu’s two solo and four assisted tackles. 

■ The Downey High School football team defeated Chino Hills at Downey last Friday night, 42-22, improving to 4-1 on the season. 

Downey does not have a game tonight as they are in their bye week. They begin S.G.V.L. play next Friday night at home when they host Dominguez. 

In the Chino Hills game, Downey scored early and often and led 42-14 mid-way through the fourth quarter. Viking quarterback Trevor Hill completed 16/23 pass attempts for 177 yards and two touchdowns. 

Downey’s ground attack accumulated 240 yards on 41 carries using six different ball carriers. The receiving corps amassed 177 yards on 16 receptions to seven different receivers.

Baraq Ross led the Downey running backs with 11 carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Tony Ramirez led the Viking receivers with four receptions for 49 yards. Michael Cabrera led the Viking defense with five solo and seven assisted tackles. 

Malcom Perry had eight solo and two assisted tackles and Jack Chapman had three solo and seven assisted tackles in the strong defensive effort.

To bolster police, Downey turns to civilian volunteers

DOWNEY – In an effort to free up police officers and staff, the City Council on Tuesday authorized the creation of a civilian volunteer program within the Downey Police Department.

Volunteers won’t actually patrol streets. Instead, they will be unarmed and provide support to police officers and administration by performing routine duties such as answering phones and conducting traffic and crowd control at city events and traffic collisions. 

Most of all, civilian patrols will also serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for police officers, said Downey Police Capt. Stephen Garza. 

“Perhaps the best way to look at it is like an extension of the Neighborhood Watch program -- only mobile,” he said. 

Volunteers will patrol in two vehicles but have no authority to arrest or issue citations, Garza said. 

In a staff report, Police Chief Carl Charles cautioned that a volunteer program wouldn't be free, writing that a volunteer program is “feasible,” but that in its current state “the Department does not have adequate staffing, budgeted funds, or equipment to properly implement, maintain, and manage a Volunteer Program, especially considering current responsibilities such as the new Park Ranger Program currently being developed.”

While volunteers donate their time, the program isn’t free. The cost to implement and supervise the program is budgeted at $66,000, plus an additional $27,000 annually for maintenance. 

The bulk of the start-up cost is to finance the purchases of two new police vehicles. Two patrol cars would then be taken out of commission and rebranded for civilian patrols. 

“I have all the confidence in the department to train our volunteers properly and make great impacts in the community,” said Mayor Alex Saab.

■ Instead of throwing away old street signs, Downey will begin selling them at $25 each. 
In 2014, the City Council voted to replace Downey’s 7,000 street signs, which were determined to be not in compliance with new state standards. 

As of this week, about 1,280 signs have been replaced. The old signs are currently being stored at a maintenance yard and are “taking up a great deal of space... and need to be removed from the yard,” said public works director Mohammad Mostahkami. 

Council members this week agreed to begin selling old street signs for $25, with proceeds used for future street sign replacements. 

Signs can be purchased at City Hall. Residents then take their receipt to the public works maintenance yard, show their receipt, and pick up a sign. 

Unsold signs will be recycled at the end of each fiscal year. 

■ Council members approved a $516,000 project to install LED lights along Lakewood Boulevard, between Florence Avenue and Gardendale Street. 

As part of the project, the boulevard’s light poles and traffic signals will be re-painted from its original cobalt blue to grey, matching the new light poles on Lakewood between Florence and Telegraph Road. 

In a report to the City Council, Mostahkami that the project would “further expand on energy efficiency roadway lighting improvements within the city...” 

“The proposed improvements will convert overhead street lights and decorative pedestrian safety lights along the subject portion of Lakewood Boulevard from their existing 400-watt and 100-watt metal halide lights to energy efficient LED lighting,” Mostahkami wrote. 

City workers will install the LED lights, but the repainting will be completed by an outside vendor. 

Approximately 133 overhead street lights will be repainted, along with 78 street light poles, 626 pedestrian safety light fixtures, 626 decorative pedestrian safety light poles and bases, 14 traffic signal controller cabinets, 33 electrical service cabinets, 30 bollards, and traffic signal poles and mast arms at 14 signalized intersections. 

■ City Hall is going high-tech in terms of how it interacts with residents and customers. 

The City Council on Tuesday voted to purchase 13 iPads, which will be placed at City Hall for customer check-in. 

Currently, visitors who visit City Hall manually check-in on a piece of paper. 
Under the new system, residents sign-in electronically on an iPad, either using their real name or anonymously. Residents also have the option of providing an email address to receive a customer satisfaction survey. 

The digital process also “eliminates redundant data entry and reduces the number of spreadsheets that are used to record critical business data by storing information in a centralized database,” said administrative aide Maria Rivas. 

The iPads will be situated inside kiosks and placed at the public counters at City Hall. City workers will be available for residents who need assistant using the devices or for residents who prefer to manually sign-in. 

Customer satisfaction kiosks will also be placed at the Columbia Memorial Space Center, police station, library, and parks and recreation facilities. 

The cost to purchase and install the iPads and kiosks is $14,363.

■ Council members extended Downey’s annual agreement with the Downey Chamber of Commerce for business promotion services. 

Under terms of the deal, the Downey pays the chamber $33,000. In exchange, the chamber provides the city with public relations and business development services, along with government and legislative interrelations. 

Downey Symphony concert pays tribute to Downey's role in space exploration

DOWNEY – The Downey Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Downey’s 60th anniversary at the opening concert of its 57th season on Oct. 22.  

The Orchestra will pay tribute to Downey’s important role in space exploration by performing Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets.  Also on the program is the world premiere of the Downey Celebration Suite, composed by long-time resident Lars Clutterham.  

The third movement of Clutterham’s piece, “Salsa Caliente,” salutes Downey’s many Latino residents.  Mayor Alex Saab and other political and civic leaders are expected to be in attendance.  

“The Orchestra’s first concert was just three years after the incorporation of the city,” noted Larry Lewis, President of the Downey Symphonic Society.  “We’re proud that we’ve been a key part of Downey’s rich cultural life since the beginning and delighted to be celebrating this milestone for the city.”  

The performance is supported in part by a prestigious grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

While the music is the heart of the evening, the concert will be enhanced with art and poetry as well as other festivities.  In partnership with the Downey Arts Coalition, an exhibit of work by local artists under the title “Cosmic” will be on view in the theatre lobby.  

The Symphony also partnered with Poetry Matters, a monthly reading series curated by Lorine Parks, to sponsor a contest for the best poem on a space-related theme. The winner, Peggy Dobreer, will read her poem from the stage, following a pre-concert talk in which Music Director Sharon Lavery will interview Lars Clutterham. 

A free champagne reception will follow the concert and the Columbia Astronomy Club will set up telescopes for star- and planet-gazing.  Earlier in the day, the Columbia Memorial Space Center will offer a day of family-friendly events, including a panel by noted astrophysicist Dr. Theodore Clarke.  

The Symphonic Society has led the way in partnering with other arts and cultural organizations in Downey to create events all month that residents can join in to express their pride in the City.  

The “Stardust Arts Festival” kicks off the month on Oct. 2 at the Downey Theatre with the “Stardust Arts Festival,” the opening of the art exhibit “Cosmic,” and free showings of films from Glennfest.  

Rounding out the afternoon will be a panel titled “Journey to the Stars and Beyond,” organized by the Aerospace Legacy Foundation.  

The Columbia Memorial Space Center will present twilight films on Oct. 8 and 15.  On Oct. 20, Poetry Matters will present a reading at Stay Gallery, where poets will present the best from the space-related poems as well as poems related to Downey.   

One of the key features of these events is the presentation of new works of art—paintings and sculpture, films, poetry, and in particular, symphonic music.  

“This is in keeping with the Symphony’s commitment to presenting new work,” says Music Director Sharon Lavery. “In past seasons we have offered our audience a number of world premieres, and Lars Clutterham’s work extends that tradition. I know the audience is going to love his music and take pride in its special connection to Downey.”   

The concluding piece in Holst’s suite includes an off-stage choir, and the Symphony is partnering with Whittier’s Chorale Bel Canto, whose soprano section will sing with the orchestra.  

“This collaboration between our two musical organizations is an exciting new development,” said Maestra Lavery.  

The Symphony’s season will continue with two more concerts.  In January, two musicians who performed in past seasons to great acclaim will appear--violinist Michelle Tseng and baritone Anthony Moreno.  Pianist Robert Blake will join them for an evening of solos, duos, and trios by an array of composers.  

And in April, cellist Benjamin Lash will play Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rococo Theme.”  Also on the program will be Rossini’s William Tell overture and Beethoven’s mighty Symphony no. 5.  

A special thank-you reception exclusively for subscribers will be held following the January concert.

Season and individual concert tickets may be purchased from the Downey Theatre online at downeytheatre.org; by phone at (562) 861-8211; or in person, at the theater box office.
For full information about the concert and the entire month’s 60th anniversary events, go to downeysymphony.org

Shared Stories: A Day and a Lifetime

At first glance, Yolanda Adelé’s wedding day might not seem an auspicious start for a successful marriage; but there are lessons to be learned about the importance of love and commitment. Shared Stories is a weekly column featuring articles by participants in a writing class at the Norwalk Senior Center. Bonnie Mansell is the instructor for this free class offered through the Cerritos College Adult Education Program. Curated by Carol Kearns.

By Yolanda Adelé

Vic and I were married on July 2, 1962, while he was on a 48-hour leave from the Marine Corps after completing his boot-camp training at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif.

Vic was two months into his 19th birthday and I was two months into my 17th birthday. From the few snap-shots that were taken the day we married, I can see that we looked even younger than our tender years. 

Vic wore his Marine Corp uniform handsomely. When he removed his cap to kiss me, I noticed he had a picture of me taped to the inside of his cap (shown in the left photo). I remember how that sweet gesture made me feel so very special. I wore a white satin suit (size nine). It had not occurred to me to buy or borrow a hat or veil to wear for our wedding ceremony.

Neither Vic nor I owned a car. My father had a car, but he drove it to work that day. Consequently, my mother and 12-year-old sister took the short bus ride with us to South Gate City Hall. 

Only in retrospect does it seem odd to me that I did not question my dad or myself as to why he did not attend our wedding. There were no ill feelings between us for him not to want to be there. I know he liked Vic and loved me, so I can only surmise that dad could not afford to miss a day’s pay. In those days I was good at accepting things as they happened.  

We did not have an appointment with the Justice of the Peace. That was another thing that I did not think of, or knew to do. We were lucky after scouting around to find an official with some time in his schedule to marry us. Also, we needed to have another witness because my sister was a minor. The judge stepped out into the hall and asked a janitor to fill in. 

When I tried to put the wedding band on Vic’s finger I found that his knuckle was swollen and the ring did not slip on easily. I broke out in nervous giggles befitting the child–bride that I was. 

After the civil wedding ceremony my mother treated us to hamburgers at a café across the street from the city hall and close to the bus stop. I was filled with joyous emotion at being a married lady having my first meal with my husband.  Soon, we boarded the bus back to my parent’s home. 

The bus dropped us off on the corner of our street, several long blocks from the house. When I got off the bus I tripped, breaking my little toe. I was in pain as I hopped and limped, until Vic carried me the rest of the way. We never discussed where we would go, or what we would do after we got back from getting married. 

My mother walked to the local market. Within an hour she returned carrying a small white cake along with a little plastic bride-and-groom ornament to put atop the cake. 

Just before Vic and I posed for a picture with the cake, I remembered that my sister had a large bride doll complete with a wedding veil.

“Wait!” I shouted excitedly while I took the veil off the doll and arranged it on my head. It was a perfect fit, and it looked even better on me! I was so happy that the pain from my toe subsided, at least for a while. 

When my father came home from work my mother announced, “The kids are married.” He seemed genuinely happy, and hugged us.     

That night as I soaked my badly swollen, blue toe in a pan of water, my parents, sister, Vic, and I watched a popular suspense program, "Thriller," hosted by the legendary king-of-horror actor Boris Karloff. It was not at all thrilling to the new Mr. and Mrs.!

Neither Vic nor I wanted to go to bed before anyone else. It was our wedding night; we felt awkward spending it in my parents’ house. We did not have any resources to go anywhere else. Still, we were grateful to be together.

Our wedding is not a day that we look back on with the fondest of memories, yet I take solace in realizing that a wedding is only for a day, but a marriage is for a lifetime.

In 2012 we celebrated 50 years – our golden wedding anniversary. I reflect on our blessings, our two beautiful and accomplished daughters, their supportive soul mates, our six loving, talented grandchildren, and our soon-to-be great-grandchild. 

I also reflect on our hardships and trials, as well as the insights that molded our tenacity to weather life’s storms, much like we started out, but this time with the maturity that comes with a lifetime of experience. 

Our love has been, and still is our fortress, our stronghold where we renew the vows we made to each over a half century and a lifetime ago.  That is something to celebrate, on a daily bases. 

Happy 54th anniversary to us, 2016.

George Masciave mourned

DOWNEY -- George Franklyn Masciave, born to Michael and Mary Masciave on Sept. 27, 1954 in Hollywood, passed away Sept. 17. 

He grew up in Downey and never lived anywhere else. He had spoken recently of possibly retiring to Texas. 

The youngest of five children, he enjoyed working with cars: plastic models, slot cars and later the real thing. His father owned Arrington Square Barber Shop and George would earn extra money for his hobby by washing and polishing cars for customers, and also by shining shoes in the barber shop. 

George graduated from Ambassador High School in 1972. He went to Casa Loma where he learned dental technology and was a dental technician for 38 years. 

In 1974, he met his future wife, Devona. They were married July 31, 1977 in San Diego and had three children: Jennifer, George and Jacob. 

He is survived by his wife, Devona; daughter Jennifer and her husband, Paul; son George and his wife Cristen; son Jacob and his wife Beth; granddaughters Kailey, Allyssa, Hannah and Sierra; grandsons Cammron, Aaron, Kile, Noah and Joe; one brother; two sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

First presidential debate inspires Norwalk residents to register to vote

NORWALK – The Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters on Tuesday held a voter registration event on the lawn adjacent its Norwalk office on Imperial Boulevard.

Brenda Duran, public information officer for the Registrar of Voters said, "The purpose of the day’s event was to celebrate National Voter Registration Day and to encourage people to register before the Oct. 24 deadline for the Nov. 8 general election."

Norwalk resident Phillip Cazares hasn't voted in 20 years, but that's all about to change. (Photo: Raul Samaniego)

"We’ve had 200 to 300 people come out today to register," she said.

Booths were set up to show off the newest voting technology, recruit potential volunteers to work the polls, describe accommodations made for voters with special needs, and plenty of new voter registration applications for those who wished to newly register or update their current status.

Plenty of food was available from mobile kitchens parked and providing attendees with various selections.

Music was provided by a local radio station and the media was present in numbers with cameras, microphones and video recorders making their way down the row of canopies and tables.

Sitting in the shade under a tree and filling out a voter registration application, Norwalk resident Phillip Cazares said, "I haven’t voted for 20 years."

Mr. Cazares had previously lived in Rosemead and hadn’t changed his registration address for two decades.

Having watched the presidential debate on Monday evening, Cazares continued: "I saw how belligerent Donald Trump was towards [Hillary] Clinton, and decided to come down today and register."

According to Ms. Duran, "As long as the application is in our office or arrives with a postmark no later than Oct. 24, you will be allowed to vote."

Regarding volunteering for the election, Duran said, "We are actively recruiting for poll workers for the general election."

While not an employee, poll workers deemed clerks receive up to a $105.00 stipend and a precinct inspector can receive up to $175.00 for his or her efforts.

"Check our website at www.lavote.net for all the details," Duran said. "And remember to vote Nov. 8."

L.A. mayor Eric Garcetti stops in Downey to pitch Measure M

DOWNEY – Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti arrived in Downey today in order to show his support for upcoming ballot item Measure M.

The press conference was held at Wilderness Park, using the notoriously congested 605 Freeway interchange as its backdrop. 

Garcetti used the opportunity to urge voters to vote yes on M. 

“We’re here at one of the most choked arteries – not just in America – but the intersection of two arteries at the 605 and 5. Three hundred thousand cars and trucks pass through this intersection every single day,” said Garcetti. “That means traffic jams. That means air pollution. That means lost economic growth. And that’s why we must vote yes on Measure M –the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan – on November 9th.”

According to Garcetti, Measure M would immediately ease congestion along the 605 Freeway by fixing “bottlenecks” with $1 billion in funding available starting in 2018. The 605 “hotspot” interchanges at the 5, 10, 60, 91, and 405 interchanges would all be targeted to be fixed, officials said. 

Garcetti also commented that the county-wide traffic reduction plan would immediately deliver to each of the county’s 88 cities for local pothole filling, road repaving, and traffic improvements. 

“Measure M will reduce the time that we’re all stuck in traffic by 15 percent, and will create 465 thousand jobs across the region…good middle-class jobs, that can support families. Jobs that will build things right here in Los Angeles again,” said Garcetti.

According to a press release sent to the Downey Patriot, Measure M would modernize LA County’s aging transportation system and build a 21st century transportation network that expands subway, light rail, Rapid Bus, Metrolink, freeways, and highways. 

It would also add and accelerate transit lines and tie them together into a comprehensive system to work in conjunction with an improved freeway and local road network.

"The 605 is vital artery for our region, from the San Gabriel Valley through the Gateway Cities to our coast, and Measure M will get to work to unclog it immediately," said Garcetti. "With the L.A. County population increasing by 2.3 million in the coming years, we must pass Measure M now to deliver immediate and long-term traffic relief. We've got to vote yes on Measure M to move and improve L.A. County Traffic Now."

Letter to the Editor: Misleading designation

Dear Editor: 

I'm confused. Why would a person use the term "Dr." in order to run for public office? Is it to trick us through deceit? 

There is a candidate, Tammy Ashton, who is using the word "Dr." before her name even though she is not a doctor. I looked her up and she went to law school but failed the bar exam. Thus she is neither a lawyer nor a doctor. 

Does she know that in America people that went to law school are not referred to as as "Dr."? She may have a law degree, but I've never met anyone that calls their attorney "Dr.", especially one that hasn't passed the bar exam. Does that give her a right to deceive voters in making them think that she is really a doctor? 

It's a sad day when candidates have to trick people into thinking they are something they are not just to capture their uninformed vote. 

Mrs. Ashton, just be honest with us and let us decide on the merits, not your deceit and false games. I know voters have become more uninformed recently, but come on, some of us actually pay attention. 

Robert Santana
Downey

Downey man explains life on U.S. Navy destroyer

By Lt. Cmdr. David Daitch, Navy Office of Community Outreach

DOWNEY – A 2012 Downey High School graduate and Downey native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the guided-missile destroyer, USS Chung-Hoon.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Fausto Arteaga is a gas turbine systems technician aboard the forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer operating out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

A Navy gas turbine systems technician is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the propulsion and power generation systems on the ship.

“I work in the oil lab, testing fuel and lube oil for the whole ship,” said Arteaga. “I test for flash point, contamination and water, so we know we're getting good fuel so our engines can operate at maximum efficiency and safety.”

Chung-Hoon, measures approximately 500 feet and is powered by four gas turbines that allow the destroyer to achieve more than 30 mph in open seas.

According to Navy officials, destroyers are tactical multi-mission surface combatants capable of conducting anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance. Fast, maneuverable, and technically advanced, destroyers provide the required warfighting expertise and operational flexibility to execute any tasking overseas.

“Our Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific guided-missile destroyers are poised, trained, equipped and ready to deploy forward and support the Fleet,” said Rear Adm. John Fuller, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. “Working with friends and allies, our MIDPAC sailors provide sea control, advance maritime security, enhance regional stability, and foster continued prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.”

Approximately 30 officers and 300 enlisted men and women make up the ship's company. Their jobs are highly specialized and keep each part of the cruiser running smoothly, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines and handling weaponry to washing dishes and preparing meals.

“Besides being my job, the Navy is my life," said Arteaga. "The other sailors I work with are like brothers, and very close friends, and that's something I never had before."

Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Navy officials explained. The crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.

“Being in the Navy has given me so much opportunity," said Arteaga. "I never would have imagined myself traveling the world, working on millions of dollars of equipment.  It's a lot of responsibility for someone my age, and I'm proud to be a part of it."

In Cerritos, it's now illegal to feed wild animals

News and notes from Cerritos: 

■ The Cerritos City Council recently approved a ban on feeding wildlife at Cerritos recreation facilities with areas of water to protect the health and safety of the public and birds and animals.

The city's Parks Division has reported an increased accumulation of excrement and uneaten human foods at the bottom of the pond, walkways and surrounding areas of Heritage Park, which experiences the highest number of patrons feeding ducks, fish and turtles in the moat.

There has also been a continuous decline in the water quality of the moat, which is attributed to the increase in the duck, fish and turtle populations.

Signs banning wildlife feeding will be posted at all Cerritos recreation facilities with bodies of water.

■ The Cerritos Water Division started flushing the water mains throughout the city last month in response to the California State Water Resources Control Board's recommendation that all public water distribution systems be flushed to reduce stagnant water and sediment build-up.

Notices, placed on the front doors of residences, ask residents to refrain from using the water between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on their designated flushing days. If residents see discolored water during the flushing, they should refrain from using the water in their homes.

Residents should check the water at the front hose faucet periodically to see if the color has cleared up. If the water looks clear, residents may run the faucets in their homes to flush out remaining sediment.

Direct questions or concerns to the Water Division at (562) 860-0311, ext. 2031.

■ Cerritos has entered into an agreement with ES Engineering regarding the groundwater treatment system for the Cerritos Civic Center parking structure.

The arsenic levels in the water discharged from the Civic Center parking structure were found to exceed regulatory limits. ES Engineering has proposed a treatment system that will route water through filtration vessels that are designed to remove arsenic prior to the water being discharged into the storm drain system.

The installation and cost of the equipment is approximately $400,000 with an annual maintenance expense of about $50,000. Under a grant program with the California Energy Commission, ES Engineering will pay for the design, equipment acquisition, installation and maintenance of the system for two years.

At the end of the grant term, ES will transfer ownership of the system to Cerritos at no charge, thus saving the city approximately $500,000 in expenses.

ES is expected to install the system and begin operation no later than January 1, 2017.

■ The Cerritos City Council recently awarded a contract to Sully-Miller Contracting of Brea for $237,780 to repave the Liberty Park parking lot. The cost of the project was funded by a Proposition A grant awarded to the City by Los Angeles County.

The project included curb and gutter improvements, the installation of two ADA-accessible ramps, re-striping and the replacement of the existing chain-link fence with a three-foot-high wrought iron fence.

The project was completed last month.

■ The City Council recently renewed a two-year contract with Empire Pipe Cleaning & Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $243,435.50 for maintenance of the Cerritos sewer system.

Empire Pipe Cleaning & Equipment, Inc. of Orange will maintain the City's sewage system, which consists of about 103 miles of sewer main lines and six submersible lift stations.

Empire Pipe Cleaning & Equipment has performed maintenance on the system since 1986.

■ The County of Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury Office is seeking "well-qualified" citizens to volunteer for the 2017-2018 Civil Grand Jury that will be impaneled on July 3, 2017.

The Civil Grand Jury is virtually a full-time commitment for a period of one year. The deadline to submit the application form is Friday, November 4. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, a resident of Los Angeles County for at least one year, of ordinary intelligence and good character and have a working knowledge of English.

The responsibilities of the Civil Grand Jury include a careful examination of the operations of various government agencies within Los Angeles County, including special districts, to ensure that they are operating efficiently and managing taxpayer monies appropriately. A commitment of 30 to 40 hours a week is required.

Participation is strictly voluntary. Employers are not obligated to provide participants with time off or to pay their salary when they serve on the Civil Grand Jury.

Each year every Superior Court judge may nominate two persons that he or she deems qualified to serve as Civil Grand Jurors. To be considered for nomination, submit an application to the Superior Court Criminal Justice Center, 210 W. Temple Street, 11th Floor, Room 11-506, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Applicants will be interviewed by the Grand Jurors Committee to determine each person's qualifications. The applications of qualified individuals are then made available to all Superior Court judges for possible nomination.

The 23 Civil Grand Jurors and Alternates are required to complete the financial disclosure forms in compliance with California Government Code Sections 81000-91015. Swearing-in for the Civil Grand Jurors is July 1 of each year (or the earliest day thereafter if July 1 falls on a weekend.) Jurors are required to be present for the Swearing-In Ceremony in July to receive the Charge to the Civil Grand Jury.

All Civil Grand Jurors must be available during July and August. For more information or to request an application form, call (213) 628-7914 or go to grandjury.co.la.ca.us.

■ Planning is under way for Cerritos' annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Ceremony to be held on Monday, January 16, 2017.

The Community Participation Division is seeking resources from the public for the event. Members of the community are invited to suggest speakers, inspirational text, quotations or other resources by calling (562) 865-8101 or submitting suggestions to the Community Participation Division, P.O. Box 3130, Cerritos, CA 90703.

Suggestions may also be submitted by e-mail to webmaster@cerritos.us.

■ "Cerritos Celebrates the Arts," a month of art-themed activities, will be offered by the city of Cerritos throughout October. The Americans for the Arts has designated the month of October as National Arts and Humanities Month.

The city's Recreation Services Division will hold art-themed children's activities throughout October. A variety of art classes highlighting painting, ceramics and drawing will be featured. Special events include "Starry Night," "Artsy Artists" and "Parent/Child Create Art With Me." A children's poster contest with a theme of "The Arts Are Alive in Cerritos" will also take place in October. For more information, call the Recreation Services Division at (562) 916-1254.

The Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park will feature art and music courses in October. Yoga, magic and crafts classes will also be offered. For more information, call the Cerritos Senior Center at (562) 916-8550.

Cerritos Library's October schedule highlights numerous art-themed events, including arts and crafts for kids; the Young Rembrandts art class; a presentation by Rob Kapilow; an art contest featuring the theme "Colors of the Rainforest"; and a "Why I Was Late to Class" short story contest.

For more information about the Cerritos Library's programs, call (562) 916-1388.

■ The "Join the Parade" collection was recently installed in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden.

The ensemble, by artist Jane Rankin, was previously displayed at the Cerritos Plaza Shopping Center. The piece originally featured seven limited-edition bronze statues of young children using utensils and cooking tools as their band instruments.

The city added an eighth sculpture, "Wheels," of a band member in a wheelchair. In 2014, it was discovered that three sculptures were missing. The remaining pieces were moved into storage.

The pieces, valued between $43,000 to $45,000, were donated to the city by the property owners of the Cerritos Plaza Shopping Center. The replacement of the three stolen sculptures, costing $45,000, was paid from the Art in Public Trust Fund.

The older five pieces were restored to match the three new pieces before the completed collection was installed in the Sculpture Garden in August.

■ Registration is underway for the Cerritos on Two Wheels community bike ride, scheduled for Saturday, October 1. The event takes place at the Cerritos Sports Complex at 19900 Bloomfield Avenue.

Ride times start at 7 a.m. for the Half Century riders; 8 a.m. for the 30-mile riders; 9:30 a.m. for the 15-mile riders; and 11 a.m. for the Family Ride riders. The ride routes were designed by professional racer Tony Cruz.

Through Thursday, September 29, the registration fee is $65 for the Half Century riders; $45 for the 30-mile riders; and $25 for the 15-mile riders and $10 for Family riders. On Friday, September 30 and on the day of the event, the fee is $75 for Half Century riders; $55 for the 30-mile riders; and $35 for 15-mile riders and $15 for Family Ride participants.

Registration fees include a T-shirt and medal. Meals are included for all pre-registered riders. The post-ride event will include entertainment and family games.

Register at active.com. For more information, contact the Recreation Services Division at (562) 916-1254.

■ Local residents are invited to the Cerritos Sheriff's Station for a family-friendly Haunted Car Show and Haunted Jail event on Saturday, October 22.

The jail is at 18135 Bloomfield Avenue. There is a $3 suggested donation for entry.

The Cerritos Sheriff's Station's second annual Haunted Car Show is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be awards for the best interior, best paint, best engine, best original, best Halloween theme and best in show.

The Haunted Jail and Kidz Zone takes place from 3 to 9 p.m., offering music, candy and a raffle. Food, face-painting, drinks and creepy desserts are offered for a fee. A costume contest, for children age 10 and younger, starts at 5 p.m.

For more information, call the Cerritos Sheriff's Station at (562) 467-6842.

Crime Report: Sept. 26, 2016

Thursday, September 15:
At 8:00 a.m., officers were conducting an investigation at several residences in Downey, during which time three arrests were made for illegal drug charges and a fourth man for a probation violation.

Friday, September 16:
At 7:30 a.m., officers responded to Golden Park regarding a robbery. A man had been standing in the north parking lot of Golden Park when he was approached by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. They took the victim’s cell phone. Detectives are investigating.

At 7:00 p.m., officers responded to a theft at a business in the 7300 block of Stewart & Gray. A 17-year-old juvenile had entered the location and struggled with the clerk during the theft and fled. Responding officers located the 17–year-old suspect in a nearby neighborhood and arrested him without incident. He was booked and later transported to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Saturday, September 17:
At 6:00 p.m., officers responded to a theft at Stonewood Mall, where one of the suspects simulated having a weapon when security attempted to stop her. Officers were able to locate both of the suspects nearby and take them into custody without incident. The female who simulated the handgun was booked for robbery and the other female for shoplifting.

At 8:30 p.m., gang detectives patrolling an alleyway in the 12800 block of Paramount observed a man spray painting graffiti on a wall. The detectives arrested the man and booked him for vandalism.

At 10:00 p.m., officers responded to the 8100 block of Firestone regarding someone vandalizing the wall of a building. Upon arrival, officers detained a 25-year-old woman from San Bernardino who admitted to “tagging” several locations in the area. Officers found 10 locations that the suspect had “tagged,” resulting in approximately $4,000 in damages. The woman was booked for felony vandalism and transported to Los Angeles County Jail.

At 11:00 p.m., officers in the area of Lakewood & Rosecrans observed a motorhome that had been stolen approximately 30 minutes earlier from the area of Lakewood & Meadow. Officers stopped the motorhome and were able to arrest the driver, an adult male from the City of Norwalk, without incident. He was booked for grand theft auto and transported to LA County jail.

Sunday, September 18:
At 5:00 p.m., officers responded to an attempt burglary in the 11500 block of Rives. The suspect was attempting to gain entry through a rear door when he was frightened off by the homeowner. Detectives are investigating. 

Letter to the Editor: Tammy Ashton for Cerritos College board

Dear Editor:

As an educator in the Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District, a resident of Downey, and the mother of three Cerritos College students, I have a strong vested interest in the quality of education provided at Cerritos College.

I have spent the last 30 years preparing my students and my own children to be successful and productive adult citizens. Cerritos College plays an important part in that preparation.

Many of my former students have attended Cerritos, as well as my own children. Just as we need knowledgeable and passionate educational leaders in our K-12 system, our community college needs a board of trustees who have the experience and the commitment to make sure that a quality higher education program is in place. It is our responsibility as residents of Downey to vote for people who can do that.

I whole-heartedly believe that Dr. Tammy Ashton is someone who can and will do that. Tammy grew up in Downey and continues to live here with her husband, Sean, and their three children. She is a graduate of Downey High School, Cerritos College, Cal State Long Beach, and Glendale College of Law. She has years of leadership experience in business and in community organizations. Tammy is highly-educated and extremely passionate about the needs and concerns of our community’s college and its students.

Please join me in supporting and voting for Dr. Tammy Ashton for Cerritos Community College Board of Trustees!

Kathy Perez
Downey

Cerritos College faculty, board agree on new contract

#CCFF celebrates the approval of the agreement in the administrative quad. #ccboard #CCFF #cerritoscollege pic.twitter.com/2UaDqtfa3Y

— #TM61 (@TalonMarks) September 22, 2016

NORWALK – After nearly a year of negotiations, the Cerritos College Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new contract for the Cerritos College Faculty Federation last week.

The CCFF has been a commonly heard voice outside of the Board’s meetings, as they have held several rallies in their pursuit for a contract. 

A tentative agreement between the CCFF and the Cerritos College district negotiation team was brokered in mid-August. Members of the union then went on to ratify the agreement –nearly unanimously – which was then presented to the Board of Trustees at Wednesday’s meeting.

The new contract will give full-time faculty a 10% raise over the course of three years, with part-time receiving 16.5% more over the same period of time. The number of paid office hours (including during summer session) are also increased.

The contract also includes an academic freedom article, regularizes funding for department chairs and program directors, and retains health and welfare benefits for full-time faculty. 
Despite its eventual approval, the contract still managed to create its fair share of controversy when it arrived on the Trustees’ desks. 

Many of the CCFF members were in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting, clad in their usual red. 

Upon the Board’s arrival from closed session, Board President Dr. Sin Liu explained to the crowd that the Board had yet to come to a decision and wished to discuss the matter further. The board then went on to discuss the school’s budget for well over an hour. 

The obviously frustrated crowd of union members left the room, and it wasn’t long before the all-too-familiar chants of “What do we want” “A Contract!” echoed through the school’s halls once again.

The uproar successfully derailed the Trustee’s meeting; so much so that the Board was forced to go to recess until union members were able to settle themselves down. Eventually, the meeting was able to resume, and the Trustee Board was able to return to closed session to discuss the contract just a little bit more.

By night’s end President Liu announced that all seven members had voted to approve the contract. 

Reaction to the news by the union was eerily silent initially. However, as the CCFF members quickly exited the room, cheers of joy would soon be heard just outside of the Cheryl A. Epple Board Room.