Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 09-18-2014
At the September 18 meeting, Lynwood Rotary members and guests heard Simona Ramirez, Field Representative for Assembly Member Anthony Rendon, for the 63rd California Assembly District. Among other responsibilities, he is Chair of the Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee. Simona's talk covered two areas: (1) services provided by Assembly Member Rendon for his constituents, and (2) mention of several legislative issues that the assembly member has had/ continues to have a lead role. Also, Simona described the special efforts the assembly member is taking to work directly with community leaders and residents in general within the cities he represents.
Simona described the services provided, noting in the hand-out brochure, that Assembly member Rendon states: Dear Friend: Did you know that my office is a one-stop-shop for state information and services? As to examples, Simona mentioned that the staff can help with constituent problems with the DMV and with EDD (unemployment and disability insurance) issues. The assembly member has responsibilities in the areas of water, the environment and education. As to legislation specifics, Simona mentioned the importance of high quality early childhood education in increasing educational accomplishments for all students. Also mentioned is the planned water bond and its importance to the entire state. As to specific bills passed, one of the bills mentioned is AB710 which prohibits lead in ammunition used by hunters, to end the problem of lead poisoning through the natural food chain of animals in the wild.
The assembly member has a high priority in working with the cities in his district to encourage more participation and involvement of residents in order to improve the quality and effectiveness of each city, noting that more direct involvement will over time eliminate the culture of distrust that has been a problem for effective local government in the cities in his district. Several members in attendance commented to Simona how important it is to get effective involvement of the residents in all aspects of local government, through open government procedures and effective two-way communications.
Before the presentation by Simona Ramirez, Daniel Miller mentioned two coming events within the City of Lynwood, and Rotary member Joe Wang spoke of the importance of the coming Annual Visit by the District 5280 Governor for the Lynwood Rotary Club on October 2. The two city events mentioned are:
Saturday, September 27, 9 am to 12 Noon Community Cleanup, starting at Firebaugh High School Parking Lot
Thursday, October 9, , 5:30 8:00 pm, State of the City Address
RSVP Deadline is September 29, 2014
Daniel also circulated photos he took of the Annual Rotary District picnic at the Redondo Beach Seaside Lagoon, to include the annual races in specially constructed card board boats by Rotary youth groups and also by Rotary members from participating clubs. There was a turnout from Lynwood Youthact clubs from Roosevelt ES and from Hellen Keller ES and family members and friends of more than 75 people! Special thanks are due to Tila and Fernando Millan in organizing and promoting this event, as well as thanks to Rotary member Joe Wang, who was there, and who, as usual helped the youth construct a cardboard boat in advance of the picnic.
Daniel Miller and Victor Ortiz, Public relations and community outreach for Lynwood Rotary