Lynwood Rotary Meeting Update 10-01-2015
At the October 1, Meeting, the members and guests heard a presentation from the scheduled speaker, J.D. Whitaker, Parking Control Manager, Chief of Operations, City of Lynwood, and also, Manager of Animal Control (sincethe City took over this service from L.A. County.)
Daniel introduced J.D., noting that J.D. has been featured as a speaker previously at a Club meeting, and noting that J.D. should provide instruction to other city employees as to his outstanding public speaking skills.
Animal Control Services: the first year of operation by the City of Lynwood, previously provided under contract by the County of LA, has resulted in more responsive service at a cost saving of $120,000 a year. Additional savings of $40,000 a year is projected if the City can use the services of the Lynwood Dog and Cat Hospital, whose owners are supportive of this proposal. Response time is now achieved at 20 minutes after the call. As an example of the work load, in July, 181 animal service requests were received, that resulted in 84 animal impounds and 35 deceased animals were picked up. Small dogs, such as Chihuahua dogs, can easily squeeze through fence holes and spaces and therefore should be kept inside at all times unless the owner is immediately present with the dog. Pit Bull dogs are not naturally aggressive, unless they have been trained for fighting. Roosters and hens are a problem, and are an indication of illegal cock fighting. Spaying and neutering is a city requirement and reduces the problem of stray dogs and cats with the unfortunate result of euthanizing unclaimed animals. Coordination is underway with SPCALA for community outreach to educate the community to take better care of pets and to help find homes for stray animals. Hoarding animals in homes, especially where they are poorly taken care of and/or mistreated, is caused by mental illness/ mental problems of the owners.
Parking Control Services: J.D. noted that the problem with lack of on-street parking is due in large part to the problem of illegal garage conversions to housing. Also, there is the situation of residents parking inoperable vehicles on their property, taking up space that could otherwise be used for parking their operable vehicles. These residents need to be encouraged to rid their properties of vehicles that have long been inoperable. Disputes sometimes occur when people park in front of residences, when the resident complains of the parking. For some residents, there is the mistaken view that the curb space in front of the property belongs to the resident. Not true, this parking is public space available to anyone. There is also the problem of automotive repair businesses on major Lynwood streets parking vehicles being repaired on these streets, thus preventing patrons of adjacent businesses from finding onstreet parking places. This suggests priority enforcement of parking time limits and perhaps a reduction of permitted parking times. At Lynwood’s 16 schools, student drop-offs and pick-ups, has to be closely monitored, and the parking rules enforced. Parents need to drive to the far end of the white curb zone for drop off and pick up of students, thus allowing other vehicles in the queue to move to the next available space in the white zone for drop off and pick up. J.D. noted that in the last several years there have been two child deaths, related to school arrivals and departures of vehicles in front of the schools. He noted that these tragedies, view heavily on his mind as to the importance of parking control enforcement around schools.
Announcements and Presentations Before the Speaker
Veronica Ledesma, Field Representative, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, presented a Certificate to Club President, Martina Rodriguez, in recognition that this day, October 1, is the 79th birthday for the Lynwood Club, which was chartered, Oct 1, 1936. In honor of this special day, Martina had a photo taken of Veronica Ledesma, with all the club members in attendance.
Marisela Santana, Public Information Officer for the City of Lynwood, announced that the City’s newly named Ricardo Ricardo Lara Linear Park, will have an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Sat, Oct 10, at 11 am on the corner of Fernwood Ave. and Gertrude Drive. Marisela also announced the City of Lynwood’s State of the City Address on Thur, Oct 15, with sign-in at 5:30 pm at Bateman Hall and with RSVP deadline of Oct 8. All Lynwood Rotary members received an invitation in the mail last week.
A brief announcement was made by Pearline and Frank Calderon of a formal written request that the Club support a veteran’s home repair project by providing food and related support items for the volunteers on the day of the home repairs event. President Martina indicated that the Lynwood Rotary Board will consider this request.
Daniel Miller / Omar Franco
Public Relations and Community Outreach for Lynwood Rotary