The Weekly Newspaper of El Segundo
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 107, No. 21 - May 24, 2018
Inside
This Issue
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.....................16
Classifieds............................4
Crossword/Sudoku.............4
Entertainment......................6
Legals............................ 14,15
Letters...................................3
Pets......................................18
Police Briefs........................3
Real Estate.....................9-13
Sports....................................5
Weekend
Forecast
Aquatics Center is Progressing
A reception took place at the El Segundo Aquatics Center this past Tuesday afternoon, with updates on the facility as well as a sneak peek at the progress. With construction well underway, the team is one
step closer to filling the pool at the El Segundo Aquatics Center as seen in the photo above. The team has finished the digging and are framing the concrete foundation. Those interested in keeping up with
the progress may sign up for updates at ESAquatics.org. For more photos see page 8. Photo Courtesy of the El Segundo Aquatics Center.
Fuentes Bids Farewell to Council,
Looks Forward to Next Chapter
By Brian Simon
maintaining the City’s independence was a
important accomplishment over my second
Well, that went by fast, didn’t it? Then again,
critical component of El Segundo’s ability
term was that we structurally balanced the
it seemed like a lifetime ago when she stepped
to provide the best possible services to its
budget,” she said. “My first term, we sold off
off one dais (the Planning Commission) to
residents and businesses. In her mind, the
property – a bad idea – such as the original
move to the next one (the City Council) in
City would have to look at other means to
Fire Station #2 site, land off Imperial, as well
2010. Either way, two terms and eight years
boost revenues –specifically through economic
as cars. That was not structural.”
later, Suzanne Fuentes finds herself truly
development. As far back as 2011, Fuentes
Fuentes emphasized that achieving a
“out of a job” for the first time and ready to
spoke of the need for “a strategic plan and
structurally balanced budget was a difficult
embrace the next chapter of her life. It won’t
vision” and that came to fruition a few years
challenge, but the City managed to provide
be an easy transition, as public service has
later when the Council adopted its first longrange
services, reach agreements with unions,
been a staple of her daily existence for so
strategic plan that it continues to hone
pay down unfunded pension liability and
long. However, she welcomes the opportunity
each summer.
bolster technology to catch up with today’s
to see more of the world. Ohio, Hawaii and
While the quest for fiscal solvency understandably
needs. Other key commitments included
Idaho are on the travel agenda, as are trips
dominated the proceedings during
allocations to improve local infrastructure
to New Zealand, the Mediterranean and the
her first term, Fuentes said that Council
and funding for critical new City positions
Mississippi River.
decisions over the past four years finally
such as an information systems director and
“I sold my home two years ago so I could
began to pay off in that regard. “The most
See Suzanne Fuentes, page 15
retire and become a full-time mayor,” Fuentes
said, noting that in 2016 she also wrapped
up a nearly 30-year career at Northrop
ES School Board Honors Retirees,
Grumman in order to focus completely on
El Segundo. “El Segundo’s geographical
Gets Update on PTA Fundraising
footprint is small, but we have a long reach
due to our business community. I became
By Duane Plank
volunteer hours that have been garnered in
even more involved in regional issues such
As the 2017/18 year races towards conclusion,
support of local education.
as Los Angeles Air Force Base, Metro,
Tuesday night’s El Segundo School
Retirees honored on Tuesday evening
transportation and homelessness.”
Board meeting featured the annual recognition
included Richmond Street School (RSS)
Thinking back on her tenure on the Council,
of retirees, as well as a presentation
first grade teacher Marie Loye, who is
Fuentes recalls taking a “listen and learn”
by school-site PTA presidents detailing
concluding her 14-year stint at the campus,
approach during her first year to learn the
their accomplishments in fundraising and
as well as District classified employees
ropes. Told the City had a balanced budget
the programs the monies have been able
Maxi Cash, Joan Moon and Keith Sturgeon.
when she took her oath in April 2010, she
to bolster.
Loye emailed prior to the meeting,
was surprised to find out a week later that
The PTA presenters spoke of specific
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself because
it was actually a $3.9 million deficit. She
programs that they were able to fund, including
I can’t believe how fortunate I am. Not
and her colleagues spent the next year in
the Fall Festival, and urged all parents
many people get to live and work within
scramble mode, looking for ways to shore
in El Segundo Unified School District to
a one-mile radius. I’ve lived in El Segundo
up the City’s finances. One controversial
support the PTA, with an eye towards the
for about 37 years and love this place.
proposal was a ballot measure to merge El
2018/19 school year. “Rewarding and collaborative,”
Working at Richmond these past 14 years
Segundo Fire Department into LA County
were the over-arching themes,
has been amazing. The administration has
to save potentially a few million annually.
as the presenters mentioned the amount of
Fuentes vehemently opposed it, feeling that
Friday
Partly
Cloudy
64˚/56˚
Saturday
Sunny
65˚/57˚
Sunday
Sunny
68˚/58˚
See School Board, page 14