Lawndale Tribune AND lAwNDAle News The Weekly Newspaper of Lawndale Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - June 22, 2017 Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................8 Classifieds............................2 Community Briefs...............2 Film Review..........................2 Food.......................................8 Legals................................ 6-7 Pets........................................4 Police Reports.....................2 Sports....................................3 Weekend Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy 74˚/62˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 74˚/63˚ Sunday Sunny 78˚/64˚ Lundquists Make $32 Million Gift to Torrance Memorial Craig Leach, President and CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical Center; Melanie Lundquist; Richard Lundquist; Mark Lurie, MD, Cardiology; and Barbara Demming Lurie celebrate the Lundquists’ latest gift of $32 million to the medical center. This brings the Lundquists’ total donations to a historic $100 million. In conjunction with the gift announcement, Melanie and Richard Lundquist announced the renaming of the Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute to the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute. (Photo Provided by Torrance Memorial Medical Center) Council Nixes Farmers Market Citing Low Turnout, Lack of Produce By Haleemon Anderson In a widely contested action, the Lawndale City Council voted unanimously on Monday to withdraw the license agreement with the Lawndale Chamber of Commerce, effectively ending the Farmers Market held Wednesdays at the grounds of City Hall. Director of Community Development Shawn Moore introduced the item, saying the City has hosted the market for the past 13 years, with the current contract set to expire June 30. Moore noted staff had concerns about low participation and a limited number of vendors. He cited the annual cost to the City of $11,700. The Council had requested at a previous meeting that market sponsors make efforts to turn around lagging involvement and increase fresh produce at the weekly event. Dyan M. Davis, representing the Chamber of Commerce, implored the Council to continue the Farmers Market, saying the event provides community camaraderie. “It’s more about the community,” said Davis. She admitted difficulties with marketing the weekly event, in particular since it was moved from a high-traffic location close to Hawthorne Boulevard. Ruthie Davis, also from the Council, pointed to the scarcity of farmers in Los Angeles, saying it’s difficult to get participation and variety in the products offered. “Many of the vendors come from a distance,” she said. Several community members spoke to the benefits of keeping the market. Pam London asked the Council to participate more. Steve Koontz, a longtime resident, said he supports the market. “It’s not about how much it makes. It’s serving the people of Lawndale,” he said. Councilmember Bernadette Suarez raised the question of outreach. “What attempts have been made to increase vendors and produce?” she asked. Dyan Davis said a Facebook page had been revived, along with signage on the freeway and a newspaper ad. Councilmember Pat Kearney noted he visits the market, often bringing his grandchildren. Healthy food choices and a variety of produce are not the norm, he noted. The unanimous vote ended discussion. Jim Osborne said that the late Mayor Larry Rudolph had expressed concern about the fate of the Farmers market. “Before he died, he said it should go. He said, ‘It’s not what it used to be,’” remembered Osborne. Also on Monday the Council honored Dr. James Tarouilly as Administrator of the Year, a recognition given by the California Continuation Education Association. Tarouilly is the principal at R. K. Lloyde High School in District 3 of the Centinela Valley Unified School District. Superintendent Gregory O’Brien was on-hand to present the award. “This has been very exciting for our district,” said O’ Brien, noting that under Tarouilly’s leadership Lloyde was recognized in 2016 as a model continuation school. “Students that attend Lloyde are being successful,” said O’Brien. In the public safety report, Captain April Tardy described two recent arrests. On May 26, sheriffs received a report of a woman being slapped and sprayed with gas at a gas station. The victim was able to snap images of the suspect and her car license plate, and deputies were able to make an arrest. In another incident, a suspect was reported trying to entice a young boy into a car from his front yard. A family member intervened, said Tardy. Deputies searched the area and ultimately the suspect was arrested and booked on attempted kidnapping charges. Tardy spoke on illegal fireworks, in anticipation of the upcoming July 4 holiday. She reiterated the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s “no-tolerance” policy, saying 16 additional officers will be doing patrol checks with a focus on previous highcomplaint areas of the city. She cautioned that the penalty for firing illegal explosives is “$50,000 or an arrest.” On another note, Tardy invited the community to Coffee with a Cop on June 28, from 10 a.m. to noon. She announced the Lawndale station is fully functional after extensive repairs for rain damage this spring. Public comments addressed illegal fireworks and trash dumping. Resident Charmaine Doty asked the Council to reinstate a prizes system for the senior games activity. Johnny Castro called attention to a homeless encampment behind Pep Boys. In Council responses, Mayor Robert Pullen-Miles asked staff for follow-up on the homeless situation. Councilmember Pat Kearney asked if fireworks permits could be revised to make residents responsible for illegal fireworks in their vicinity. City Manager Steve Mandoki said he would work with the City Attorney to address the perennial problem. “I’m hearing a consensus to do that,” said Mandoki, referring to Council (and community) pleas to find a means of curbing the proliferation of fireworks, which is described each year approaching the 4th of July, as turning the city into a “war zone.” Mandoki added that he and staff would look into other strategies and bring back a report. In the consent calendar, the Council tabled action on the purchase of a digital media storage and video editing system. All other items were passed unanimously, including accounts payable just shy of $1 million; various contract and service agreements; production services for the City’s in-house newsletter The Lawndalian, and citywide street repairs. Mandoki announced six submissions have See City Council, page 8
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