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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Community Breakfast Was Hot Ticket

Ivy Weiss Contributor Nearly 250 people took the opportunity to breakfast with their state political representatives, fire chief and mayor at the Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce 8th annual State of the Community breakfast Feb 1. Chamber President Bill Powers presided over the morning’s events, which featured talks and Q & A’s with state legislators Lloyd Levine, Cameron Smyth and Audra Strickland; County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; LA City Councilman 12th District Greig Smith, LA Fire Chief Douglas Barry; Deputy Chief of Police for the Valley Bureau Michel Moore; LAUSD Board member Tamar Galatzan; Metro San Fernando Valley representative Kathy Drayton, and former state assemblyman Dr. Keith Richman. Topics included the economy of the city and the state, public safety, health care, term limits and education. Both the Mayor and Deputy Chief Moore spoke to lower crime rates stating that homicides, per capita, in Los Angeles are at the lowest they have been since 1956. Gang homicides are down 40 percent. Mayor Villaraigosa candidly answered questions about education, raises that were recently given to City employees and, along with Councilman Smith, promised to work toward keeping Chatsworth the equestrian-friendly community it always has been. “There is no excuse for students not learning and teachers not being able to teach,” the mayor said with respect to education. He specifically referenced Markham School, where safety issues on campus are an issue. The school will be instituting longer hours, school uniforms and other measures to ensure the safety of the students. Supervisor Antonovich, who also conducted the Installation of the Chamber’s 2008 Board of Directors, was the first to speak. Among the topics he covered were the successful fire abatement and the seizure of 8,500 weapons and $290 million in illegal drugs. Assemblyman Levine talked about term limits, and answered questions about legalized gambling both in line and in casinos. Assemblyman Cameron Smyth informed the audience that he introduced legislation to have the Rocketdyne’s Santa Susana Field Lab property become a state park also to break-up LAUSD into smaller districts. Assemblywoman Strickland spoke about the state economy and cited problems with the state lottery which she said is so mismanaged that $87 million has not made it into the education system. Councilman Smith spoke of programs to reduce speeding, the new police station and the issues of street repair. Fire Chief Barry thanked everyone for the public support of the fire department during the difficult fires last fall and said he is fostering partnerships between communities, businesses and the LAFD. Deputy Chief Moore cited crime has been going down steadily for the past five years. “The job of public safety never ends,” he said, referring not just to crime but also to natural and man-made disasters that LAPD deals with on a daily basis. Tamar Galatzan spoke about a new school in Porter Ranch and what LAUSD is doing to bring back middle-class families who have abandoned the public school system in the Valley. With six vacant campuses, the Board is determining the best way to utilize the land. Metro’s Kathy Drayton lauded the overwhelming success of the Orange Line and said there are plans to extend it to the Chatsworth Depot. She also said that ridership is so high, new busses are being added to the system. Keith Richman gave an “outsider” view of the state legislature and cited the need he sees for stricter controls, which was echoed by Assemblymember Strickland. <!– –> Encino Teachers to be Honored The annual Teacher of the Year awards luncheon hosted by the Encino Chamber of Commerce will take place March 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Warner Center Marriott. Every year, the chamber and various community business leaders come together to honor local teachers. Each school in the Encino area nominates one teacher for the Teacher of the Year Award. Cash awards are given to 19 nominees from schools serving the Encino area with a larger cash prize for Teacher of the Year. Guest speakers will include LAUSD District 3 Board Member Tamar Galatzan and New York Times best selling author D.J. MacHale who writes the children’s book series Pendragon Journal of an Adventure through Time and Space. His list of credits also includes writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies. Mr. MacHale will have a book signing at the end of the luncheon and will donate autographed books to the schools. Another exciting addition this year will be a special musical performance by Broadway performer Phil Jeffrey who starred in the original cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Phil will be singing songs from the great American song book, with a special tribute to Frank Sinatra. Tickets to the luncheon are $45 per person. Please call the Encino Chamber office (818) 789-4711 for tickets or more information.

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