Englander E-News: 'Onion Field' Killer Denied Parole

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

Oct. 28, 2011

 
Parole Denied for Cop Killer...

We are pleased to report this week that Gregory Powell, the infamous "Onion Field" cop killer whose 1963 murder of LAPD Officer Ian Campbell was chronicled in the best-selling book, was denied parole. We introduced a resolution on Oct. 7 calling on the State Parole Board to deny Powell's release. The resolution was approved unanimously by the City Council. To see the resolution, click here.

According to an article about the parole denial for Powell on the LAPD blog, there was an outpouring of opposition to Powell being released on parole. To read the article, click here. We applaud the Parole Board for making the right decision. Officer Campbell's ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of the City of Los Angeles will never be forgotten.

Support Our Heroes This Veterans Day ...
With Veterans Day coming up on Nov. 11, it's a great time to help honor and thank our nation's heroes for their service and sacrifice to the country.

Our Veterans need our help and support.  They are disproportionately represented among the homeless population, and many of them return from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan with lasting physical and emotional wounds.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
Donate or volunteer with Veterans Affairs of Greater Los Angeles.

The National Coalition on Homeless Veterans offers these tips to support Veterans:

Volunteering at a shelter, be a mentor or offer legal aid

Organize a Stand Down program

Develop a Veteran burial program

Volunteer or donate to community-based Veteran support organizations in your neighborhood  

Advocate for homeless Veterans 

Donate to the National Coalition on Homeless Veterans 

Help Provide Thanksgiving Dinners to Struggling Families...
Councilmember Mitchell Englander and the entire CD 12 staff are volunteering on Monday, Nov. 21 to help North Valley Family YMCA distribute 1,000 Thanksgiving dinners to struggling families. You can be part of this wonderful annual effort by the YMCA by volunteering or donating food or money.

Each year, the North Valley Family YMCA distributes baskets with a turkey and all the fixings so that a family can have their own complete Thanksgiving dinner at home. It is hard to express how important it is for a family that is barely able to keep afloat during these tough economic times to be able to provide their kids with a Thankgsiving dinner.

The YMCA needs donations of frozen turkeys, $10 gift certificates for Ralph's or Food 4 Less and donations of cranberries, pumpkin, green beans, gravy, boxed mashed potatoes and other Thanksgiving food items. Monetary donations are always welcome. 
 
You can drop off a check made out to "YMCA" or food items at the YMCA Monday through Friday,  5:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, or Sunday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Checks can also be mailed to Sisy Sagastume, North Valley Family YMCA, 11336 Corbin Ave., Porter Ranch CA 91326.

Volunteers are also needed for Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 to help prepare the baskets.

To sign up, donate, or for more information, please call Sisy Sagastume at the North Valley Family YMCA at (818) 368-3231 ext. 2304.

Sidewalk Repair Program...
As you may know, there has been a proposal for the City to abandon responsibility for repairing sidewalks in Los Angeles and make home and property owners responsible for repair and maintenance, and liable for trip and fall lawsuits. I oppose that proposal. Repairing sidewalks fits squarely within the basic infrastructure and core services that the City should be providing to residents and businesses, and has been providing since 1973. 

I conducted a very informative interview on John Phillips's radio talk show on KABC AM 790. To hear a recording of the interview click here. To read a detailed explanation of the issue, visit our website at www.CD12.org.

Public Safety Alert - Fire Department Inspection Letter Scam...
The LAPD is warning San Fernando Valley residents to beware of criminals who are using a phoney letter from the former L.A. Mayor and former Fire Chief to gain access to victims' homes.

These criminals typically are preying on older residents who are home alone. They present an official-looking letter with the City seal, claiming that the LA Fire Department and the Mayor have ordered an inspection of the property. Once they gain access to home, they rob the residents. The fake letters contain the names of former L.A. Mayor James Hahn and former LAFD Chief William Bamattre.

If someone attempts to gain entry to your home in this way, or if you see one of these letters, please call (818) 834-3115 to report it to the LAPD.

Have a Safe and Spooky Halloween...
Please drive extra carefully this Monday, Oct. 31 to help keep our streets safe for all the little ghouls and goblins that are out trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Kids are excited and distracted by all the Halloween fun, and often run into the streets.

Parents, please make sure that your kids have flashlights or some form of illumination, and be sure that they are educated about not venturing out into the street and only crossing streets at proper crosswalks, with an adult. Make sure that they are accompanied at all times by a trusted adult, parent or guardian while trick-or-treating. Always inspect all candy that they receive before allowing them to eat any of it. Discard any candy that has open wrappers or looks irregular.

To see Chidren's Hospital Los Angeles' Halloween Safety Tips click here. For more safety information from Safe Moves LA, call (818) 786-4614.

"Rocktober" Stoney Point Clean Up Day... 
We are proud to co-sponsor Boy Scouts Troop 921's 7th Annual Stoney Point Beautification Project on Satuday, Oct. 29 at Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth. Join the fun and help keep this beautiful park and nature area clean and beautiful!

Saturday, Oct. 29
8:00 am to 11:00 am
Stoney Point Park
Topanga Canyon Blvd. at Santa Susana Pass Rd.
Click here for a map.

Chatsworth Neighborhood Council is providing free coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts to kick off the event in the morning, and hot dogs for lunch. REI Sporting Goods is donating energy bars, prizes and “GET DIRTY - SHIRTS.”(For participants only).  

Wear shoes and clothes appropriate for outdoor work, and bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and work gloves if you have them. 

LAPD Devonshire Division Community Meeting...
Join the Police Officers of LAPD Devonshire Community Police Station for their next community meeting, on Thursday, Nov. 3 at Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch. 

Thursday, Nov. 3
7:00 pm
Shepherd of the Hills Church
19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch

The Police Officers and Detectives from Devonshire who protect and serve our community will providce in-depth presentations on Vice, Narcotics, and Gang operations. There will be free snacks and prizes.

Winnetka Recreation Center Halloween Carnival...
Halloween is here!  Bring the kids to Winnetka Recreation Center for safe, fun and FREE Halloween Carnival sponsored by Winnetka Neighborhood Council on Monday, Oct. 31. 

Monday, Oct. 31
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Winnetka Recreation Center
8401 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka

There will be games, arts and crafts, a jumper, costume contests, trick or treat village, candy, prizes, free Halloween costume photos by Cesar's Photography and free food from Panda Express!  

For more information call (818) 756-7876 or email
michelle.gross@lacity.org.

First Annual Non Profit Summit...
We are proud to launch the First Annual Non-Profit Summit to help community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, charities and schools build stronger partnerships to move our community forward, on Monday, Nov. 7 in Northridge.

We will provide tools and resources for building stronger partnerships, and each attendee will be invited to share information about their organization and its activities.

Monday, Nov. 7,
10:00 am to 11:30 am
Devonshire PALS
8721 Wilbur Ave., Northridge

We will be featuring L.A. Shares, a web-based philanthropic organization that takes donations of new and gently used goods from the local business community and individuals, and distributes them for free to Los Angeles- based schools and non-profit organizations. Over the past 11 years, L.A. Shares has redistributed over $80,000,000 worth of goods and materials to over 2,500 local organizations and schools!

All community-based organizations, schools and charities in Council District 12 are invited to attend the Summit. This is event is free, but RSVP is required by Friday, October 28 to Semee Park at (818) 756-8501 or by email to Semee.Park@lacity.org.

Political Collectibles Show & Sale...
Hosted by the Southern California chapter of the American Political Items Collectors, this annual show is a fun way to discover the value of your political treasures, buy campaign buttons, posters, and political memorabilia, and see vintage Americana.

Sunday, Oct. 30
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
10100 Balboa Blvd.
(at Mayall St.)
Granada Hills

Thousands of political buttons, badges, posters and more for sale. Bring in your memorabilia for free appraisals. Exhibits of American political collectibles from the 1800’s to the present including original Abe
Lincoln campaign items. New collectors will receive free campaign buttons.

Admission: $ 2. Free for children under 13 and students with a valid ID.
For more information call Thomas Morton at (818) 894-6113.

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council for Their Community Clean-Up and Help Keep Northridge Streets Clean!
Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council every Thursday for their weekly community project and help clean up the streets of Northridge!

On Thursday, Nov. 3, they will be at the northwest corner of Wilbur Ave. and Lassen St. working on planting drought-tolerant plants in the raised garden area and installing a residential sign on the  block wall.

Thursday, Nov. 3
8:00 am
Meet up at the corner of Wilbur and Lassen, Northridge

At 8:00 am they will review the game plan with free refreshments provided by Northridge West Neighborhood Council. Bring gloves if you have them, sunscreen, a sunhat and appropriate shoes for outdoor work.

The project was launched in the Spring of 2010 by Northridge West Neighborhood Council and neighborhood residents who wanted to get involved in beautifying our public streets and sidewalks. Since then they have removed thousands of bags of debris from the streets and sidewalks and inspired several more groups to launch street clean-ups!

For more information, call Jo Ann Philips at (818) 304-4989 or email Japhillips1@yahoo.com

28th Annual Clean Up Day...
Join the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce for their 28th Annual Clean Up Day on Saturday, Nov. 5. This day of fun, outdoor work will help make the San Fernando Valley cleaner and greener by cleaning up a hiking trail in Limekiln Canyon in Northridge.

Come meet your neighbors, get some exercise and fresh air and join the effort to beautify our community!

Saturday Nov. 5
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet up at World Vision Church
19514 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch

They will kick off the event with a review of the work plan with a free continental breakfast, and a free lunch will be provided for all particpants at the end of the clean-up. The first 150 volunteers will receive a free resuable shopping bag!

To volunteer or for more information call (818) 989-0300 or visit www.sanfernandovalleychamber.com

Document Shredding Event to Help Prevent Identify Theft...
Our Public Safety Deputy Jim Dellinger reports this week on a great event that can help you prevent identify theft. The Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers, and Shred-it are teaming up to host a free Community Shred-it event on Saturday, October 29.

Saturday, Oct. 29 
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Target Store
11133 Balboa Blvd.,
Granada Hills
(Balboa & San Fernando Mission Blvd.)

The public is invited to bring all unwanted personal documents for free shredding by Shred-it mobile trucks. One of the most common ways for identity thieves to gain access to your personal information is by finding documents such as bank statements in your trash. From there, they can set up credit card accounts, drain your bank account and do other damage.

The free service is provided by Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers, a Non-Profit Organization of Citizens against Crime.