Work Notice:Jordan Downs Factory Site Soil and Air Sampling

Environmental Sampling Starting March 1, 2011 for the Jordan Downs Redevelopment Project at the 21-acre site at 9901 S. Alameda Street
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will oversee soil sampling and sampling of the air space between single grains of soil below the ground surface on the factory property within the Jordan Downs Redevelopment Project. The work will be done using a drill that is attached to a truck.
Work hours are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday and will end by March 10, 2011.
More information can be found at: www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public.
• In the City entry field, type: Los Angeles
• Click on: Get Report at the bottom of the page
• Scroll down the page to: Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, click on [Report]
This will open the Jordan Downs Redevelopment Project web page where you can see documents about this site.
If you have any questions regarding this fieldwork please contact:
Stephanie Lewis, Project Manager
Department of Toxic Substances Control
(818) 717-6616
SLewis1@dtsc.ca.gov
Yvette LaDuke, Public Participation Specialist
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Free phone number:
1-866-495-5651, press “3”, then press “2”
yladuke@dtsc.ca.gov
Media inquiries: Jeanne Garcia, DTSC Public Information Officer – (818) 717-6573 Printed on Recycled Paper
The purpose of this work-plan is to establish a remedial site investigation program, focusing on additional soil matrix sampling to fill data gaps, and an initial soil vapor screening survey on the Property. The results of the additional site investigation will be used to perform a risk assessment and evaluate remedial actions that will be conducive to the redevelopment of the property into one used for a mix of commercial,recreational, and residential uses.I will stay on this and update the Watts community as to the work thy are doing.

Black and Brown unite to fight Mississippi immigrations bill 287 G,and to stop Arizona bill SB 1070

On Tuesday, the Mississippi State Senate passed an Arizona-style immigration bill that would give law enforcement officers the authority to question the immigration status of anyone arrested for a traffic violation like speeding or failing to stop at a stop sign.

The Republican sponsored bill, similar to the Arizona SB1070 law that currently gives police officers the power to question anyone's immigration status, passed 34-15 enraging hundreds of African-American and Latino residents who label it as racist.

"I think the bill is absolutely racist", said state Senator John Horn who voted against the measure. "For Mississippi to go to the forefront in something like this turns the clock and sets us back towards the kind of progress we are trying to make".

The bill known as SB2179, will require law enforcement officers to ask a person for proof of citizenship or legal residency if "reasonable suspicion" that the person is in the country illegally arises.

"A reasonable suspicion is not based on race, color or national origin", said Joey Fillingane, a Republican state Senator and the bill's main sponsor. "But one example would be if you can't speak a word of English".

Thus far the proposal has received the support of Mississippi's Governor Haley Barbour and his Deputy Phil Bryant. But Barbour, who is considering running for the presidency in 2012, seems to be between a rock and a hard place.

The Republican Governor, who has recently said that it is "reasonable for a law enforcement officer to ask for proof of citizenship," has also shown support for immigrants. In an interview published last September in the conservative publication "Human Events," Barbour recognized the role Spanish-speaking immigrants played rebuilding after Katrina.

"I don't know where we would have been in Mississippi after Katrina if it hadn't been for the Spanish speakers that came in to help rebuild, and there's no doubt in my mind that some of them weren't here legally", Barbour said. "If they hadn't come and stayed for a few months or a couple of years, we would be way, way, way behind where we are now".

In a state where Latinos have no representation in the state legislature, African-Americans -- who represent 40 percent of the state population -- have extended their hands to Hispanics assuring that they'll bring the fight to the floor of the legislature on their behalf.

"Those of us who have been in the struggle to see how things where done, have to be skeptical of anything targeting African-Americans and Latinos", said state Senator David Jordan who also voted against the measure.

The fate of the bill is now in the state's House of Representatives where it will now be debated with a vote to follow. If it passes, Barbour's dilemma is clear: will he veto it in support of those he says lent a very needed hand to a Hurricane ravaged Mississippi or will he give in to his conservative base as he contemplates a run for the White House and sign the bill into law.

Charities:Think twice about where your donations goes

Charities That Thank You for Your Donations [This was checked with snopes.com http://snopes.com and is true.] As you open your pockets for yet another natural disaster, keep the following facts in mind when "donating"; I have listed them from the highest (worse paid offender) to the lowest (least paid offender). The worst offender was yet again for the 11th year in a row is, UNICEF - CEO, receives $1,200,000 per year, (plus use of a Royal Royce for his exclusive use where ever he goes, and an expense account that is rumoured to be well over $150,000.) Only pennies from the actual donations goes to the UNICEF cause (less than $0.14 per dollar of income). The second worst offender this year is Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross...for her salary for the year ending in 2009 was $651,957 plus expenses. Enjoys 6 weeks - fully paid holidays including all related expenses during the holiday trip for her and her husband and kids. including 100% fully paid health & dental plan for her and her family, for life. This means out of every dollar they bring in, about $0.39 goes to related charity causes. The third worst offender was again for the 7th time was, Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way receives a $375,000 base salary plus so many numerous expense benefits it's hard to keep track as to what it is all worth, including a fully paid lifetime membership for 2 golf courses (1 in Canada, and 1here in the U.S.A.), 2 luxury vehicles, a yacht club membership, 3 major company gold credit cards for his personal expenses...and so on. This equates to about $0.51 per dollar of income goes to charity causes. Fourth worst offender who was also again in the fourth spot, for every year since this information has been made available from the start 1998 is amazingly yet again, World Vision President receives $300,000 base salary, (plus supplied - a home valued in the $700,000 - $800,000 dollar value range, completely furnished, completely paid all housing expenses, including taxes, water/sewer, telephone/fax, HD/high speed cable, weekly maid service and pool/yard maintenance, fully paid private schooling for his children, upscale automobile and an $55,000 personal expense account for clothing/food, with a $125,000 business expense account). Get this, because it is a "religious based" charity, it pays, little to no taxes, can receive government assistance and does not have to declare were the money goes. Only about $0.52 of earned income per dollar is available for charity causes. Of the sixty some odd "charities" we looked at, the lowest paid (President/C.E.O/Commissioner) was heading up a charity group in Canada. We found, believe it or not, it was...... The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 Billion dollar organization. Which means about $0.93 per dollar earned, is readily available and goes back out to local charity causes... truly amazing... and well done "Sally Anne"! No further comment is necessary... "Think Twice" before you give to your charity of choice as to which one really does the best for the most - or the least for the most, for that matter.

At 91years Watts Neighborhood Council Member Ola Mae Toler is still very active

Ms Toler is a native of Hempstead ,Texas.She is the youngest of eight children.A graduated from Sam Schwartz High School. With a Scholarship to Tillotson College in Austin,She preferably attended nearby Prairie View College Instead. Where for two years she majored in home economics.

She later married Mckever Toler,Also of Hempstead,Texas and thy moved to Los Angeles,Where they purchased a home in the Parkside Manor neighbhood of the Watts community.Subsequently where there three children were born,and thy all attended Compton Avenue Elementary School, Markham Junior High School,And Graduated from Jordan High School in Watts.TheCompton Avenue School is where Ms Toler first became involved with community volunteer work such as the( P.T.A.) Parent Teacher Association where she was President.Later she would apply for a job opening at the Westminster Neighborhood Association, A non-profit organization in Watts.She was hired there in community action department as a community action aide.She was eventually promoted to the position of community project coordinator during her 18+years tenure at Westminster.

Ola Mae Toler is a member of Grant A.M.E. Pastor by Leslie White.She is past President of the Mothers club. And former Chairperson for the '' Annual Mothers of the year award presentation and Treasurer of the class leaders council,and is a life time member of the Watts Branch of the NAACP.And Also F0rmer Chairperson of the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) .She is also a member of Watts Neighborhood Council were she is the Area 6 Representative.It's has been an honor and priviege for me these 6 years with her on the WattsNC.

No Hazardous Waste at the new Jordan Downs 3Acre Site

In December 2002, an explosion occurred at S&W Atlas Iron and Metal Company, Inc. (Atlas), a recycling facility located adjacent to Jordan High School in the Watts community of Los Angeles. While cutting up old military ordnance, one large shell casing that was improperly decommissioned exploded, hit another shell that detonated and landed near the baseball field, in front of a portable classroom at Jordan High School. Fortunately, there were no injuries. In response to a request from the Watts Neighborhood Council(WattsNC) and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) investigated contaminant migration from the Atlas facility and subsequently under took cleanup of the baseball field at Jordan High School.DTSC investigated the Atlas facility, where automobile engines and various metal parts were brought to the facility for dismantling prior to recycling. Since the 1940's, Atlas had placed non-recyclable debris in two large waste piles, which were located directly behind the fence separating Atlas from the Jordan High School baseball field. DTSC Endangerment Determination in May 2004, requiring a removal action at the school baseball field. The school district restricted access to the baseball field by fencing it off to prevent any direct contact by students with contaminated soils. When LAUSD had no funds available for the required cleanup at the school, DTSC identified cleanup funds, developed a scope of work, went through a bidding process, and selected a qualified contractor to conduct the cleanup work under DTSC's oversight. DTSC's public participation staff worked with LAUSD to inform the faculty, The Watts Neighborhood and the Watts community about the investigation and cleanup.DTSC oversaw a time-critical removal action at the school baseball field, conducted between June 21 and July 5, 2004 when the school was closed for a two-week summer break. This expedited cleanup was necessary in order to prevent exposure to students and school staff, and to avoid impacts to normal school operations.During excavation activities, DTSC discovered additional areas with burn ash and arsenic contamination, requiring expansion of the cleanup. DTSC's contractor completed all field activities in accordance with the approved Removal Action Workplan on July 2, 2004, including: site preparation; waste soil excavation, transportation, and disposal; fill material supply, grading, and compaction; restoration activities, including repair of irrigation lines, soil replacement, and baseball diamond area restoration. Excavation depth in many areas across the baseball field went from two feet, as originally projected, to six feet below grade, until confirmation sampling came back "clean". Approximately 2,000 tons of hazardous waste soils were shipped offsite for proper disposal. On July 6, 2004, the Jordan High School campus reopened with a safe, restored baseball field.The cleanup stemmed from a June 2004 civil complaint that DTSC filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking removal of hazardous waste,cleanup of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals from the site and the adjacent high school.In 2006, Atlas removed and disposed of hazardous waste piles on site, overseen by U.S. EPA's emergency response team. Work on the final phase of the clean up began in May and was completed.The civil case required Atlas to pay DTSC $350,000 dollars, $210.000 as reimbursement for costs incurred by DTSC in removing contaminated soil from the Jordan High School sports field.The three-acre facility, in operation since 1949, purchases and prepares metals – iron, steel, aluminum, copper, lead and zinc – for recycling. It is located at 10019 South Alameda Street in South Los Angeles.The cleanup stemmed from a June 2004 civil complaint that DTSC filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, seeking removal of hazardous waste and cleanup of soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals from the site and the adjacent high school.

Promises and Lies

In the past we have been sold. Promises and lies. I am proud to say this the first time. That positive change is occurring in Watts.

I would like to thank Director John King, CEO Rudol Montiel and their entire staff. Who

under the supervision of Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Have taken the project from being overlooked and set aside to being on the road to completion.

The Jordan Downs has gone from a project locked in stalemate to finally state wide support
with the which would not be possible without Congresswoman Maxine Waters. The Mayor of Los Angeles has made redevelopment plans of the Jordan Downs public housing complex in Watts, A top priority. The $1-billion redevelopment project is part of the Mayor's $5-billion five-year housing plan to build 20,000 affordable units. The Mayor emphasized that the redevelopment plan has a comprehensive community component.

With the assistance of Congresswoman Maxine Waters, The Mayor of Los Angeles said he is committed to not just to redeveloping Jordan Downs but also improving the adjacent Jordan Downs High School. The Mayor is also already working to further strengthen the referral and recruitment relationship between Jordan High School and area universities and colleges.

Bringing jobs to the community is yet another component of the Master Project Plan. Site location assistance, incentive packages and workforce development resources are being offered to attract companies to relocate to South LA.

Safety is a big concern and the Mayor pointed out that the additional 1000 police officers being added to LAPD will help safeguard the neighborhood.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters assured the residents that the Mayor is paying close attention to what is happening at Jordan Downs at all times and expects to be back in Jordan Downs soon - this time to meet with the broader resident community.

Jordan Downs Community Advisory Committee (JDCAC)

Watts Neighborhood Council - Resolution

Watts Neighborhood Council
RESOLUTION

Recent violent activities has prompted the Watts Neighborhood Council to respond to its community’s outcry of no more killings and violence in its community.

The violent deaths of its young residents and older residents resulting from the recent rash of shootings have resulted in the community calling for an end to the violence.

The Watts Neighborhood Council has committed itself to take a more pro-active part in helping to end violence in its community. lt is also reaching out to other communities to commit them to stamping out violent activities in their communities.

Whereas the community of Watts is establishing a community action force to address the adverse negative behaviors and address the many problems in which its community is faced.

The Watts Neighborhood Council has resolved to collaborate with community based organizations and city programs that address aggressive training in high school proficiency, it has resolved to establish a skill bank for job training and placement, and programs that address the
reintegration of men and women retuning from penal incarceration back into the Watts Community.

• lt has resolved to work with federal, state and city agencies to help assistin providing more funding for extended hours at recreational, community centers, and youth programs.
• It has resolved to proactively work toward having more transitional housing for those being displaced by eviction from housing developments and for the growing number of homeless.
• It has resolved to work with faith based organizations in providing better outreach to the community to establish better communication among the ethnic cultures within the community.
• It has resolved to work with the LAUSD to address ethnic tensions in its schools.

The Watts Neighborhood Council is requesting that city government provide funding to organizations that provide programming in gang intervention, transitional housing, child care programs for working mothers, food programs and other programs that provide direct services to the indigent population of its community. It is also requesting the neighborhood council being given oversight of the funding to insure that those organizations be held more accountable and provide program outcomes through a tracking system so that the neighborhood council and the community can be made aware of who is providing what services and the success of their programs.

The Watts Neighborhood Council is requesting that it have a more active advisory role in helping government agencies to identify programs that have demonstrated success in the programs for which they are funded.

Whereas the Watts Neighborhood Council further resolves to establish a community based coalition that will be proactive in working to provide safe passage for community residents.

My name is Henry Broomfield, I am a member Jordan Down Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Also, A member of the Watts Neighbor Council. Area 9 representative, which is adjacent to the Jordan Down public housing community. CEO for Vision For Community Outreach. Which is a non-profit organization located in Watts.