Here are three important things for you to know regarding COVID-19 in California. How high are the COVID-19 death rates? They're not. How effective are the protests against the lockdown? Very. And who was the fearful barber? Mine. 1. Not as many COVID-19 deaths as you've been told

This is eye-opening. If you've been tracking with SaveCalifornia.com lately, you know that with 96-97% of infected persons having no symptoms, COVID-19 has a 0.03% projected death rate (3x lower than the seasonal flu's 0.1% death rate), along with proven cures for those ill with COVID-19 (mostly elderly and infirmed).

Bottom line, this new virus isn't as scary as it was made out to be by the federal government, the Democrat politicians, and the Big Media. And we're still hearing biased media talk about increased "cases," which, of course you get with more testing. But if they focused on COVID-19'S dropping death rate, Americans' anxiety would definitely lessen.

The main thing you need to realize is COVID-19 death rates are being padded:

• Dr. Scott Jensen, a Minnesota family physician who is also a Republican state senator, bravely went on national TV to say he's been told to exaggerate COVID-19 as a cause of death, and revealed that hospitals are being paid $13,000 for every COVID-19 patient and $39,000 for every COVID-19 patient on a ventilator.
  
  
• California's Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom won't say how many prisoners test positive. Despite mass testing, "California's state prison system would not release counts of asymptomatic prisoners." If Newsom would only do the right thing and release the same inmate information as other states -- that there's widespread infection and 96% of these convicts are asymptomatic -- California's COVID-19 death rates would decrease even more.
  
  
• Worst of all, we've just discovered the disturbing method that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is using to "cook" COVID-19 death rates.
  
  The sad fact is, CDC is telling hospitals and physicians that they can mark COVID-19 as a cause of death, when the patient's not been tested to confirm it. This is fraud. 
  
  Why are they doing this? Remember, there's a huge monetary incentive to mark up as many people as possible as COVID-19 patients. So that hospitals get more money and Big Government and Big Media get more power by continuing to scare people out of their wits.
  
  See the CDC footnotes which I've copied and pasted so you can understand. The CDC rules permit doctors to "presume" COVID-19 infection without ever confirming with the readily-available COVID-19 test. Here are select CDC footnotes, verbatim:
  
  
  • 1Deaths with confirmed or presumed COVID-19, coded to ICD–10 code U07.1.
  • 4Influenza death counts include deaths with pneumonia or COVID-19 also listed as a cause of death.
  • When COVID-19 is reported as a cause of death – or when it is listed as a "probable" or "presumed" cause — the death is coded as U07.1. This can include cases with or without laboratory confirmation.
    
    

Clarence, here's the bottom line. Even with the padding going on, the CDC lists only 37,308 COVID-19 deaths as of May 1, 2020 (this is under the slightly clearer code U07.1). This is much lower than the U.S. COVID-19 death count of 60,000+ you've been hearing in the news, and has to drive the actual COVID-19 death rates lower in all reality.

Do you see why you can't trust the Big Media or the medical establishment to tell you the true COVID-19 death rate? Yet you can logically deduce they've artificially inflated the numbers. All this makes COVID-19 scarier than reality. Again, we're talking about a death rate lower than the seasonal flu for a new virus that mostly affects the unhealthy, while the flu virus can affect everybody, all ages, healthy and unhealthy. And we've plunged a sword into our economy for this?
 
2. Benefit of 'lift the lockdown' protests

Have you see the protests? We've posted a lot of updates on our SaveCalifornia.com Facebook page.

We're already seeing good results from the California protests over the last two weeks. The majority of Californians are really hurting financially. And people who know the cause of the effect are decrying the indefinite government lockdown which is destroying jobs, small businesses, and people's very livelihoods. 

Be glad that these protests are making news. Getting media coverage serves to lobby Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom to "lift the lockdown" earlier. It also lobbies other state's governors and President Trump. Anytime a protest leader is wise and invites media, and media shows up (which has occurred at most of these citizen protests), there's media coverage that makes Big Government politicians worry.

Add to this Modoc County's rebellion against Newsom's broad, burdensome" lockdown." This 9,000-person-population county at the northeastern tip of California officially opened up on Friday. And Newsom didn't fight back, which is significant. And now, two more counties with higher populations, Sutter and Yuba counties, are also "reopening" on May 4. So if you live in Northern California, you can "eat out" by driving to Yuba City in Sutter County, Marysville in Yuba County, or Alturas in Modoc County for your first restaurant meal in months. 

What's more, there are now several lawsuits against Newsom, challenging his unconstitutional, totalitarian orders against business owners, against churches, against gun shops, and against the People's right to assemble on "state property" to express their lockdown grievances.

All this is significant pushback against Newsom's unreasonable lockdown, which is insensitive at least and brutal at most. Right now, Newsom is the People of California's biggest enemy. He has and is destroying their jobs, businesses, and livelihoods. And many more people realize this than they did two months ago.

This growing revolt, where more Californians identify Newsom as the problem, means that our uber-liberal governor is getting worried about his legacy. For example, during his May 1 livestream update, Newsom said he wanted to loosen some his restrictions in "days, not weeks." How different from just four days earlier when he said, "weeks, not months." See the change?

We need to keep up the protests and keep up the lawsuits. But the best lobbying is being done by individual counties when they lead, instead of waiting for Newsom to lead. So please ask your county supervisor to reopen now, like Modoc, Sutter, and Yuba counties have done. Right now, this is the most effective personal lobbying you can do.

Please enjoy these videos of California protests: Orange | Riverside | Huntington Beach

3. My fearful barber

As you know, Gavin Newsom's lockdown order told barbers and hair salons to close, without citing an enforcement mechanism. This has resulted in widespread closures, and a lot of unhappy Californians who can't get their hair cut, styled, or colored. 

I finally had enough with the mop growing on my head. So I drove to my cheapest barber shop ($6). But the sign on the door said it was "Closed because of COVID-19."

I then drove to a slightly more expensive barber ($8) to see if he was open. The shop appeared closed, but there was no sign on the door. I had the barber's cell number, called it, and was enthused he answered and was taking appointments. While making mine, he requested that I wouldn't park in front of his shop.

At the appointment, the barber hurriedly rushed me into the back. He had moved his barber chair behind a wall so no one could look in the front window and see he was cutting someone's hair. I asked him why he was so afraid. He said some people (not customers) had called the police on him -- twice.

Commiserating with his plight, I paid him and we walked toward the front door together. All of a sudden, he said, "Hurry, get behind the desk," and frantically pointed at a large nearby counter. I quickly obliged and ducked behind it. A second later, he joined me in our impromptu hiding place. Then I heard a loud voice coming closer. A tall, scruffy man had his hands on the big front window, and was peering in, looking for signs of life. The barber whispered to me, "I know this guy -- he's crazy!" I got the distinct impression that the barber feared this aggressive transient would call the police on him too.

Do you see how the lockdown is making life crazy for some people? And it is crazy how Big Government deems some businesses "essential" and other businesses not. I appreciated the haircut, but left with a seething anger over how the government is harming small businessmen like my barber, who's barely making it financially, and is being oppressed for meeting a basic need of his customers.

Public schools may reopen as early as July, along with some businesses, according to a coronavirus reopening plan unveiled Tuesday.
By Nick Garber, Patch Staff
Apr 28, 2020 1:07 pm PT | Updated Apr 28, 2020 1:39 pm PT

CALIFORNIA — State officials on Tuesday unveiled a plan to gradually restart public life in California amid the coronavirus crisis, with public schools reopening for the next school year as early as late July and businesses reopening in stages, depending on their level of risk.
The four-stage process for easing the state's stay-home order was unveiled at a news conference by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Dr. Sonia Angell, the state's Public Health Officer. Newsom did not provide a timeline for when restrictions would be eased, but said the state was "weeks, not months, away from making meaningful modifications" to the order, assuming social distancing continues.
According to the state's reopening framework, California is currently in Stage 1: defined by creating a safe environment for essential workers and laying out plans for easing restrictions in the future.
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Learn More The highly anticipated Stage 2 may include reopening schools in late July or August, Newsom said, citing the need to make up for lost learning as the state's students have faced a rough transition to distance education. Lower-risk businesses would also be allowed to reopen during this stage, including manufacturing, retail that allows for curbside pickup and offices that are able to implement social distancing, Angell said.
"Our kids have lost a lot with this disruption," Newsom said, calling distance learning "inadequate" to meet the needs of the state's six million students.
The state will enter this phase through a statewide modification to its stay-home order, Angell said. For that to happen, the state must reach sufficient testing and contact tracing capacity, hospitalization and ICU trends must stabilize and there must be enough PPE to meet demand.
Next, Stage 3 would allow the reopening of "higher risk" workplaces that require person-to-person contact. That includes personal care businesses like gyms and hair salons; churches, weddings and other religious services; and entertainment venues like theaters and sports without audiences.



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A fourth and final stage, in which the state lifts its stay-home order and allows high-risk places like concert venues, live sports and convention centers to reopen, will not come until the state has access to therapeutic drugs to treat COVID-19, Angell said. Experts have warned that that development may take months, if not years.
Avoiding a second waveTuesday's news conference was billed as an update to the fifth of California's six goals that state officials are studying as they decide when to reopen the state. The fifth goal concerns whether businesses, schools and child care facilities are able to maintain social distancing, including state guidelines that may require health checks for employees and customers.
While the state has seen progress in its efforts to slow COVID-19, officials and public health experts have warned repeatedly that reopening the state too soon could cause a disastrous resurgence in cases.
"I want to caution everybody, if we pull back too quickly … it could start a second wave that could be even more damaging than the first," Newsom said Tuesday.
The state's other indicators included whether California had the means to protect its most vulnerable residents from contracting COVID-19, how well the state's hospital systems can handle surges in patients and whether the state had developed new treatments for COVID-19.
Newsom said Tuesday that the state is now testing an average of 20,000 people per day. The state had hoped to reach 25,000 daily tests by the end of April, with an eventual goal of 80,000.
California's testing rate, which experts have called the most important benchmark for containing the coronavirus, still lags behind those of dozens of other states.
As for contact tracing — a crucial way for officials to understand how the virus is spreading — California hopes to train a team of 10,000 tracers, drawing from an existing pool of state workers. Newsom has not said when they will be ready to deploy.
Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know

y Alicia Robinson - April 25, 2020 at 11:10 am, updated April 27, 2020 at 9:48 am


As local, state and federal officials debate the appropriate time to lift coronavirus-related closures, Orange County leaders have convened their own task force on safely reopening businesses.

Directed by Orange County Supervisors Board Chairwoman Michelle Steel and including Supervisor Don Wagner, the group of local business and healthcare leaders held its first conference call Tuesday, April 21 – and it could bring some preliminary recommendations to the board as soon as next week, Wagner said.

While business representatives don’t want to endanger public health, they’re eager for a target date and feel “it is time to figure out what is the medically and scientifically responsible way” to start reopening, Wagner said.

Steel said she’s been talking to business owners who have made deep cuts to their staff, some of whom are now struggling to buy food.

“It’s been horrible,” agreed Mario Marovic, an Orange County restaurateur who is part of the advisory group.

Marovic said he was only able to keep a fraction of the staff at his 11 restaurants, just two of which remain open for take-out orders. The federal loans offered through the CARES Act are useless to him because three-quarters of the money must be spent on payroll in the next two months, but that’s unrealistic for restaurants that aren’t currently open, he said.

The task force also includes industry professionals representing grocers, hotels, entertainment venues, home builders and medical providers.

The two supervisors said their goal is to hash out guidelines for safely reopening, such as when masks and gloves might be required, and in what order to open different industries. While movie theaters and concert halls might have to wait, Wagner said with empty hospital beds and no spike in coronavirus patients so far, hospitals might resume performing some elective surgeries, which help keep them financially solvent.

Marovic said restaurants that are offering take-out already have procedures to sanitize their facilities, and he’s willing to discuss masks and customer capacity, but he believes May 1 should be the goal to reopen.

People should have the freedom to decide whether they feel comfortable going out to shop or dine, Marovic said, adding, “we did what we needed to do, we did it responsibly and now we need to open responsibly.”

At the moment, the state’s shutdown order remains in place, and Wagner said he doesn’t plan to challenge it unless mandated closures drag on beyond when most business and health experts agree it’s safe to proceed.

While May 1 may be overly optimistic, Wagner said, he believes reopening should begin within weeks, because “June 1 is way too late.”

Drive-Up Coronavirus Test Site Opens In Redondo BeachThree more drive-up coronavirus testing sites opened Friday, including one in the South Bay.
By Emily Holland, Patch Staff
Apr 3, 2020 9:08 am PT | Updated Apr 3, 2020 9:09 am PT

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Los Angeles County is opening three more drive-up coronavirus testing sites Friday, including one in Redondo Beach. The county is also planning for at least three more of the testing sites.

The Redondo Beach testing site with be at the South Bay Galleria at 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard. The other two will be at the Pomona Fairplex at Gate 17, W. McKinley/Fairplex Drive and the Antelope Valley Mall at 1233 Rancho Vista Boulevard in Palmdale. Testing is by appointment only. Walk-up appointments are not available. Additional sites in Northridge, Long Beach, Lancaster and Pasadena are in the planning stages, and sites in Lancaster and Glendale are already operating.

The county's COVID-19 testing is limited to the most vulnerable residents — those who are age 65 and older and/or have underlying health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, chronic lung disease, or moderate to severe asthma.

Testing is also limited to those who are immunocompromised, including as a result of cancer treatment, and/or have been subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period because they have been exposed to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have more than seven days of the two-week quarantine period remaining.

Anyone interested in getting tested must first register on the screening website.

This first step determines if people are eligible to be tested. At the website, individuals are asked to answer basic questions, including name, date of birth, address and whether they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.

The website — in real time — determines and confirms an individual's testing eligibility. Those who receive confirmation of testing eligibility will then be given a selection of testing sites, and available appointment times to complete the test registration process.

The registration number will be required at the testing site. All of the testing locations are drive-up and clients stay in their vehicles for tests — though pedestrian clients with appointments can be tested, as well.

The test is a self-administered oral swab, meaning clients must swab their own mouths/throats using instructions provided to them at the site. The testing process takes between 5 and 10 minutes, however waiting times may vary. More information and frequently asked questions are available at covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.

"The goal is to increase testing capacity as quickly as possible in Los Angeles County to meet the community's needs, which are growing every day," said Dr. Clayton Kazan, medical director of the L.A. County Fire Department, who is leading the countywide coordination of COVID-19 testing. Kazan is tasked with supporting and scaling the efforts of cities and healthcare providers that have begun their own testing programs, merge them into the countywide network and ensure that they have adequate supplies.

For more information and FAQs, go to the L.A. County coronavirus webpage. To register and see if you are eligible for a test, visit the City of Los Angeles coronavirus webpage.

Post Date:03/25/2020 6:00 PM

HERMOSA BEACH TO CLOSE BEACH AND STRAND THIS WEEKEND
TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC   

The Sooner, the Better: City Acting to Avoid Another Weekend of People Gathering at Beach, Which Would Increase the Risk of Virus’ Spread

HERMOSA BEACH, CA – The City of Hermosa Beach announced today that it will be closing its beach and beachfront walkway, the Strand, at 6 a.m. Saturday, March 28, to protect public health and prevent a repetition of last weekend, when groups of people congregated on the beach and Strand. These gatherings increased the risk of spreading the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) because people were unable to maintain the required distance of a least six feet from people who are not members of their household.

San Diego, Laguna Beach and several other Southern California communities have also announced beach closures. Santa Monica, the City of Los Angeles and Manhattan Beach recently closed their beachfront parking lots. Hermosa Beach is unique among South Bay cities in owning its own beach and being able to proactively decide to close it. Los Angeles County owns the other South Bay beaches and will determine if those will be closed.

“We understand the desire to be outside and in nature is more powerful than ever and being out in nature is permitted if people avoid crowds and maintain six feet of distance from non-household members,” said Hermosa Beach City Manager Suja Lowenthal.“ While most people are staying home to slow the spread of COVID-19, the actions of a few who choose not to follow the rules can cost the lives of many. The sooner we close the beach and Strand, the better our chance to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Public health experts have reported that the virus can spread exponentially in groups, and the virus can remain on surfaces of such things as benches, railings and outdoor equipment for up to 72 hours.
“The Governor has said that people can still take short walks and enjoy other activities as long as they avoid congregating with people who are not members of their own households,” said Lowenthal.
Hermosa Beach’s Downtown Parking Structure also will be closed to the public to discourage people traveling to the beach and the Strand. Hermosa Beach’s closures will go into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday and will remain in effect until the City has determined it is safe to re-open the beach, Strand and parking structure.

Lowenthal said the closures were needed to ensure compliance with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Stay at Home Order, which requires everyone to stay at home except for essential needs. Essential Needs include getting food and necessary health care, caring for a relative or friend or going to an essential job. The governor also allowed for short walks near a person’s residence but has said people should not be congregating at public places, including California’s beaches.

To implement the closures, City Staff will be erecting signs and barriers at access points to the beach and Strand over the next two days, and the Hermosa Beach Police Department will be patrolling the beach to enforce the closures.

“We are hoping for voluntary compliance, and police officers will initially be informing the public about the closures,” said Hermosa Beach Interim Police Chief Michael McCrary. “But police officers will start writing citations and imposing fines, if needed, to keep the public safe. These closures apply to everyone because the beach belongs to all Californians, and the police cannot effectively enforce limited access for just local residents or select groups to use the beach and Strand.”
Information regarding coronavirus is changing frequently, and the City will provide the latest information about COVID-19 and links to resources on its website.  

To stay informed, please sign up for Hermosa Beach eNotifications, public safety alerts or follow the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Hermosa Beach

Founded in 1907, Hermosa Beach is a thriving community of some 20,000 residents. Located on the southern end of the Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles County, with beaches ranked among the best in the world, Hermosa Beach has been recognized for its work to highlight Southern California beach culture, foster a vibrant local economy and protect coastal and environmental resources.
To learn more about Hermosa Beach, please visit the City website: www.hermosabeach.gov/
Or keep up with Hermosa Beach news and events through social media channels: 
 

812 Coronavirus Cases In Los Angeles County: Where They AreHealth officials confirmed 151 more cases of the new coronavirus Wednesday.
By Emily Holland, Patch Staff
Mar 25, 2020 3:26 pm PT | Updated Mar 25, 2020 3:57 pm PT
There are 812 confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County as of Thursday, according to public health officials. (Shutterstock)
LOS ANGELES, CA — There are now more than 800 confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County Wednesday, and health officials reported three additional deaths.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, head of the county Department of Public Health, said the three new deaths were all people over age 65 with underlying health conditions. The deaths brought the county's total to 13 — with Ferrer saying the death of a 17-year-old boy in Lancaster that was reported Tuesday is no longer considered a coronavirus case, pending a determination by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ferrer said 138 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed by the county Department of Public Health, bringing the total to 799. However, the city of Long Beach announced 13 new cases not yet included in the county's number, meaning the actual total in the county is 812.

Read more: Quarantine Tightened As Coronavirus Deaths Mount In Los Angeles

The locations with confirmed coronavirus cases around Los Angeles County, as of Wednesday, are:

• Los Angeles County: 764
• Long Beach: 41
• Pasadena: 7

By City

• Agoura Hills — 3
• Alhambra — 6
• Altadena — 5
• Arcadia — 4
• Arleta — 1
• Athens — 1
• Baldwin Hills — 3
• Bell Gardens — 3
• Bellflower — 7
• Beverly Hills — 13
• Beverlywood — 8
• Boyle Heights — 5
• Brentwood — 34
• Burbank — 3
• Calabasas — 4
• Canoga Park — 2
• Canyon County — 1
• Carson — 9
• Castiac — 2
• Century City — 7
• Century Palms/Cove — 3
• Cerritos — 2
• Claremont — 1
• Cloverdale/Cochran — 3
• Compton — 2
• Covina — 3
• Crenshaw District — 2
• Crestview — 7
• Culver City — 6
• Del Rey — 5
• Diamond Bar — 2
• Downey — 5
• Downtown — 6
• Duarte — 1
• Eagle Rock — 2
• East Hollywood — 1
• East Los Angeles — 3
• Echo Park — 4
• El Segundo — 2
• Encino — 13
• Exposition Park — 1
• Florence — 4
• Gardena — 1
• Glassell Park — 1
• Glendale — 12
• Glendora — 2
• Granada Hills — 7
• Hancock Park — 8
• Harbor Gateway — 2
• Harvard Heights — 1
• Hawthorne — 8
• Highland Park — 2
• Hollywood — 23
• Hollywood Hills — 8
• Hyde Park — 1
• Inglewood — 5
• Koreatown — 5
• La Canada Flintridge — 3
• La Mirada — 4
• La Verne — 2
• Lake Balboa — 2
• Lakewood — 4
• Lancaster — 13
• Lawndale — 1
• Lomita — 9
• Los Feliz — 3
• Lynwood — 3
• Manhattan Beach — 17
• Mar Vista — 6
• Melrose — 33
• Miracle Mile — 8
• Monterey Park — 4
• Mt. Washington — 2
• North Hollywood — 11
• Northridge — 2
• Pacific Palisades — 9
• Palmdale — 2
• Palms — 8
• Paramount City — 1
• Park La Brea — 8
• Pico — 2
• Pico Rivera — 1
• Playa Vista — 5
• Pomona — 1
• Porter Ranch — 1
• Rancho Palos Verdes — 5
• Redondo Beach — 9
• Reseda — 5
• San Dimas — 1
• San Fernando — 3
• San Gabriel — 1
• San Pedro — 4
• Santa Clarita — 10
• Santa Monica — 18
• Santa Monica Mountains — 3
• Sherman Oaks — 12
• Silverlake — 6
• South El Monte — 3
• South Gate — 2
• South Park — 1
• South Pasadena — 3
• South Whittier — 3
• Stevenson Ranch — 2
• Studio City — 7
• Sun Valley — 2
• Sylmar — 1
• Tarzana — 9
• Temple City — 3
• Torrance — 9
• Tujunga — 1
• University Park — 4
• Valley Glen — 11
• Van Nuys — 4
• Venice — 9
• Vermont Knolls — 1
• Vermont Vista — 3
• Vermont Central — 1
• Walnut — 1
• West Adams — 4
• West Covina — 2
• West Hills — 4
• West Hollywood — 31
• West Los Angeles — 4
• West Vernon — 5
• Westchester — 5
• Westlake — 1
• Westwood — 9
• Whittier — 3
• Wholesale District — 4
• Willowbrook — 1
• Wilmington — 4
• Wilshire Center — 2
• Winnetka — 3
• Woodland Hills — 11
• Under Investigation — 56

These numbers are subject to change based on further investigation, county health officials said. For the most updated numbers, visit the county Department of Public Health website.
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

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• Two US representatives said on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak could shut down the Postal Service by June.
• By Tuesday morning, more than 46,000 coronavirus cases had been identified in the US. As of Friday, at least 20 postal workers had been sickened.
• Any interruption in mail service could delay critical medicine deliveries and upend postal voting in the November election.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Regular mail service could be shut down as early as June, two US representatives said, and the effects could be disastrous.
Critical supplies — like the more than 1 billion shipments of prescription drugs delivered by the Postal Service last year — could be stuck, mail voting in the November election could be stymied, and hundreds of thousands of postal employees could be out of work, Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Gerry Connolly said in a statement on Monday.
"Based on a number of briefings and warnings this week about a critical fall-off in mail across the country, it has become clear that the Postal Service will not survive the summer without immediate help from Congress and the White House," Maloney and Connolly said.
"Every community in America relies on the Postal Service to deliver vital goods and services, including life-saving medications. The Postal Service needs America's help, and we must answer this call."
The duo also introduced a bill that would provide $25 billion in emergency funding for the Postal Service while eliminating the agency's debt and requiring it to prioritize medical deliveries.
The bill would also create temporary delivery points to protect workers. It's not clear what these might look like, as the design would be left up to the Postal Service, but the bill's language implies something similar to Amazon's delivery lockers that allow people to send deliveries to a secure location other than their home.Like hospitals, grocery stores, and other essential businesses, post offices have remained open despite many businesses closing as the coronavirus continues to spread. As of Tuesday morning, more than 46,000 cases had been identified in the US.
At least 20 postal workers had fallen sick by Friday, The New York Times reported this week. The head of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union told the paper that workers had gotten sick in Miami, New York City, Seattle, Portland, and other cities.
That's a small number of the agency's roughly 630,000 employees, but it underscores the outbreak's effects on several industries.
"These negative effects could be even more dire in rural areas, where millions of Americans are sheltering in place and rely on the Postal Service to deliver essential staples," Maloney and Connolly's statement said.
Coronavirus Live Updates 7 hours ago Coronavirus: Here's what to know

Latest news

• New York state projects it will need nearly 90,000 more hospital beds. Gov. Cuomo warned that the same could happen to California, Washington, and Illinois.
• Airlines are preparing plans to shut down US flights completely.
• The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
• At least 2.8 billion people worldwide are under some kind of coronavirus lockdown.
• Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, will end its lockdown on April 8, allowing traffic to reenter and pass through the city.
• The "Dr. Doom" economist has warned that the coronavirus could plunge the global economy into a "Greater Depression."
• Trump wants America "opened up and just raring to go by Easter," while the Pentagon is bracing for at least a few months of crisis.
• An Arizona man died after taking a version of an unproven drug that Trump has touted, and his wife has warned not to "believe anything that the president says."
• Read live updates about case totals, death tolls, and new developments around the world. Here's the latest on the escalating situation in the US.

Evolving research about COVID-19

• People older than 60 and those with preexisting conditions are at a much higher risk of severe illness and death. But a top US infectious-disease expert warned that young people are "not immune or safe."
• The global COVID-19 death rate has doubled in the last two months, but that doesn't tell the full story.
• The most common symptoms are a fever and a dry cough, though some people experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Doctors warn that symptoms start slow, sometimes even get better, then worsen quickly.
• Some people who get the virus seem to lose their sense of smell or taste.
• On average, a coronavirus patient infects at least two other people, but we can limit that spread with preventive measures.
• More than 40 potential vaccines are in the works, and eight are set for human trials this year.
  

Pelosi unveils $2.5 trillion counterproposal to GOP coronavirus stimulus



Alayna TreenePhoto: Alex Wong/Getty Images

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled on Monday a sweeping counterproposal to Senate Republicans' $1.8 trillion coronavirus stimulus package.

Why it matters: House Democrats' legislation — which comes with a $2.5 trillion price tag — comes after negotiations between Capitol Hill leaders and the White House broke down over the weekend, culminating in two failed procedural votes that have left the Senate Republicans' bill in limbo.

The state of play: Democrats, who have asserted that the Senate GOP bill is a corporate slush fund that doesn't do enough to help American workers, are hoping that the release of this bill will give them more leverage in negotiations with Republicans.

• But Republicans have accused Democrats of playing politics during a national crisis by stalling action on their bill, calling this latest measure a "Democratic wish list" — as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell characterized it.

The "Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act":

• Increases the amount of money being offered to individuals to $1,500, and up to $7,500 for a family of five. The same GOP income thresholds in the GOP bill would apply — $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples, but the benefit would be available to anyone with an individual taxpayer identification number, retirees and unemployed individuals.
• Waives $10,000 in federal student loan payments.
• Dedicate $4 billion in grant funding to help states with upcoming elections and nationally mandates 15 days of early voting and no-excuse absentee vote-by-mail, including mailing a ballot to all registered voters in an emergency.
• Includes a section that would cancel several executive orders and presidential memorandums that Democrats argue have weakened public sector unions' ability to engage in collective bargaining.
• Creates new carbon offset guidelines for airlines, with a long-term goal of reducing jet fuel emissions by 50% by 2050. 
• Allocates $150 billion to support hospitals, local health centers and government-funded medical programs, with an additional $80 billion in low-interest loans to hospitals.
• Eliminates cost-sharing for coronavirus treatments and vaccines for all patients, including the uninsured.
• Addresses broader health care concerns that Democrats have pushed for months, including increasing subsidies on the individual market and creating new incentives for states to expand Medicaid.
• Provides child care assistance to health care workers and emergency personnel.
• Would temporarily provide $600 per week to unemployed workers affected by the coronavirus. Self-employed workers, Americans whose contracts were canceled, and new entrants to the job market would also be eligible.
• Expands paid sick leave and family medical leave, as well as gives more money to food-safety benefits.
• Provides $500 billion in grants and interest-free loans to small businesses.
• Creates a $200 billion stabilization fund for states and $15 billion for local governments through the Community Development Block Grant program. The legislation also authorizes the Federal Reserve to purchase state and local government bonds.
• Pumps nearly $60 billion into schools and universities, with $50 billion directly provided to states for school funding and nearly $10 billion to higher education institutions.
• Dedicates $20 billion to reimbursing the U.S. Postal Service for lost revenue, and forgives USPS debt.
• Requires companies receiving federal assistance during coronavirus to institute a $15 minimum wage.

What's next: Discussions between McConnell, Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will continue over the next few days. Both sides are confident they will ultimately reach an agreement given the dire need to deliver this aid as soon as possible.

Read the bill ... and compare it to McConnell's.

Read the bill here
https://www.axios.com/nancy-pelosi-coronavirus-stimulus-proposal-d7b4a9a0-610a-4324-a07b-6bb64e1f5c81.html?fbclid=IwAR13sVgychLJsFcI1ug_AE2k9LdYOBG0oqe5NoDw78r_7YGqqCeVVzXFw40

Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Tests Positive For Coronavirus

By SoCal Patch, News Partner
Mar 23, 2020 4:33 pm PT

In a sign the coronavirus is spreading, Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank and former Mayor Susan Brooks both tested positive. (Shutterstock)


RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA — Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank and former Mayor Susan Brooks have both tested positive for coronavirus, the city announced Monday. Cruikshank and several other city officials attended a birthday party for Brooks on March 8, and some other officials who were at the party have opted to self-quarantine. "I am getting the rest and care I need and taking all necessary precautions as directed by my physician and public health officials," Cruikshank said in a prepared statement. "I hope my diagnosis underscores the need for all residents to take this crisis seriously and follow all directives from public health officials. COVID-19 is in all of our communities and we must all do our part to slow its spread."  Mayor Pro Tem Eric Alegria, who also attended the party, is not exhibiting symptoms and has not been tested, but he has chosen to self- quarantine, according to the city.  A city employee who was also in attendance has displayed symptoms and is self-quarantined, but has not yet been tested. City Manager Ara Mihranian and Interim Deputy City Manager Kit Fox did not attend the party but are self-isolating out of an abundance of caution due to their interactions with those officials who did, including Cruikshank, according to the city. "As soon as I got word of the mayor's diagnosis over the weekend, I immediately notified all city staff who were in contact with him and other city officials who attended the party," Mihranian said. "I also ordered the deep cleaning of City Hall and all city facilities visited by these officials." Rancho Palos Verdes City Hall has been closed to the public since March 14 and almost all employees are working remotely, the city stated, with only a handful of essential staff onsite that must practice social distancing and take all necessary precautions. Deep cleaning is being performed between shifts, the city stated. Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and advisory board meetings will be held by teleconference until further notice, according to the city. Self-quarantines for the coronavirus are to last 14 days, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

City News Service

Dear Friends:

Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a bad choice for residents and consumers.
Government can't offer cheaper, more reliable electricity.

Government can't offer cheaper, more reliable electricity because of mandated
renewable energy, solar and wind, must be used in the production of electricity.

Renewable energy is taxpayer subsidized; once the subsidy is gone, electricity rates
will go up.

Community Choice Aggregation is a new program that allows California city
governments to operate “communitywide electricity buyers’ programs.” Commonly
known as community choice aggregators, or CCAs, these are new government
agencies created by Joint Powers Agreement among several cities. Additionally,
individual cities may run their own CCA programs.

Our local utility company, Edison, will still provide transmission, distribution and
customer billing services to the CCA agency for a fee that is passed along to
consumers.

Once our city council decides to join or establish a CCA, all residents are
automatically enrolled in the program. It will be up to individual residents to “opt
out” and continue with their regular service with Edison.
CCAs are vulnerable to changing market conditions. Energy procurement is risky,
complex, costly and long-term. Because withdrawal from CCA membership is costprohibitive,
our city’s decision to join binds future City Councils and future
generations of taxpayers.

CCAs operate without adequate oversight, virtually invisible to the public. Creating
Joint Powers Agencies (JPAs), such as CCAs, costs taxpayers money. JPAs employ
staff, set up offices and, most importantly, make decisions -- such as issue debt --
for which taxpayers are responsible but have no knowledge or say. JPA governing
board members are not directly elected by voters, which contributes to their
relative obscurity and lack of transparency.

Does the nominal increase in renewable energy use promised by CCAs justify their
risks? Unequivocally, no.

Local government doesn’t belong in the electricity business. It is reckless for
government to gamble on risky ventures for which it is ill-prepared and
unqualified. “Green” energy companies, consultants, activists and lobbyists all
stand to gain politically and financially from the proliferation of CCAs. Public
agencies rely on some of these same sources for advice on CCAs -- a clear conflict of
interest.

Today’s cities and counties struggle to provide essential services, including basic
public safety and human services. Throwing precious tax dollars into a CCA money
pit won’t help the environment, but will burden future generations with additional
unwanted debt.

Take Action Now:

The city of Hermosa Beach is scheduled to introduce the government electricity
ordinance exploring options to form a CCA at the August 23 meeting.
Please see this 3 minute video of the previous Hermosa Beach Mayor, whose
professional background is in business finance, explain how the new CCA energy
plan will likely deceive residents into unknowingly sign up for “clean” energy.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0pPzFVzWO0
You can read the proposed program here and watch the video of the last council
meeting discussion from July 26, 2016 here. (Time stamp 3:46:00).
Submit your comments to the city clerk before noon on Monday, August 15,
2016 to be included in the City Council regularly printed agenda for the meeting on
Tuesday August 23, 2016. Later submissions will be included in the online agenda
up to the afternoon of the 23rd.

Send e-mail comments to cityclerk@hermosabch.org
Group email for the City Council: citycouncil@hermosabch.org
Here are some suggested comments that you can use. Additional letters submitted
to council are here under Attachments. Please feel free to put them into your own
words:

1. Please be aware of the issues that have surfaced since; per the (past)
Mayor of Hermosa Beach:

• Once residents agree to be part of the CCA plan for Electricity, they can not back
out. It is permanent.
• The introductory costs (on their SCE bill) are based on temporary credits, so
the real costs will be later and are permanent increases.
• It is based on the cost of clean energy, which has never been lower than fossil
fuels.
The most significant ramifications are:
• this permanent subsidy to "clean" manufactures eliminates any incentive for
them to make clean efficient

• there is no limit to the amount of increases you would be subjecting your
residents to

• there is a lack of accountability as to whether it is really "clean" and how much;
huge exposure for fraud

As someone who cares passionately about the environment, I think we can do a much
better job through innovation and integrity.

I will share this information with others as well. DM

2. Hermosa Beach City Manager Tom Bakaly said during last week’s city council
meeting discussion on Community Choice Aggregation that we need to hurry up and
push this thing through in order to meet the city’s carbon neutrality goals. What he
didn’t suggest was for our city government to be practical or fiscally responsible. Do we
really want to dive into something that our city government knows little about and the
residents know even less about? Bakaly also said that this Community Choice
Aggregation program gives residents a choice to purchase renewable energy at a lower
rate than they could purchase from Edison. I did my own research on this and found
that in all four of the current California cities listed on the city’s deceptive marketing
piece that purchasing renewable power is more expensive than the standard bundle of
power residents are currently paying with Edison. If this program is implemented, all
residents will be automatically enrolled in the program, unless they make the effort to
opt out. Where is this “choice” Bakaly speaks of? If there is really a choice, then why is
the option not to opt IN instead of opting out? Very few residents have any idea what
this Community “Choice” Aggregation nonsense is. If this program is as financially
disastrous here in Hermosa as it is in Lancaster, we will all be paying for it, even those
who were wise enough to opt out. Tell your Hermosa Beach city council members to
say No to CCA. LA

3. From the postcard I just received, it might as well have said “City Council will
adopt Community Choice Aggregation on July 26…” rather than “consider”. With all
the misleading information on the back of this mailer, it would appear that CCA will be
moving ahead regardless.

I reviewed all the websites for the cherry picked “Current CCA programs in California”
and they all say the same thing: “greener energy at lower rates”. And then they proceed
to show a cost comparison that proves the exact opposite! The bottom line of the bill is
what counts, not just one of five or six lines of charges. Classic double speak.
Conveniently left off the mailer were all the failed CCAs, the startup and ongoing
expenses, and financial risk to the city at a time when we have other more pressing
basic functions to provide, not to mention debt service. How anyone can expect to
reduce costs by adding a board of directors, salaries, pensions and associated costs to a
system is beyond comprehension. This is such a common sense no-go it should not
even be on your agenda for consideration. This is why your meetings go to 1:00am.
You should direct the City Manager to stop padding your agenda with such nonstarters.
I was under the impression that you had adopted priority based budgeting. Either that
is not the case, staff doesn‘t know what that means, or you need a readjustment of
priorities. WB

Tracy Hopkins
Advocates for Hermosa Beach

JOIN By Liking No CCA in HB on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/NoCCAinHB/

Posted by Arthur Christopher Schaper
May 7, 2014

At first, I had no idea what to think when I learned about Malaysian-born Torrance resident Alex See.

I knew so little about him, compared to the other candidates whom I was researching, and it seemed to me that he was ill-prepared for his run for Torrance City Council. After all, he was on a business trip earlier this year, while other candidates were already prepping their campaigns with inaugural dinners.

In January, I invited him to come the school board meeting, along with other city council candidates.  Even though he had been overseas at the time, and had just returned home the night before, Alex arrived at the school board meeting, and gave me the opportunity of meeting him. Sharing his concerns about education as well as greater civic engagement from the Asian-American community in Torrance, Alex a small businessman (which he conveniently advertised at the North Torrance Home Owners Association two weeks ago) as well as engineer, Alex See has been a city fixture for many years.

Unlike some of the younger candidates for office, as well as the more seasoned public officials, Alex See promotes a semblance of honor and respect, willing to listen to others, considering the key needs of small businesses and employers in a city where regulations, fees, and taxes can cause more harm than good.  The fact that he took my calls and came to a public forum to speak with me was enough to win my vote.

Here are his answers to seven questions which I posed to him about himself, his campaign, and his plans once he gets elected:

1. Why are you running for city council this year? Did you ever plan on running for office before?

I am running for office because I want to give back to the community and to serve the city that my family and I call home. My family and I love living in Torrance because it is a diverse, well-balanced and safe community with an excellent school district. I have not seriously considered running until I read that that our mayor and most council members are encouraging diversity on the council to represent the city (ref. Daily Breeze’s article). For many years I have volunteered my time and resources to be an integral part of the success of this community. Therefore, I am running for Torrance City Council because I know that my unique background will add a different perspective to examining city issues and solutions.

2. You are a registered Republican. Why?

I am registered as a Republican because I believe in being fiscally responsible, small government, low taxes and family values.

3. Tell us about your prior professional/political experience and how they can help the City of Torrance?

I’ve served the Torrance Community as a Water Commissioner for 8 years. As a water commissioner, I have worked with fellow commissioners to ensure Torrance continues to provide low water rates (2nd lowest in the region), high quality and reliable potable water to its residents and businesses. I’ve also supported our amazing school district as a committee member on the TUSD Bonds Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee, TUSD Facilities and Asset Review Committee and high school Site Council to ensure that our students have the proper means of gaining an education and skills to prepare them to enter the job market.

4. What measures, reforms, and policies would you implement on a city level to bring in more business and increase economic activity in the City of Torrance.

We need to attract and retain businesses to increase revenue for the City. As a small business owner in Torrance I am acutely aware of the necessity to have a Government environment that respects and encourage businesses to come and stay in our city. I strongly endorse any efforts to be a friendly city in an increasingly unfriendly business state. I will always be open to ideas for streamlining the system. Our one-stop permitting center was an effort in that direction and while that adds to the convenience, we must go a step further to cut through the red tape our city produces. We live in the 21st century and online services and permitting should be available for the conveniences of all citizens and businesses. Improvement and revamp of City websites need to ensure residents are well informed and know the facts.

5. What concerns do you have about crime and public safety in Torrance.

I am deeply satisfied with our fantastic public safety services. Living in one of the safest cities in America provides my family and I the security that we do will never take for granted. However, in addition to the rising pensions of public workers, my main concern is the recent release of criminals due to AB 109. Although, I am confident that our police and public safety officials will do all that is necessary to continue to provide the protection that we are accustomed to.

6. There are growing revelations about the city's massive pension liabilities -- $400 million, an online reports confirm that at least 600 city employees out of 200 are earning at least $100,000 a year in total compensation (per 2012 data). What reforms or steps do you support to deal with these massive pension liabilities?

The men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect Torrance residents deserve to know that their hard work will benefit them in the future. It depends on what pension reform should look like. Pension reform is needed to prevent abuse and to make sure the system is sustainable. We need to incentives the best law enforcement candidates possible and Torrance residents deserve the best public safety officials available. If elected, I will work with the rest of the Council and the City Manager to make sure that we have the funds for a first-class police department that will not cut corners on the shoulders of the men and women who protect us.

7. How have residents and prospective voters responded to your campaign?

So far I have received a lot of positive feedback from the voters I have spoken with. Most like what I stand for, the work I have done for the community and share similar values. Like most candidates running for office, I have received the occasional voter who was either unaware of the June 3rd election or tend to have a general dislike of politics. All in all, I am greatly surprised and happy with all the support I have received and it encourages me to continue fighting for what I believe in, helping our city and citizens progress into a better tomorrow.

From private sector investment to public sector involvement, Alex See is worth seeing and voting for.

On June 3rd, please vote for Alex See for Torrance City Council

Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A life-long Southern California resident, Arthur currently lives in Torrance.

Twitter -- @ArthurCSchaper
https://www.facebook.com/arthurchristopher.schaper
arthurschaper@hotmail.com
aschaper1.blogspot.com
asheisministries.blogspot.com
waxmanwatch.blogspot.com

In the city of Torrance there is a place you should know about. Tucked away between Carson and Maple Streets, in the corner of an office building on Crenshaw Boulevard is The Torrance Pregnancy Help Center.

  This is a wonderful place that holds a message of HOPE to all who enter, for the born and unborn alike. For this is a nonprofit agency dedicated to the helping of those, who may find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy and in need of short or long term assistance.

This is an organization dedicated to the service of the most vulnerable among us. Many of the women who enter may be young and totally unprepared to handle the situation they now find themselves in. Scared and not knowing what to do, or where to turn for help, the Center is always there for them. And this is why the Center is so important, for this is a safe caring environment staffed with people who only want the best for all involved.

The mission of the Pregnancy Help Center is, “to provide a safe, caring environment where every woman facing a crisis pregnancy can receive counseling, education, and practical assistance in order to eliminate the crisis and choose life for her baby; and to inspire others to embrace sexual health and integrity.” Other services provided are: pregnancy testing, ultrasound, STD testing along with the counseling.  These services are free for all clients, and are part of the Center’s operating costs.

  So this is where you and I come in, and why we all need to Walk for Life on May 17th. We are not only walking to raise money for the Pregnancy Help Center, but also to raise awareness for the Center; because the life of the unborn is not something to be taken casually, or ignored.  If God counts every sparrow that falls from the sky, how much more will He remember those who are the most vulnerable among us?

So now it’s time to take action and prepare to walk, so take out your day planner, grab your check book, and write down this date, time and place: May 17, 2014, Veteran’s Park in Redondo Beach California, 90277, between the hours of 8:30- 11:00 a.m. That’s when and where the 27th annual Walk for Life is going to take place.

Onsite registration will start at 7:15, with the Walk actually beginning at 8:30 a.m., with all ending promptly at 11:00 a.m.

Online registration is available at http://www.ministrysync.com/event/?e=6079.

Also there will also be a fundraiser for the Center at California Pizza Kitchen in the Manhattan Village, 3280 N. Sepulveda Blvd in Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 all day on May 28th with 20% of your check will go to the Pregnancy Center. To take part in this fundraising event  please bring an event flyer which can either be picked up at the Walk or at the center itself.

For more information on either of these events, to volunteer or donate to the Center, please call the Torrance Pregnancy Help Center: 1311 Crenshaw Blvd. Suite A, Torrance, Ca. 90501, 310-320-8976, www.supportphctorrance.org.

So, I am looking forward to seeing you all at the beach, where we will walk for Life. And please remember EVERY STEP MATTERS!

-Michael

Posted by Arthur Christopher Schaper
April, 21, 2014

Mayoral candidate Pat Furey, a county employee retiring within days with a public pension, slammed the “pension envy” he hears from workers in the private sector who question the generous wages and benefits paid to police officers. (The Daily Breeze)

Creating a new psychological (or psychoanalytic?) disorder, Torrance Councilmember and mayoral candidate Patrick Furey unleashed his fury on private sector employees who criticize the massive pension payouts of public employee..

For the record, many Torrance residents, and likely voters, are private sector employees and small business owners. Still, why would anyone feel “pension envy”?

A growing number of Torrance public safety officers make more than one hundred thousand dollars a year, then take 90% of their salary upon retirement. One retired officer shared with me that the pension formulas shifted in the 1990s, and while he funded his retirement adequately, so that his disbursements would not undermine the pension fund. Another public worker, in Rhode Island, invested his retirement through a private system, so that he would be neither gouging his constituents nor jeopardizing his future.

Pension funding is a serious issue, nonetheless.

Four California cities have gone bankrupt because of unsustainable pension obligations to retired employees. Statewide stats affirm that eighty percent of public school revenues fund retirement pensions and benefits, as well. Cities should serve residents, and schools are supposed to serve students, providing a safe environment to live and thrive. Yet most cities may not survive the liabilities laid upon them because of generous contracts negotiated between public employee unions and prior city councils. Who will protect us from our protectors, indeed?

Instead of “pension envy”, perhaps the proper term should be pension outrage, or entitled entitlement exasperation. El Segundo has had few fires or deaths, and yet the Police Chief is on track to take home nearly $200,000 a year in pensions. In Lawndale, Centinela Valley Union High School District Superintendent Jose Fernandez negotiated a lucrative contract with a compliant school board, which offered to him a base pay near equal to the LAUSD Superintendent, in spite of the fact that he supervises a district one hundredth the size of LAUSD. The perks and pension “air time” offered to the superintendent vaulted his 2013 salary to $663,000. Hermosa Beach parking enforcers make a minimum of $53,000 a year, yet Hermosa Beach’s sewer system needs to be revamped.

And now to Torrance, CA. The Wall Street Journal featured the largest South Bay city in a list of municipalities with overwhelming pension liabilities -- $392,000,000to be precise. Torrance’s Finance Director Eric Tsao disputed the accounting in a Letter to the Editor, arguing that the city’s current expenditures only total 12% toward pensions. Yet percentages can be misleading, as they hide the real costs of pension liabilities, just as California Governor Jerry Brown could declared “We have balanced the budget!” while ignored the enormous wall of debt from public employee benefits.

True, safety officers risk their lives, and in the past they did not survive five years past retirement. Yet today, more public safety employees do live and thrive for decades after leaving the work force, thus placing massive demand on municipalities and taxpayers to fund their pensions.

Pension reform is a necessity for good fiscal health.

Can Furey of “pension envy” fame bring this reform? He is a public employee, also, but so is fellow challenger Tom Brewer. However, Furey just garnered the Torrance Police Officers Association endorsement, and they have $170,000 in PAC money on hand to promote their candidate. No wonder Fury is in flurry to defend current pension obligations.

Despite their financial leverage, California’s public sector unions have endured more losses than wins lately, starting with San Jose and San Diego, where 70% voting majorities endorsed comprehensive pension reforms in 2011-2012. In 2014, Republican Kevin Faulconer won the special election mayoral race in San Diego, as well, despite ten-to-one outside money from union endorsements.

Despite Councilmember Furey’s fury about pension envy, the frustration about unfunded liabilities is not a disease, but rather a symptom of residential outrage, as voters are fed up with city leaders who accommodate present employees and retirees at the cost of current as well as future residents. Crime is up throughout California, and Governor Brown’s realignment has not helped, but a city which spends more money on retired police rather than clear and present law enforcement needs to shift its priorities.

With the most comprehensive turn-around in city leadership coming to pass in the city’s history, Torrance needs representatives who will not just discuss but enact and enforce comprehensive pension reforms, respecting the needs of current and future retirees, while also ensuring that the bulk of city funding funds city needs, not over-generous pension and benefits guaranteed in lucrative contracts signed by temporal city leaders into place without keen foresight or deep regard for foreseeable economic challenges.

Torrance faces a crumbling infrastructure, including potholes and rising need for parks and recreations restoration. Resident's tax money should go toward renewing and revamping the city’s public works, which serve all residents, rather than exclusively sustaining pension obligations for employees no longer working for the city.

Arthur Christopher Schaper is a teacher-turned-writer on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. A life-long Southern California resident, Arthur currently lives in Torrance.

Twitter -- @ArthurCSchaper
https://www.facebook.com/arthurchristopher.schaper
arthurschaper@hotmail.com
aschaper1.blogspot.com
asheisministries.blogspot.com
waxmanwatch.blogspot.com