Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, February 27, 2021

8Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 27, 2021 8Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 27, 2021 
SUPERVISOR BARGER RESTORES FUNDING TO PARKS AND 
RECREATION TO INCREASE ACCESS TO FACILITIES AND 
PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY —Through a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that aims to invest 
services and programs in Los Angeles County communities, the Board of Supervisors approved the 
budget restoration of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
“After a year of decreased social and physical activity for families across Los Angeles County, our 
renewed focus on programs, staff, and services at local parks and nature centers provides an opportunity 
to rejuvenate our residents,” Supervisor Barger said. “Parks programs are a fundamental 
part of wellness for our neighborhoods and provide opportunities to play, grow, and create lasting 
memories.” 
The cost of restoring recreation programming is $2,120,000 in fiscal year 2020-2021 and $8,586,000 
of ongoing cost. The motion, coauthored by Chair Hilda L. Solis, approved funding for hiring, training, 
and staffing hours previously cut back because of the pandemic, which will enable the department 
to provide safe opportunities and places for youth to play, including sports clinics and access to 
nature and open space.
Additionally, the motion allows the department to restore aquatics programming, including swimming 
lessons, recreational swim, pool access, lakes, and therapy and wellness. The cost of restoring 
swimming days at Santa Fe Dam and Castaic Lake Recreation Area is $243,000 in fiscal year 20202021 
and $580,000 in ongoing costs. The budget will resume community pool operations in Arcadia, 
Granada Hills, Altadena, Littlerock, Quartz Hill, and Castaic. 
“The pandemic has proven that parks are an important place for our vulnerable residents to seek refuge, 
rest, and recreation,” Barger said. “In many of our neediest areas, Parks and Recreation is the sole 
provider of affordable and accessible youth recreation and after school programs.” 
The motion enables the Parks Department, CEO, and other partner departments to identify and allocate 
funding for the Parks After Dark program, which is particularly important given the increase 
in crime and mental health stresses presented over the last year. This program was hosted at 33 parks 
before the pandemic and cost $6,832,000.
Low income families and communities are most impacted by the pandemic and are also those who 
most benefit from the Department of Parks and Recreation’s services and activities. Restoring recreation 
programs addresses the devastating impact of COVID-19 and provides much-needed healing 
and community connection. Physical and mental health benefits through social connection provide 
a lifeline to youth who need support.
Because of the public health crisis, Parks and Recreation was required to cut eight percent of its costs 
last fiscal year, which was a $12.9 million reduction in Net County Cost funding, plus an extra $9.9 
million because of revenue shortfalls. This led to a massive cut in staff, as the department significantly 
reduced its recurrent and temporary staff by 857 employees, recreation services staff were cut by 43 
percent, lake lifeguards were reduced by nine positions, and pool lifeguard positions were completely 
eliminated. 
“Restoring the Department of Parks and Recreation’s budget also allows hundreds of hard-working, 
passionate staff to return to work,” Barger said 

ARCADIA AUTHOR C.V. DREESMAN PENS THIRD NOVEL 

LA COUNTY COVID-19 
COMMUNITY CASES/DEATHSEOM FEBRUARY 2021 vs January 2021 

LOS ANGELE COUNTY* 02/26/2021 01/29/2021 

Total Cases 1,189,232 1,091,712

Deaths 21,241 15,897 

STATS BY CITY Population Cases Deaths 

 (01/29/2021 stats in parenthesis) 

Pasadena 14,1371 10,834 (9559) 312 (203)

Uninc- East Pasadena 6,403 200... (173) 7 (6) 

City of Arcadia 57,754 2567 (2211) 112 (78)

Uninc. - Arcadia 7.981 592 (506) 14 (10) 

City of Bradbury 1,069 34 (32) 0 (0) 

City of Duarte 22,016 2222 (1954) 82 (57) 

City of Monrovia 38,800 3066 (2675) 68 (76)

Uninc - Monrovia 3,881 357 (309) 1 (1) 

City of Sierra Madre 10,989 446 (386) 13 (8) 

City of So.Pasadena 26,053 1261 (1104) 39 (35) 

Uninc.- Altadena 43,260 3132 (2733) 59 (45) 

La County Testing as of 02/26/2021: 5,799,466 (5,301316 ) 

La County Vaccines as of 02/26/2021: 1st Doses: 1,958,547 
2nd Doses 600,497 

Next week on Monday, March 1, three additional sectors become eligible to receive 
vaccinations: education and childcare workers, food and agriculture workers, 
and emergency services and law enforcement workers. The County expects 
to receive 269,000 doses to be distributed next week, of these, 103,000 will be 
provided for first doses. Those who fall under the newly eligible sectors will be 
able to get vaccinated at many sites across the County. Workers will be required 
to show proof of their identity with a photo ID and proof that they reside or work 
in L.A. County. Partnerships have been established to facilitate the vaccination 
process throughout the County. 

The FDA has recommended Emergency Use Authorization for the Johnson & 
Johnson vaccine. This vaccine requires a single dose. Johnson & Johnson vaccine 
trial data indicate that the vaccine is very effective in preventing moderate to 
severe COVID-19 disease and 100% effective in preventing hospitalizations and 
deaths. With the potential influx of supply, this vaccine could greatly accelerate 
progress in our vaccination efforts. 

L.A. County is working to ensure that eligible residents and workers in the hardest 
hit communities have increased access to vaccines. For information about vaccine 
appointments in L.A. County and when your turn is coming up, to sign up 
for a vaccination newsletter, and much more, visit: www.VaccinateLACounty.com 
By Joan Schmidt 

Author C.V. Dreesman grew up in Arcadia and 
always loved writing. Early works included “Bridget”, 
A Re-Cycling of Faith” and “Pantheoness”. After 
graduation from UC Davis, (English major), Chris has 
worked as a Private Investigator, Front Office Manager 
for the Sacramento Rivercats, and Crew Member at 
Helitac Air Carriers; yet never leaving his main passion-
writing. 

The Slave Within was his first fantasy novel. 
Crone has long been a slave, long desiring freedom. 
The whispered words of a dream lead Chrome and 
his companions to act, and they become pawns in an 
ancient game of power.
The Marksman, (“The Tear of Ahl Saga”, Book 1,) is 
his second work, available on Kindle. Crone, the main 
character escapes a life of slavery, is then hunted from 
his slave masters and thrown into a world of intrigue 
and treachery. The Marksman has received many good 
reviews: “Many twists and turns in this plot, interesting, 
vivid characters that interacted well… I knew this was 


a winner.” 
His third book, Cursewell is Book 1 in the “Venom Horne Series.” This Young Adult Fantasy is 
considered “One of the most original unique stories I’ve ever read” by bestselling author Katie 
Jennings. A year after following her mother to the isolated town of Stonecrest, teen-aged Thera 
is still too shattered to completely let go of her grief of loss. She didn’t think her life could uncoil 
much further when during a boating accident; she is attacked by a monstrous sea creature that 
shouldn’t exist. Thera must search for answers not knowing she carries a secret curse. An exciting 
read! 
To find out more about this great writer, visit C.V. Dreesman on Facebook. The Marksmith and 
Cursefell reviews are on Amazon; Kindle editions avialble. 


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