6


Mountain View News Saturday, January 18, 2025


ASSEMBLYMEMBER JOHN 
HARABEDIAN AND SPEAKER 
ROBERT RIVAS ANNOUNCE 
ACTIONS TO FAST-TRACK FIRE 
RECOVERY, KEEP DISPLACED 
CALIFORNIANS HOUSED

(PASADENA, CA) — Today, Assemblymember John Harabedian 
(D - Pasadena), Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), 
and members of the California State Assembly gathered together 
at incident command at the Rose Bowl to announce 
legislation to fast-track recovery, keep fire victims housed, 
and allocate billions to help Los Angeles County recover.

“I grew up in Sierra Madre and have always been proud of 
our community’s strength, diversity, and unity. This past 
week has tested us like never before, as many have lost 
homes, jobs, and places of worship,” said Assemblymember 
John Harabedian (D-Pasadena). “Recovery won’t be 
easy, but by supporting one another, I know we can rebuild 
and I’ll be with you every step of the way. I look forward 
to working with Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, and Pro 
Tem McGuire to provide swift relief to our community.”

“We are moving right now to keep Californians housed as 
recovery begins, speed up recovery, and approve billions of 
dollars in funding to kickstart toxic debris removal and rebuild 
and repair schools. Families must be able to send their 
children back to school immediately,” said Speaker Rivas (D-
Salinas). “Let me be very clear,” said Rivas, “We must reshape 
our state government so that we are better able to prevent 
disasters like this from happening again. All options must be 
on the table. We’ll have more to say on that real soon. Right 
now we want those affected by the fires to know that immediate 
help is on the way so you can begin to recover.”

The announcement comes after Speaker Rivas met with L.A. 
Assemblymembers and local officials, and visited the Altadena, 
Malibu and Palisades communities.

Assemblymember Harabedian introduced the following bills 
Monday to help provide essential relief to wildfire victims:

 AB 238, Mortgage Deferment Act: Under the 
Mortgage Deferment Act, borrowers are entitled to request 
an initial forbearance of their monthly mortgage payments 
for up to 180 days, and may request up to an additional 180 
days. This bill is inspired by the CARES Act, which provided 
mortgage payment forbearance to 
those experiencing financial hardship 
during the COVID-19 national 
emergency.

 AB 239, State-Led Disaster 
Housing Task Force: establishes 
the State-Led Disaster Housing 
Task Force (SLDHTF) to operate 
throughout the long-term recovery 
period following the recent wildfires. 
Its primary purpose is to assist 
with coordination between the federal 
government, state agencies and 
departments, and local municipalities. 
The bill is modeled after FEMA 
guidance that each state establish a 
SLDHTF.

The Assembly delegation also announced 
legislation today to help 
fire victims which would stop additional 
cumbersome building standards, 
accelerate state permit review 
for reconstruction, expedite construction 
of Accessory Dwelling Units in the Coastal Zone, 
keep displaced Californians housed, and prohibit evictions if 
a tenant shelters wildfire victims or their pet.

These bills will be heard in Assembly policy committees during 
the spring.

Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District 
composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, 
Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La 
Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, 
Piñon Hills and Phelan.

POST OFFICE UPDATE

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - 

Some post offices that were affected by wildfires have resumed retail services and mail 
delivery in areas designated as ``safe'' throughout Los Angeles County, while some 
offices have been assigned temporary pickup locations, officials said today.

 Regular services have reopened at the La Canada Flintridge and Malibu Post Offices, 
according to the United States Postal Service.

 The following post offices' retail and delivery services have been relocated where 
customers will be able to pick up mail on the effective dates:

 -- ALTADENA POST OFFICE 2271 Lake Ave., mail pickup 

 location at Pasadena Post Office, 600 Lincoln Ave.;

 -- SIERRA MADRE, 

 ARCADIA (WHEELER)

 ARCADIA (DUARTE RD.)

 EAST PASADENA (Colorado Blvd) and 

 MONROVIA are operating on their normal schedule at 

 press time.

 The post office can forward mail to a temporary location to people who were affected. 
An Official Mail Forwarding Change of Address Order to reroute their mail, 
including packages and letters, can be completed at moversguide.usps.com, or by 
filling out a PS Form 3575 at any post office.

 More information about postal products and services can be found by

calling 800-275-8777. 

Additional retail locations can be found at tools.usps.com/locations/.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com