October 2019 Newsletter

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to the first issue of my monthly newsletter that will go to the constituents of District 32 to inform you about legislation, people, places, events and resources.

Although fall is just around the corner, temperatures are still high, so please take precautions to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water, wear sunscreen and look on your family and friends. Of course, a reminder not to leave pets in your car.

It was a productive year for Senate District 32 in the Capitol as I continued to work on your behalf by bringing needed funds to the district.

In Whittier, I secured $4.4 million for the city’s library improvement project; $5 million to Artesia for vast structural and safety improvements to one if its parks; $390 thousand to Pico Rivera for improvements to its Parks and Recreation Department; and thousands of dollars to the Columbia Space Center in Downey.

I look forward to coming back to session in the New Year to strive to bring even more money to our district for much needed infrastructure and program improvements.

My recent appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom to the Governors Military Council is another opportunity for me to continue to work to improve the lives of veterans, and the men and women serving in the military, along with their families.

The work is never done, and as always, I am eager to hear from you about what my office can do to meet your concerns and resolve any issues you may have. My staff and I will work to prove any assistance, as well as other state agencies, to make your life better.

If you have any suggestions on what you what like to read about in our next newsletter, please let us know. I will be updating you on legislation along with new stories on Spotlight 32 next month.

You can contact me or my staff by visiting my web site or by calling my Capitol office or district office.

God bless,

Senator Bob Archuleta
Thirty-Second Senate District

SACRAMENTO – California Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, appointed State Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) to the Governor’s Military Council.

The Council’s mission is to provide a sustained focus on growing California’s defense and national security missions in state administration.

“I am deeply honored by Governor Newsom’s trust in my ability to serve the citizens of the great state of California in this capacity,” Archuleta said. “I look forward to continuing my efforts to support our men and women in uniform as they proudly serve and defend our state and the country.”

Archuleta is currently the Chair of the California State Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

In a Tweet posted on Friday, Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins congratulated her colleague.

“…Sen. Archuleta cares deeply about military affairs and is a true advocate of those in uniform. We are lucky to have his expertise in this role,” she said.

Senator Archuleta’s advocacy on behalf of the military, their families, and veterans, extends across decades from his service as an Army paratrooper in the 82^nd Airborne, a member of the Los Angeles County Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs; a member of the United States Army Advisory Board for Military Recruitment, and as a presidential appointee to the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

He also served on the Montebello Police Department and was named 2019 Legislator of the Year by the American G.I. Forum of California.

On March 28, 2013, former Governor of California, Edmund G. Brown, Jr announced the creation of the Governor’s Military Council as both the Governor and State Legislature recognized the importance of a sustained effort to support the military in the State.

ARTESIA – State Sen. Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) joined the Artesia City Council at the community event celebrating the $5 million he secured for major improvements to A.J. Padelford Park that will address the city’s needs for open space and parkland.

He joined Artesia Mayor Tony Lima, Mayor Pro Tem Miguel Canales, Councilmembers Ali Taj and Melissa Ramoso, as well as residents, Lakewood Sheriff Station’s personnel and other dignitaries for the presentation of the ceremonial check and the ribbon-cutting program for the new picnic shelter.

“This money will change the complexion of the city of Artesia by providing a safe place for families, seniors and the entire community to gather,” Sen. Archuleta said.

A.J. Padelford Park is located in the working class community of Artesia and is in desperate need of an expansion, city officials said.

“The money allows the city to make substantial improvements, and I want to thank Senator Archuleta, for his tireless work on securing this money,” Mayor Lima said.

The park size has not changed since its development in 1973 and provides 0.47 acres per 1,000 residents, which is significantly below the Los Angeles County average of 3.3 acres per 1,000 residents.

“This project will improve park safety and create more recreational opportunities for local youth and families,” Archuleta said.

The expansion will also lower the density per square mile and create more park space per person, creating a greater quality of life in the neighborhood. The park, in its current configuration, has public safety issues, city and law enforcement officials said.

“The upgrades to the park will open up opportunities of participation and enjoyment for the entire community,” Sen. Archuleta said.

“I think this great,” said Artesia resident Lorena Flores, who was at the park with her daughter, Ashley, 11, and son, Ivan, 6. “If the park is bigger it will be better.”

The park was named after A.J. Padelford after his passing in 1972. A.J. Padelford Park shares grounds with the North Artesia Community Center.

WHITTIER – California State Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) held a news conference to make a presentation of state funds to the city of Whittier. The event took place at the Whittier Central Library, at 7344 Washington Ave.

Joining the senator were Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Councilmembers Henry Bouchot, Cathy Warner, Josue Alvarado, Library Foundation Board President Norm Kirshenbaum, City Manager Jeff Collier and longtime Whittier philanthropist Ruth B. Shannon.

Archuleta secured $4.4 million needed for the city of Whittier’s multi-million dollar modernization library project. The money is part of the $214.8-billion budget, the largest in the state’s history.

“I worked with the governor and my colleagues in the senate and assembly to bring vital resources to improve the quality of life for those who work and live in District 32. Mayor Joe Vinatieri flew up to Sacramento to ask for the monies needed to complete the project, and Councilwoman Cathy Warner was instrumental locally,” Archuleta said.

The Whittier Central Library is in immediate need of construction upgrades – including electrical and plumbing – to ensure the integrity of the building. There are also issues with the roof and sewer.

The estimated cost for the repairs is nearly $15 million.

“A library plays a vital role in a thriving community,” Archuleta said. “It is my honor to have secured money to help pay for the much-needed repairs so that patrons can enjoy the library and its programs in a safe environment.”

New Captain Takes Command of Sheriff’s Pico Rivera Station in Senate District 32

PICO RIVERA – Phillip R. Marquez, one of the L.A. County Sheriff Department’s newest class of captains, has taken command of the Pico Rivera Station.

Having started his career in 1991 as a deputy at North County Correctional Facility, Marquez was assigned to other stations in Lakewood, Temple City, Walnut, Altadena and Industry.

“Captain Marquez brings a wealth of experience in public safety to the Pico Rivera Station, and I am positive he will provide great leadership and guide the men and women who serve and protect the station’s jurisdiction in the Thirty-Second Senate District,” Senator Bob Archuleta said.

Captain Marquez’s career also includes working at several custody facilities; being assigned patrol at Century Station; and working at the department’s Community Oriented Policing Bureau.

Marquez has served in many capacities, including being a service area lieutenant at Walnut Station, being in charge of a special assignment team at Lakewood Station, Detective Bureau lieutenant at Altadena Station, Operations lieutenant at both Walnut and Industry Stations, as well as an Executive Aide for Countywide Services Division.

Other career highlights include work on a federal task force related to the Compton Violent Intercity Initiative from 2001 to 2004, as well as involvement in the GAP Food Bank in the city of Ontario, which helps feed approximately 450 families weekly.

Off duty, Marquez is currently completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and World Religion, watching and participating in sports, including boating on the Colorado River.

He is married to his wife, Vicky, and they have two adult children.

Familiar Face Takes Command of Sheriff’s Lakewood Station in Senate District 32

LAKEWOOD – David Sprengel, a 29-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department with several tours of duty at the Lakewood Station, has been promoted to captain and named the new commander of the station.

He is in charge of more than 200 uniformed and civilian personnel at the station who serve Lakewood and the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Hawaiian Gardens and Paramount.

“I congratulate Capt. David Sprengel on his promotion,” Sen. Bob Archuleta said. “I am confident he will lead the men and women of the Lakewood Station in providing the best public safety services to the parts of the Thirty-Second Senate District it patrols.”

Sprengel is familiar to many residents and community leaders in Lakewood, as he previously served at the station as a sergeant, lieutenant, and most recently as the acting commander of the station for several months.

During his previous years at the Lakewood Station he helped to create the volunteer clergy team which assists station personnel and serves in the community.

In his free time, Sprengel enjoys running, hiking and golf, and he has previously coached Little League and Pony League baseball and youth soccer. He’s married with four adult children.

“Lakewood is a great community,” said Sprengel, “and Lakewood Station is home to some of the best deputies, civilian personnel and volunteers in the county. I look forward to working in partnership with local residents and our station personnel to keep crime low and provide the best possible service to the community.”

DOWNEY –State Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) met recently with more than 40 school board members and superintendents from throughout the Thirty-Second Senate District.

He spoke to them about public education issues, his support of Full and Fair Funding of California’s public schools, and listened to their concerns and suggestions regarding matters pertaining to their respective districts.

“This was a productive and honest dialogue between myself and a group of dedicated educators on how best to serve the students, parents, and teachers in the Thirty-Second Senate District,” Sen. Archuleta said. 

The senator emphasized teamwork, and was pleased that each district was willing to share their best educational practices. 

“I call our district the Fighting Thirty-Second because together we are going to fight for better education, quality education, fair education, and equity across the board,” Sen. Archuleta said. “It truly does take a village to raise a child, and from what I see and hear, in this room, we are ready to come together to work to provide the best education for our students.”

Downey Unified School District hosted the event, and those in attendance included officials from ABC Unified, Anaheim Union High, Bellflower Unified, Buena Park, Centralia Elementary, East Whittier City, El Monte Union High, El Rancho Unified, Fullerton Joint Union High, Hacienda La Puente Unified, Little Lake City, Los Nietos, Lowell Joint, Montebello Unified, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified, Paramount Unified, South Whittier, Whittier City, and Whittier Union High school districts.

The educators in the audience appreciated the senator’s time and effort to discuss with them some of the challenges they face in public education.

In turn, Sen. Archuleta thanked them for participation and looked forward to continuing his advocacy on behalf of public education.

Veteran Resources - Learn about the state and federal benefits you are entitled to receive and how to claim them.

Those benefits could compensate you for a service-connected disability, allow you to begin or resume your college education, care for your health, train for or find employment, buy a home, live out your years with dignity and respect, and much more!

To find out about the benefits you and your dependents are entitled to receive, Register, Log in or Browse now!

https://www.calvet.ca.gov/

Department of Rehabilitation / Visit our District 32 Office at 12501 E. Imperial Highway, Suite 140, Norwalk, CA (562) 864.8521

Employment and Independent Living for Californians with Disabilities since 1963

www.dor.ca.gov