What's Happening in LA Cities? | January 2012

The Comeback Kid: Bell on a Mission to Promote Transparency and Civic Engagement
Local officials in the city of Bell are striving to make the city one of the most open, accountable and transparent in California through greater participation with residents. For the first time in Bell’s history, the city has been holding open community forums/public budget planning workshops to ensure that constituents know first-hand the status of the city’s fiscal position. Positively moving forward from the corruption of the past requires teamwork between City Hall and residents, and such collaboration is leading to a drastic turnaround. Civic engagement is on display like never before, with residents tuned into the budgeting process and the basics of local governance. The reform organization CA Forward has applauded Bell’s progress and commented, “The reciprocity between local officials and their constituents is the type of two-way dialogue that needs to happen in every corner of the state.”
Read more here.

Going to the Green Side: Pico Rivera Promotes Energy-Saving Program
The city of Pico Rivera recently launched a groundbreaking energy efficiency program entitled, “Pico Rivera Only You Can Save Energy." Thanks to funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, information will be disseminated to residents about tips for conservation and reducing energy costs and City Hall has turned into a prime information outlet. Mayor Bob Archuleta commented, “Pico Rivera is only the second city in the nation and the first in this area to launch this type of program […] Conservation is one of the most important things we can do as a community.” The city has also done its part to encourage efficiency by replacing lights at the City Hall parking lot and the ones in the traffic signals with energy saving LED lights.
Read more here.

High Honor: Torrance Awards Citizen with City’s Highest Civic Honor
The city of Torrance recently awarded the city’s pre-eminent historian with the Jared Sydney Torrance Award, which is the community's highest civic honor. Janet Payne, a leader of the Torrance Historical Society, received the acknowledgment and Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto presented Payne with the prestigious award at a City Council meeting. Payne was recognized for her extensive volunteer efforts and authority on the city’s history. The award is named after Torrance’s visionary founder. Mayor Scotto commented, “Enthusiasm and passion are two words that come to mind when I think of her and she uses those two attributes when she champions her causes for the betterment of Torrance.” Payne was taken by surprise by the award and has been a resident of Torrance since 1976.
Read more here.