ONE YEAR
ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE
March 6, 2008 is the one year anniversary of my election
to the Cerritos City Council. This past year has been full of blessings.
Each day, I have thanks to all of you for your support and trust in me.
I am very proud to serve our wonderful and diverse community and truly
enjoy working with people from all walks of life. I promise another year
of dedication, hard work and my commitment to make Cerritos an even
better place to live for our families.
I would like to give a brief report on the City of Cerritos.
Generally, the City of Cerritos does not have many divisive issues.
However, last year, we considered on the affordable senior housing
project and eventually, at the end of 2007, the City Council approved
the project. This issue, however, is not completely resolved. We still
have one question that requires resolution. The City of Cerritos filed
the validation law suit to ask the Court whether the details of the
project, including financing and contracts, are valid and binding.
Depending on the judgment, the Council will decide whether the City will
start the project or find an alternative.
I am proud to share with you that last year I initiated several
important changes, resolutions and ordinances such as changing the
Website Posting Date of the Council Agenda, Iron-wood Nine Golf Course
Smoke Free Ordinance, Tobacco Retailer Licensing, Lunar New Year
Celebration and Neighborhood Parks Improvement. This year, I will
research and continue to make proposals regarding other important issues
that I promised during my campaign.
On March 13, 2008, the City Council selected Jim Edwards as the new
Mayor and Bruce Barrows as the Mayor Pro Tem . Currently, we have one
vacant seat on the Council. I know all of the four candidates who are
running in the June special election. They are all well qualified and I
am sure that whoever wins will bring unique experience, new vision and
fresh ideas to the City of Cerritos.
I am passionate, committed to the City of Cerritos and looking forward
to working with the new Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and the Councilmember who
will be elected this June. We must all work together to be victorious
for our City of Cerritos.
Thank you.
Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Cerritos City Councilmember
CCCA Legislative Tour & NLC Congressional City
Conference
Joseph
Cho traveled to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. During January 14-15,
2008, Joseph joined the California Contract Cities Association’s
Legislative Tour, visited the Capitol and discussed issues and proposed
legislation with many State Elected Officials, such as Lt. Governor John
Garamendi, State Controller John Chiang, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, and
Senators. During January 16-18, 2008, Joseph attended the New Mayor and
Councilmember Academy sponsored by the League of California Cities.
Joseph Cho also attended the National League of Cities (NLC)
Congressional City Conference held in Washington D.C. March 8-12, 2008.
He attended many informative sessions including Community Safety, Global
Warming, and Subprime Mortgage Crisis. Joseph was elected as a Board of
Director of the Asian Pacific American Municipal officials (APAMO).
(Photo: APAMO Board of Directors)
2008 New Year Meet & Greet
Joseph
Cho invited Cerritos residents and friends to the New Year Meet & Greet
on January 19, 2008 at his office, L&J Development and Management, Inc.
About 80 friends attended including Assembly member Tony Mendoza’s
Representative Larry Caballero, La Palma City Councilmember Larry
Herman, Artesia City Councilmember Tony Lima, Cerritos City
Commissioners Nick Kim, Alon Barlevy, Chris Fuentes, Ken Cha, and
Committee Member Jongsup Yi. After dinner, Joseph reported the issues
and concerns in the City of Cerritos.
No Smoking at the Iron-wood Nine Golf Course & Tobacco
Retailer License
In 2004, the City of Cerritos adopted the Smoke Free
Park Ordinance with the “exception of golf courses” clause. Recently, on
January 28, 2008, the City Council adopted the No Smoking Ordinance at
the Iron-wood Nine Golf Course and the Tobacco Retailer License
Ordinance, both proposed by Councilman Joseph Cho. Now, smoking in the
clubhouses, patio areas, driving ranges and the putting greens is
illegal except on the actual golf course.
State law makes it illegal to sell tobacco to minors (Penal Code 308(a)
and STAKE Act). Despite the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station’s efforts to
enforce the law, including completing several sting operations, some
store clerks continue to sell tobacco products to minors. Now, in the
City of Cerritos, retailers must get a license to sell tobacco products
and the license may be revoked or suspended if the City finds that the
retailer or one of the store’s employees as violated Penal Code 308(a).
Festival of Friendship & Lunar New Year Celebration
On
February 2, 2008, the Festival of Friendship was held at the Los
Cerritos Mall, which included a lantern parade and a lighting ceremony
for the Lunar New Year Celebration as proposed by Councilman Joseph Cho.
Participants and cultural entertainment included the Mid-Cities
Korean American Chamber of Commerce, Cerritos Korean American
Association and Oriental Moo-do Taekwondo School. Joseph Cho also
participated in various community Lunar New Year celebrations with his
colorful Hanbok, Korean traditional clothes. (Left
Photo: Official Ceremony, Right Photo: Councilman Joseph Cho with his
Hanbok, Korean traditional man’s cloth)
City of Cerritos Mayoral Transition
On
March 13, 2008, the City Council selected
new Mayor Jim Edwards and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows.
(Left Photo: Councilman Joseph Cho, New Mayor Jim
Edwards, Former Mayor Laura Lee and Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows, Right
Photo: Commissioner Nick Kim, Councilman & Mrs. Cho. ABCUSD Committee
member Tony Cho and Commissioner Kenneth Cha)
JOSEPH CHO’S UPCOMING EVENTS
-
City of Cerritos Youth Basketball Award Ceremony
Date: March 17, 2008 6:30 PM
Place: Gahr High School Auditorium
-
Los Angeles Korean American Chamber of Commerce
Gala & Award Ceremony
Date: March 20, 2008 6:00 PM
Place: Wilshire Grand Hotel
Los Angeles, California
-
Korean American Elected Officials Meeting
Date: March 21, 2008 10:00 AM
Place: Oxford Palace Hotel
Los Angeles, California
Agenda: Korea - USA Free Trade Agreement
-
56th district Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award Ceremony
Date: March 31, 2008 5:00 PM
Place: Cerritos Park East
13234 E. 166th Street, Cerritos, CA 90707
Recipient: Charles Ara
Sponsor: 56th District Assemblyman Tony Mendoza
-
March for Good Job
Date: April 15-17, 2008
Place: From Hollywood to San Pedro
Kick-Off: April 15, 2008 9:00 AM
5757 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles
Finish: April 17, 2008 6:00 PM
The Deck, Berth 87 (1st & Harbor, San Pedro)
Sponsor: Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
-
City of Cerritos Spring Festival
Date: April 25-27, 2008
Place: City of Cerritos Sports Complex
Councilman and Mrs. Cho, members of Team Cho will join in Relay for
Life Community Walk at April 26, 2008 10:00 AM (Check-in begins at
9:00 AM). $10.00 Registration Fee with T-shirt.
