The list made public by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has angered Cerritos administrators who claim it was assembled under pressure by state legislators and then made public by the Chancellor's Office without adequate chance for explanation.
The list was compiled for the first time this year because the state budget required state colleges to increase the number of student transfers from low-transfer community colleges by an average of 15 percent annually.
The yardstick used for measurement was transfer to the California State University and University of California systems.
Students also said in many cases expecting transfers after two years is often unrealistically optimistic. It requires full time attendance and often summer school as well. Many students simply cannot afford this.
Since one major factor is geographic nearness to a university, the researchers then factored distance into their findings, as well as the proportion of students under the age of 25, how many come from low-income households, and the proportion who enter college with a stated goal of completing a four-year degree.
The list after this factoring process dropped to 14.
Willard Hom, the chancellor's director of planning and research, admitted the study has its limitations.
Cerritos, for instance, has a long tradition as a trade school steppingstone producing students who move into industrial jobs. This technology program has been upgraded to include computer-related skills. Many students have no intention of a lengthier four year program, but are bent on moving into the job market.
Others are retraining for new careers, which make academic continuation optional.
Everything from marching bands to Santa Claus to Ronald McDonald will parade down Downey Avenue from Lexington to Third Street, then east on Third to City Hall.
Children will be delighted by Ronald McDonald, Downey's own Recycle Rabbit, Downey Ford's Purple Turtle and Chuck E. Cheese.
The parade includes three hours of marching bands, drill teams, strutting dogs, Shriners in their funny cars, civic groups riding their floats, city officials and chamber officers aboard a fire engine, the Misty Isle Bagpipe Band and Clans of the Highlands, antique cars, equestrian groups, the Budweiser Clydesdale Team, a pioneer covered wagon and a Wells Fargo Stagecoach.
Maria Larkin, chairman of the Chamber's Parade Committee, said "Every year our committee of hard-working members wonder if it will happen as we wish it to. Then the last few weeks everything comes together as it should. And the miracle happens."
The Chamber is particularly grateful to the City of Downey, the City Council, Public Works, Fire, Police and Community Services Departments for their contributions which make this event a success.
Civic groups providing tasty treats along the parade route this year include the Downey Elks B.P.O. No. 2020; Warren High School Boosters; Santa Fe Springs VFW Post 4138; Lions Club of Downey; Downey Rose Float Association; Downey High Band Boosters; Downey High Grad Nite; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
$500 Major Band-Bank of America; Citizens for Downey; Congress for American Principles; Hoag Property Management; Knights of Columbus; Pacific Western National Bank; Cliff and Pat Pratt; Washington Mutual; Windsor Escrow and Zweber Apothecary.
$300 Band/Drill Team-All American Home Center; Bank of Orange County; CalMet Services; Chris' Best Burgers; Dixon & Associates; Downey Board of Realtors; Downey Escrow; Downey Eye Care Center; Downey Los Amigos Kiwanis; Downey Savings & Loan; Exchange Club of Downey; Little John's Body Works; Norm's Family Restaurant; Pacific Collision Center of Downey; Pacific Telesis Group; Penske Toyota; Rotary Club of Downey; Soroptimist International of Downey; Drs. Mary and Floyd Stauffer; and U.S. Bank.
$100 Trophy-AARP; David Berger, MD; Bob and Jean Brazelton; Dave Buhler; Robert C. Deere and Mark Minkes, MDs; Downey Retirement Center; Andy Doyle; Escrow Results; Golden West Pipe & Supply; Dr. and Mrs. Norbert Hillecke; Horvath Bookkeeping; Mark Keller; National O-Ring Division; Olson and DeTilla Associates; Doris and Pat Patterson; J.C. Penney Co.; Meredith Perkins; Marian Perumean; John Sims, DDS; Guy Sterner; Robert G. Swyden, MD; and Harold and Eileen Wilkins.
And many more smaller but no less appreciated contributors.
Both actions were at Tuesday's regular Council meeting. Councilwoman Barbara Riley was absent due to illness.
The Skate Park planning agreement with Purkiss-Rose-Rsi includes site surveying, geographical services and lighting design, and allocates $18,500 from park In-Lieu Funds to pay for it.
The Skate Park is planned for an area at Independence Park.
The Council originally approved the retention of the Skate Park architect at the Oct. 24 meeting, and included authorization for preparation of specifications suitable for bidding. The preliminary architectural cost was estimated then at $50,000.
A subsequent meeting between the architect, architect's engineer, City Engineer, and City Engineering and Community Services staff concluded that two additional items; site surveying and preparation of a geotechnical report, would best be included in the architect's scope of responsibility. It was also suggested that a security lighting design be included. The additional planning cost was $18,500.
Terms of the present pact remain unchanged. The provider retains 85 percent of team registration and forfeit fees.
In other action the Council:
* Adopted the second reading of an amended Municipal Code extending control of litter and storage in front yards in R-1 and R-2 Zones from the street-front to the front of the dwelling, and allowing carports as accessory structures only in backyards (re-introduced Nov. 14).
Lennie Whittington noted that utility bills have almost doubled, and with them the City 5 percent Utility Users Tax. Whittington said something should be done to lower the tax.
During Council comments, Councilman Bob Winnigham said the Utility Users Tax adjustment should be looked at. And, on another subject, he said the next public informational meeting on the proposed Nueva Azalea power plant will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Girls Club House in South Gate. He urged anyone with concerns to attend.
Mayor Keith McCarthy invited the public to attend the Holiday Lane Parade Sunday down Downey Avenue starting at 1:30 p.m. And he recognized Lowell Williams, who is retiring at the end of December as City Finance Director.
Meredith Perkins noted that Sunday use of the Downey Library has increased to 329 persons.
The next public meeting of the Council will be a reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. The next regular public meeting of the Council will be at City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.
The closure announced by KPC Nov. 21, affects 38 clinics and more than 2,000 employees serving more than 300,000 patients throughout Southern California.
Other area clinics closed by the KPC collapse include the Rosecrans Clinic at 11832 E. Rosecrans Ave., Norwalk; the Paramount Clinic at 16260 Paramount Blvd., Suite B, Paramount; and the South Gate Clinic, 4476 Tweedy Blvd., South Gate.
The Vikes, led by quarterback Justin Phinisee, feature a group of running backs including Adam Benevidez and Darryl Tatum. Anthony Guerrero also stars on offense.
The defense is led by Val Flores, George Zoumberakis, Frank Duron and Tatum.
Downey is the number one ranked team in the CIF Division II. Chino enters the CIF Southern Section playoff semi-final game with an 11-1 mark.
Players, coaches and boosters urge the community to come out and support the team.
This is the best Downey team since the legendary running of Randy Meadows led the the 1957 Vikings to their only CIF football title which they shared that year with Anaheim.
Coach Grant Warhurst said this team is truly from Downey, and 37 of its 55 players are seniors. "They were boys when they came here and now they're young men."
Warhurst added the season has been like a storybook. The crowd for the game is expected to reach 7,000.
The final voter tallies show Horn with 87,266 votes (48.45 percent), to Schipske's 85,498 (47.47 percent), according to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder.
Schipske had said she would pick up votes when the absentee ballots were counted. However, a tally of absentees showed Horn gaining 152 votes on his Democrat opponent.
Schipske, a 50-year-old nurse and college instructor, is the first opponent to come close to defeating Horn since he first ran for office in the 38th in 1992. The District includes Bellflower, Downey, Lakewood, Long Beach, San Pedro, Signal Hill and Paramount.
Schipske issued the following statement: "I congratulate Steve Horn on his re-election to the United States Congress and offer to work with him in important issues raised in this election.
"I am personally gratified by the strong support I received throughout the 38th Congressional District and am happy to report that the final count indicates we came closest of any Democrat in taking this seat. We were able, through an aggressive field program and the long hours of work of hundreds of volunteers, to win five of seven cities in the District."
The Patricia L. Scheifly Breast Health Center (named after a breast cancer survivor), will open up jointly with the Ruby L. Golleher Oncology Center (named after a hospital volunteer for many years who died of cancer).
About $1.6 million was raised for the breast health center from many sources in the community such as local foundations, local corporations and a multitude of people from the community. The two major donors are Patricia L. Scheifly and her husband John Scheifly (she is a foundation board of director and her husband John, deceased, was a hospital board member).
Currently the hospital sees about 400 women a month and it estimates doubling that amount within the first year of operation of the new center. "The center was built because we saw a need in the community for these types of services. The services we will offer will meet the needs of the community," said Susan Sandlin, director of the breast health center. "We will be able to have more space, more equipment, accessibility for parking, seven imaging suites (will provide a number of procedures) and also centralize the breast health services."
"We feel this will bring world class breast services to the community. It will provide a level of services in a backyard," Sandlin said.
"The center will be quite a gift to all of the communities. It will bring all services related to breast health care in a one-stop center," said Deborah Arroy, Foundation director of development.
"It will make a difference to women and will simplify as much as possible. It will give a lot of support to women," said Judy Mcalister, public relation spokesperson.
The breast health center will be open to the public on Jan. 1, 2001.
The hospital continues to raise money for the breast health center. Those who would like to make contributions, may call the hospital foundation at (562) 698-0811, ext. 4120.