Voters Set to Decide Future of Local School Boards
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Message FleishmanHillard Daylight Savings from the mayor fellow ends Sunday See Page 2 See Page 8 Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013 Vol. 12 No. 29 8301 E. Florence Ave., Suite 100, Downey, CA 90240 BREAST CANCER Ken Drake, AWARENESS VOTERS SET TO DECIDE FUTURE veteran and While we do not yet know exactly what causes breast can- volunteer, cer, we do know that certain OF LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS risk factors are linked to the dies at 96 disease. A risk factor is some- thing that affects your chance of DOWNEY – Kenneth Drake, getting a disease such as cancer. • School board incumbents representing more than 1,000 However, candidates elected to a 32-year U.S. Navy veteran who Different cancers have different in Downey and Norwalk Downey teachers, counselors, and the school board receive more than served in World War II, the Korean risk factors. Some risk factors, face challengers. speech pathologists announced its just the opportunity to lead -- the War and Vietnam, died Tuesday. such as smoking, drinking, and support for incumbents Samperi, position also includes monetary He was 96. diet are linked to things a per- Sodetani, and Swenson. compensation and access to health Born in Idaho, he was the son does. Others, like a person’s Downey Education care. oldest of five boys, age, race, or family history, can’t By Christian Brown Association President Lorraine According to Estuardo including two be changed. Staff Writer Neal said the incumbents proved Santillan, assistant superintendent who died early of But risk factors don’t tell to have the best knowledge and of business services at the pneumonia. A third us everything. Having a risk commitment needed to lead the NLMUSD, school board members brother also saw factor, or even several, doesn’t school district. receive a stipend of $400 a month service in the Navy mean that a woman will get DOWNEY − With just days In the Norwalk-La Mirada and have the option of accepting but was killed two breast cancer. Some women to go before the Nov. 5 municipal Unified School District, three the same medical package offered weeks before the end who have one or more risk fac- elections, school board candidates challengers are hoping to unseat to full-time employees. of WWII. tors never get the disease. And are making their final push this one of four incumbents seeking “Some take the package are entitled to the same benefits.” The family relocated to most women who do get breast weekend as voters prepare to reelection to the NLMUSD board because the benefits are better, but For board members elected Downey in 1924 and Drake’s father cancer don’t have any risk fac- decide the future and direction of of education. not everyone does,” he said. “The before July 1, 1994, pensions may – a mechanic – opened his own tors (other than being a woman local school boards. Special education teacher district contributes $9,000 per also be a long-term benefit if they business in Huntington Park in and growing older). Some risk In the Downey Unified School Salvador Limon, field technical member as it would for any other opted into a CalPERS membership. 1929. factors have a greater impact Prior to California legislation, Drake enlisted in the Navy at than others, and your risk for District, incumbents Barbara engineer Mark White, and employee.” Samperi, Nancy Swenson, and government teacher Sean Reagan In total, Santillan said the which banned school board age 17 and was assigned to the USS breast cancer can change over members from receiving pensions, Idaho. He retired in 1968 as chief time from aging or lifestyle. Martha Sodetani, who ran will compete against board district sets aside $96,600 that goes unopposed four years ago, will members Ed Hengler, Darryl towards board members’ stipends appointed and elected officers of a aviation electrician mate, at the Gender: Being a woman is highest pay grade a retiring non- each face opponents in the Adams, Margarita Rios, and Ana and health benefits. school district, community college the main risk for breast cancer. commissioned officer could attain district’s first ever by-area school Valencia, who are all seeking Similarly, the DUSD provides district, or public commission While men also get the disease, in the Navy. it is about 100 times more com- board elections. another four-year term on the a $498 stipend for board members could receive a pension after When his wife of 72 years, mon in women than in men. Samperi, who was first elected school board. every month. leaving office. Norma, died three years ago, it was Age: The chance of get- in 1993 and now represents Area If reelected, Hengler will serve “Some choose to take it Currently, DUSD school board Gerinet Healthcare which provided ting breast cancer goes up as a 7, will compete in a four-way a fifth term while Adams, who and some do not,” said Nancy members Donald LaPlante, elected hospice care. Drake initially agreed woman gets older. About 2 of race against Downey Library was elected in 1993, will begin his Nien, assistant superintendent in 1979, and Barbara Samperi have to volunteer 2-3 hours a week at 3 women with invasive breast opted into CalPERS membership Commissioner Betty Monroy, sixth. Valencia has served on the of business services for Downey the hospice facility but soon found cancer are 55 or older when the retired LA County educator board since 2001; Rios was elected Unified. “Health insurance isand both will receive a pension cancer is found. upon leaving office. himself working 10-hour days, not Bertha Valenzuela, and local teller in 2009. offered at the same rate that full- that he minded. Genetic risk factors: About Leslie Valencia. Limon and Reagan, both local time employees get -- dental, “I’ve been on the board for 20 5% to 10% of breast cancers are years and it’s at about $2,000 right His chief responsibility was to In Area 5, Swenson will educators, are hoping to bring their medical, vision.” fill orders for hospice supplies. He thought to be linked to inher- compete against electrician youth and teaching experience to Downey school board now,” said Samperi. “The stipend ited changes (mutations) in cer- is only $400 a month so it’s not also supplied bereavement support John Anagnostou, who has two the school district while White, members have the option of duties when called upon. tain genes. The most common much.” daughters enrolled in Downey an active member of the PTA, choosing one or all of the health Drake recently received special changes are those of the BRCA1 NLMUSD board member schools, and Sodetani is vying believes he can best represent the benefit packages. recognition for volunteering 7,200 and BRCA2 genes. Women Darryl Adams was elected in for the Area 1-seat against Victor voices of parents. “Most employees pay 10 hours at the hospice. He was the with these gene changes have December 1993, but he says he did Malagon, a 50-year-old industrial The four top vote-getters on percent of their plan,” said Nien. only hospice volunteer with his up to an 80% chance of getting not opt into the system. breast cancer during their life- maintenance electrician. Tuesday will join the board of “We offer a very generous health own office, and was often the first times. Other gene changes may Earlier this month, the union education. package here -- board members person at the facility to arrive and raise breast cancer risk, too. the last person to leave. Family history: Breast Drake, who was also a 50-year cancer risk is higher among plus member of the Downey United women whose close blood C larinet prodigy to perform solo Masonic Lodge, received several relatives have this disease. The awards and recognitions for his relatives can be from either the service to his country but perhaps mother’s or father’s side of the • Joseph Morris, 22, to perform live and in person been hailed as one of the best Madison (Wisconsin) Symphony. none bigger than the President’s family. Having a mother, sister, during Downey Symphony in front of our metropolitan orchestras in Bravo. Volunteer Service Award. or daughter with breast can- concert Saturday. orchestra in our Southern California, and our Music programmed for this The award reads, in part, “Your cer about doubles a woman’s city’s Civic Theatre music director, Sharon Lavery, is concert is Rossini’s witty overture volunteer service demonstrates risk. It’s important to note that playing up a storm a 24-carat treasure. Come early to The Thieving Magpie, and the kind of commitment to your most (over 85%) women who with some very nifty for her pre-concert talk at 7:15 Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, From community that moves America get breast cancer do not have a By Joyce Sherwin Mozart. p.m., and to enjoy a lobby display the New World. The solo work, a step closer to its great promise. family history of this disease, so Downey Symphony We have a few informative of macro-photography by nature Mozart’s Concerto in A Major While government can open more not having a relative with breast details right here for you: our artist Carolina De Toro. for Clarinet and Orchestra, was opportunities for us to serve our cancer doesn’t mean you won’t communities, it is up to each of us DOWNEY – We have a winner! opening concert of the new Now back to that clarinetist in premiered less than two months get it. to seize those opportunities.