San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments changing of the guard
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG) tonight will host a special Presidents’ Reception at the Hilton Monrovia to honor the outgoing SGVCOG Governing Board Officers including President and La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn, and formally swear in incoming leadership.
Claremont Councilmember Ed Reece is anticipated to be elected as the incoming President and will be sworn in to lead the 36-member Governing Board for the 2025-2026 term by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Reece will be elevated from his position as First Vice President. Reece brings decades of small business experience to the role and will be the first openly LGBTQ+ person to lead the agency.
Reece is also currently Chair of the SGVCOG Transportation Committee, Chair of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Elected Officials Association, and serves on the boards of Foothill Transit, League of California Cities, and the Pomona Valley Transit Authority.
The event will include tributes by members of the California State Legislature. State Senators Susan Rubio, Bob Archuleta and Sasha Renee Perez as well as SGVCOG Past President & Monrovia Mayor Becky Shevlin are also expected to be in attendance.
Pérez to Host Town Hall
State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) is inviting local communities to a vital town hall event on Saturday titled “Healing Together: Our Children’s Mental Health After the Eaton Fire.”
The town hall is in response to the profound emotional toll the Eaton Fire has taken on local families, especially children. This event will bring together mental health experts, community organizations, and state representatives to support healing and resilience. Attendees will gain practical tools to help young people navigate trauma, stress, and recovery.
The town hall will feature expert presentations and a Q&A session, as well as resource tables hosted by:
- CA Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Center
- NAMI San Gabriel Valley
- Chinatown Service Center
- Young & Healthy
- Sycamores
Senator Pérez’s staff will also be on-site to offer State and Legislative resources.
The town hall is slated for 10 am to 12 pm, Saturday, June 28 at Pasadena City College (Creveling Lounge), 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106. RSVP are encouraged and can be submitted to https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/rsvp_main.php?district=SD25&rsvp=1344.
Garcia selected ranking member of the House Oversight Committee
U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Bellflower) this week saw House Democrats select him to serve as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. He was elected by a vote of 150-63.
The committee’s primary role is to conduct oversight of the federal government and all its agencies, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. The committee investigates potential waste, fraud, and abuse within the government and has broad authority to investigate a wide range of issues.
“I am honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee. We will hold Donald Trump and his Administration accountable for their corruption and abuses of power, and will work to make our government more efficient and effective for the American people. I look forward to working with the incredible members of the committee. Now let’s get to work.” said Garcia.
Garcia is also the former mayor of Long Beach.
McKinnor denounces court ruling favoring Trump administration
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Chair of the LA County Legislative Delegation, was joined by legislators from across California this week to denounce the Ninth Circuit’s recent ruling allowing President Trump to continue his illegal use of federalized National Guard troops for law enforcement purposes.
McKinnor and legislators highlighted President Trump’s continued violation of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution and warned other states that they may be next to lose their constitutional rights to sovereignty and domestic tranquility unless a court is willing to stop this Administration’s endless war against the American people.
“As Governor Newsom stated last week, ‘the president is not a king and is not above the law,'” said Assemblymember Tina McKinnor. “No president is a king – they are a servant of the people. We reject this president’s unconstitutional actions to deploy US Marines in this state and to federalize the California National Guard troops, not to stop a rebellion or an insurrection – but to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation,” said McKinnor.
“We call on our federal Courts to recognize California’s rights under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution and on the plain reading of 10 US Code, Section 12406. Mr. President, end this federal government’s occupation of California now. Mr. President, stop your endless war on the American people.”
