compiled by the El Reportero’s staff
In an extraordinary victory for tenants, the Ridgecrest City Council passed an ordinance on August 19, to stop banks from evicting renters in foreclosed residential properties, according to a written statement by the organization, Tenants Together.
A determined group of tenants and community allies, along with the statewide tenant rights organization Tenants Together, pushed for the swift passage of the law to address an epidemic of evictions of tenants after foreclosure.
“This is a great day for Ridgecrest tenants and for the entire community,” said Bob Nostrand, a Ridgecrest renter who helped lead the effort to get the law passed.
“This law will bring desperately needed relief to renters who are innocent victims of the foreclosure crisis.”
The new Ridgecrest law requires that a bank have “just cause” for evicting tenants after foreclosure.
The law spells out the specifi c circumstances where eviction is permitted, such as where the tenant fails to pay rent or where the owner wants to move into the property. Foreclosure is not a recognized reason for evicting tenants under the law. The Ridgecrest law also includes relocation provisions, so that tenants who are evicted through no fault of their own will receive monetary assistance for moving costs.
Senator education chair responds to 2009 STAR Program
After the release of the 2009 Standardized Testing and Reporting Program “that show California students overall continue to make steady academic progress in English-language arts, math, science, and history-social science,” Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, released the following statement in response to the 2009 STAR program results.
“Today’s STAR results reveal a pernicious achievement gap that California has been faulty in closing, particularly with our African American and Hispanic students. More than half of our students are still failing (not proficient) in basic English and math. Incremental progress will never enable California to make our own moonshot, and it’s unconscionable to leave any child behind,” Molina said in written statement.
“Addressing California’s persistent achievement gap is more urgent than ever because the state’s application for Race to the Top funds must address how we are increasing all student achievement. California will be judged on whether it has set ambitious targets for closing an achievement gap that has persisted for decades. The education of our next generation must never be a situation where any degree of failure is accepted.”
Sequoia Hospital receives 2009 best hospital award
Sequoia Hospital announced today receiving the 2009 Best Hospital Award from Bay Area Parent magazine. Readers cast their votes online for the “best” family friendly businesses – everything from best place to have a picnic to best pediatrician. Results will be announced in the Best of the Best 2009 annual magazine published by Bay Area Parent. Sequoia has been voted a Best Hospital Family Favorite Award Winner two years in a row.
“Our Birth Center is very family friendly – from superior clinical care and lactation consultants to spa-like amenities including fluffy bathrobes for mom and a special celebration dinner for parents on the night before they go home,” said Jennifer Doran, RN, BSN, Director of Perinatal Services. “Receiving the Best Hospital honor two years in a row demonstrates that not only do we deliver great care to our moms and babies, but we take excellent care of the rest of the family too.”
