RED ALERT! FIRE, POLICE SEEK DIVERSE RECRUITS

Attendees of a previous Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair fill out job applications. The Fire and Police Job Fair on July 30 is geared towards recruiting more Blacks, Latinos and Asians into area fire and law enforcement agencies.

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Fire service and law enforcement can be lucrative careers. However these are careers which many Blacks, Latinos and Asians have not considered. Carl Dameron, producer of the Inland Empire Diversity Career and Job Fair (http://www.iejobfair.com), said the Fire and Police Job Fair, on July 30, is geared towards increasing the numbers of people from ethnic groups in both of these fields. The Diversity Career and Job Fair is held at the San Bernardino Boys and Girls Club, located at 1180 W. 9th St. in San Bernardino, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“Fire departments have not hired as many persons from ethnic groups as other places,” Dameron said. “Fire departments seems to have a problem finding applicants who can complete the application process.”
Applicants for fire and police jobs must be American citizens, or permanent residents who are eligible to apply for citizenship, and have to pass a rigorous background check. They must also meet certain physical and psychological standards.
“Our goal is to help them find Blacks, Latinos and Asians who can complete the process required for a career in fire services and law enforcement,” said Dolores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce.
Armstead said area law enforcement agencies are facing a huge increase in demand for their services as the population of the Inland Empire soars.
“All of these police departments are looking for diverse recruits,” she said.
“The goal of the Job Fair is to help these agencies find those people who are looking for careers in law enforcement and fire service.”
Armstead also said that Inland Empire police departments are not the only ones looking for recruits. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department also recruit new employees from the Inland Empire. She said careers in law enforcement often have lucrative pay and benefit packages.
The Riverside Police Department is currently offering a $5,000 signing fee for new officers and $1,000 referral fee. Riverside police offers start at $56,000 per year. Starting pay for San Bernardino Police officers is more than $50,000.
For more information about the Inland Empire Diversity Fire and Police Job Fair call (909) 888-0017 or go to http://www.iejobfair.com.

‘GREEN CZAR’ BAGS LONG BEACH AWARD

Workers load e-waste onto a truck as part of a recycling effort organized by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Goodwill Industries and SuCasa, a domestic violence shelter, in March. Leonard Robinson, chief deputy director of the DTSC will be honored for his efforts to encourage the recycling and proper disposal of e-waste items such as outdated electronics, fluorescent light bulbs and alkaline batteries, by 8th District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich on July 17.

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Riverside’s Leonard Robinson, appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the chief deputy director for the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), was honored Tuesday, July 17, by 8th District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich.
On March 10, DTSC’s partnered with Goodwill Industries and SuCasa, the domestic violence shelter, to collect e-waste in the North Long Beach area, and collect they did – 8.8 tons of old computers, discarded television sets, cell phones and other electronic waste that otherwise would go into city landfills.
The Long Beach City Council Recognition award will be presented to Robinson that evening at 5 p.m. during the city council meeting at 333 W. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach.
Says Jonathan Kraus, aide to Councilwoman Gabelich, “These nearly nine tons of otherwise hazardous waste will first have the hazardous elements removed, the rest being recycled as possible. All of this is being diverted from our landfills.”
“It’s that time of year,” said Gabelich, “when I present my recognition awards to people who have done something outstanding for the Eighth District and given of themselves for the good of the community.”
DTSC Chief Deputy Director Robinson goes throughout the state lecturing on the proper management of used residential: fluorescent light, batteries, cell phones, computers and other household electronic devices (Universal Wastes). As a part of the California Take It Back! Partnership, he forms partnerships with businesses, utilities, retail stores and non-profit organizations to provide free, local and convenient locations for California residents to take their Universal Wastes.
These items, if improperly disposed can contaminate drinking water and soil with heavy metals and other toxic substances. Reduction of solid and toxic wastes is an element of the Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Environmental Action Plan.

ACTIVIST DISCUSSES HIS LIFE JOURNEY IN NEW BOOK

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Ratibu Shadidi, entrepreneur, veteran of the Civil Rights movement and activist for African American cultural heritage, is the guest speaker at the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce (www.ieaacc.com)’s meeting from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, July 24.

The meeting is held in the conference room of Dameron Communications located at 255 N. D. Street in San Bernardino.

Shadidi, also known as Bill Jacocks, talks about his two-year struggle to write and publish his new book “Ratibu Shadidi: Incidents, Struggles and Divine Interventions.”

The book details Shadidi’s life from a small boy in Virginia to a successful business owner in California. Shadidi was active in the Civil Rights movement and has encouraged African Americans to get in touch with their African roots through cultural events such as Kwanzaa.

A community leader for more than 20 years, Shadidi is owner of Elegant Floors, a carpet store, and a former field representative for California State Sen. Ruben Ayala. He is married to California State Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto).

“Ratibu’s story serves as inspiration to our members,” said Delores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce (IEAACC.) “He has seen it all, from the Civil Rights struggle to the modern-day movement to teach African Americans their true heritage.”

Founded in 1990, the IEAACC helps African American businesses, families and professionals succeed in the Inland Empire.

For more information about the IEAACC call (909) 888-5223 or go online to www.ieaacc.com.

ACTIVIST DISCUSSES HIS LIFE JOURNEY IN NEW BOOK

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Ratibu Shadidi, entrepreneur, veteran of the Civil Rights movement and activist for African American cultural heritage, is the guest speaker at the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce (www.ieaacc.com)’s meeting from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, July 24.
The meeting is held in the conference room of Dameron Communications located at 255 N. D. Street in San Bernardino.
Shadidi, also known as Bill Jacocks, talks about his two-year struggle to write and publish his new book “Ratibu Shadidi: Incidents, Struggles and Divine Interventions.”
The book details Shadidi’s life from a small boy in Virginia to a successful business owner in California. Shadidi was active in the Civil Rights movement and has encouraged African Americans to get in touch with their African roots through cultural events such as Kwanzaa.
A community leader for more than 20 years, Shadidi is owner of Elegant Floors, a carpet store, and a former field representative for California State Sen. Ruben Ayala. He is married to California State Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto).
“Ratibu’s story serves as inspiration to our members,” said Delores Armstead, vice president of the Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce (IEAACC.) “He has seen it all, from the Civil Rights struggle to the modern-day movement to teach African Americans their true heritage.”
Founded in 1990, the IEAACC helps African American businesses, families and professionals succeed in the Inland Empire.
For more information about the IEAACC call (909) 888-5223 or go online to www.ieaacc.com.

DR. ARTEAGA AWARDED FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY

(San Bernardino, Calif.) Dr. Albert Arteaga, President and CEO of LaSalle Medical Associates, was recently awarded the San Bernardino County Medical Society’s Merlin Hendrickson, M.D. Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Arteaga is recognized for his efforts to provide health services to Inland Empire children.

The award was presented during the San Bernardino County Medical Association’s Installation of Officers and Outstanding Awards dinner at the Mission Inn, in Riverside.

“I accept this award not just for me but for the team of doctors, nurses, and staff at LaSalle’s five clinics. This is recognition of the entire companies dedication to our patients and our communities we serve,” said Arteaga.

“The award represents an endorsement by the medical society of the work we have been doing,” Arteaga said. “It shows we are appreciated and well regarded by our peers.”
Arteaga has offered free health care for Hurricane Katrina survivors, donated funds to local pastors towards hurricane relief and served as Commissioner for First 5 Children and Families Commission and the Latino Health Collaborative.

Born in San Diego, Arteaga grew up in various locations following his father, a Seventh-day Adventist minister. Arteaga’s family also lived in Argentina while his father was doing missionary work. Arteaga spent over four years in northern Mexico.
Arteaga is dedicated to providing the best healthcare possible for his patients. He also demands his staff, from the receptionist to the doctors, treat people with dignity, compassion and respect.

“It has always been our policy to help families in need. Since I have been in practice we have never turned away a patient because they could not pay. As the son of an Adventist minister I know that I have an obligation to help whenever I can. That is what we do,” Arteaga said.

This is not the first time LaSalle Medical Associates has been honored by local healthy agencies. The clinics are also recognized for their quality of service. LaSalle Medical Associates was selected by Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) as one of Riverside and San Bernardino’s best healthcare provider.

The African American Health Initiative also selected LaSalle as a model provider in a two-year study of Black healthcare in San Bernardino County. LaSalle has also been the number one enroller in the state of California for Healthy Families, an insurance program for children from low to mid-income families. The program provides medical, dental and vision coverage for children without insurance.

The father of three children, Arteaga lives in Grand Terrace with his wife, Maria, one son and two daughters. For more information about LaSalle Medical Associates contact (909) 890-0407, or go to www.lasallemedical.com.