Former Rio Hondo student, Board of Trustee member forms task force to steer re-development of America’s largest landfill

Armand Santos, Senior Staff Writer

ElPaisano Online: https://shar.es/1G7Orb

October 31, 2015

“At the workshops held by the county about the master-plan for the new regional park they discussed who their partners and their neighbors were, and how the park would affect them. They talked about Rose Hills and the Hacienda Heights community, but they left out Rio Hondo College,” said Mendez.

When Mendez identified himself to planners at the meeting and declared that Rio Hondo College should be considered a significant partner, he was told they acknowledge Rio Hondo College a “good” partner. Rose Hills and Hacienda Heights were being addressed because they had requests and concerns that they had voiced about the development. Rio Hondo College wasn’t being discussed because they weren’t a squeaky wheel.

“I knew we had to hurry, this needs to happen quick,” recalled Mendez. “Rio Hondo College needs to organize, put our thoughts together and communicate a demonstrated vision of how we would like this partnership between the landfill, the Regional Park, and Rio Hondo College to be.”

Mendez quickly generated a 9-point agenda of concerns and ideas regarding cross developmental opportunities for the Regional Park and Rio Hondo College. He then lobbied for a meeting with the county. The county agreed to a meeting, but only gave Mendez a three day notice.

“They told me Oct. 12 that we needed to get the facilities prepared to host them. I went Tuesday and Wednesday to every club I could and gave a speech at each one to try and get students to that meeting. I was recruiting right up until the meeting itself. If I saw three students standing together, I was approaching them,” said Mendez.

Mendez’ grass roots approach paid off. Mendez says there were about 20 students and five each from faculty, staff, and administration. The meeting, which took place in a room at the lower level of the Rio Hondo College Learning Resource Center, had a total attendance of around 40 people, a great many of them arriving with Mendez’ proposals sheet in hand.

The nine points on Mendez’ proposal are:

1. SEA Extension: Rio Hondo SEA (Significant Ecological Area).   Link/connect/expand wildlife corridor. Close the gap between the Chino Hills Wild Life corridor and Rio Hondo’s SEA.  It would be desirable to Create/designate an official extension of the wild life corridor which would allow animals to travel safely.

2. New Community Courses Opportunity: Rio Hondo Community courses (credit and noncredit).  Rio Hondo may provide community courses like health, fitness and environmental courses.  Health and fitness courses like walking, hiking and tai chi Environmental courses may be considered like bird watching, flora and fauna, and other courses.

3. Enhance Current Courses: Rio Hondo Environmental Studies.  Enhance current program to include new regional park’s gardens, fauna, and trees.  Link Rio’s SEA with Regional Park trails to increase educational opportunities for Rio Hondo College students and members of the public.

Physical Education Courses: Walking, hiking, running, yoga in the park, Tai Chi in the park.

4. Link Park trails and walkways to Rio Hondo College: Provide access to Regional Park from Rio Hondo College.  Link/create hiking/walking trails.

5. Observatory Access for community courses: Rio Hondo and the Regional Park may create a partnership to provide community access and educational programs related to the observatory.  Rio Hondo’s Observatory classes may be offered on a regular basis to the public and educational groups like K-12.  Create a small amphitheater for classes with parking.

6. Improve Schabarum Trailhead and Parking: Schabarum Sky trail and trail head improvement.  The trail heads current condition warrants improvement and should serve as a hiking/horse access trail to the Regional Park in connection with the Rio Plaza.

7. Rio Plaza Transit Center as an Access Point: Rio Plaza- regional public transportation center may serve as an additional gateway to the Regional Park. As a regional transportation center, Rio Plaza may serve as a regional means to access the park.

9. Rio Hondo Conference Center: Mini Conference Center at very top of West side plateau hill with a near 360 degree view that would be ideal for a conference center to host P.O.S.T Executive programs, Fire programs, and other college related events.  Rio Hondo may use this as a laboratory for its new “Hospitality program” transferable to the Cal Poly Pomona program.  Rio Hondo may profit from such a venture and add a steady stream of income from a mini conference center.

Mendez’ proposals and concerns regarding the Regional Park are created to benefit RHC and its students, as are all of his projects as a Trustee. Two previous projects Mendez spearheaded are Go Rio, which provides free public transportation to full-time RHC students, and Rio Plaza, which is an intermodal regional public transportation center slated to begin construction in 2016. Both projects are aimed at making RHC more accessible and have their roots in Mendez’ own experience getting to and from RHC during his student years.

“I rode the bus, bicycled, walked to school, and bummed a ride when I could,” said Mendez. “”I did everything but ride a horse. I had to walk the hill almost every day. Look at these calves, I can barely pull my jeans up over them. These are Rio Hondo calves.”

Marin Door to Door Shuttle

Marin Door to Door is a Bad service. I made reservations from SFO to Marin two weeks in advance and they said my reservarion didnt exist.  I showed them two emails.  The reservation center was just as unhelpful till I emailed her back the email they sent me.  Driver:  Man driving was very intolerant of minorities.  He only helped two white ladies and didnt help the hispanic lady with a child.  Gave me the cold shoulder.  This service should pay more attention to who they hire.  I'm going to Uber for now on.  

Rio Hondo College unveils Veterans Memorial

Board member Gary Mendez, center, talks with veterans Jess Hernandez, Jr., left, and Raymond Luna, right, of Baldwin Park as Rio Hondo College unveils its Veterans Memorial on campus in Whittier on Wednesday May 20, 2015. (Photo by Keith Durflinger/Whittier Daily News)

By Mike Sprague, Whittier Daily News
POSTED: 05/20/15, 5:28 PM PDT | UPDATED: 1 WEEK, 3 DAYS AGO # COMMENTS


NORTH WHITTIER >> Rio Hondo College’s long-awaited Veterans Memorial was unveiled Wednesday before about 150 people, including those who have served and community members who support them.

The idea for the memorial dates back to 2004 when trustee Gary Mendez first suggested it. But nothing came to fruition until 2013, when members of the Rio Hondo Veterans Club came to the Board of Trustees to raise the issue again.

“I’ve waited 10 years and written my speech for 10 years,” said Mendez. “That’s how long it takes. This memorial will serve as a reminder that we should ask ourselves, Are we doing our best to serve veterans at Rio Hondo College?”

The memorial, which sits in the college’s mid-quad area, is an 8-foot-by-3-foot concrete monument topped with a brass plaque and bearing discs for each of the five branches of the U.S. military. Adjacent to the monument are a bench and U.S., California and Rio Hondo College flags.

“I see the memorial and its flags as a place where students can reflect on their past and their future,” said Robert Diaz, president of the Veterans Club, which donated the bench,

Diaz, who became the club’s president in 2012, said he went to a board meeting after discovering there was no readily apparent American flag in the newly redone courtyard. “As I surveyed our beautiful new quad, there was no sign of our nation’s most honored symbol,” he said.

After a search, he found one hidden in an area that was no longer a focal point. “I decided to examine the opportunity of moving the flag,” Diaz said.

Before long, he received a call from Mendez, who suggested not only moving the flagpole but establishing a place to honor veterans. Two years and $100,000 later, a fitting memorial is a reality, with a monument constructed by Quatro Design Group of Los Angeles.

Dominic Lopez of Montebello, a member of the Navy and a student at Rio Hondo, was impressed. “It’s very inspiring,” he said. “It’s very touching.”

Michael Felix, commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10218 in El Monte, saw the memorial as a good idea. “We think this is really appropriate that (veterans) are starting to get recognized at institutions of higher education,” he said.

“Rio Hondo is really showing respect to all veterans. We know there are a lot of veterans going to school here.”

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans founder Jose Ramos of Whittier likes having a memorial close to home.

“One of the proudest things is that it’s great to have it here in our backyard,” Ramos said. “It’s not in West Los Angeles or Santa Monica — it’s right here.”

The school also issued a commemmorative coin to celebrate the monument’s completion. Designed by Ygnacio “Nash” Flores, dean of public safety and interim dean of business, and Don Mason, an associate dean, the coin features the college logo and dedication date on one side and an inscription of the memorial site and the three flagpoles on the other.

Mendez Spearheads Rio Hondo Intermodal Transit Center & Park

Yes, from the creator of "GoRio" bus program comes "Rio Plaza" an Intermodal Transit Center and Park that encourages and provides services for bus, bike, walking and rideshare for students, staff, faculty and members of the public to get to and from Rio Hondo College.

Rio Plaza is the larger part of the vision that Trustee Mendez has for providing and encouraging alternative modes of transportation to Rio that reduces traffic congestion, demand for on-campus parking, carbon emissions, and encourages a healthy lifestyle.  

Rio Hondo College's student newspaper "El Paisano" covered the first story on this public benefit project.

The article in full:

Trustee Mendez spearheads campus Intermodal Transportation Center

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• Transfer Center holds Transitioning to UC system workshop - March 23, 2015
• Two former Rio Hondo Deans head African American Summit - March 16, 2015

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Caroline Carroll, Staff Writer
March 23, 2015 
Filed under News

Board of Trustees Member Gary Mendez presented the Rio Hondo Intermodal Transportation Center and Park at the Feb. 10 ICC meeting.

Trustee Mendez introduced the concept of the Intermodal Transportation Center as a welcome center, describing it as “the transition from the public to the college; this multi-use facility would serve as a hub for alternative modes of transportation including bus, bicycle, walking pedestrians and rideshare.”

Student Javier Cano who attended the ICC meeting said, “The Rio Hondo College Intermodal Transportation Center is a great idea, it would make our school look more welcoming and it would be safer for students to get up the hill”.

Trustee Mendez often rides the bus to campus meetings and is concerned with the traffic congestion that is caused when bus drivers unload students on Workman Mill Road.

Trustee Mendez is not the only member of the Board of Trustees concerned with student’s safety. Student Trustee “JJ” Magallón supports this project for many reasons,

“The welcome center would be the new face of the college; it will feature an information center. Those with any questions about the school could get an answer without having to go up the hill. I liked that the sidewalks are going to wrap around the campus, and would link all around the college so students would not have to walk on the streets anymore. The bike paths were also a good idea, it would promote students to ride their bicycles to campus rather than drive their cars and they would feel good knowing their bike was secure.”

The new bus cut-in lanes would allow bus drivers to pull aside to pick up and drop off pedestrians without jeopardizing the safety of other traffic. The bike cut-in lanes would also make it ADA compliant.

Currently the bottom of the hill may seem unwelcoming and is susceptible to severe traffic jams. The new bus stop would feature new applications with GPS for live location of busses. Another goal is to increase the visibility of the busses from all bus stops.

One of the upgrades would be a Bicycle hub. Rio Hondo College would be linked to the Whittier Green trails. Designated bike paths from Beverly, South El Monte, Pico Rivera, City of Industry/Hacienda Heights, and the San Gabriel River Bike paths will connect to the campus.

The total estimated cost for this construction project is $3.5 Million. However, Chairman of the Board Supervisor, Fourth District Don Knabe generously donated $1.5 Million for sidewalks along Workman Mill Road.

The welcome center would offer a serene, resting area, a new information center, equipped with restrooms, retail venues and a hydration station all powered by self-sustaining energy.

The plans include a new shuttle drop-off and visitor parking, the idea being for students to transition from their transportation to the campus in an easy, stress-free manner.

The anticipated date of completion for this project is Fall 2016. The project is still in its planning phases, the blue prints need to be approved through the Division of the State Architect and usually take 4-6 months.

- See more at: http://elpaisanoonline.com/news/2015/03/23/trustee-mendez-spearheads-campus-intermodal-transportation-center/#.dpuf

http://elpaisanoonline.com/news/2015/03/23/trustee-mendez-spearheads-campus-intermodal-transportation-center/

Rio Hondo's Acceditation Reaffirmed

In letter addressed to Rio Hondo College on February 6, 2015, Dr. Barbara Beno informs us that our accredition has been reaffirmed with a required follow-up report and visit.

This is a wonderful action for Rio Hondo College. The actually accreditation visit by the commission was very pleasant and cordial. All of Rio Hondo's constituent groups really pulled together in one of the most positive team spirited efforts ever. Faculty, staff, students, administration and the board worked tirelessly to prepare a near flawless report and visit by the visitation committee.

What does this mean? Rio Hondo's overall programs and services to the community was given an approved endorsement by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Juinior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Go Rio!! 

AGIF Founder Dr. Hector P. Garcia in his Knickers

It’s been over 25 years since I last saw Dr. Hector Garcia in person and its time I told the story.

If you don’t know, Dr. Hector P. Garcia was a Mexican-American physician, surgeon, World War II veteran, civil rights advocate, and founder of the American G.I. Forum.

Well it was in the late eighties, I was a leader in the AGIF National Youth, and the conference was held in Omaha, Nebraska. Our Founder, Dr. Garcia, was (is) revered by all in the Forum including its youth organization. We knew the story of the founder and the effort and sacrifice he made for the civil rights of Latino veterans and people. Whenever we got a chance to meet him it was meeting a living Hero and legend.

So, at the conference us youngsters swiped some brew and organized a little party of invited guest that included some youth leaders (16-18 years old), the state pageants queens and other sorts. These little get togethers were common place where we would play poker, drinking games and other things. Rarely did they ever get out of control since we were upstanding young leaders but we had fun too.

So, as the party assembled in my room our assigned doorman let people in and turned away the younger kids. The brew was put in the bath tub with loads of ice and was filled to the rim. As usual, I was bad at poker and lost most of my clothes but my underwear. I wasn’t the only one though. It was also typical that the pageant queens were just as bad at poker. The party was great with good jokes, laughs, and raging hormones.

At about 2:00 am, we got a call from an uninvited youth that told on us security was on its way up. The panic ensued. Clothes went back on and people began running out of the room. I begged my close compadres to stay behind to help me ditch the remaining beer (at least 3 cases). In my underwear, I gathered the beer with two friends began dumping the beer down the trash chute in the hallway.  Soon than later I was alone in the task. We'll, since there was no one to hold the door I was locked out of the room without my key.

I stood aloneiIn my underwear in the hallway and dread began to set. There was no house phone on the floor. Ugg! Pacing and in a little panic I began figuring out my options. I could go down to the lobby in my skivvies and ask for a key? Nope. Maybe I could knock on one of my neighbor’s door and ask them to call the front desk for me? Embarrassing, but what if it turns out to be a nasty person?

As I stood there considering my options, I could hear a faint TV news program on down the hall. Hmm?

I walked down the hall past the elevators four to five doors down. The TV news program was coming from a room with the door cracked open by that latch used to make ice runs that I didn’t think of doing earlier. This could be my break!

I knocked lightly on the door and I braced myself for the worse.   In my mind I was through stories to tell explaining my situation.  Should I be honest and confess to the party or just give a simple lockout story?

The door opened. My jaw dropped to the ground and my heart stopped. I froze. It was our Founder Dr. Hector P. Garcia with his Freedom medal and Forum cap on wearing a white muscle shirt, stripped boxer shorts, and black sock suspenders held up by his then white calves. "Get in here Mendez!", said the Founder. Oh shit, I thought. Of all people.

I began quickly to confess and apologize for the party and for any disturbance. I'm really sorry Founder. He looked at me and said that he was disappointed. My head and eyes fell looking at the rooms dark stripped short shag carpet. He continued, “You had a party and didn’t invite me, he said. I looked up to his wise cracking smile and I smiled too. “You had some alcohol and our queens there too, ha?” Yes, founder. I did. “It's great to be young Mendez, enjoy it while you can”, he said.

We sat in our underwear talking. I mostly listened. Eventually, he called the front desk and someone brought me a new key. No questions asked.

“Get some sleep Mendez; we have a long day tomorrow.” Yes Founder, good night.

Walking back I wondered, how did he know my name? How could he possibly know who I was? I was both perplexed and relieved that the Founder pulled me out of that mess.

I will always remember that night and the image of the Founder answering the door in his stripped boxer shorts, muscle shirt, sock suspenders wearing his Medal of Freedom and American GI Forum cap.

"Education is our freedom, and freedom is everybody’s business." - Dr Hector P. Garcia

link: History of the American GI Forum


Thank you Jerry Jaramillo (RIP) and Ruben Treviso for mentoring and guiding me all these years!