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TORRANCE, Calif., March 10, 2010 - Recently, Google announced plans to launch an experimental, ultra-high speed broadband network in a small number of communities across the country.  Google asked municipalities to provide information about their communities to help determine where to build this network.  Read more about Google's project here.

The City of Torrance is preparing a response to the information requested by Google.  To make the case of why Torrance would be a great place for Google's new network, we offer a few reasons:

. Torrance is a great place to work, play, and live.
. Torrance is a well-educated, well managed, fiscally sound, diverse, progressive city where Google can see how consumers would use ultra-high speed Internet access.
. Torrance is an active and participatory community that works closely with the City. 
. Torrance residents keeps the City informed of their needs and help address these needs to improve the community.
. Torrance community members actively participate in groups, organizations, associations, clubs, and service organizations.
. Torrance consistently ranks highly across the country for its growth, economic health, educational system, access to higher education, safety, and overall quality of life.

Torrance needs your help!  Google is not asking just municipalities to respond.  They want to hear from citizens.  If you are interested in seeing Google's new network come to Torrance, here is how you can help:

1.  Send an email to "WeWantCompetition@TorranceCA.Gov" and add a message of support.
2.  Nominate Torrance directly to Google (http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options) and filling out a short survey about your current broadband experience and how ultra-high speed Internet access would improve your life.
3.  Take action no later than March 26th, Google's deadline to submit!

The City of Torrance continues its long-standing tradition on May 15, 2010 as it hosts its 51st Annual Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade. The City, one of few cites designated by the Department of Defense, will once again honor the men and women of our nation's military with a three-day celebration beginning on Friday, May 14 continuing through Sunday, May 16 with the Parade highlight on Saturday, May 15 that will begin at 1:30 p.m.  For more details on the weekend's celebration, click here.

TORRANCE, Calif., February 24, 2010 - On February 23, 2010, the Torrance City Council certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), adopted the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations, and approved the 2009 Draft General Plan at a public hearing, which the City Council conducted to receive public comments and to provide direction to staff on any specific issues that the Council had regarding the 2009 Draft General Plan and EIR.  Once all of the Council's comments have been incorporated into the final draft of the General Plan, a resolution for the adoption of the 2009 General Plan will be brought forward to the City Council on April 6, 2010, in the City Council Chambers of City Hall located at 3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, California.  Click here for more information.

TORRANCE, Calif., February 17, 2010 - The California Integrated Waste Management Board announced that the City of Torrance has reached the State mandated 50% recycling and waste reduction requirements of the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939).  The California Integrated Waste Management Board (now part of the Department of Conservation and known as CalRecycle) is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. 

To meet the 50% goal, Torrance upgraded several recycling and waste disposal programs.  Torrance is an "open city" for commercial haulers, and is serviced by 25 different companies.  The City has created and now manages a database to track haulers, collect data, and measure hauler performance.  Since the development of the database, Torrance continues to monitor and measure commercial waste and recycling efforts.

In addition, Torrance has developed and implemented a pilot curbside green waste recycling program.  Due to the overwhelming success of the pilot effort, the City has expanded the program, doubling its size to 8,000 homes.  The City also continues to improve its curbside recycling program by offering larger, 96-gallon recycling containers instead of the initial 64-gallon size.  Nearly 1,300 containers have been delivered so far.  Torrance also offers a free recycling drop-off every Saturday for the entire Torrance community at Smurfit-Stone Recycling, 20502 South Denker Avenue, Torrance 90501 (actually in Harbor Gateway).  The phone number is 310-533-0333, and recyclables may be dropped off every Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm.  The facility accepts all the same materials collected in the City's curbside program. 

Compliance with the 50% diversion requirement is measured every 2 years by the State.  To maintain these waste diversion goals, cities must maintain and improve programs or risk falling off compliance and facing potential fines.  Torrance is continuing its efforts to expand and enhance programs to benefit the entire community.  For additional information, contact Public Works at 310-781-6900 or visit their website here.

TORRANCE, Calif., - The City of Torrance Office of Economic Development invites all Torrance businesses to apply for the third annual Torrance Advantage Awards (TAA) recognizing businesses for their accomplishments in the year 2009.  In addition to the prestigious trophy, winners will receive $200 to help with operating expenses, a signed Letter of Appreciation from the mayor of Torrance, Certificates of Recognition from regional elected officials, and will be featured on the City's website and other promotional materials such as the quarterly publication, Torrance Seasons.  Winners of the Torrance Advantage Awards 2009 will be announced and recognized among other Torrance businesses and the Torrance City Council at the Award ceremonies to be held on March 25, 2010, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the newly-opened Miyako Hybrid Hotel.  Please click here to download the application. read more (PDF)>>

Key Dates
February 25, 2010 - Application Deadline
March 25, 2010 - Winners Announced

For any questions or more information, please visit www.TorranceCA.Gov/TAA.htm or contact Fran Fulton at the Office of Economic Development at 310-618-5807 or at FFulton@TorranceCA.Gov.

TORRANCE, Calif., December 10, 2009 - The City of Torrance is proud to announce that the Torrance Fire Department has been once again been awarded a Class One Rating by the Insurance Services Office. This rating is the highest possible rating that can be given to any fire department nationwide. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is a nationwide rating service used by insurance companies to help establish local business and residential property insurance rates. read more (PDF)>>

TORRANCE, Calif., November 19, 2009 - The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) selected the City of Torrance as a finalist for one of its 2009 Most Business-Friendly City in L.A. County awards, also known as the Eddy Awards®.  The Eddy Awards® have become one of the most prestigious economic development award programs in the state of California.  The winners of each category were announced live at the 14th Annual Eddy Awards® on Thursday, November 12, 2009, at the Beverly Hilton hotel.  More than 700 leaders from the business, government, and education sectors attended the gala dinner.

Although the City of Torrance did not win the Eddy Award®, the LAEDC honored Torrance as a finalist for creating a business-friendly environment that encourages businesses to locate or expand in the community by reducing red tape and improving response time with additional assistance.  Torrance was also recognized for implementing such streamlining measures as a one-stop permit center, ombudsman services, online project status tracking, and training.  In addition, Torrance is proud to have the second lowest rate of property crime and third lowest rate of violent crime among 15 L.A. County cities with populations of 100,000 residents.

Please click here for the Eddy Awards® website.

TORRANCE, Calif., November 17, 2009 - On Friday, November 13, 2009, the Mayor and City Council dedicated the Sports Center at Charles H. Wilson Park in honor of former Mayor Dee Hardison, naming it the "Dee Hardison Sports Center." read more (PDF)>>.

Please click here for the photo gallery.

Please click here for the agenda item recommending the naming of the Wilson Park Sports Center after Dee Hardison during the September 15, 2009 City Council meeting wherein it was also approved.

As working families struggle to make ends meet due to the current economic downturn, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) is urging customers to take advantage of the utility's assistance programs.

These are the types of programs offered that may be helpful for Torrance customers:

Gas Company Assistance for Struggling Families...
The Southern California Gas Co. offers several assistance programs to their customers to help reduce winter heating bills and increase energy efficiency during these hard economic times.

CARE (California Alternate Rate for Energy)
Provides a 20% discount on the monthly gas bill for eligible households who may not be able to make their monthly payment. Customers may be automatically eligible if they currently receive benefits from the Women, Infants and Children, Healthy Families, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or LIHEAP programs.

Direct Assistance Program
Provides energy-saving home improvements to income-qualified renters and homeowners. Services include weather-stripping, ceiling insulation, low-flow showerheads, furnace replacement and other minor home repairs.

Medical Baseline Allowance
Customers with a person in the home with certain medical conditions who may require additional heating to sustain their health, may qualify for additional natural gas at the lowest baseline rate.

Gas Assistance Fund
Provides a one-time grant to customers during the winter who are income-qualified and unable to pay their bill.

Please click here for more information.

TORRANCE, Calif., August 7, 2009 - On August 12, 2008, the Torrance City Council adopted the 2008 Strategic Plan for the City.  The Plan was updated by a group of sixteen citizens, who met weekly from January through May.  The City of Torrance Strategic Plan is a proactive statement of where we as a community want to be in the future, how we will get there and who will be responsible for taking us there.

The biggest change in the Strategic Plan is the addition of a new priority addressing environmental concerns and practices.  This priority, entitled "Stewardship of the Environment", addresses goals ranging from increased recycling to more environmentally friendly development practices, and also includes goals encouraging new, green businesses.

The City of Torrance is now working on an Action Plan to implement the goals and sub-goals identified in the Plan. Workshops were conducted in June, and work continues.

To view the Strategic Plan Full Report, click here.

TORRANCE, Calif., July 16, 2009 - The Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District has issued a pamphlet called "Biting and Stinging Insects" to inform the public about biting and stinging insects in Los Angeles County.  Recommendations listed in this pamphlet should be followed in order to reduce the risk of exposure to the following vectors and vector-borne diseases:

• Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus
• Africanized Honey Bees
• Ticks and Lyme Disease
• Red Imported Fire Ants

This pamphlet will be available at various public counters in City Hall and can be downloaded from the website: http://www.lawestvector.org/.

TORRANCE, Calif., June 26, 2009 - The City of Torrance announces its new web address and domain name (URL) - www.TorranceCA.Gov/ as a step toward providing the community with clear, convenient and easy means of accessing City information.  Starting July 1, 2009, everyone can access the City of Torrance website through this new address. In addition, and all emails to City contacts will also use the new domain "Name@TorranceCA.Gov." read more (PDF)>>

To help keep our community informed of important issues, the City of Torrance launched a citywide Twitter account today. Please "follow" us at http://twitter.com/TorranceCA to stay in touch.