LA Times City Editor responds to Hawkins in statement to LCCN

Los Angeles Times building in downtown Los Angeles, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Brian Hews and Jerry Bernstein

Central Basin Water District Board incumbent Phil Hawkins went on the attack Monday taking on his two rivals for recent statements made in Los Cerritos Community Newspaper.

Hawkins, a longtime Cerritos resident, and a former member of the California State Assembly, said that a series of print advertisements in Los Cerritos Community Newspaper have been a “phony political ad” attack.

In an interview with LCCN Editor Jerry Bernstein and Reporter Randy Economy on Monday afternoon, Hawkins went on the offense by singling out his two rivals, Assemblyman Tony Mendoza and Cerritos community leader Jay Gray for “conducting a dirty and deliberate campaign” against him by “twisting the facts” regarding several articles that recently appeared in both the Los Angeles Times and on local television news casts written by a writer who the Times now questions even exists.

“This campaign is going to be about scare tactics, and half truths, and in some cases just flat out lies,” Hawkins said.

But in an interview with Shelby Grad, City Editor of the Los Angeles Times, Hawkins “needs to be held accountable for his past statements.”

 “We wanted to clarify several comments made in the story. Despite what Mr. Hawkins said, The Times has never retracted any of its articles about the Central Municipal Basin Water District and we never told officials there that the article was “bogus,” Grad stold Los Cerritos Community Newspaper.

“The Times stands by our stories. Moreover, there has never been any confusion over the authors of those stories,” Grad said.

In the advertisements published in Los Cerritos Community Newspaper during the past three weeks, Hawkins claims that his opponents have taken excerpts from that particular article and have “twisted the facts” for their own “political benefits.”

Hawkins said that Mendoza was “misstating the truth” about current residential water rates offered by Central Basin for his “own political gain.”   He said it true the District raised the rates 40 percent but a breakdown of the increase reveals it cost the District $18 per acre foot, down from $25. “That’s enough water to provide a family of four with water for one year. Our bond rating is Triple A, the highest you can have for bonds, and our District building is paid for,” Hawkins said.

Also he claims that when he was elected to the Board 12 years ago the District had a $1 million deficit. “Today we have a surplus,” he said and he didn’t think that demonstrated that the District was “corrupt.”

Hawkins also dismissed the claims that his association with Tom Calderon, who is the head of a public advocacy consulting firm hired by Central Basin to conduct “outreach efforts” to local and state elected officials was not done as a political “favor.”

“His (Tom Calderon) experience as a former California state legislator, and as the head of the Calderon Group makes him experienced in acting as a consultant for Central Basin since 2004 in dealing with the State on Water issues, especially on the need for water storage” and other issues such as water recycling and “fighting the Metropolitan Water District and Water Replenishment District’s rate increases to local cities.”

Hawkins also told LCCN that Calderon, who himself is currently running for a state assembly seat in the newly created 58^th Assembly District that stretches from Bell Gardens and Commerce southeast into Cerritos “contributed $300 to one of my past campaigns, and has not contributed to this current campaign.”

But according to campaign reports obtained by LCCN, Hawkins did receive thousands of dollars in contribution from “The Calderon Group” and other political action committees controlled by Tom Calderon.

During Hawkins 2008 reelection, Tom Calderon contributed $1500 to Hawkins, and in addition, the Political Action Committee called California Citizens for Good Government doled out  $4,750 for that same 2008 campaign during October of that year, a month before his last campaign.

“In summary, Phil has lied about the contributions he has received from Tom Calderon and has used a deceptive PAC controlled by Tom Calderon to funnel an additional $4,750 to Phil’s last campaign,” Rob Katherman, a Director of the Southern California Water Replenishment District told LCCN in an email on Wednesday.

Related articles

• Hawkins Calls Central Basin Campaign Attacks ‘Phony Political Advertising’ (loscerritosnews.net)
• Phil Hawkins stresses experience in race for a fourth term on Central Basin Water Board (loscerritosnews.net)
• Ian Calderon touts “family ties,” “fresh perspective” in quest for 57th Assembly District seat (loscerritosnews.net)
• Assemblyman Tony Mendoza touts ‘outsider’ role in campaign for Central Basin Water Board (loscerritosnews.net)
• Embattled Tax Agent Salari warned Noguez about being ‘dragged under a bus’ in 2009 email (loscerritosnews.net)
• Jay Gray urges voters to “clean up” Central Basin Water Board in June campaign (loscerritosnews.net)
• LA County District Attorney opens official inquiry into Assessor activities (loscerritosnews.net)
• Noguez Acknowledges District Attorney Probe in Memo to Employees (loscerritosnews.net)
• RADIO: LCCN gives latest update about “Noguez raids” on KRLA 870AM (loscerritosnews.net)
• Raids on LA County Assessor offices leave employees locked out for hours (loscerritosnews.net)

Amazon Essentials x Sofia Grainge Toddlers and Baby Girls' Eyelet Short & Top Set

(34)

$17.90 (as of April 29, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

MAONO Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone/Android/Camera/PC, Mini Lapel Mic with 48khz 24bit, Voice Filter, Noise Cancellation, 30h Battery, USB-C/Lightning Plug for Video Recording - Wave T5

(156)

$109.00 (as of April 29, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw for Sports and Travel, BPA-Free, 24-oz, Blue/Teal (Denim)

(58089)

(as of April 29, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes, Daily Facial Cleanser Towelettes, Gently Cleanse and Remove Oil & Makeup, Alcohol-Free Makeup Wipes, 2 x 25 ct

(109489)

(as of April 29, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Pet Steam Brush for Dog & Cat – 3-in-1 Spray Hair Removal Comb – Steam for Shedding & Grooming – Water Brush for Long & Short Haired Pets – Spritz Defur Comb – Includes Waterless Shampoo

(303)

$24.99 (as of April 29, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Amazon Basics Cotton Swabs, 500 Count

(51718)

(as of April 29, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

The Nightingale: A Novel

(358770)

(as of April 29, 2025 06:26 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Flezoo Super Loud Hand Bell - Solid Brass Call Bell for Elderly at Home, Wedding, Animal Training, Office, Dinner, Meditation, Musical Teaching and Service

(30)

$8.99 (as of April 29, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

20x25 Compact Binoculars for Adults and Kids,High Powered Large Eyepiece Waterproof Binoculars for Hunters,Easy Focus Bird Watching for Outdoor Hiking Travel, Black

(9)

$19.99 (as of April 29, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

WOOF Dog Pupsicle Mix - Easy-to-Make DIY Pupsicle Refills - Tasty, Healthy Pupsicle Mix - Wholesome Ingredients - Long-Lasting - Calming Mix

(90)

$19.99 (as of April 29, 2025 17:23 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)