Beach Restrooms Pose "Major Health Issue"
About 30 janitorial positions were cut when funding for a federal welfare-to-work jobs program was eliminated
Wednesday, Jun 1, 2011 | Updated 3:53 PM PDT
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Beach restrooms are raising the red flag with some county officials.
Cleanliness is tanking at LA County beach restrooms, according to a county supervisor.
Cleaning has been scaled back because of budget cuts, and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said he received "a large number of complaints'' on the topic. Yaroslavsky has asked that the Department of Beaches and Harbors find other ways to save money.
"They find that it's not clean, that it's not properly maintained and have the same reaction as when the city doesn't empty garbage cans, which is a problem,'' Yaroslavsky said.
The department owns and operates beaches from Nicholas Canyon to White Point/Royal Palms. About 30 janitorial positions were cut when funding for a federal welfare-to-work jobs program was eliminated, said county Chief Executive Officer William Fujioka.
"There were some competing needs,'' he said.
Fujioka said he would look for other solutions. Those might include hiring temporary employees for the summer.
The department announced in April that it would reduce maintenance at county parks and beaches. As part of the plan, some restrooms were closed and other opened later in the day.
Supervisor Gloria Molina said she thought public health was important and did not object to Yaroslavsky's request, but she warned that correcting one problem might have unintended consequences.
"Before we just say do it, let's find out what else is being cut back on,'' Molina said.
The board asked the CEO to return next week with some answers.
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