Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/50712
A SSOCIATED POMONA TEACHERS (APT) members joined forces with other community groups in September LOCAL: to protest a waste transfer station that threatens the health, safety and property values of school community members. APT members and other opponents fought against the proposed project because they fear it could increase area traffic, vermin and health risks, and also lower property values. Under the proposal, local trash collec- tion trucks would take loads to the transfer station, where waste would be moved onto larger trucks that would haul it to a landfill. City of Industry-based Valley Vista Services, which is behind the waste transfer station plan, has made campaign donations to several city council members, say APT members. APT members joined community activ- MEMBERS: COMMUNITY: POPULATION: OUTREACH: Associated Pomona Teachers 1536 Pomona 149,058 Advocating for healthy city living spaces Pomona protests dump station near schools ists, clergy, local businesses, residents and students to protest against the proposed facility, which would be located near sev- eral schools in one of Pomona's poorest communities on Ninth Street. During three public hearings in which Planning Commis- sion members deliberated the project inside City Hall, hundreds of protesters gathered outside to march, chant, sing and pray in opposition. So far the proposal has failed to pass the Planning Commission, due to a tie vote, and proponents have already filed an appeal to the City Council. "This massive community outreach took place in the pursuit of health and environmental jus- tice," says APT President Tyra Weis. "We hope the city officials of Pomona do the right thing, because we are not going away." APT has a long history of community outreach and community involvement. The chapter is a dues- paying member of OneLA, a broad-based organiza- WE BELIEVE TEACHING IS A CAREER AND A CRAFT. WE BELIEVE THERE NEEDS TO BE COLLABORA- TION BETWEEN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY. tion focusing on issues including education, public safety and employment opportunities. The group consists of unions, nonprofits, faith-based organiza- tions and local businesses. Leaders with the Pomona Valley cluster of OneLA are in the process of forming an offshoot called the Inland Empire Sponsoring Commit- tee, which will be focused on the Inland Empire and address community issues including street lights, community safety, immi- grant checkpoints, pension security and job creation through the formation of a Healthcare corridor. OneLA is part of the Indus- Ernie Cortes, IAF Board of Trustees member trial Areas Foundation (IAF) network, a group of labor, homeowner, immigrant and faith-based organizations dedicated to equity, justice and social change. IAF has a long history of working with CTA on socially progres- sive issues and is working with several CTA chapters, including APT, on clearing up myths surrounding pen- sion issues and the importance of adequately funding public education. "We don't agree with CTA on every issue," says Ernie Cortes, a member of the IAF Board of Trustees. "But we share a belief in the impor- tance of public education. We believe teaching is a career and that it is a craft. We believe there needs to be collaboration between school and community." While some may consider collaboration and community outreach to be "extra work," for CTA members, it is easier in the long run to accom- plish goals when community partnerships are strong, says Morgan Brown, an executive direc- tor of APT. "As individuals we don't have a lot of power," says Brown. "But as members of broader con- stituencies, we can address issues that we can't take on alone." Community outreach is more than about building relationships with other community groups, he adds. It also helps CTA chapters develop leaders within their ranks. "It is important for us to be visible," adds ABOVE: APT members, from left, Dorothy Kim, Patrick Adongo, Maria Ramirez and Jilma Seals. Brown. "In this way, we can serve as real-life examples to our students and members of our community about the importance of engaging in civic life." December 2011 • January 2012 / www.cta.org 13 C E O M C !