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Lancaster approves next steps for creating localized public health department

by The AV Times Staff • December 4, 2020

The Lancaster City Council meeting was held virtually on Thursday, Dec. 3. [View video of the livestream below]
LANCASTER – During a Dec. 3 Special Meeting of the Lancaster City Council, elected officials passed two agenda items — one declaring a vote of “no confidence” in Los Angeles Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer and another directing staff to begin the research necessary to start a localized public health department.

“Los Angeles County’s one-size-fits-all approach to COVID-19 restrictions is not working for Lancaster and it’s extremely detrimental to our economy, especially our restaurants. We know our issues best, and we believe a more local public health department is best suited to meet our community’s needs and curb the spread of COVID-19 in Lancaster,” Mayor R. Rex Parris said in a news release. “What I see for the first time is the ability of the city to raise up the health and welfare of the city. This is an exciting time.”

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“The city of Lancaster has had several productive meetings already with Santa Clarita and Palmdale, two cities that share our vision for a regional COVID-19 response tailored for our communities.” Parris continued. “We are looking forward to partnering with these cities as we explore a collaborative solution. We also know that the reason we want a localized public health department goes beyond COVID-19.”

As a result of the Council directive approved Dec. 3, Lancaster city staff will begin the process of gathering documentation and a list of resources necessary to start a public health department.

For additional information on Lancaster’s COVID-19 response to date, the city’s coronavirus information webpage.

[Information via news release from the city of Lancaster.]

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Filed Under: Health, Home, Lancaster, Los Angeles County, Palmdale, Politics

11 comments for "Lancaster approves next steps for creating localized public health department"

  1. Lancaster Resident#1 says

    December 9, 2020 at 9:32 am

    Nice thinking! Very true!

  2. Jenny says

    December 7, 2020 at 10:30 am

    I’m curious. How are we gonna pay to have our own health department AND police department (which the council is also trying to do)?

    • Nameless says

      December 7, 2020 at 6:51 pm

      #RecallParris

  3. Karen Anne Isaac says

    December 6, 2020 at 11:40 am

    Have been in Lancaster now for 14 years. I have seen the area go down hill for some time now due to drug sales in my neighborhood and the increase in section 8 housing where the occupants do not seem to care about their neighbors with the condition they keep the home and yard up keep. The loud bass booming music all this of the night. Doesn’t do any good to call the the Sheriff’s Dept. because this is last on their concern of issues. Lancaster needs some serious help Mr. Mayor!!

    • Rich says

      December 9, 2020 at 6:38 am

      Imagine watching the decline for 60 years

  4. Tim Scott says

    December 5, 2020 at 8:39 pm

    “This is an exciting time!” – R Rex Parris as case rates and fatalities spike. Glad you are getting such a charge out of it buddy.

    • Van Dammit says

      December 6, 2020 at 8:44 am

      To be fair Tim Scott, things are pretty exciting in Laguna where Rex lives.

  5. AV County says

    December 5, 2020 at 11:41 am

    This is just the first step of removing the AV from the controls of LA County, I highly believe this valley could do much better if we was our own county. All out tax dollars go to everyone down south of Santa Clarita and all we get back from them is their criminals when released from jail and the Section 8 people.
    I noticed every time there are hand outs or grants or any kind of help you have to be a resident of the City of Los Angeles and we get left with empty hands, Where do you think the money came from that they are helping the people of LA? Let become our own County and take control of what happens to us now!

    • Lancaster Resident#1 says

      December 9, 2020 at 9:31 am

      Nice thinking! Very true!

    • Taxpayer says

      December 9, 2020 at 12:41 pm

      Be careful what you wish for. The cost of running a Health Department is pretty steep. $15.5 million to run Pasadena’s. Lancaster is not as big but will still be close especially with all the start up costs.

      By the time Rex gets all his hand picked people in place, Corona Virus will be under control and we will have another Rex-led bureaucracy on our hands. Our taxes will go up again. Do you think the County will give us money back? You are dreaming.

      On the bright side, it may force Rex to finally get rid of his failed LEAPS program to pay for it.

  6. Jason ZINK says

    December 4, 2020 at 11:51 pm

    Time too Protest this B.S. overblown Virus and open AV up Fully!!!!! If LA County steps in AV we block them united against them!

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