O'Bin House Reveals CERT Bin Contents

For some time, the contents and whereabouts of the Hermon Community Emergency Response Team's storage bin has been a matter of some confusion for the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council (ASNC). 

On Saturday, Former Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council member Mark Legassie attempted to clear up the air of mystery surrounding the storage bin.

Community members were invited to 5710 Monterey Road to view the bin and its contents. Attendees also participated in disaster training trivia, sampled emergency food supplies and witnessed a fire safety demonstration conducted by CERT team members.

"I was very surprised at the large turnout and also was surprised how we received no recommendations to improve the layout of the bin or its contents.  Either we're doing something right, or people just didn't know enough about community preparedness to comment," Legassie said. "The item talked about the most was our huge stash of wool blankets (over 1000) donated by a local company.  Everyone who attended the event walked away with one as their door prize.  Someone lost an heirloom wedding band at the event, so if anyone found it please email info@LAsurvival.org."

The bin, and its contents, were among several items listed as unaccounted for by ASNC Treasurer Judy Knapton in an inventory report released in October listing more than $11,000 in missing items.

Sycamore Grove Representative and Hermon resident Joseph Riser disputed the report, saying it was "a little inflammatory" to suggest that the items were missing, when they were in fact purchased for community organizations.

Legassie responded the Knapton's report as well, releasing a 19-page report complete with references to motions showing that many of the expenditures were made for local community groups.

The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment has recommended that the board publicly devise a plan of action to reach out to the parties believed to be in possession of the items.

"This process will ensure that the Board has agreed as a body with respect to its property and how possession of the property should be addressed," a letter from Department of Neighborhood Empowerment Interim General Manager Grayce Liu. "Other items should be removed from the inventory list if they were lost/broken/discarded or specifically issued to another organization."