The 1950’s

1952 The Southeast Mosquito Abatement District was formed through a citizen petition aimed at controlling mosquitoes emanating from the Los Angeles River, affecting the proximate cities of Maywood, Bell, Huntington Park and portions of Los Angeles County totaling approximately 150 square miles.

1955 A new permanent headquarters was built in the city of South Gate. District Entomologist Gardner C. McFarland was promoted to the position of District Manager. He was the first Manager to ever serve the District.

The 1960’s

1965 Fourteen additional cities joined the District including most of Los Angeles City and its area referred to as the San Fernando Valley.

1968 To best serve the Valley, both economically and efficiently, the District established branch operational facilities in North Hollywood.

The 1970’s

1975 District Entomologist Frank W. Pelsue was promoted to District Manager after the untimely death of the founding Manager Gardner C. McFarland.

1978 Proposition 13 dismantled the District’s sole funding mechanism--ad valorem property taxes. As a result, 20% of District staff was laid off.

The 1980’s

1983 An unprecedented outbreak of mosquito-transmitted St. Louis encephalitis infected 26 people (17 within the District) with two fatalities.

1985 Insect growth regulators, growth inhibitors, and biorational products gradually replaced organophosphate insecticides dominant in use during the 1970’s.

1986 A District-wide flat rate per parcel service charge restored funding to pre-Proposition 13 levels and the District was able to resume normal operational activities.

The 1990’s

1990 The Public Information and Education Program, now called the Community Affairs Department, was considered for implementation and partially staffed.

1994 The District changed its name from Southeast Mosquito Abatement District to the present moniker. District Entomologist Dr. Jack Hazelrigg was prmoted to District Manager.

1997 A new District headquarters was built in Santa Fe Springs, replacing the South Gate facility.

1998 A blackfly assessment zone to control black flies along a special 26-mile corridor of the Los Angeles River was established, and a proactive midge program focused on preventing midge nuisance associated with water reclamation, water regeneration, and flood control improvement sources was implemented. The Africanized honey bee removal program began following bee colonization in Los Angeles County. The District’s in-school education program was implemented and staffed.

The 2000’s

2001 The Asian tiger mosquito, an imported exotic species of mosquito, was discovered in a shipment of lucky bamboo. GLACVCD was the first agency to take responsive action.

The Greater Los Angeles Mosquito and Vector Control Public Health and Educational Foundation, a newly formed 501 (C)(3) tax-exempt organization based in Santa Fe Springs, CA, was founded in March 2001 to further advance GLACVCD’s current elementary program with a Mobile Science Education Program.

2002 District discontinued Africanized honeybee removal service. The control and removal of Africanized honeybees (AHB) continued until July 1, 2002. Currently, the District provides informational materials on AHB. With the discontinuance of the AHB program, staff was reduced from 47 regular and limited full-time personnel to 45 employees. From May to November, the District supports its high season of vector activity with additional extra-help personnel as needed.

The implementation of the Underground Storm Drain Program was incorporated into operations to avert the spread of West Nile virus. The north branch opened in Sylmar, replacing the North Hollywood Branch facility.

2003 West Nile virus was detected in the District on October 3, 2003. The District began a collaborative research program with the University of California Davis, to investigate the urban disease ecology of WNV.

2004 West Nile virus made its presence known in 2004, particularly in Southern California. Statewide there were 830 human cases (28 deaths), 540 horse cases (230 deaths) and 3,232 dead birds reported to the California Department of Public Health. California's human case rate was 3/100,000 which was low compared to other states. GLACVCD's statistics totaled 179 human infections with 7 deaths. There were 9 horses and 610 wild bird fatalities as well. The District expended an additional $500,000 on resources, labor, and community outreach. This unprecedented effort (including the "Wipe Out West Nile Virus" public relations campaign), protected and saved countless lives.

2005 West Nile virus transmission continued throughout the state and the District. Statewide statistics indicated 926 human cases and 18 deaths. GLACVCD reported 22 human cases and no deaths. The District also implemented the use of ArcView database and mapping system to assist with mosquito surveillance and control activities. Los Angeles City passed an ordinance allowing for the swift remediation of standing water. The District continued the "Wipe Out West Nile Virus" public relations campaign.

2006 West Nile virus transmission continued throughout the state; however, the District saw a sharp reduction in the number of positives in the mosquito and avian population. Statewide statistics confirmed 272 human cases and 6 fatalities. Within the District, 7 human cases were reported with no fatalities. The District also continued the “Wipe Out West Nile virus” public relations campaign. Longtime District Manager Dr. Jack Hazelrigg retired after 31 years of service with GLACVCD and was replaced by interim manager Randy E. Narramore. At the end of the year, new permanent manager Joseph F. Sanzone was hired.

2007 California experienced a resurgence of West Nile virus activity this year, with 380 human cases reported including 16 fatalities. Within the District, 32 human cases were reported leading to 3 fatalities. These fatalities were the first in the District since 2004. In August, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for the three counties in Central California hardest hit by the virus. The Governor made approximately $10 million in emergency WNV funds available to mosquito control agencies throughout the State. GLACVCD increased control, surveillance, and public education efforts with grants received from the State.

Manager Joseph F. Sanzone resigned and a search for a new permanent manager was launched. Retired L.A. County Sheriff’s Chief, Kenneth L. Bayless, was hired in November.

The Underground Storm Drain Program was incorporated as a permanent component of the Operations Department.

2008 GLACVCD successfully managed the second most active West Nile virus year on record for Southern California. California experienced a 17% increase in confirmed West Nile virus positive human cases from 2007 to 2008, with a total of 445 human cases and 15 fatalities reported for the year. The District reported 77 of those cases and one fatality.

The Green Pool Task Force formed and developed a plan to address the high number of neglected swimming pools in the Distict resulting from the housing foreclosure crisis.

The District experienced several staffing changed this year. Mark Daniel replaced Director of Operations Mike Shaw, who retired after 31 years of service. Scientific-Technical Director Minoo Madon retired after ten years of service, with former Vector Ecologist Susanne Kluh filling his position. Karen Walker retired after ten years of service as the Education Program Specialist, and Truc Dever filled the newly created position of Director of Community Affairs.

2009 GLACVCD continued protecting residents from the endemic West Nile virus. California reported 112 human cases and 4 fatalities for the year. The District accounted for eight of those cases, one of them leading to a fatality.

The District completed the hiring process for several fulltime positions this year. Becky Anderson changed roles from working as a temporary employee to becoming the fulltime, permanent Operations Assistant. Alan Shaffer filled the newly created position of Information and Technology Administrator. The District hired Crystal Brown as the Public Information Officer. Lastly, the Lab re-established the Seasonal Laboratory Field Assistant in Santa Fe Springs, and hired Helen Wolcott.

The District went digital, and the IT Administrator converted the Santa Fe Springs and Sylmar offices to a new Voice Over IP phone system. The District continued to adopt eco-friendly practices in all departments. Specifically, the Operations Department acheived this goal through the consistent implementation of Best Management Practices.