Hearns' contributions to be celebrated at upcoming gala

By JULIE DRAKE
Valley Press Staff Writer

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Lancaster Hellenic Center, 43404 30th St. West, with a meet-and-greet with Hearns, followed by dinner and a social hour.

Masters of ceremonies for the gala will be veteran Los Angeles television newsman Warren Wilson, who retired in 2005 after 21 years with KTLA; and Leo Stallworth, a reporter with KABC-TV.

Guests scheduled to appear include Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, and wife Patricia; county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich; and mayors Jim Ledford and R. Rex Parris.

Vocalist Mario Rosales will provide entertainment.

"We just want to make it something that celebrates and appreciates the contribution that my father has made these past 18 years," said Hearns' daughter Angela, who organized the event.

She said the gala will be memorable and said people are sure to have a wonderful time.

"More importantly, I think it is important we celebrate people while they are alive and can hear the words and appreciate the good things that are said about them," she said.

Angela Hearns, who acknowledged she is a "daddy's girl," said she sees her father as a living legend.

"He is a patriarch of patriarchs; he's been a father to more than just the six of us, particularly in the religious sector. Many refer to him as a spiritual father, and he's been able to be that even while with the city," she said.

Hearns, who is bishop at Living Stone Cathedral of Worship, first was elected to the City Council in 1990.

He was elected as mayor in 2006 for a two-year term and decided not to run for re-election.

"I'm honored and I'm excited about it; it's a good thing," the former mayor said.

Sabrina Scott, an administrator at Hearns' church, described him as an awesome, compassionate boss who is keyed in to the needs and wants of the people.

"I wouldn't change anything," Scott said, adding that the church has received numerous calls from people asking about Saturday's event. "He's been in the Antelope Valley for over 40-some odd years, and I know that he has poured out a lot of him in to the community."

Hearns said his intent is not to say goodbye to the political part of his life, though he said he is done running for any kind of office in the Antelope Valley.

Hearns said he is excited about his role as mayor emeritus for the city.

A Korean War veteran, Hearns also is working with veterans groups on the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home and with Ledford on the Mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall project. He also has been working with other Valley ministers.

"I have my workload cut out for me; I've got more than enough to do," he said. "I really know that I haven't deserved all of this; I'm just glad to be in the middle of it."

Tickets for the gala cost $60.

For details, call Scott at (661) 944-4128, Ext. 11.

jdrake@avpress.com