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GREETING FROM COUNCILMEMBER GIL CEDILLO
Friends,
This week we heard the LA 20/20 Commission recommendations to move the City forward. We awarded the Arroyo Seco Library for a century of service to the Northeast LA community. Budget hearings continued as we get ready to deliberate on next year’s budget. We concluded City Council by celebrating Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.
The field office was busy, continuing our ‘Keep It Clean’ program with clean-ups in Lincoln Heights and Highland Park. We broke ground on the highly anticipated new LAPD Northeast Division station. We educated our youth about two very important issues by re-enacting the life in the times of the Casa de Adobe and opening a youth-run bank branch at Lincoln High School. We heard the community at our Figueroa Bike Lane community meeting last night. We also helped honor one of Northeast’s heroes, Ann Walnum. Tomorrow we take part once more in the Northeast LA Art Walk. Come visit us at our field office in Highland Park.
Gilbert A. Cedillo
Councilmember, District 1
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
LA 20/20 Commission Report
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
On Tuesday the LA 20/20 Commission presented their recommendations in their second report, ‘A Time for Action’. A Time for Action has three main themes: accountability and transparency; fiscal stability; and job creation. The Commission was tasked with looking at the budget and jobs, and propose solutions to help address these particular areas. The City Council voted to send each recommendation to the appropriate Council committee for further discussion and implementation.
To read the report, click here.
Arroyo Seco Library 100th Anniversary
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
On Wednesday, Councilmember Cedillo invited the Los Angeles Public Library to accept a congratulatory certificate for the Arroyo Seco Library’s 100th Anniversary. To accept the certificate was Sarah Moore, Adult Librarian with the Los Angeles Public Library.
A gift of $210,000 was originally secured by the City of Los Angeles from Andrew Carnegie to erect library branch buildings in 1911. The only provision attached to this gift was that land should be provided by the City or the citizens and an annual allowance made for upkeep equal to a tenth of the cost of each building. The second branch to be completed was Arroyo Seco, in March 1914. It was an outgrowth of the old Garvanza branch, which had united with the Highland Park branch established in connection with the Stimson Memorial Library at Occidental College.
Highland Park, with its appreciation of books and reading, never gave up asking for a branch library and was most determined to have one. When the Carnegie money was given to the City for branch library buildings, a very active local committee began work. Money to buy a lot for the building was raised by public subscription, everyone old and young, contributed. The site chosen seemed almost equally convenient for the people of Garvanza, Highland Park, Annendale, York Valley and Hermon.
We celebrate the resilience of the local Highland Park residents to have a library, 100 years later.
LA City Budget Hearings Continue
The Budget and Finance Committee continued hearings for the City's 2014/2015 Budget. As is customary every year, the Mayor proposes a budget, the Budget and Finance Committee examines every proposal and develops recommendations for the City Council to vote upon. To read the Mayor’s proposed budget, please click here.
This week we held hearing for the following departments:
Coalition of City Unions
City Ethics Commission
City Clerk
City Administrative Officer
General City Purposes
Unappropriated Balance
Reserve Fund
Capital Finance Administration (MICLA)
Capital Improvement Expenditure Program
Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates
APIA Heritage Month
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
Today the City Council welcomed the APIA community to celebrate APIA Heritage Month. The Council Chambers were filled with drummers, dancers and the aroma of delicious food, brought for the staff to enjoy. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a celebration of the culture, traditions, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Welcome to City Hall!
Bring Back Our Girls Movement
(Photo Credit: William Ayala)
On April 15th, 230 School girls were kidnapped from the Chibok Government Secondary School by Boko Haram Terrorists in Nigeria. All 230 are still missing. People of Nigeria are marching in the streets to demand the rescue of the 230 school girls that were kidnapped. Today the City Council joined the movement by coming together and telling the world that they will not allow schools to be places of violence. We want the girls rescued and we want the world to protect all schools.
#BringBackOurGirls
FIELD UPDATE
Lincoln Heights Community Clean Up
(Photo Credit: Jose A. Rodriguez)
On Saturday my staff Jose Rodriguez coordinated 3 deployment sites and over 300 volunteers for a Lincoln Heights Community Clean-Up. Partner organizations joined from Cri-Help-Socorro, El ARCA, Plaza de la Raza, City View Terrace Homeowners Association, Lincoln Heights Tutorial Program, CA Children’s Academy, Sacred Heart High School, Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation, Excel Charter Academy, Para Los Niños, Barrio Action, Young Nak Church, and Lincoln High School-EduCare Program with tools in hand to clean up Main Street and Mission Road between the LA River and Lincoln Park Ave. Over 50, 30 gallon bags were filled with litter, leaves, and weeds.
Thanks to everyone that volunteered and to our generous food donors; Dino's Burgers and the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council and DWP for water. The ‘Keep It Clean’ campaign aims to remove trash from the streets and I need your help. These volunteers made the pledge to ‘Keep It Clean!’ Our district office staff and the City of Los Angeles Office of Community Beautification are ready to help you organize a community clean-up. Contact my district office at (323)550-1538 to get started.
Highland Park Clean Up
(Photo Credit: Melinda Alatorre)
This weekend, in conjunction with the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, CD1 cleaned up the stretch of Avenue 50 in front of Aldama Elementary School. Parents from the school, Franklin High School students, and community members came out to "Keep it Clean" on Avenue 50! Along with clearing brush and picking up trash, students repainted the pedestrian tunnel on the inside and out with their colorful hand-prints. A very special thank you to Aztecs Rising for coming out and helping us paint the tunnel! If you are interested in co-hosting a clean-up in your neighborhood, contact our field office at (323)550-1538.
Groundbreaking for new LAPD Northeast Division Station
(Photo Credit: Kristopher Ortega)
On Monday Councilmember Cedillo joined over a hundred community members, police officers and local leaders for the LAPD Northeast Division Station groundbreaking. He invoked the memory of Officer Roberto Sanchez, age 32, who was killed in a weekend collision that occurred as the officer was making a U-turn to follow a speeding vehicle. Councilmember Cedillo stressed the need for a safe place for officers to work at the new state of the art facility and thanked Chief Beck and the Police Commission for their leadership and commitment to maintain public safety for the residents of Los Angeles.
In 1982 the LAPD Highland Park Station closed and opened up at current LAPD Northeast Station. In March 2002 voters approved the Prop Q Citywide Bond Measure. The new Northeast Division is being built using savings from required construction projects.
Councilmember Cedillo thanks the voters of Los Angeles for investing in the men and women of LAPD that protect and serve us every day. Their work environments should protect and serve them too.
Casa de Adobe
(Photo Credit: Kristopher Ortega)
On Monday the Arroyo Seco School of Museum and Technology in partnership with the Autrey provided Councilmember Cedillo a tour of the Casa de Adobe. 8th grade students received a certification for their hard work as they dressed in historical garments of the Casa de Adobe time and educated 4th graders on the life and times of the era through theatrical interpretations.
The continued education of CD1’s history is part of Councilmember Cedillo’s Arts and Culture initiative under the P.E.A.C.E. agenda.
Union Bank Opens Student Branch at Lincoln High School
(Photo Credit: Conrado Terrazas)
On Wednesday, hundreds of students, community leaders and LAPD staff joined executives from Union Bank for a ribbon cutting ceremony of the new student-run bank branch at Lincoln High School. Union Bank’s push to provide job-training opportunities and increase financial literacy among young people took two big steps forward with the opening of a student-run branch. This unique operating branch is the result of a partnership between LAUSD and Union Bank. The program provides students with real-world financial experience and exposure to career opportunities in financial services. Ongoing financial literacy workshops will be conducted at the branch for parents and students. The branch is one of the first in Southern California. It will enhance and encourage students to apply and attend college, while at the same time provide them with the skills for post-college careers.
Bike Lane Community Meeting
(Photo Credit: Fredy Ceja)
On Thursday over 350 residents attended a spirited community meeting hosted by Councilmember Cedillo at Nightingale Middle School in Cypress Park to hear input on LADOT’s proposed bike lanes for North Figueroa Street (from Avenue 22 to Avenue 52, in Cypress Park, Sycamore Grove and a portion of Highland Park). The proposal would remove one of two southbound traffic lanes (“road diet”) on North Figueroa Street.
Councilmember Cedillo heard thoughtful input from stakeholders. Testimony was also provided by Captain Ed Elguea, LA Fire Department Fire Station 44, Captain Jeff Bert, LAPD Northeast Station, Sergeant Luciano Meza, LADOT Traffic and R. Scott Page, LA Metro Operations Planning Manager, Service Planning. These Los Angeles City Department representatives expressed concerns of increased traffic congestion if the southbound traffic lane is removed as proposed by LADOT.
An alternative proposal was presented that includes:
·Bike sharrows (shared lane – not removing a traffic lane) along Figueroa St. from Avenue 22 to Avenue 50 with no “road diet”
·Bike sharrows along Sycamore Terrace between Avenue 50 to Avenue 45/Woodside Drive
·Bike sharrows along Monte Vista St. from Avenue 50 to Marmion Way to Figueroa St.
·Bike sharrows along Avenue 50 between Figueroa St. and Monte Vista
Councilmember Cedillo will host another community meeting on June 12th at Monte Vista Street Elementary. If you would like to provide input, please contact Councilmember Cedillo’s district office at (323)550-1538.
NEWS UPDATE
Lummis Foundation Honors Ann Walnum for the First Annual ‘Noisemaker Award’
(Photo Credit: Sylvia Robledo)
Over 150 people attended the Annual Lummis Day Foundation dinner on Saturday at the lovely and charming historical Highland Park American Legion Hall. The event was a very special occasion honoring one of CD1's most valued treasures, Ann Walnum, for her dedication as a community activist. The event was filled with friends and community leaders who have known Ann for years. She is a valued community member that has touched the lives of many.
The ‘Noisemaker Award’ was presented to Ms. Walnum by Susan Lummis, granddaughter of Charles Lummis with admiration for her work as a founding member of the Lummis Event. The award itself was designed by Sycamore Grove's artist, Heather McLarty. CD1 Deputy Sylvia Robledo presented Walnum with a certificate from Councilmember Cedillo as did Rose Marie Marquez, on behalf of Supervisor Gloria Molina.
The event featured the added talent of the Pacific Opera Project which entertained the crowd with music and singing by a fantastic cast of opera singers. There was magic in the air and a special recognition goes to the planning committee and Jain Sekuler, chair of the event for their hard work and creative flair that made the event a great success!
NELA Art Walk
(Photo Credit: NELA Art Walk)
Tomorrow our CD1 district office is excited to open its doors taking part in the North East LA Art Walk. The NELA Art Walk is hosted every second Saturday of the month throughout different parts of the Northeast. Our first collection, "Visual Poetry", curated by Avenue 50 Studios is still up. Use #LACD1 when you stop in!
For a map of the Art Walk, click here.
See you there!
N. Spring Street Night Work Notification
(Photo Credit: Yahoo)
As part of the N. Spring Street Viaduct Widening and Rehabilitation Project, the Department of Public Works is reaching out to let you know about the up-coming work activities around the N. Spring Street Bridge.
To ensure the safety of the local residents, train passengers and businesses, they are implementing the following night time / weekend construction activities:
·Saturday, May 17th 2:00am – 4:00pm Sunday Afternoon, May 18th
Pile Driving at Pier 7 (near the west bank of the LA River)
·Saturday May 31st 2:00am – 4:00pm Sunday Afternoon, June 1st
Setting Pier 7 Panels (near the west bank of the LA River)
·Saturday June 6th 5:00am – 5:00pm June 6th
Setting Pier 8 Panels (near the east bank of the LA River
·Weekdays May 14th to June 4th 8:00pm – 4:00am
Reclaimed Water Line Installation on N. Spring Street (One lane in each direction)
Traffic will not be affected by these activities other than the reclaimed water line installation, but there will be additional noise and activities in the vicinity of the N. Spring Street Bridge during these times.
The Department of Public Works would like to assure you that public safety is their foremost concern. As such, they have coordinated these activities with the Los Angeles Police Department and the City of Los Angeles representatives to ensure compliance with public safety requirements.
Should you have any questions, please contact Griffith Company Project Manager, Dave Schmidt, at (562)619-8347.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we bring these vital infrastructure improvements to our community.
UPCOMING EVENTS
New American Entrepreneur Expo
Saturday, May 10th, 2014
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM
125 Paseo De La Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cypress Park Underground Art Tunnel
Saturday, May 10th, 2014
5:30 PM
3400 North Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90065
24th Street Theatre
Saturday Explorer Series 2014
Saturday, May 10th, 2014
1:00 PM
The Get Down Boys
Saturday, May 17th, 2014
1:00 PM
Los Pinguos
24th Street Theatre
1117 West 24th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Public Forum on Improving Park Access
for Underserved Communities
Friday, May 16th, 2014
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Casa Italiana
1051 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Highland Park Independent Film Festival
A Picture of the Three of Us
Thursday, June 5th, 2014
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Highland Theatre
5604 N. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
LA Heat Taste Changing Condiments
March 13th - July 12th, 2014
Chinese American Museum
425 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Sabor Latino Trade Show
May 13-14th, 2014
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
Sacred Heart High School
3rd Annual Dinner Dance
Saturday, July 26th, 2014
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
2111 Griffin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90031
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