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OCTOBER 30, 2008
NOTE: In compliance with City of Los Angeles Ethics Laws, which limit an incumbent's mass communication through his official city office while he is a candidate, this will be the last e-update until after the 2009 municipal elections.
IN THIS ISSUE
GARCETTI CALLS ON COUNTRYWIDE TO CEASE AND DESIST ILLEGAL FORECLOSURE-RELATED EVICTION PRACTICES
Los Angeles City Council President Eric GarcettI called on Countrywide Home Loans and its agents to cease and desist illegal foreclosure-related eviction practices.
Garcetti made the announcement after hearing from residents of an Echo Park triplex foreclosed by Countrywide. Following the foreclosure, the building’s tenants were pressured to vacate their apartments and offered a $2,000 relocation fee – far lower than the $7,000 minimum required by city law.
According to Los Angeles city laws, a change in building ownership due to foreclosure alone is not an adequate reason to evict a tenant and tenants must be notified of their rights in these situations. In the event of a no-fault eviction following a foreclosure, tenants are also entitled to a relocation fee in the minimum amount of $7,000.
“We want tenants to know that they have rights – even if they live in properties that are being foreclosed,” said Council President Garcetti.
Although most attention on the nation’s foreclosure crisis has focused on homeowners, it is also significantly impacting renters.Some tenants of foreclosed properties are pressured by banks or their agents to vacate without a full understanding of their rights as renters.
“I can’t believe that I’ve become one of those guys that I keep reading about in the newspaper.It’s really frustrating and I feel like I was duped.I had no idea that this was illegal and that I had right to stay or to a minimum amount of money. In fact, I was told I would have to be out within 30 days and didn’t have the right to any money, even my security deposit. I encourage others in this situation to learn more about their rights as tenants,” said Jonny Lee, who lives in the Echo Park triplex and was offered the $2,000 relocation fee by Countrywide. “I’d like to stay in my apartment, and I’m hoping that Countrywide will reconsider this move out agreement.”
This is not the first time Garcetti has been notified of illegal foreclosure-related eviction practices by Countrywide. In July, Garcetti called on Countrywide to investigate these practices after one of its agents offered tenants in a South Los Angeles duplex $1,000 in relocation fees. Countrywide then notified the tenants and Garcetti that it was not proceeding with eviction action against the tenants and implied that further communication would comply with the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
Tenants who believe they are being pressured to vacate a foreclosed property or are being offered relocation fees below the minimum $7,000 for good faith evictions may seek advice from the Los Angeles Housing Department by calling 1-866-557-RENT.
GLASSELL PARK NEIGHBORHOOD UPDATE
Council President Garcetti is working to ensure that every neighborhood in Council District 13 is a great place to live, work, and enjoy.
In the last few months, he has helped to bring a number of neighborhood improvements to Glassell Park, including:
- New outdoor benches in the parking lot at the Glassell Park Senior and Community Center so that seniors have a place to sit when they are waiting to board buses for off-site activities (pictured above).
- Restriped intersections at Verdugo at Avenue 37 and Verdugo at Cressmoore Place to improve safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- More than 20 new street lights installed in the Drew Estara neighborhood to improve safety
- Brush and trash removal at Avenue 36 and Fletcher
- Clean up of the vacant lot on Carlyle between Moss and Avenue 30 to remove bulky items and other debris
- An overnight parking district along both sides of the 2 Freeway (on Bushwick and Portner) to reduce nuisance activity and abandoned vehicles.
- A summer community resource fair and a job fair held at Juntos Park
- More than a dozen new trees planted at Glassell Park Elementary School in partnership with Northeast Trees
On November 15, Council President Garcetti will co-host a Youth Forum at Washington Irving Middle School (3010 Estara Avenue) to bring together the students from the community to discuss their concerns. The youth forum will be tailored for students in grades K-12. Students from the music programs and drill team at local schools will perform at the end of the forum. Parents, educators, and other community members will also be invited to a workshop targeted for adults. The forum will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
JOIN US FOR A DAY AT THE RIVER ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 
Join Council President Garcetti for a Day at the River on Saturday, November 8, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We will meet at Crystal Street Park (Crystal Street at Fletcher Drive) on the west side of the L.A. River.
Come learn more about the river's future, meet representatives from government agencies and non-profit organizations that are working to clean up and enhance the river, and participate in small improvement projects throughout the morning. Refreshments will be provided.
CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN AT ECHO PARK FRIGHT NIGHT AND THE HALLOWEEN FAMILY FESTIVAL
On Halloween, the Echo Park Recreation Center will become home to ghouls and goblins participating in Echo Park Fright Night. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., all are invited to participate in carnival games, a costume parade, a magic show, trick-or-treating and more fun throughout the evening. This free event promises to be fun for the whole family. The Echo Park Recreation Center is located at 1623 Bellevue Avenue. Volunteers are still needed to make this community event a success. Please contact Cassandra Bruno Reyes at 213-250-3578 if you can help on Friday.
The Echo Park Farmers' Market will host the Halloween Family Festival, a free event from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Halloween. Activities will include free pumpkin decorating for the first 150 children, a costume contest, and of course the opportunity to purchase fresh produce. The weekly farmers' market is located at 1160 Logan Street, half a block south of Sunset Boulevard.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE ECHO PARK COMMUNITY PARADE
Mark your calendars for the Echo Park Community Parade on Saturday, December 13, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The parade will take place along Sunset Boulevard, starting at Elysian Park Drive and ending at Alvarado Street.
The parade will recognize three Parade Ambassadors who have played an important role in shaping the Echo Park community:
- Dana Andrews, Principal, Allesandro Elementary. This year marks Mr. Andrews's 27th year as an educator in Los Angeles Unified School System. His deep devotion to his students, parents and community is legendary.
Manuel N. Ponce, Principal, Clifford Elementary. Mr. Ponce not only strives to provide a high quality education to his students, but also strives to enrich that academic education with an emphasis on engagement and empowerment. He has made a tremendous impact on his students and community.
- Leo Politi, author, artist and illustrator. Mr. Politi's award winning body of work is a treasure and has captured the world's imagination of the world. He is the son of the legendary Echo Park figure Leo Politi, Sr.
For more information, please visit the parade website.
ATWATER VILLAGE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY IS DECEMBER 4
 Atwater Village's annual tree lighting ceremony will be on Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. Come join neighbors, students, local businesses, and many others in holiday fun before lighting the tree on Glendale Boulevard. Meet in the Wells Fargo Bank lot at Glendale and Bruswick
L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti represents the 13th Council District, which includes all or part of the communities of Glassell Park, Little Armenia, Thai Town, Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, Echo Park, Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake, East Hollywood and Hollywood. Councilmember Garcetti serves as President of the Los Angeles City Council.
Council President Garcetti and his staff can be reached via e-mail at councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org or by mail or phone at City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 470, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-473-7013; 5500 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-957-4500; and 3750 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065, 323-478-9002
Watch the Meet Eric Garcetti video in English or Spanish.
www.ericgarcetti.com
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