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The Huizar Herald
Volume I, Issue 2 - August 2006
Dear Friends,
Thank you for affording me the opportunity to serve as your City Councilmember. In the eight months since I took office, my experience has been incredibly rewarding. My staff and I are working tirelessly to help improve the quality of life for the residents of Boyle Heights, Downtown, Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Garvanza, Glassell Park, Hermon, Highland Park and Mount Washington. By partnering with each other, we can build a better future for our children and families. To continue this enriching experience, I am diligently working towards achieving even greater things for our City and district.There is still much to be done.
In keeping the commitment to communicate with the
community, I would like to share with you this second
edition newsletter. In it you will find the latest updates on what is happening in our district, along with information on the projects I am currently working on for the benefit of Council District 14 residents.
Please feel free to subscribe to this newsletter by visiting my website at http://www.lacity.org/council/cd14/. I'll be glad to hear of any suggestions or comments you may have regarding this newsletter. I hope you find this and future newsletters to be informative, interesting and enjoyable.
With the Warmest Regards,
José Huizar
Councilmember, 14th District
HUIZAR IN ACTION
HUIZAR LEADING CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE LAUSD SCHOOLS
A blue-ribbon Commission, co-founded by Councilmember José Huizar when he was School Board President, has released its final recommendations to improve the academic achievement of all students in the school district. The Presidents' Joint Commission on LAUSD Governance was made up of 30 volunteer Commissioners appointed by the School Board, the City Council, the Mayor of Los Angeles and other cities served by the District.
Its recommendations included:
- Authority over the schools should be decentralized from the Central office to school site.
- Schools should have maximum authority over their budgets.
All schools should belong to "clusters" made up of a community's high schools and the elementary
and junior high schools that feed into it.
All LAUSD Mayors and other elected officials should have some involvement in affecting discussions related to developing broad education policies.
Each School Board member should be limited to servings three, four-year terms.
School Board election campaigns should have the same rules, regulations and controls as the Los Angeles City Council members' elections.
Compensation for Board members should be increased.
Copies of the complete report can be found here.
Councilmember Huizar, along with Commission co-founder, Councilmember Alex Padilla, have committed to implementing the recommendations that fall under City jurisdiction. Huizar brought a Council Motion to increase the transparency and effectiveness of the LAUSD School Board by:
- Establishing campaign finance rules, including contribution limits;
Limiting Board Members to three, four-year terms;
Creating a compensation revenue committee to adjust members' compensation to make it commensurate with job responsibilities.
Any change would have to be approved by voters in the March general election. Stay tuned for updates in the next newsletter!
BULKY ITEMS DROP-OFF CENTERS/PICK-UP PROGRAM & COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP DAYS TO KICK-OFF HUIZAR'S NEW BULKY ITEMS PROGRAM
In an effort to clean-up and beautify our neighborhoods, Councilmember Huizar has implemented an innovative program to discard bulky items. The new service, "Huizar's Saturday Bulky Items Program" began in August. A "Community Clean-up and Beautification Day" coincides with each Saturday bulky items event in Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, Highland Park and El Sereno.The Saturday Program consists of two components: 1) Bulky Item Drop-Off Centers; and, 2) Bulky Item Pick-up. Residents will be able to drop-off bulky items at designated locations on selected Saturdays each month. In addition, residents (particularly seniors and disabled residents) will be able to arrange the pick-up of bulky items on those selected Saturdays.
The program will be assessed after the first three months, but, will continue with some modifications. Please volunteer and join the Councilmember during "Huizar's Saturday Bulky Items Program" & "Community Clean-up and Beautification Day" (see schedule below).
Schedule:
El Sereno
Every 2nd Saturday of the Month
9:00am
Bulky Items Pick-Up call (323) 226-1646
Bulky Items Drop-Off Center 9:30am- 12:30pm
Drop-off Location:
El Sereno Recreation Center (Parking Lot)
4721 Klamath Street (Swiggett & Eastern)
Los Angeles, 90032
Boyle Heights
Every 3rd Saturday of the Month
9:00 am
Bulky Items Pick-Up call (323) 526-3059
Bulky Items Drop-Off Centers 9:30am - 12:30pm
Drop-off Location:
Boyle Heights District Office
2130 E. 1st Street
Los Angeles, Ca 90033
Eagle Rock/ Highland Park
Every 4th Saturday of the Month
9:00am
Bulky Items Pick-Up call (323) 254-5295
Bulky Items Drop-Off Centers 9:30am - 12:30pm
Two Drop-Off Locations:
1.
Eagle Rock-Office of Councilmember José Huizar
2035 Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles, 90041
2.
Highland Park-LA City Parking Lot
5058 Meridian Street
Los Angeles, 90042
DODGER DREAM FIELD
Councilmember José Huizar, together with the Los Angeles Dodgers/Dodgers Dream Foundation, Bank of America and Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles unveiled a "Dream Field" baseball park at Evergreen Recreation Center in Boyle Heights.
The event's Master of Ceremonies was Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Jaime Jarrin, with special appearances by Dodger personalities Grady Little, Manny Mota and Former Dodger great, Willie Davis.
The $220,000 improvement project at Evergreen will transform an aging baseball diamond that has anchored the community for three generations. In the 1940's, the chorizeros (an amateur adult team run by a Boyle Heights Chorizo manufacturer) dominated the infield. Today the field is home turf to the Roosevelt High School team and Evergreen's Little League.
The new field will boast a synthetic infield, state-of-the-art lighting and bleachers, dugout covers, improvements to the irrigation system and two new electronic scoreboards. The project will also include $100,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations to enhance programming at the park, including the creation of a girls' softball team.
Councilmember Huizar played ball as a child on the field and is proud to have funded one of the new electronic scoreboards. Evergreen's improved baseball diamond will be the sixth Dodger Dream Field for the Department of Recreation and Parks.
CITY CONTRACTS OVERSIGHT
Councilmember Huizar, Chair of the Audits & Government Efficiency Committee, in cooperation with City Controller Laura Chick, submitted a motion calling for improved oversight of City contracts after questions were raised about the adequacy of the City's contracting guidelines in a review conducted by Controller Chick released on June 12, 2006.
The Controller's review cited specific examples of appearances of impropriety including circumvention of City contracting guidelines used to hire contractors.
Huizar introduced a Motion on June 13, 2006, directing City staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the contracting guidelines, oversight and controls currently being employed by the City's Contracts Administration and/or Contracts Compliance groups in relation to Council controlled departments; and to improve the transparency and overall effectiveness of the City's contracting process; and to report back to the Audits and Governmental Efficiency Committee within thirty days.
EVERGREEN CHILDCARE CENTER GROUNDBREAKING
Councilmember José Huizar, along with the Department of Recreation & Parks, Bureau of Engineering, parents, children and other members of the community celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Child Care Center at Evergreen Park in Boyle Heights.
After the project languished for 10 years, Councilmember Huizar prodded the City and ultimately found funds to make this project possible. The project is a three-million dollar state-of-the-art facility that was designed with extensive input from the community. At 4150 square-feet, the Center will serve 50 children and include a new and completely modern kitchen, washer and dryer, computer room, new child's playground area, new parking lot and new fences and gates.
The Center is scheduled to be completed in September, 2007.
OPERATION CONSERVATION
Councilmember José Huizar and the Department of Water & Power, along with nearly 400 local volunteers, distributed 10,000 free energy-efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs to District 14 community residents to help alleviate the first year impact of DWP's proposed electricity rate hike for local constituents and to conserve energy.
Area volunteers went door-to-door asking residents if they would like to exchange their regular incandescent light bulbs with Energy Efficiency bulbs. Volunteers exchanged up to three bulbs per home and took away the old exchanged bulbs, which will be recycled. If residents weren't at home, the volunteers left a flyer at the home saying they can bring their regular bulbs to one of the CD 14's field offices and exchange them for efficient CFL's.
Through the distribution of these energy-efficiency light bulbs, Huizar is pleased to address another quality of life issue for his constituents.
WHITTER & LORENA TRAFFIC LIGHT RELOCATION Councilmember Huizar introduced a motion earlier this year to improve pedestrian safety following the death of a toddler who was struck and killed by a big rig at the intersection of Whittier & Lorena in Boyle Heights.
As a result of Huizar's action, traffic signals will be relocated and improved lighting will be installed at 51 dangerous intersections, including Whittier & Lorena, and throughout Los Angeles, over the next five years. This will take place under a $1.4 million plan recently approved by the City Council.
SOUTHWEST MUSEUM BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
Councilmember Huizar participated in a Southwest Museum Beautification Project in Mt. Washington. Huizar and community members planted indigenous plants at the museum.
MOTHER'S DAY AT CD 14 SENIOR CENTERS IN EAGLE ROCK, EL SERENO & BOYLE HEIGHTS
Councilmember Huizar joined the more than 150 mothers who attended this year's Mother's Day Event in El Sereno. The festivities took place at the El Sereno Senior Center. Mothers who attended the event each received a beautiful rose.
EAGLE ROCK BOY SCOUTS PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Councilmember Huizar joined Eagle Rock's Boy Scout Troop 188 during its 15th Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. The money raised will be used to purchase Boy Scout related items, including: tents, sleeping bags and summer camp costs.
HIGHLAND PARK COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION DAY
Councilmember Huizar, along with Occidental College, sponsored this year's Community Beautification Day in Highland Park. Participants in the clean-up included local Oxy Students and area community leaders.
TOYS FOR GUNS
Councilmember Huizar participated in the 5th Annual Toys for Guns Event in Lincoln Park. The purpose of the event was for local children to exchange toy guns for books. The event also featured a health and safety fair, entertainment and more.
CINCO DE MAYO @ EL PUEBLO
Councilmember Huizar, along with El Pueblo de Los Angeles, MCG Latino Marketing Experts and the L.A. Metropolitan Hispanic Chambers of Commerce joined together to put on this year's Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Placita Olvera. The event included live musical entertainment, folkloric performances, vendors and traditional food.
BOYLE HEIGHTS PROSPECT PARK RECEIVES NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
City Councilmember José Huizar, along with representatives from the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks and members of Soledad Enrichment Action (S.E.A.), a gang-prevention & intervention program, helped install new playground equipment at Prospect Park in Boyle Heights.
COSTELLO PARK BASEBALL OPENING DAY
Councilmember Huizar celebrated Costello Park Baseball Opening Day along with more than 100 little league players, their parents and Recreation & Parks Staff. The annual event celebrates the participation of boys and girls in sports and encourages children and their families to continue participating in these types of programs.
FERIA DEL LIBRO 2006
Councilmember José Huizar, early supporter and co-founder of the Feria del Libro, celebrated the third annual book fair at Los Angeles City Hall. The program featured fun literacy activities and entertainment for kids of all ages. Children and their families had the opportunity to meet authors and storytellers, purchase books and celebrate as students received recognition for reading "millions of words".
BLUE BERRY HILL EVENT
Councilmember Huizar, along with the office of Supervisor Gloria Molina and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy participated in a symbolic kick-off event to present a bench and plaque that will temporarily be placed at Blue Berry Hill in Boyle Heights. The goal of the project is to create a green corridor along 6th Street starting at Blue Berry Hill and ending at Hollenbeck Park. This will result in improved public safety, beautification of the community and will promote healthy lifestyles. A conceptual design of the project will be completed by the end of this year.
"MEJORANDO SU VIDA" BLOOD DRIVE
Councilmember Huizar participated in the "Mejorando Su Vida" Blood Drive sponsored by Telemundo and the American Red Cross. Huizar spoke about the importance and urgency at this time for Latinos to donate blood due to the critical shortage of type O negative. This blood type is also known as the "universal type" and can be used by most other blood type patients. More than 60% of Latino donors carry the "universal type".
CAFÉ CAFÉ RESTAURANT GRAND OPENING IN DOWNTOWN
Councilmember Huizar took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official Grand Opening of Café Café Restaurant located in Downtown's Historic Core.
4TH OF JULY SALUTE TO AMERICA EVENT
Councilmember José Huizar served as emcee for the 15th Annual 4th of July "Salute to America" Event at Olvera Street in El Pueblo. The purpose of the event was to pay tribute to the City of Los Angeles, its history, its culture and its people with a multicultural intergenerational celebration which included a parade, historical reenactments, awards, vendors, booths and more.
EL SERENO INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
As Grand Marshal, Councilmember Huizar waves at the crowd who attended this year's 47th Annual Independence Day Parade in El Sereno.
SHELTER PARTNERSHIP
Councilmember Huizar, along with Councilmember Jan Perry and others, participated in a press conference to announce the results of a Shelter Partnership, Inc.'s study on Los Angeles' family shelters and the families they serve. This research represents the first-ever comprehensive analysis of the family shelter and transitional housing system in L.A. County.
SKID ROW WALK
Councilmembers Huizar, along with 60 people, including business owners, residents, government officials, LAPD officers and social service providers took part in June`s Community Walk to Take Back the Streets of "Skid Row". This is a dedicated community effort on the part of area residents and stakeholders to help address issues of homelessness and crime in the Skid Row area.
9TH STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Councilmember Huizar helped celebrate this year's 9th Street Elementary School End-of-the-Year event by donating pizzas and soft drinks for students and faculty to enjoy. The Councilmember's office also presented certificates to every member of the faculty for their dedication and hard work. About 75% of the school's children are homeless.
SOS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP DAY
Councilmember Huizar took part in this year's SOS Leadership Day Fair, a program which is the outgrowth of a project he started while serving on the LAUSD Board of Education. The purpose of the event is to give students a chance to exercise their leadership skills. SOS Student Leaders are from surrounding schools in the Boyle Heights area. The students themselves planned this successful event, which included booths, games and other fun community activities.
ADELANTE AWARDS
Councilmember Huizar inaugurated the CD 14 Adelante Awards, recognizing students for their academic achievements and community involvement. The schools represented the graduating classes at the elementary, middle and high schools in the District. All honorees received a certificate and one of the Councilmember's favorite books.
ZACATECAS GOVERNOR VISIT
Governor Amalia García Medina visited Los Angeles and was honored in Chambers by Councilmember Huizar. Governor García Medina represents the state of Zacatecas, where 50% of its residents live in the U.S. She is the first female Governor in the history of the State of Zacatecas and currently is the only female Governor in all of Mexico. Councilmember Huizar was born in Jerez, Zacatecas.
COUNCILMEMBER HUIZAR HONORS SAL CASTRO
Councilmember Huizar, along with Councilmember La Bonge, honored Sal Castro in Council for serving as a lifelong educator and for being a true hero for so many of the students who grew up in East Los Angeles in the 1960's and 70's.
L.A. RIVER MEETING
Councilmember Huizar sponsored and attended the L.A. River Public Workshop in June to collect public comment and ideas to insert into the Master Planning process of the L.A. River Revitalization.
COUNCILMEMBER HUIZAR ASKS FOR THE PUBLIC’S HELP IN CAPTURING INDIVIDUAL WHO SHOT TWO CHILDREN
Councilmember Huizar asked for assistance from the public to find the gang member responsible for the shooting of two children. The children were shot during a baby shower on Saturday, July 15, 2006. The suspected shooter is a gang member who had previously been arraigned and released for another incident.
PUBLIC SAFETY SUMMIT
Councilmember Huizar hosted the first Public Safety Forum in Boyle Heights to address community concerns & initiate a dialogue on safety and gangs. This was the first in a series of forums that will take place throughout the 14th District.
COUNCILMEMBER HUIZAR OFFERS $50,000 REWARD
Councilmember José Huizar and the LAPD held a press conference in Boyle Heights near Ramon Garcia Park to announce a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a recent shooting in the Park. Victims of the shooting drove off in their car colliding with the Posada's family van, causing the death of Mr. and Mrs. Posada and injuring two of their children and a family friend.
COUNCILMEMBER HUIZAR OFFERS $100,000 REWARD
Councilmember Huizar was joined by Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton and members of the Hollenbeck Police Department in offering two $50,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for two separate shooting incidents of four LAPD Officers. Police say the individuals suspected of the shootings are members of a violent street gang.
WORLD WAR II HERO GUY GABALDON HONORED
Councilmember José Huizar and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, along with the Los Angeles City Council, honored Guy Gabaldon, a native son of Boyle Heights and one of the highest profile living World War II legends. As a soldier in the war, he proved to be very effective in capturing enemy soldiers and civilians. He captured more than 1,100 prisoners on his own, including 800 enemy combatants in a single day
during the Battle of Saipan.
CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS AWARD
Councilmember Huizar presented Certificates of Recognition in Council to two schools in CD 14, Garvanza Elementary and Multnomah Elementary, for being recognized as two out of 32 California Distinguished Schools.
SOLEDAD ENRICHMENT ACTION PRESENTATION
Councilmember Huizar honors Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) during Council for helping Los Angeles youth find positive alternatives to gangs.
HUIZAR HONORS BOYLE HEIGHTS TEACHER
Councilmember Huizar honored Ms. Griffith on the City Council floor for 35 years of excellence in teaching in the LAUSD. Ms. Griffith was Councilmember Huizar’s 3rd grade teacher at Euclid Elementary School.
PIONEER WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2006
Councilmember Huizar honors Patricia Chebac-Reza as this year's Pioneer Women of the Year. She was honored for her years of commitment and dedication to the community of Boyle Heights. Patricia has worked diligently to help the community's at-risk youth and young adults acquire the skills they need to succeed.
MAYOR'S EXCELLENCE IN L.A. SCHOOLS WEBSITE LAUNCH
Councilmember Huizar attended the Mayor's "Excellence in L.A. Schools Website Launch" press conference and spoke in support of AB 1381 (the Mayor's LAUSD Reform Bill). The website is a tool that will help parents organize for change at LAUSD.
EL SERENO CHAMBER INSTALLATION DINNER
Councilmember Huizar served as keynote speaker at this year's El Sereno Chamber of Commerce Installation dinner at El Palmar Banquet Hall. Huizar presented awards to Chamber members, Kristina Hooper, Irene Ponce and the other new officers. He also helped install the new Chamber officers and conducted the oath of office.
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF L.A.“BUENOS AMIGOS”
Councilmember Huizar paid a visit to the Int'l Institute of L.A.'s "Buenos Amigos" Senior Club Meeting in Boyle Heights.
MURCHISON STREET ELEMENTARY
Councilmember Huizar presented Certificates of Recognition to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles mentoring and guiding students at Murchison Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights.
UCLA HONORS COUNCILMEMBER HUIZAR AT ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL
The UCLA Government Relations Group convened an alumni reception to honor Councilmember Huizar for his contributions to UCLA and the community. The event took place at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights and gave other alumni an opportunity to mingle with the recently elected Councilmember.
HIRE LA PRESS CONFERENCE
Councilmember Huizar took part in the "Hire L.A." press conference with Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilmembers and others to help promote a new program that will provide jobs for young people between the ages of 18-24. For more information, call HIRE-LA at 1-800-FOR-A-JOB.
SEIU JUSTICE FOR JANITORS RALLY
Councilmember Huizar attended a rally at Universal City Walk in support of the "Justice for Janitors" campaign. Huizar called for the entertainment industry and SEIU to engage in earnest contract negotiations for janitors.
EL SERENO SR. CENTER LUAU
Councilmember Huizar takes part in this year's El Sereno Senior Center's annual Luau.
WILSON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION 2006
Councilmember Huizar spoke at this year's Wilson High School graduation. 450 Seniors made up this year's graduating class.
BRAVO MEDICAL MAGNET SCHOOL GRADUATION
Councilmember Huizar spoke to Bravo Medical Magnet High School's 2006 graduating class. 362 Seniors received their diplomas during the event.
STEVENSON MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATION
Councilmember Huizar was a keynote speaker at the 2006 Stevenson Middle School Graduation Ceremony in Boyle Heights. The school has special memories for Huizar because he attended school there as a child.
EAGLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Councilmember Huizar served as a speaker for Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High School 2006 Senior Class Graduation. This year, there were 420 Seniors in Eagle Rock's graduating class.
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