Copyright (c) 2008 All rights reserved. http://http://www.lacity.org/council/cd14 Top Stories en-us 5 Tuesday, 07 April 2009 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar hosted a celebration outside his Eagle Rock office for Filipino American WWII veterans who were recently awarded reparation payments for military benefits rescinded by Congress 63 years ago. While the payments ($15,000 for U.S. citizens, $9,000 for non-citizens), do not give full-restitution to the veterans, they do represent an acknowledgement of service by the U.S. government that the veterans have long sought. During WWII, more than 260,000 Filipinos answered Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order for the Philippines (then a U.S. territory). At the celebration, Councilmember Huizar thanked the veterans for showing the same courage and tenacity in seeking their rights as veterans as they did on the battlefield and said their victory was for all veterans – who know on the battlefield there are no racial or social distinctions – just soldiers. Tuesday, 07 April 2009 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar recently joined community members and Department of Recreation and Parks officials at an Open House for Mt. Washington’s newly renovated Carlin G. Smith Recreation Center. The Councilmember allocated well over $100,000 in Quimby funds to address long-overdu improvements at the popular site, which features an outdoor lighted basketball court, a picnic and children’s play area and offers great after-school programs. Improvements included installing a new gym floor and a completely new electrical system, replacing support beams and gutter downspouts, repairing the concrete walkways, and – for the first time ever – installing an air conditioning and heating unit. More than $204,000 of Proposition 40 RZH funds were also used to complete the improvements. Tuesday, 07 April 2009 00:00:00 GMT The Mayor's office announced the organizations selected for gang intervention service contracts for the City’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development Zone. For the Cypress Park/Northeast area, Public Health Foundation Enterprises/Aztecs Rising received the contract. The organizations are required to engage in community-based gang intervention and individualized services, with the goal of reducing the number of youth that become involved in gangs. Mon, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Our four surveillance cameras set up along a stretch of York Boulevard in Historic Highland Park are fully functional, with trained LAPD officers monitoring the cameras. The surveillance system will significantly enhance our crime-fighting abilities in the area, and Phase II of this project will provide free Wi-Fi Internet access along the popular business corridor. This effort was supported and financed by Councilmember José Huizar, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce. Mon, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar was elated to hear the news that after decades of effort, the Filipino Veterans Equality Bill was passed by the U.S. Congress. This bill grants long overdue compensation to Filipino Veterans of World War II, who bravely fought to protect our country from harm. Councilmember Huizar, who has been a longtime supporter of the bill, will host a celebration in Eagle Rock and is inviting all Veterans and their families to attend, as we recognize this momentous announcement. The event will take place at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 21, in front of Eagle Rock City Hall (2035 Colorado Blvd.). Mon, 9 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT During the Planning & Land Use Management Committees discussion of the City Attorneys latest medical marijuana dispensary ordinance, Councilmember Huizar pressed for changes to protect neighborhoods from high concentrations of these facilities. Eagle Rock has numerous stores within a small area, which does not seem logical or fair. While a supporter of Proposition 215, Councilmember Huizar would like to see an ordinance with sufficient safeguards in it to allow City officials to shut down operators who are not in compliance with the basic tenants of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. He will also continue to advocate for assurances that the City will not permit numerous dispensaries in the same neighborhood, as well as keeping them away from schools, parks and religious institutions. Tues, 9 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar backed the recent action by Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo seeking a gang injunction against the Toonerville Gang, which has a small portion of its territory in CD 14. The 4.5 mile injunction was sought in conjunction with the City of Glendale and will limit the amount of contact known gang members can have with one another, as well as other restrictions, including banning members from congregating at Chevy Chase Park. Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT At the urging of Councilmember José Huizar, the City’s Department of Transportation has taken the rarely used action to stagger traffic lights on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Normally, LADOT looks to increase traffic flow, but following an August fatal collision that killed four young people and an unborn infant, the action to add more red lights to slow down traffic was taken. At a recent press conference, the Councilmember announced the addition of about a dozen surveillance cameras along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock and Highland Park, as well as ongoing traffic enforcement effort by LAPD, which has resulted in more than 600 traffic tickets in the six weeks following the crash Two federally funded speed display signs are expected to be added by the end of the year. Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar has been working to reduce speeding on Colorado Boulevard. Over a year ago, he had CalTrans and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation change the traffic signals on the 134 freeway Colorado Blvd. off ramp. If a vehicle is going faster than 35 mph on the off ramp, the sensors trigger the traffic signal to turn red so that vehicles cannot speed coming off the freeway and onto city streets. DOT will soon be installing speed feedback signs that will inform drivers of their current speed and direct them to slow down. Central Traffic and LAPD’s Northeast Division have stepped up patrols in the area. In the first week alone, they issued 186 tickets. Forty-six of these tickets were for speeding, with an average speed of 55 mph in a 35 mph zone. Thu, 18 Sept 2008 00:00:00 GMT The Councilmember asked the City Council to offer a $50,000 reward for the capture of the man responsible for the horrific abduction and rape of a 23-year-old woman who was waiting for a bus on the corner of Eagle Rock and Colorado boulevards. LAPD Sex Crimes detectives from the Northeast Detective Division are looking for leads on this case and encourage anyone who have witnessed this brutal attack to come forward and help bring this predator to justice. Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT In 2004, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) conducted a Community DASH Needs Assessment Study that produced a ranked list of potential new community DASH routes to be considered, subject to available funding. The top three priority routes are: 1) Van Nuys/Whitsett; 2) Sylmar/San Fernando; 3) Eagle Rock/Glassell Park. While ongoing funding challenges have made it impossible for the City to implement any of the proposed new routes, it is important to update the report and revisit the prioritized list of potential new community DASH routes in case new funding should become available via Metro's proposed L.A. County half-cent sales tax increase or another source. As a result, Councilmember Huizar directed LADOT to update its Community DASH Needs Assessment study and verify that the ranked list of potential new Community DASH routes to be considered for implementation by the City remain the most appropriate routes. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar is committed to protecting hillsides and sensitive natural resources. He strongly supported and championed the Northeast L.A. Hillside Interim Control Ordinance (ICO), which led to the Hillsides Work Program, intended to better control development in environmentally sensitive areas. The purpose of the Hillside ICO was not to prohibit private development, but rather to determine how the hillsides could best serve the public and be developed safely and legally, if developed at all. The Planning Department has put materials for the Hillsides ICO on its website (http://planning.lacity.org/code_studies/NELA/Toc_NELA.htm). Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00;00 GMT Community members from northeast Los Angeles gathered on May 27 for breakfast to share thoughts, ideas and suggestions with Councilmember Huizar. The discussion covered topics ranging from infrastructure, public safety, community partnerships, parks and the environment, historic preservation efforts, and economic development and enterprise zones. Councilmember Huizar highlighted his commitment to public safety through the $20,000 he allocated to boost overtime patrols by the Northeast division of the Los Angeles Police Department. He also focused on his efforts to enhance the area parks, which included securing $25,000 in funding to address the illegal dumping issue that was ruining Eagle Rock Park and securing more than $400,000 to complete Garvanza Skatepark. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT On November 26, Councilmember Huizar broke ground on much-anticipated improvements to the Yosemite Recreation Center Tennis Courts. For more than 20 years the tennis courts have been used by thousands of Eagle Rock High School students, residents, and local youth without being refurbished. As a member of the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, Councilmember Huizar secured Proposition 40 funds for the project. Slated for completion in three months, planned improvements will include leveling and refurbishing the old tennis courts, adding new poles, nets, and enhancing accessibility for the disabled. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar Saves the Historic Southwest Museum and Announces Creation of New Southwest Society. Councilmember José Huizar recently announced the formation of the Southwest Society, which will raise funds to restore and revitalize the Southwest Museum of the American Indian and Casa de Adobe, two cultural cornerstones in the Mt. Washington community. The Southwest Society has 30 members, including Councilmember Huizar, Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Council President Garcetti, County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Representative Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Fabian Nuñez (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Anthony Portainto (D-Pasadena); John Gray, President of the Autry National Center; and Suzanne Lummis, granddaughter of the museum’s founder. Councilmember Huizar will be working with the Autry National Center to ensure that the Southwest Museum”s historic buildings and priceless collection are protected and restored for generations to come. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT On October 12, Councilmember Huizar won a fight to protect historic buildings identified in Garvanza by securing Council approval of an Interim Control Ordinance that restricts demolitions and building permits. Councilmember Huizar was instrumental in having Garvanza designated a Historic Zone, which is designed to protect and enhance the use of buildings, structures, natural features, and areas which are reminders of the City’s history. Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Councilmember Huizar has appointed Michael Tharp, Frank Parello, David Kofahl and Lynne Dwyer to the Colorado Blvd. Specific Plan Design Review Board. The Design Review Board reviews projects which are proposed within the Specific Plan area to ensure design compliance and beautification. The new members are all active members of the Eagle Rock community. Mr. Tharp has over 30 years of experience in urban planning and land use issues in both the public and private development sectors. Mr. Parello has over 30 years of experience in urban planning and preservation. Mr. Kofahl is an architect with significant experience in planning and design. Ms. Dywer is a licensed Landscape Architect and a resident of Eagle Rock.