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Senator Supports E LA Cityhood |
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News that Was
Written/Edited by Sara Epstein
State Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, has announced his support of East Los Angeles cityhood.
Calderon made the announcement before the East Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon Wednesday at Tamayo Restaurant.
“It’s time for East Los Angeles to become it own city,” Calderon said. “This cultural, social and political heart of the Mexican-American community is ready. It makes sense and it’s workable, without a tax increase — or a reduction in services.
“Cityhood will give the 140,000 residents in East Los Angeles better access to elected officials. It will give them the power to identify and directly influence decisions on local issues — such as the need for more parks, services and safer streets.
“We’ve seen the economic growth of Whittier Boulevard. East Los Angeles is now getting its fair share of transportation funds with the expansion of the MTA Gold Line. The first Latino mayor of the city of Los Angeles in 140 years is from East Los Angeles,” Calderon added.
Calderon also spoke about the problems created by a runaway state budget deficit and the problems East Los Angeles communities may face if there is a water shortage, an aide said. (Published first in Wave Newspapers at: www.wavenewspapers.com .)
LAFD DROPS BOY SCOUTS
The Los Angeles Fire Department Commission voted 5-0 on Tuesday to disassociate LAFD’s Explorer program from the Boy Scouts of America.
Action could come in the fall.
REPORT: LA NOT READY FOR ATTACK
A terrorist attack similar to the 2004 commuter train bombings in Madrid would be even more catastrophic in Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., because the injured would overwhelm strained emergency services, experts told a congressional hearing Monday.
"It is irrational to believe that an emergency system that is already overwhelmed by the day-to-day volume of acutely ill patients would be able to expand its capacity on short notice," said Dr. Roger J. Lewis, a professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
(Read complete Mary Engel LA Times report here ).
ALARCON WANTS LUXURY TAX
Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcón introduced a motion asking several City departments to research, calculate and report on a Luxury Tax which shall be levied on mansion owners in Los Angeles with homes over 5,000 square feet.
The motion asks for a report on multiple alternatives on the ways the Luxury Tax can be assessed and a legal description of each type of tax.
"We live in a city with an increasing divide between haves and have-nots, with a small number of our residents living luxurious lifestyles while the vast majority are bracing for a worsening economy and struggling to make ends meet,” said Alarcón.
“Fortunately, many Angelenos have been incredibly blessed, and a Luxury Tax is the opportunity for them to give back to their community for the city services and resources they receive.”
The motion instructs the report be brought back to the Budget and Finance Committee for further review within 30 days. _
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 38
Pub: May 9, 2008
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