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 [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

#  An Earthquake and an Election

Written by Tony Butka.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Oct-2025/081c.jpg)

October 09 2025

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EASTSIDER - First, let’s deal with the Earthquake, and then the Politics.

Just like last year, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council is providing the opportunity to feel how terrifying a 7.5 quake would be like, courtesy of a real Earthquake Simulator.

I think that after the experience of the simulator, everyone will have a new view of what the real thing would be like and how it would be. Also, I’m betting that most of us have no clue as to next steps.

They will also be covering Disaster and Fire Prevention.

This Saturday, October 11, from 10am to 2pm you can find out by going to the Highland Park Senior Center. After a meeting with Caroline Aguirre this week, she made a believer out of me, and I will be taking notes on such basic questions as emergency plans, supply kits, and where and how to actually turn off gas and water.

Again, October 11 at the Highland Park Senior Center, from 10am-2pm. Hope I’ll see some of you there.

The politicians

This LA City Election cycle has all the top Citywide positions of Mayor, City Attorney, and. Controller Citywide Offices up, as a majority of the City Council are up for reelection.

First, in the Citywide Group who are up, we have:

Mayor - Karen Bass

City Attorney - Hydee Feldstein Soto

Controller - Kenneth Mejia are all seeking reelection

As to the Council Districts group, we have a majority:

CD1 - Eunisses Hernandez

CD3 - Bob Blumenfield

CD5 - Katy Young Yaroslavsky

CD7 - Monica Rodriguez

CD9 - Curren D. Price Jr.

CD11 - Traci Park

CD13 - Hugo Soto-Martinez

CD 15 -Tim McOsker

We will see who the challengers are, who’s going to make it to the runoffs, and just maybe who doesn’t have a challenger.

***(Tony Butka** is a veteran Eastside community activist with decades of experience in Los Angeles civic life. He has served on a neighborhood council and worked extensively within local government, bringing deep knowledge of policy, budgeting, and urban planning to his advocacy. As a regular contributor to CityWatchLA, Butka offers sharp commentary on city politics, development, and grassroots issues. His writing reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and amplifying the voices of historically underserved communities.)*

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