Hit-and-Run Claims Life of Beloved Nun. We Must Do Better, Los Angeles.
On Sunday, Raquel Diaz, a sister with the Los Angeles Archdiocese, succumbed to her injuries. She was seventy years old.
December 28, 2015
Today in Exide: Residential Clean-up Phase 2, Draft Closure Plan for Vernon Facility
Last week, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) began a second round of clean-ups of lead-contaminated soil in the residential areas around Exide Technologies' now-shuttered lead-acid battery recycling facility. The Vernon plant and serial violator of environmental regulations cut a deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in March, 2015, to close up shop in exchange for avoiding criminal prosecution. As part of the closure process, Exide must clean up toxic waste at its former facility as well as lead-contaminated soil at residences, schools, and parks surrounding the plant.
December 10, 2015
Well-Intended Proposal to Shame “Johns” Using License Plate Readers Could End up Shaming Entire Communities in South L.A., Valley
In the excitement of seeing the City Council rescind its vote on an amended Mobility Plan 2035 and re-adopt the plan in its draft form just before Thanksgiving, I managed to miss another item on the Council agenda from Councilmember Nury Martinez: a motion requesting that "the City Attorney report on issuing John Letters to the registered owners of vehicles that are seen driving around in high-prostitution areas in the City."
December 2, 2015
Terms of Art: Boyle Heights Youth Rally against Being Columbused by the New York Times
Speaking about her new 35,000 square foot gallery space, located in the western industrial edge of Boyle Heights, art dealer Michele Maccarone told the New York Times, “It still has a dangerous quality — I kind of like that. I like that we spent a fortune on security.”
November 16, 2015
South L.A. Residents Deliver Message to Council Re: Mobility Plan 2035
Tuesday afternoon, a special joint meeting of the Planning and Land Use Management and Transportation Committees will be held to, first, "consider a Motion to rescind the August 11, 2015 Resolution adopting the Mobility Plan 2035 as amended by the City Council," and, second, "adopt a Resolution adopting the draft Mobility Plan 2035 as considered and recommended by the City Planning Commission and the Mayor on May 28, 2015 and June 5, 2015, respectively." [Full text of motion is here.]
November 10, 2015
Equity Advocates Discuss Needs of “Invisible” Cyclists on HuffPost Live
Last week, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University published a story declaring that "Most Cyclists Are Working-Class Immigrants, Not Hipsters."
November 5, 2015
The Rail-to-(Almost)-River Project Gets Boost with $15mil TIGER Grant
"[Let's give] a big round of applause for Victor Mendez. He brought money," quipped County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas. Turning to Deputy Secretary of Transportation Mendez, he continued, "Come back soon and come back often!"
November 2, 2015
Exhausted by Bus Commute, LA Mobility Advocate Decides to Buy Car
What was I writing about, a woman wanted to know.
October 29, 2015
South L.A. Town Hall Ends in Protests but Residents Hope Dialogue with Mayor Is Just Beginning
Really? A helicopter?? I sighed as I heard the aircraft swoop in low and fast outside Holman United Methodist Church Monday night as Mayor Eric Garcetti's first ever South L.A. Town Hall came to a rather unceremonious close.
October 22, 2015