Don't Feed Coyotes
Councilmember LaBonge installed the first "Don't Feed Coyotes" sign in Griffith Park today.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge issued a warning today to anyone heading into Griffith Park - or any other wilderness recreation area - over the long Thanksgiving holiday: Don’t Feed the Coyotes. This afternoon, he posted the first new sign in a series urging park users NOT to feed the wildlife.
"Griffith Park is over 4,200 acres, and it is home to many coyotes," Mr. LaBonge said. "Some people throw food out their car windows and watch the coyotes come down the hill to eat. They think they’re helping them, but they’re not.”
The signs are being posted after two people were bitten in Griffith Park in separate incidents in September. Wildlife experts say that coyotes are not dangerous animals and do not usually approach humans unless they’ve been fed by them. It is illegal to feed predatory wildlife in the City of Los Angeles. (L.A.M.C. Sec. 53.06.5)
The California Department of Fish and Game surveys estimate that there are 250,000 to 750,000 coyotes throughout California. Wildlife experts warn the public not to attempt to pet or otherwise make contact with them. Coyotes are wild animals and should be treated as such. If a coyote approaches you, wave your arms and shout in a low, loud tone. Throw objects at the coyote while maintaining eye contact. Make yourself look as big as possible; if you are wearing a jacket open it up like a cape. If possible go towards active or populated areas but do not turn your back on the coyote.
Also on hand with the Councilmember were Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks Asst. GM Kevin Regan and Capt. Wendell Bowers, Los Angeles Dept. of Animal Services.
Code 3 for a Cure
Councilmember LaBonge, Lorenzo Abundiz and Frank Borden hold up a t-shirt signed by every fire captain on a 16,000-mile cross-country journey that raised awareness about cancer among firefighters.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge and other city fire officials welcomed a crew of firefighters back to Los Angeles on Monday, after their trans-continental journey in a fire engine to raise awareness about the prevalence of cancer within this profession. The firefighters arrived home to the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial at 11 a.m. on Monday.
"These are the people who go into fires and protect the homes and lives of everyone in Los Angeles," Councilmember LaBonge said."They never know when they go into a building what chemicals will be in there or how they could be harmed."
The firefighters departed from Los Angeles on September 15th for a 16,000-mile trek throughout the U.S. and Canada, visiting fire houses along the way and meeting with firefighters who have suffered from the illness.
Lorenzo Abundiz, President and Founder of Code 3 for a Cure, was once awarded the California State Firefighters' Association Medal of Valor. He was forced into medical retirement after 26 years because of leiomyosarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer.
“This has been an incredible journey,” Abundiz said. “We feel we’ve made an big impact in the war against cancer by encouraging early cancer screenings for the firefighters throughout the U.S. and Canada.”
YMCA Funding Approved
The Board of the Community Redevelopment Agency approved a $6 million "owner participation agreement" for construction of the Wilshire YMCA on Oxford Avenue in the Wilshire Center/Koreatown area. Councilmember LaBonge, a longtime supporter of this much-needed project, praised the board for its decision.
"This YMCA will bring a wide range of recreational opportunities to the most densely populated section of Los Angeles," the Councilman said. "The attractive building, which incorporates many green-building features, will further revitalize an area that got a big boost from the beautiful Charles H. Kim Elementary School next door."
When completed, the 2-story 32,000 square foot comprehensive full facility (with a parking structure for 150+ cars) will involve between 10-12,000 men, women and children every year in one of L.A.'s most underserved neighborhoods. The new YMCA's proximity to Kim Elementary offers many opportunities for programmatic synergies.
The "owner participation agreement," which is the largest single capital grant ever received by a YMCA in Los Angeles, was based on the organization's promise to operate a YMCA at this location.
Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to complete this agreement. The City Council will hear the item soon.
Tom's 12th Community Congress
City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and Councilmember LaBonge at a Community Congress in Hollywood.
Fulfilling his promise to bring government to the people, Councilmember LaBonge hosted his 12th Community Congress in eight years last night. The gathering featured City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who took office in July and LAPD Captain Bea Girmala, commanding officer of the Hollywood Division.
About 75 people attended the four-hour meeting. It started with a workshop on the new city permitting procedures for block parties and special events. Click here for the online special event permit application.
Mr. Trutanich reviewed the city's recent litigation progress on billboards and medical marijuana dispensaries. He said that since he took office, his lawyers have won 28 cases in a row.
Silver Lake Checks Out New Library
Councilmember LaBonge holds up a copy of "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel," by Virginia Lee Burton, one of 13 books he donated to the new Silver Lake Library today.
Hundreds of Silver Lakers and a host of public officials turned out today to celebrate the grand opening of the much-anticipated new Silver Lake library on Glendale Boulevard. Councilmember LaBonge presented 13 of his favorite books to librarian Melissa Potter, since the building is situated in the 13th Council District, across the street from District 4.
"When I was growing up in Silver Lake, my mother used to take us eight boys all the way to Hollywood to go to the library because our neighborhood didn't have one," the Councilmember said. "This is a beautiful new facility in a great neighborhood that has waited a long time for this day."
The $12 million facility is the final project in the library department's massive $335-million bond construction program that began 20 years ago and included the building of 73 new libraries throughout the city. The Silver Lake branch boasts an environmentally friendly modernist design and cutting-edge library technology.
For more information about the library location and hours, click here.
Silver Lake Boulevard Underpass Cleaned
A pedestrian approaches the underpass while it is being cleaned and scoured by crews from several agencies including Council District 4.
To dispell years of mounting litter and grime, Council District 4's Beautification team spent hours one recent afternoon cleaning the walkways along the Silver Lake Boulevard underpass beneath Sunset Boulevard. This project was one of several clean-up efforts that the beautification crew has been doing district-wide.
The Council Office staff worked with the Los Angeles Police Department give the homeless people living in the underpass referrals to agencies that could offer them assistance.
They then went in with workers from Clean and Green and the Hollywood Beautification Team to rake up trash, steam clean sidewalks and paint out graffiti. To see before and after photos, click here.
The effort was part of the Councilman's "Broken Window" initiative. Studies show that areas that are clean of debris and graffiti tend to be free of crime as well.
Take a Ride on the Gold Line Extension
These decorative canopies provide shade on the platform at the East L.A. Civic Center Station.
This week, Councilmember LaBonge and staff toured the Metro Gold Line's new Eastside Extension, which will celebrate its grand opening with FREE RIDES on Sunday, Nov. 15th, 9a-5p.
The six-mile light-rail line stretches from Union Station downtown to Atlantic St. in East Los Angeles. The grand opening festivities will include live music, farmers markets and food booths at several stations along the route. For more information, please click here.
Councilmember LaBonge is a big supporter of transit and was instrumental in reviving plans for a Metro subway line under Wilshire Blvd. from Western Ave. to the ocean. For more information on that project, click here.
The Berlin Wall Topples on Wilshire Boulevard
In a dramatic re-enactment of the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago, more than 800 Los Angeles residents gathered on Wilshire Boulevard at midnight last night to tear down a replica of that infamous symbol of the Cold War era.
Councilmember LaBonge, the City of Los Angeles and the Wende Museum of Culver City (and many others) sponsored The Wall Project, which involved erecting a temporary wall across the boulevard in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
"This is what's great about living in a big city like Los Angeles - coming together to celebrate history in a meaningful event like this one," said Councilmember LaBonge, who had been in Berlin just two months before people - regular citizens - began destroying the wall on Nov. 9, 2009 in a historic event with worldwide political implications.
At midnight, the Councilmember joined German Consul General Wolfgang Drautz, artists Shepard Fairey and Kent Twitchell and Wende Executive Director Justin Jampol and many others in dismantling the temporary wall. To see photos of the dramatic moment, click here.
“This is an important event to commemorate a historic
milestone… to remember the more than 200 people who died trying to cross the Berlin Wall from East to
West... and to reflect upon the real and imagined
divisions in our city, our nation, and our globe,”
said Mr. Jampol of the Wende.
Four pieces of the original Berlin Wall will remain on public display at 5900 Wilshire Blvd. through the end of 2009.
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