Councilmember Protects Arts Centers
The City Council approved Tom's motion to allow city art centers to receive funding through the existing Public Works Improvements Art Program. This program requires that one percent of the total cost of all construction, improvement or remodeling work for each public works capital improvement project undertaken by the City be deposited into the Arts and Cultural Facilities Trust Fund.
Until now, arts centers did not receive money from this fund.
The Councilmember, who chairs the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee, held a series of hearings over the past two weeks on funding cuts to libraries, parks and arts programming.
This was one of the legislative initiatives the Councilmember proposed to try to preserve programming without additional money from the City's general fund.
Sixth CD4 Schools Collaborative
Councilmember LaBonge welcomed principals, teachers and parents from throughout the district to his 6th Schools Collaborative yesterday. These mini-conferences are designed to help schools learn about city services at their disposal and exchange great ideas among themselves.
"I don't want to run the schools; I want to help the schools," the Councilmember said. "We're all tightening our belts right now. It's more important than ever that we work together to provide a strong education in a safe environment for the children of Los Angeles."
The meeting, which was held at the Amelia Earhart Branch Library in North Hollywood, covered environmental programs available to schools, including the Wildwoods Foundation outdoors programs and Teacher Jay Benoit's environmental studies class at John Marshall High School.
For more information about the Schools Collaborative program, contact Brigid LaBonge, a volunteer education deputy in Council District 4.
Be Counted in the 2010 Census
Councilmember LaBonge joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Controller Wendy Greuel and Councilmembers Jan Perry and Bernard Parks in sending their census forms in this week. At a press conference in City Hall, the city representatives urged residents to fill out the easy-to-use forms. The federal government uses census data to determine funding needs. If you want to see roads re-surfaced and new transit lines built, fill out your census form and send it in. For more information, click here.
Arts District Rail Initiative Moves Forward
Metro's Planning and Programming Committee unanimously directed its staff today to study the feasibility of Councilmember LaBonge's proposal to extend the Red and Purple subway lines to the Downtown Arts District.
While temporarily appointed to a seat on the Metro Board last month, Councilmember LaBonge took the opportunity to press for the line extension that he has long believed would help to revitalize this evolving neighborhood.
The extension would capitalize on an existing rail spur to the Red Line maintenance yard, which is situated in that area. It would therefore require no new tunneling or track installation.
Several members of the public spoke in favor of the Councilmember's proposal, saying that the area now boasts more than 5,000 residents, 60 restaurants and cafes, as well as theaters, retail stores and schools.
Metro staff will report back within 90 days on the proposal.
Love a Library
About 100 public school third graders and their parents visited the Central Library downtown on Saturday as part of Councilmember LaBonge's Love a Library program.
The students from Los Feliz, Lankershim and Vine Street elementary schools were treated to a puppet show, story reading and tour of the grand library on 5th St. Many of the students had never been to Downtown Los Angeles before and marveled at the tall buildings and pretty library garden.
The event was organized by the Fourth Council District, which also provided buses for transportation. It was designed to encourage reading at a critical point in the students' academic careers. Studies indicate that students who read at grade level by the end of third grade are more likely to graduate from high school.
"I don't want to run the schools; I want to help the schools and their communities," said Councilmember LaBonge. "I want to support and encourage activities that will help the students and schools succeed."
Pies for the Peak
Hollywood stars, community groups and Beachwood Canyon residents contributed to Councilmember LaBonge's effort to expand Griffith Park by acquiring Cahuenga Peak, a 138- acre parcel to the west of the Hollywood sign.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), which is the City's partner in this campaign, announced $3 million in donations from Hollywood studios and individuals. In Beachwood Canyon, residents raised a quick $1,800 for the effort by selling home-baked "Pies for the Peak" at the Beachwood Market. The Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council also pledged $5,000 to the effort.
Councilmember LaBonge and the Trust for Public Land must raise $12.5 million by April 14th in an agreement with the land owners. They have raised $9.45 million from public and private sources so far. For more information about the Save the Peak campaign, please click here.
Among the Hollywood donors were the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, CBS Corporation, The Entertainment Industry Foundation, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the Lucasfilm Foundation, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Steven Spielberg, Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Time Warner Inc., and The Walt Disney Company Foundation. Other Hollywood leaders to contribute include Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, and Norman Lear.
The "Pies for the Peak" event, organized by Beachwood residents Elaine Michaels, Betty Petitt and other neighborhood leaders.
“Thank you to all of the people who have made donations," Councilmember LaBonge said. "You are truly Hollywood stars. Together, we will reach our goal."
Marshall High School Track Classic
Councilmember LaBonge and NFL Hall of Fame Cornerback Mike Haynes cheered on their alma mater John Marshall High School during the first meet on its brand new track.
Six Los Angeles high schools - Marshall, Franklin, Belmont, Eagle Rock, Bernstein and Bravo - competed in the Northern League Track and Field Classic, the culminating event in the week-long celebration of the new facility. The blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony were held on Monday.
Councilmember LaBonge was an all-league center and captain of the John Marshall High Barristers football team in 1970. Haynes, who had a distinguished career in college and professional football, was his teammate.
Mr. LaBonge had been wanting a new track since his school days because the original track was too short when the school opened in the 1930s. All races had to be adjusted to accommodate the odd size. The track was completed in a joint venture between the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Red Flag Goes Up on Broken Meters
Councilmember LaBonge pressed the Department of Transportation this week to be fair during this difficult economy and avoid ticketing cars that are parked at broken meters.
"Now, the Department of Transportation says the policy is to not issue tickets at failed meters, but the public says something else," the Councilmember said. "We've already raised the parking rates. I want to make sure that we're not unfairly ticketing people, too."
The Councilmember, after raising this issue on the Council floor several times, introduced a motion requesting that the department clarify its policy on this point. At a hearing before the Council's Transportation Committee this week, Amir Sedadi, assistant general manager of the Transportation Department, said that "the policy of the Department of Transportation is not to issue any citations to broken meters."
In some instances, however, broken meters somehow begin working again and cars are ticketed.
Mr. LaBonge encouraged residents to contact their councilmembers if they feel they were ticketed in error and did not receive relief through the regular adjudication process.
Sections
Archives
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
