Tom Commends GLAZA

Councilmember LaBonge thanking GLAZA for its commitment to the Los Angeles Zoo with (l-r) Zoo Director John Lewis; Elephant Keeper Don Aguirre(partially obscured); GLAZA Executive Director Connie Morgan; Zoo Benefactor Laura Wasserman; the Zoo's Chief Veterinarian Dr. Curtis Eng and Zoo Asst. Director Denise Verret.

Councilmember LaBonge commended the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) for committing to donate $14.5 million to the Pachyderm Forest Exhibit, which has been the subject of City Council debate for several weeks. Councilmember LaBonge has supported the $42 million elephant exhibit, which is under construction at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The zoo attracts 1.6 million visitors each year and is located in Griffith Park.
“We must educate our children about elephant conservation and the best way to do that is through the zoo,” the Councilmember said. “We’re committed to giving the city the best elephant exhibit we can and GLAZA is making an outstanding contribution to make that happen.”
GLAZA’s announcement increases the organization’s commitment to the exhibit to almost $20 million. It had already raised $4.5 million for the elephant project. The other $22 million in the project’s budget comes from voter-approved city and county bond measures.
The elephant exhibit became the subject of debate recently when another councilmember proposed closing down construction and moving the zoo’s sole elephant to an unspecified elephant sanctuary. The public does not have viewing access to sanctuaries, which are privately operated.
After the GLAZA announcement on December 3rd, the Council voted to suspend construction on the project and send the item back to the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee, chaired by Mr. LaBonge. The motion directs the committee to identify alternative funding options and bring the item back to the full Council by January 24, 2009.
The motion also instructs the City Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst to explore options for privatizing the zoo.

Councilmembers Cut Ribbon on Vermont Triangle Streetscape

Pictured (L to R): SLO Gina Chovan; CMs LaBonge & Garcetti; Nyla Arslanian, Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council; Project Architect Pat Smith.

Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Tom LaBonge joined city officials and community members at a celebratory ribbon-cutting for the Vermont Triangle, which adds landscaping, seating and lighting to the busy intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Vermont Ave. This $800,000 streetscape project, funded and managed by the Community Redevelopment Agency, took six months to complete.

“The trees, masonry wall and seating transform a bland concrete traffic triangle into a welcoming entryway to the Los Feliz business district,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “Small projects like this add a lot to a community. I commend the Los Feliz Business Improvement District for working with the city to make this happen.”

Added Council President Garcetti: “As a community, we are placing a high value on making our neighborhoods walkable. These improvements have transformed a gray cement triangle median into a nice place for pedestrians. The project is the result of the community working in partnership with city government and demonstrates how we can improve our city, corner-by-corner, block-by-block, neighborhood-by-neighborhood.”

The Vermont Triangle streetscape project is intended to help make the neighborhood more pedestrian-friendly. The Los Feliz Business Improvement District has committed to maintaining Vermont Triangle as a gateway to Los Feliz Village.

“Today's ribbon cutting for Barnsdall Park Transit Oriented District, also known as Vermont Triangle, has been a long time in the works but we are pleased to finally see the project completed,” said Leslie Lambert, CRA/LA Regional Administrator for the Hollywood/ Central area. “Most importantly, we are glad to be a partner in providing a safe and environmentally friendly area for commuters taking the Metro Red line and Buses.”

John Marshall H.S. Retires LaBonge Jersey

Councilmember LaBonge holding his retired jersey, number 50, with Marshall High School football coach Andy Moran (right) while Principal Dan Harrison (left) looks on.

At its 77th homecoming football game on Friday night, John Marshall High School retired Councilmember Tom LaBonge's #50 jersey in a brief ceremony after the coin toss.
The Councilmember played center and was team captain during his senior year in the 1970-71 season. Officials at his alma mater surprised him with the presentation at the game. Tom was also named Distinguished Alumni of the Year as the school's alumni association celebrated its 30th anniversary.
"Tom embodies everything we hope a Barrister will be," said Lead English Teacher Joanna Erdos, the school's alumni organizer. "He has worked tirelessly on behalf of his alma mater and is proud to be a Marshall Barrister." Friday's game was also the last one played on Boyd Field before a major expansion of the field and Haynes Stadium. Councilmember LaBonge had been instrumental in allocating over $1 million in City Prop K Funds for this project. (Marshall unfortunately lost the football game to Wilson High School, 39-25.)

Pachyderm Forest Exhibit Affirmed

More than 100 people attended yesterday's hearing before the City Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee, which Councilmember LaBonge chairs.

Councilmember LaBonge presided over a three-hour public hearing on Thursday regarding the fate of the $40 million Pachyderm Forest Exhibit that is under construction at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Councilmember Tony Cardenas had introduced motions to close the exhibit to create the country's first municipal elephant sanctuary in the San Fernando Valley.
The hearing was before the City Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee, which Councilmember LaBonge chairs. The committee heard testimony from more than 50 members of the public on both sides of the issue, as well as city officials, scientists and national zoo experts.
The committee recommended that the City Council deny the Cardenas motions and continue construction of the Pachyderm Forest Exhibit. The exhibit is about 25 percent complete.
For more information on that exhibit,
click here.

Refugee Camp in Griffith Park

Councilmember LaBonge hands a loaf of pumpkin bread to Denisse Reyes, coordinator of the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) “A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City.”

Councilmember LaBonge welcomed a refugee camp exhibit to Griffith Park today. The international medical organization, Doctors Without Borders, set up the camp to educate the public about the plight of 42 million displaced people world wide. "I commend the noble work that Doctors Without Borders is doing around the world," the Councilmember said. "I am glad to see so many Los Angeles school children visiting the camp." About 600 Los Angeles students per day will visit the camp exhibit, which will be in Griffith Park until Monday, Oct. 27.

Tom Voices Support for Pachyderm Forest

Councilmember LaBonge standing before the Los Angeles Zoo's new $39 million elephant exhibit.

Councilmember LaBonge joined Los Angeles Zoo Director John Lewis and Hollywood Legend Betty White in voicing support for the zoo's $39 million Pachyderm Forest Exhibit.
At a press conference in front of the construction project, which is about 30 percent complete, the three discussed the benefits of the 6-acre space. "This will be a state-of-the-art elephant exhibit and one of the largest in the country," the councilmember said. "So many of us in modern society are, on a fundamental level, disconnected from nature. Nothing can help us understand the plight of elephants world-wide better than seeing a real live elephant up close. This is a facility we are proud to build in a zoo that represents the best of Los Angeles."
The zoo's only pachyderm, an Asian elephant named Billy, will move into his new home within two weeks. The rest of the construction, which includes a dunking pool, a waterfall and a variety of surfaces to promote foot and joint care, will be completed while he inhabits the space. For more information on the exhibit, click here. The exhibit was funded through private and public sources.

Councilman Swears in Rangers on Horseback

Councilmember LaBonge swearing-in the new LA Park Ranger Mounted Patrol.

Councilmember LaBonge officiated at a swearing in ceremony for two new members of the Griffith Park ranger team on Wednesday and one of them tried to eat the microphone while taking his oath. Horses Sherman and Wilbur were sworn in to the Los Angeles Park Ranger Mounted Patrol Unit, which was revived through a grant to the new Los Angeles Parks Foundation.
The foundation was established to raise private funds for the city's public parks. Barry Sanders, president of the Recreation and Parks Commission, also serves as president of the foundation. The mounted patrol team was funded through a donation from foundation boardmember Priscilla Tamkin. The horse, ridden by rangers Ryan Bernaldo and Arcelia Rosas, participated in a brief ceremony at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Griffith Park.
"Rangers on horseback will be able to provide quick service to even the remotest areas of the park," Councilmember LaBonge said. "They are a great addition to the ranger staff."

Student Safety on the Radar Screen

Councilmember LaBonge speaks to student journalists at Thomas Starr King Middle School on International Walk to School Day.

Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Tom LaBonge joined students at Thomas Starr King Middle School today to promote walking to school safely.
Pedestrian safety has been a concern for the King school community, especially since several accidents last Spring and Summer. Today, they made a concerted effort to walk instead of drive to school.
“Ever since I was elected seven years ago, I’ve wanted to slow the traffic down and make this area safer for kids walking to King Middle School, which is my alma mater,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “Educating students on how to be safe is a first big step in this process and I’m very glad we’re doing that.”
“When I was a kid, most kids in California walked to school. Today, that number is down to just 15 percent. We need to create neighborhoods where every kid feels safe walking to school and that’s what we’re here to celebrate today,” said Council President Eric Garcetti.

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