Charles H. Kim Graduation
Councilmember Tom LaBonge gave the commencement address at the Charles H. Kim Elementary School Culmination Ceremony last Thursday.
"Education is so important," Councilmember LaBonge said. "This marks the first of many academic achievements for these students and it's necessary that we as a community cheer them on every step of the way."
Three student speakers recalled fond memories of their years in elementary school, including the Griffith Park Hike and tree-planting organized by Councilmember LaBonge. Students presented the Councilmember with a commemorative picture, framed by hand-written notes about their professional aspirations.
Charles H. Kim Elementary School was the first public school in Los Angeles named for a Korean-American. The school has achieved federal "No Child Left Behind" ranking and has exceeded the minimum California State Academic Performance Index (API) score.
A Place at the Table for Food Trucks
In an attempt to address issues surrounding the boom in food trucks in Los Angeles, Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced two motions to create specific parking areas for food trucks outside of commercially zoned areas, study how other municipalities have worked to integrate the new trend successfully and establish fines for trucks that repeatedly violate city and county codes.
The Councilmember’s motions, which were seconded by Fifth District Councilmember Paul Koretz, respond to the limited parking space in Los Angeles. Residents and merchants complain that the trucks prevent the public from using parking spaces and that customers often block the sidewalk and leave litter behind. There is also concerned about the oversized vehicles.
“I’m not against the catering trucks,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “My concern is that metered parking was installed as a solution to the limited public parking in business district. We need to find a place for these trucks to park so they don’t interfere with the flow of personal vehicles through a shopping district.”
In high-traffic business centers, like the Miracle Mile on Wilshire Boulevard and on Hollywood Boulevard, lunch trucks line the street in one-hour, metered parking. When the hour is over, the owners stay parked, absorbing the resulting ticket as part of their business expense. The Department of Transportation has a policy to issue only one ticket per violation per day.
Councilmember LaBonge has requested an investigation into the possibility of creating a designated parking area for the gourmet trucks. Both motions are attached and have been referred Transportation Committee for further review.
Community meetings will be held to discuss this issue further. To read the two motions, click here.
Baxter Bioscience Expands
Councilmember LaBonge joined Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa yesterday in announcing that biotechnology company Baxter Bioscience will invest $400 million in their Los Angeles Manufacturing Plant. The plant, which is located in the North Atwater section of the 4th Council District, provides 1,200 jobs with an average annual salary of $79,400.
The Baxter decision was largely due to a recent announcement regarding Los Angeles’ State Enterprise Zone (SEZ) approval.
"This is great news for the City of Los Angeles and the fourth district," said Councilmember LaBonge. "The City of Los Angeles is doing everything possible to retain companies with strong worldwide reputations like Baxter."
Baxter developed teh first commercially manufactured intravenous (IV) solutions and teh first portable kidney dialysis machine. For the fifth consecutive year, Baxter has been recognized as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, an internationally recognized investment research and advisory firm.
Councilmember LaBonge Celebrates Additions to Frances Blend School for the Visually Handicapped
Councilmember LaBonge presents a certificate to students at the Frances Blend School for the Visually Handicapped
Councilmember LaBonge joined members of the community on Thursday in welcoming a new, sensory-stimulating addition to the campus of the Frances Blend School for the Visually Handicapped. The Imaginarium, a sensory wall, was dedicated as a final chapter in two years of improvements.
“These enhancements will enrich the lives of Frances Blend’s very special students,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “I can think of no greater cause than our children and I want to thank the organizations who united for their benefit.”
The Windsor Square Hancock Park Historical Society (WSHPHS) chose Frances Blend School as the beneficiary of their Garden Tour fundraising effort in 2008. Since then, aromatic gardens in planters donated by Paramount Pictures were installed, and the Wilshire Lions Club focused on a beautification project for the chain-link fence.
During the Imaginarium dedication ceremony, Councilmember LaBonge was treated to a special performance by the school children. Representatives from WSHPHS, Paramount Pictures and the Wilshire Lions Club also attended.
Councilmember LaBonge Commends Thai Airways on 50 Years of Service
Members of the Thai-American community join Councilmember LaBonge in congratulating Thai Airways.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge was joined by the office of Council President Eric Garcetti at Thailand Plaza in Hollywood to congratulate Thai Airways on their 50th anniversary on Thursday. Thai Airways General Manager Sutsveta Svetasobhana was on hand to accept a Los Angeles City Council resolution congratulating the airline on 50 successful years since its founding on May 1, 1960.
“It’s an honor to celebrate with Thai Airways on their 50th anniversary,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “The City of Angels is a major attraction for Thai vacationers and we commend Thai Airways for providing service from Bangkok to Los Angeles all these years.”
Tourism is the second largest industry in Los Angeles, and Los Angeles International Airport is the world’s fifth-busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, according to LA INC., the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. Much of this passenger traffic comes from Asia, including nearly 80,000 travelers from Thailand in 2008.
Councilmember LaBonge Applauds Upgrades at DeLongpre Park
Councilmember LaBonge with City Engineer Gary Lee Moore celebrated with members of the community
The Department of Recreation and Parks accompanied Councilmember Tom LaBonge in celebrating momentous improvements at DeLongpre Park in Hollywood. A new fenced-in play area and a well-lit walkway are among the many welcomed improvements for park visitors.
“We’ve been working to revitalize the spirit of this park,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “The playground and new walkway will engage members of the community and make it a focal point of the neighborhood.”
Deteriorating asphalt and poorly lit walkways at the park have long been a subject of concern for surrounding residents. Councilmember LaBonge, the Department of Recreation and Parks and the design staff at Architectural Division of the Bureau of Engineering in the Department of Public Works shared a vision to highlight the natural beauty of the park while creating a secure area for children and walkers. New landscaping and perimeter fencing were also part of the renovation.
The Tale of the Two Cities’ Street: The Resurfacing of Burbank and Los Angeles’ Clybourn Avenue
Councilmember LaBonge with Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke and members of the Department of Public Works.
Councilmember LaBonge joined celebrating residents and city officials at the launch of the Clybourn Avenue street repaving on Thursday. Donning hard hats decorated with City of Los Angeles and City of Burbank emblems, the Councilmember praised the cooperative efforts to resurface the street that joins the Toluca Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles and the City of Burbank.
From the north end of Riverside Drive to its southern terminus of Toluca Lake Avenue, Clybourn Avenue was riddled with asphalt deterioration and patchwork fixes. Councilmember LaBonge worked with the City of Burbank to address the wear and tear. The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services will repair the street beginning Thursday and the City of Burbank will foot the bill for the next resurfacing.
“I promised two things during my campaign,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “I promised to bring the government to the people of this City and I promised to repave Clybourn Avenue. It’s been a long road to fix this street, but we’ve finally conquered Clybourn thanks to the teamwork between our two cities.”
Councilmember LaBonge was joined by Board of Public Works Commissioner, Andrea Alarcon, Bureau of Street Services Director, William A. Robertson and Assistant Directors, Nazario Sauceda and Ron Olive. Burbank Mayor Anja Reinke and City Manager Michael Flad also shared in the celebration.
"The Clybourn Avenue resurfacing project is an outstanding example of collaboration between two nearby cities working together to enhance the quality of life for all residents of the region," said William Robertson, Director of the Bureau of Street Services. "We are pleased to participate in this important project and acknowledge the City of Burbank for its partnership with us.”
Councilmember and His Wife Walk for a Cure
Councilmember Tom LaBonge accompanied his wife, Brigid, and members of the Griffith Park community in an overnight walk to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and education. The event began on Saturday at 9 a.m. and ended Sunday at 9 a.m.
Mrs. LaBonge, the Relay for Life Griffith Park Communities Chair, is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and has worked tirelessly since then to educate the public about the disease that will victimize over 150,000 Californians this year, according to The American Cancer Society estimates.
"Despite the recent economic struggle, it’s important for us to remember that people are still getting sick. Those of us who are healthy need to continue to work to help raise money for education, advocacy and research to end the scourge of this horrible disease," said Brigid LaBonge, chair of the event. She has been cancer-free for four years.
“I thank God every day for my wife, and I pray for everyone who has lost their loved ones to this horrible disease,” the Councilmember said. “The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. It’s time we found a cure.”
Throughout the day, participants and their families enjoyed food, games and music. The American Cancer Society also provided cancer education. The fundraiser was underscored by a nighttime ceremony for cancer victims, survivors and their families who placed luminaria to light the walking path beginning at the historic Mulholland Fountain. Mike Maldonado, the ceremony speaker, recounted his experience losing his daughter, Julisa, to cancer.
The event raised $21,000 and counting. Donations will be accepted through August 31, 2010. For more information or to donate, please visit www.RelayForLife.org/GriffithParkCA.
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