Vote No on Prop 16
Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Janice Hahn joined City Council President Pro Tem Jan Perry on the steps of City Hall to urge the public to vote “no” on Proposition 16, one of the most hotly contested measures on California’s June 8th ballot.
“Proposition 16 will only hurt the people of California. On average, publicly-owned utilities, like Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, charge 15-20% less than the big energy companies.,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “It’s a sneaky maneuver from PG&E to limit industry competition so the people will effectively be cut off from the less expensive electricity provided by government.”
After noting that PG&E spent $50 million on a campaign to sway voters to vote in favor of the proposition, Councilmember Hahn called the Prop 16 campaign “misleading.” Ms. Perry said that an independent analysis found the measure would also hamper the development of renewable energy.
Beastly Ball on June 19th
Top Los Angeles chefs fed an unusual family today: gorillas at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. The primates munched on watermelon and veggies to promote the zoo's 40th Annual fundraiser, the Beastly Ball.
Councilmember LaBonge joined zoo officials in front of the Western lowland gorilla habitat to promote the event, which will be held on June 19th at 6 p.m.
This year's honoree is actress Betty White, who has been a dedicated zoo volunteer for 46 years. For more information about this fun event, click here.
Happy Memorial Day!
Councilmember LaBonge presented the Presidential Proclamation at the Memorial Day ceremony Monday at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood. The event, attended by hundreds of veterans and their families, included a keynote speech by Lt.Col. Kurt Schlichter; bagpipers playing "Amazing Grace" and a military band performing the anthem of each branch of the U.S. military.
Councilmember LaBonge was proud to read the Proclamation issued by President Barak Obama, Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The event ended with Forest Lawn distributing ice cream sandwiches to all attendees.
LaBonge Ordinance Preserves Hillside Neighborhoods
The City Planning Commission approved Councilmember LaBonge's proposal to preserve the scale of hillside neighborhoods by limiting the over-sized expansion, or mansionization, of homes.
The measure, which establishes new formulas to limit the mass of hillside homes to keep them in line with the surrounding neighborhood, had been developed over the past four years. To see the proposed ordinance, click here.
After a very long public hearing, the Planning Commission unanimously approved this
ordinance. The Planning and Land Use Committee is expected to hear the ordinance in June; it will be heard by the full Council some time in July.
Councilmember Applauds Decision on Oversized Signage
Councilmember LaBonge applauded the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision upholding the city's ban on new supergraphic signage throughout Los Angeles.
The Court upheld the City's 2002 ban on any new off-site and supergraphic signs, which had been violated by several companies.
The decision, which reverses a decision by U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins two years ago, also upheld the city's right to create special districts where supergraphics are appropriate to the character of the neighborhood, such as the existing Hollywood sign district.
"I'm pleased and proud of the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office for ultimately prevailing in this case," said Councilmember LaBonge. "This is a victory for people who don't want 40-foot high signs outside their kitchen windows. I'm not against supergraphics; they're terrific in the appropriate locations. This decision allows the city that flexibility."
Third Annual City Employee Memorial
Councilmember Tom LaBonge is joined by representatives from the Los Angeles’ police department, fire department, the Department of Water and Power and the Department of Transportation for the City Employee Memorial at Fire Station 27, May 27, 8:30 a.m. In correlation to the national Memorial Day, this service will honor Los Angeles City employees who have lost their lives while on duty.
“We celebrate every Memorial Day in tribute to those who lost their lives in service to this country,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “The employees we remember today have paid the ultimate sacrifice while in service to us, Angelenos. We will always remember them and their dedication to the City.”
"I am privileged to join Councilmember LaBonge in paying tribute to the brave City employees, including 218 LADWP workers, who have given their lives in service to Los Angeles. Their loss is beyond measure and their contributions are not to be forgotten."
Councilmember LaBonge began the City Employee Memorial Commemoration in 2008 as a day of remembrance and healing for city employees and their families. Today marks the commemoration’s third year.
Also joining him at the event were Steve Nutter, Commissioner of the Board of Public Works; Lt. Carl Jones, Dept. of Transportation Parking Enforcement; Los Angeles Police Dept. Commander Andrew Smith and Hollywood Division Captain Peter Wittingham as well as Los Angeles Fire Department Deputy Chief Emil Mack and Battalion Chief Ronnie Villanueva.
Bradley International Terminal Renovated
Councilmember LaBonge joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilmember Bill Rosendahl today to commemorate the completion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal Renovation Project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
The $746.4-million project was designed to make traveling through the terminal safer, faster and more convenient for passengers, while giving a warm Southern California welcome to arriving international visitors.
The significant changes are expected to help LAX retain its competitiveness as the premier West Coast international gateway, especially to the fast-growing Asia-Pacific Region.
“The Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport is the first and last impression 10 million annual travelers have of Los Angeles," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "This project improves the travelers' experience as they pass through LAX, while enhancing passenger safety by reducing congestion in the airline check-in lobbies and on the curbside."
Added Councilmember LaBonge, President of Los Angeles Sister Cities, Inc., "This terminal now welcomes to Los Angeles the almost 8 million international passengers who arrive at LAX each year. I'm sure the late, great Mayor Tom Bradley was smiling down on this ceremony from the friendly skies.”
Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, whose 11th District includes LAX said, “It is important that we provide a safer, greener, more modern and efficient airport for our traveling public. These renovations at the Tom Bradley Terminal do just that.”
The project arrived at LAX on time and under budget.
New NoHo Skate Park
Councilmember Tom LaBonge joined skateboarder Rob Dyrdek - star of MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory – along with 7-Eleven® stores representative Koorosh Sharhokh and hundreds of skateboarders to celebrate the grand opening of a new state-of-the-art Skate Plaza at North Hollywood Park.
“Parks are extremely important, but I’m following my 12-year-old son Charles who was a community activist for this park,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “We are very grateful to Rob Dyrdek and 7-Eleven for their passion, energy and commitment to this great addition to North Hollywood Park.”
The Rob Dyrdek Safe Spot Skate Spot in North Hollywood officially opened at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 18. Dyrdek and friends demonstrated street skateboarding moves for students from nearby East Valley High School to inaugurate the Skate Plaza. Visitors also scored free exclusive 7-Eleven Wild Grinders giveaways like cups, T-shirts, key chains and more.
A $250,000 donation from 7-Eleven to the Rob Dyrdek Foundation helped Dyrdek realize his vision for this skate park. Councilmember LaBonge and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks worked together to secure an additional $250,000 in funds to complete construction and landscaping improvements for the new public facility. The Recreation and Parks funds came from Quimby funding from developers of nearby condominium projects.
Kevin Regan, Assistant General Manager for the Department of Recreation and Parks and Cynthia Ruiz, Chair of the Board of Public Works, were also on hand for the ribbon-cutting.
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