This week was full of surprises. Team Cedillo brought me a CD1 Birthday cake in council and my colleagues sang 'Happy Birthday.' We heard an update regarding the 'My Fig' Streetscape and Bike Plan, which runs along the southern portion of CD1 and into CD9. The field staff installed the new Lincoln Heights Chamber officers, hiked a 4-mile challenge, hosted a student clean-up, gave trees away, broke ground for a new park, and heard a youth music recital in Lincoln Heights. Today in Council I re-introduced two reward motions for information on the deaths of Breeana Guzman and Michelle Lozano. I also introduced a motion to support a Senate bill that will expand healthcare to all Californians. We ended the week with a surprise visit from Richard Montoya and Actor/Director Diego Luna.
On Wednesday we celebrated Councilmember Cedillo's birthday at City Council. Team Cedillo surprised him with a cake, and his colleagues sang Happy Birthday.
Congratulations Councilmember! 60 is the new 40.
On Tuesday, City Planning and LADOT staff reported back to the PLUM Committee on progress with the "Figueroa Corridor Streetscape Project" (known as "MyFig"), a multimillion dollar effort supported by state grant funds. MyFig will redesign a four-mile section of Figueroa Street between Downtown and USC in Council District 9. The improvements will create a complete, multimodal street that better serves the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, motorists and business stakeholders. Councilmember Price's and the Mayor's staff reported on a recent four-hour "summit" meeting of diverse community stakeholders, bicycle and housing advocates, and MyFig consultants that had been convened by Councilmembers Price and Huizar and Mayor Garcetti.
City Planning and LADOT staff will report back to the PLUM Committee on progress in implementing these instructions.
Today our dear friend Ricardo U. Berg was appointed to the Disabled Access Appeals Commission. The Commission is tasked with hearing written appeals brought by any person from actions taken by the Department of Building and Safety in the enforcement of the requirements of Section 19955, et seq., of the California Health and Safety Code, the provisions of state law dealing with access to public accommodations by physically disabled persons.
We want to thank immediate past President Steve Kasten for his contribution to the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to the newly elected officers, President John Menchaca, Vice President Dr. Vince Carbino, 2nd Vice President Richard Macias, Treasurer William Aparacio, and Vera Padilla. We look forward to working with you and the entire chamber to strengthen the business climate and quality of life in the Lincoln Heights community.
On Saturday nearly 500 runners and walkers gathered under overcast skies to support a unique nature center: The Audubon Center at Debs Park. They participated in Aztlan Athletics' 5th Annual 4-Mile Hill Challenge Run/Walk. This event takes place on the rolling trails of Debs Park, with beautiful views of Downtown Los Angeles, Highland Park, and up to the Angeles National Forest. It helps sustain the work Audubon does in Los Angeles to make our city a better place for people and birds. For many, it was the first time they had visited Debs Park, the fourth largest park in Los Angeles. Some participants finished quickly, while others took their time exploring this jewel on Northeast LA. The event also raised awareness about the importance of health and wellness in our communities. Councilmember Cedillo was proud to support thus event!
CD1 staff and the City of Los Angeles Office of Community Beautification are ready to help you organize a community clean up. Contact my district office (323)550-1538 to get started.
Look for another tree giveaway in the near future.
On Saturday, Councilmember Cedillo celebrated the groundbreaking of Patton Street Park located in Temple Beaudry. The Trust for Public Land is lead agency on the project, in partnership with CD1, the Department of Recreation and Parks and local residents. The park will begin construction in April and is tentatively set to open in April of 2015. Let's build more parks in CD1!
On Saturday, Team Cedillo was at the Mucis LA winter recital in Lincoln Heights. This program, funded by the Department of Cultural Affairs and CD1, introduces inner city children to the wonders of music. The hall was packed with proud parents and community members hoping to capture the perfect shot from their camera phones. Among the performances were pianists, percussionists, guitarists and vocalists.
CD1 is proud to be a sponsor of this program and hopes it continues to inspire youth and build their self-confidence.
On March 22, 2014, around 10 a.m., William Matelyan was last seen in the 200 block of South Avenue 54 in Highland Park. He has not been seen or heard from since. His family and the Los Angeles Police Department's Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public's help to locate him.
William Matelyan is described as an 84-year-old male White with grey hair, blue eyes, stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective L. Saiza of LAPD's Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).
The Department of Public Works Bureau of Street Lighting asks that you help prevent copper wire theft. You can help prevent the significant increase of copper wire thefts occurring in the City's street lighting system. This has caused a number of streetlights not to function for a period of time.
The Bureau of Street Lighting has contractors who install new lighting. The names of these companies would be identified on their vehicles.
Is there a yellow street lighting maintenance vehicle on the street?
The vehicle has a city seal, the words "Street Lighting" on the driver and passenger doors and the word "Exempt" on its license plate.
Is there street lighting staff working on a streetlight?
They can be identified by their orange vest, hard hat and city identification.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you observe a wire theft in progress or see any suspicious activity around city streetlights.
Join us tomorrow for the 19th Annual Community Job Fair at Dodger Stadium. Employers will be recruiting and interviewing on the spot. Make sure to dress for success.
Councilmember Cedillo's good friend Richard Montoya stopped in to City Hall today with a surprise guest. While making the rounds for his feature film, 'Cesar Chavez' which opens today, Director Diego Luna paid Team Cedillo a visit at City Hall. With a swarm of media by their side, all three stood above the United Farm Workers (UFW) flag on the steps of City Hall.
In 'Cesar Chavez', director Diego Luna presents a powerful cinematic portrait of the legendary activist. Starring Michael Peña in the title role, along with America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson and John Malkovich. Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. Chavez inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual's ability to change the world.
Cesar Chavez is in theaters now. Congratulations Diego Luna!