January 2012 – Page 7 – Journo James's Journal

Interview with L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge

Post author:journojames
Post published:January 15, 2012
Post category:Feature Interview News

Originally published Oct. 3, 2010

L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge shared some of his thoughts Thursday during a brief interview at his City Hall office before rushing off to Windsor Square to help celebrate the reopening of Robert Burns Park. He’s been in charge of Council District Four, the geographic heart of Los Angeles, since September 2001 and has his eye on re-election in March next year. While making phone calls and directing his staff, Councilman LaBonge talked about his love of parks, the food truck debate, and offered some possible goals if elected for a third term.

Q: What are you most excited about these days with re-election coming up in March?

A: To serve the people and to make the city better. To move the motivation of the city which is transforming.

Q: Any specific issues or projects you’re excited about?

A: More expansion of Cahuenga Peak. That’s a big one.

Q: What about the Red Line project you recently wrote about for the Daily News?

A: Right. That’s real important but that’s more long range. (more…)

Subway Robbery – Crime Story

Post author:journojames
Post published:January 14, 2012
Post category:News

Originally published Sept. 25, 2010

Subway Crime Scene, Photo by JournoJames

Employees at the downtown Subway sandwich shop that was robbed last Tuesday by a lone gunman are fearful and still dealing with the traumatic experience.

The manager of the shop and the employee who were the ones robbed at gunpoint are scheduled to be back to work this week.

“He was so scared. He thought he was going to die,” said a 33-year-old Subway employee when talking about his co-worker who was confronted by the gunman. He asked to be unidentified, fearful of giving out his name. “He’s okay. I talk to him. But, I think it’s the first time he’s ever been through something scary like that.”

Last week, a 23-year-old employee and the manager were working around 6:30 AM when a large black man entered the store and made a sandwich order. While the employee was making the sandwich, the suspect jumped over the counter brandishing a gun. (more…)

Candlelight Vigil, 9/11 Memorial

Post author:journojames
Post published:January 13, 2012
Post category:Feature Interview News

Originally published Sept. 13, 2010

Los Angeles Japanese-American community groups held a candlelight vigil last night to observe the 9th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks and to express support for Muslim Americans who have come under attack.

Members from the Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR), the Japanese-American Citizens League, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, among others, gathered in downtown’s Little Tokyo, to hold candles and banners in remembrance of the victims of the 9/11 attacks and to bring attention and to oppose the current anti-Muslim sentiments in the U.S. (more…)