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Atwater Village and the West Doran Street Crossing

Originally published Oct. 25, 2010

ATWATER VILLAGE – The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (A.V.N.C.), in an effort to help local businesses and decrease traffic congestion to the area, passed a motion on Thursday to oppose the closing of the West Doran Street railroad crossing.

Atwater Village Neighborhood Council, Photo by JournoJames

The California Public Utilities Commission (C.P.U.C.) found the crossing to be unsafe and unnecessary after doing a study and issued the proposal.

The council plans to send a formal letter of its stance to Los Angeles City Hall and attend C.P.U.C. evidentiary and public proceedings for the next several months to officially voice its opposition, but C.P.U.C. has exclusive jurisdiction over railroad crossings in the state and would ultimately make the final decision.

Cardinal Mahony Calls for Immigration Reform

Originally published Oct. 10, 2010

Cardinal Roger Mahony, Photo by JournoJames

LOS ANGELES – Archbishop of Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, an outspoken advocate for immigrants and workers’ rights, told a small audience on Wednesday night that all-inclusive immigration reform for the estimated 12 million undocumented people in the U.S. was the country’s most pressing social issue and offered a framework for immigration reform, despite his bleak outlook that lawmakers were unwilling to take any action on the controversial issue.

Cardinal Mahony offered a solemn but compelling argument in his address at USC’s Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members.

Interview with L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge

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.

Councilman Tom LaBonge, Photo by Kiki Maraschino

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.

Subway Robbery – Crime Story

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.

Candlelight Vigil, 9/11 Memorial

Originally published Sept. 13, 2010

Candlelight Vigil, Photo by JournoJames

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.

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