Eric Garcetti

Councilman Eric Garcetti finally gets to be mayor – on TV

Monday, September 13, 2010

Garcetti, the Council District 13 representative who lives in Echo Park, has remained reluctant to say whether he will or won’t run for mayor. But, at least for a brief time tonight, Councilman Garcetti will be known as “Mayor” when he appears as the leader of Los Angeles during an appearance on “The Closer” on TNT. Here’s a description of the episode courtesy TNT:

“The murder of two paramedics leads the LAPD and the FBI on separate investigations on a case that could be the precursor to a major terrorist attack. But Brenda fights to remain a step ahead, even though she’s forced to work with the counter-terrorism unit’s Chief Tommy Delk, who happens to be one of Brenda’s fellow finalists for the job of Chief of Police.”

The mayoral role is a promotion for Garcetti, a member of the Screen Actors Guild who had a few minor acting roles as a child. Earlier this season on “The Closer,” Garcetti appeared in the background during a scene in which his father, Gil Garcetti, a former Los Angeles County District Attorney who now serves as a consultant for the show, played a police chief.

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Councilman Garcetti backs police action against Echo Park Lake vendors

Monday, August 2, 2010

Echo Park Lake swap meet vendors packing up after police issued warnings and citations. Photo by Echo Park resident.

Councilman Eric Garcetti issued a statement today backing the removal of vendors from Echo Park Lake on Sunday:

“Turning Echo Park into a marketplace forces kids to play in the street. A city like Los Angeles cannot afford to lose what little public green space we have. In a dense, urban community like the one surrounding Echo Park, the need is even greater. This is a neighborhood where backyards are a luxury. Echo Park serves families who have few options where their kids can safely play. My office is working with city departments to protect the park despite litigation that has hampered enforcement. One solution is to step-up enforcement of laws not affected by the pending litigation. This weekend’s action sent a loud and clear signal that we’re going to protect Echo Park for families, not commercial activity. At the same time, in these difficult economic times, we have been working with local non-profits, community development groups, and others to provide technical and other support to help aspiring small business owners establish legitimate businesses, while at the same time protecting public safety, public health and our neighborhood parks.”

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Echo Park

Tenant rights protesters march up Echo Park Avenue *

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The early evening march was organized to protest Councilman Eric Garcetti’s decision to vote against a proposed four-month freeze on rent increases. The march – which included demonstrators banging on drums and holding posters of Garcetti with the word “traitor” in English and Spanish- was organized by the Los Angeles Housing as a Human Rights Collective, according to one of the women with the group. The nearly block-line of protesters remained on the sidewalk as they headed north on Echo Park Avenue. Garcetti, the Council President, is a resident of Echo Park.

*Update: Protesters and police have filled the street near Garcetti’s home, residents report.

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Elysian Valley

Dear Eastsider: When is that new Elysian Valley bike path going to open?

Monday, January 25, 2010

A bike rider named Martha wonders what’s the latest on the 2.5 mile-long section of new bike path that was to run along the Los Angeles River through Elysian Valley.

“Hey there, I have been trying to\figure out if the bike path south of Fletcher is done. Looked on La Bonge and Garcetti’s pages but couldn’t find anything … It was supposed to be completed in Jan 2010.”

Martha has a good memory. The $2.8 million project was to have been completed about six months after officials held a dedication ceremony last June. But cyclists will have a to wait a few more months before the new trail is finally complete, said Julie Wong, spokeswoman for Councilman Eric Garcetti. “Although we’ve been delayed by some rainy weather, we’re shooting for a March 2010 dedication ceremony.”

Photo by Tasawa69 via Flickr

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Councilman Reyes rides into the dispute over Elysian Park car shows

Monday, July 13, 2009

Elysian Park on Saturday was host to yet another car show, this one featuring Ford Mustangs, that have recently triggered tension between nearby residents and car show fans. The office of Councilman Eric Garcetti announced an effort to crackdown on the shows held on Stadium Way under a colonade of century-old palms trees. But getting city agencies organized to control classic car and lowriders beauty pagents in the park has proven tougher than expected. Now, Councilman Ed Reyes, whose district includes most of Elysian Park, has also stepped into the fray. Instead of blocking the lowriders, however, Reyes wants to strike a deal with the car clubs over the use of Elysian Park.

In May, Reyes held what his spokeswoman Monica Valencia describes as the first meeting between car clubs and the city over concerns about parking, trash and other issues related to the shows, which have been held in the park since the 1950s, she said. The meeting was attended by the representatives of more than 35 car clubs as well as officials from the city’s police, public safety and parks department, she said.

“The meeting … went very well,” Valencia said in an email. “Issues discussed include noise levels, picnics coinciding with Dodger games, and City rules and regulations governing park use. Council member Reyes continues to work with residents and car club representatives so that all events at Elysian Park can be a positive experience for the community.”

As for this Saturday’s show, the V6 Mustang Meet seemed pretty tame compared to some of the larger shows, legal and illegal, that have rolled into the park.

“You might have missed it because it was less rowdy compared to the most recent car shows,” said Diego Aguilar who sent photos of the show. “It was a day full of beautiful … cars and giveaways from the sponsors.

Photos by Diego Aguilar

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Councilmen left to explain their support for an indicted anti-gang leader

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The office of Councilman Ed Reyes gave Alex Sanchez $5,000 while Councilman Eric Garcetti praised Sanchez’ nonprofit, Homies Unidos, as exactly what the city needed “to help eliminate its gang problem.” Those expressions of support for Sanchez and his gang prevention program based near MacArthur Park now seem awkward at the very least after Sanchez was arrested on federal racketeering and conspiracy charges for his alleged role in a violent street gang.

Who is going to blink first in the showdown over an Echo Park street?

Thursday, April 2, 2009

It looked like the Los Angeles school district had once again got its way when a group of Echo Park residents gave up their legal battle against Central Regional Elementary School #14. But the battle over the two-block site, now scraped clean of homes and apartments, continues, pitting Los Angeles Councilman Eric Garcetti against Los Angeles School Board member Yolie Flores Aguilar.

The LAUSD and Flores, whose district includes Echo Park, say they need the city to give up one block of Marathon Street and nearby rights-of-way to build the 800-seat campus southwest of Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street. Garcetti, meanwhile, has resisted closing or vacating the street unless the district comes up with a smaller school and more attractive design.

“Council President Garcetti has long advocated for a smaller school at this site – one that would be better suited to the neighborhood in terms of scale, size, and design,” said Garcetti’s spokeswoman, Julie Wong. “He believes in the newly adopted small schools initiative, which the board adopted last fall through an effort led by Boardmember Yolie Flores-Aguilar. He asked LAUSD to go back and take another look at their plans for the school.”

Neither Flores-Aguilar or her chief of staff responded to several phone calls and emails asking for comment on the matter. However, the LAUSD has been putting pressure on Garcetti. A district employee was seen distributing a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Eastsider, to parents at recent community meetings urging Garcetti to give up the street.

“Our children are entitled to attend a school in their own neighborhood, and it is the responsibility of LAUSD to provide this for our children. We hope you can endorse this request and allow the construction of this much needed school. Please approve the closing of Marathon Street.”

Of course, that letter omits the fact that many of the students will have to be bussed in from other neighborhoods since enrollment has plunged in Echo Park. Still, the idea of opposing a public school is not a popular stance for Garcetti or any other politician. The LAUSD, backed by the power of eminent domain and billions of dollars in construction bond money, has also proved that it can get what it wants even when the local council member opposes a school, as is the case in Wilmington.

How long will the stand off over Marathon Street continue? Well, LAUSD faces the loss of $16 million in bond money if a final project is not approved by the middle of June, according to Garcetti’s office. So, expect a resolution soon, and, judging by the past, the LAUSD to get its way.

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Echo Park, Historic Filipinotown

How Councilman Eric Garcetti emerged as a champion of the Filipino-American community (and fashion)

Monday, March 2, 2009

Garcetti may favor a traditional two-piece suit at City Hall or a Ralph Lauren tuxedo at formal affairs but perhaps his most important piece of wardrobe is a loose fitting barong. A barong is a sheer, embroidered shirt worn by many Filipino-American men as an expression of national pride. In Garcetti’s case, the barongs the Echo Park resident has received and worn at public events in and around Historic Filipinotown are symbolic of an important relationship the councilman has forged with Filipino-Americans. It’s a connection that will help on Tuesday when he seeks reelection and perhaps in future political races.

Garcetti won the loyalty of many Filipino-Americans by designating part of the southern portion of Echo Park and Silver Lake in his district as Historic Filipinotown in 2002 and followed through on campaign promises to hire Filipino-American staff. But he didn’t’ stop there. The councilman has championed a variety of Filipino-American causes, from the creation of a monument to Filipino-American war veterans to honoring the contributions of Filipino-American health care workers and supporting the teaching of Tagalog in state schools. Garcetti is frequently on hand at Filipino-American banquets, meetings and events. That would include the dedication of crosswalks decorated with ancient Filipino weaving patterns and a religious procession last September in which he walked around Echo Park Lake wearing a plum-colored barong.

Enrique de la Cruz, a Cal State Northridge professor who has studied Filipino-Americans, said Garcetti stands out as one of the city’s first elected officials who has been “brave enough” to reach out and win over the notoriously fractured community.

“It’s a minefield and so politicians have traditionally stayed out,” said de la Cruz. “Why has he become our booster? Our advocate? I’ve asked myself that question. I would just say we are grateful that he’s doing this.”

Garcetti’s political allies include the leaders of several influential Filipino-American groups headquartered in Historic Filipinotown Last year, for example, Susan Dilkes, head of Filipino American Service Group, and her husband both contributed $500 each to Garcetti’s campaign. Meanwhile, Joel Jacinto, Executive Director of the Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, appears in an endorsement video on Garcetti’s campaign website:

“We were always, in the Filipino community, looking for a champion, someone that would include Filipinos in the agenda of the City of Los Angeles,” Jacinto said in the video. “We have achieved much in this partnership.”

While rela

tively few Filipinos live in Historic Filipinotown, which is overwhelmingly Latino, Garcetti’s connection to Filipino-Americans could prove valuable if he makes a run for mayor or a state or national office. “Getting well connected with the Filipino community will be able to provide him a base of support” among Asian-Americans, said de la Cruz.

Garcetti‘ staff and others point out that politics alone does not explain his interest courting Filipino-Americans. His grandfather fought alongside Filipino soldiers in World War II while stationed in the Philippines. Whatever his motivation, Filipino-Americans are likely to be keep rewarding Garcetti with their support as well as barongs.

“Eric is not hard to fit,” said de la Cruz. “He’s slim. We can always find a barong that will fit him.“

Photo from LMU; The Pinoy; Webservices: BarongRus

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Are you ready for another election?

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

It’s been difficult for The Eastsider to get excited about next Tuesday’s municipal election. The historic and emotional presidential campaign of last year exhausted my interest in politics and, as usual, the incumbents for city council and mayor are heavily favored. Still, the local election and campaigns focus attention on issues and political track records and results, or lack of. It’s also doesn’t seem fair to complain about that new fee on your DWP bill or the pothole that doesn’t get filled if you don’t even bother to vote.

In the race for Council District 13, incumbent and Echo Park resident Eric Garcetti has had to answer, as well as apologize, for supporting a legal settlement that has allowed digital billboard to blaze across the city. He also caught flack for the seemingly behind-closed-door handling of the solar energy measure, Prop. B. But Garcetti, one of Barack Obama’s most prominent Los Angeles supporters, has been credited as a strong supporter of affordable housing as well as the expansion of the police department. His chief opponent, Gary Slossberg, is a public interest attorney, who opposes “unsustainable development” and promises to create a more responsive council office.

You can hear both CD 13 candidates talk more about the issues on the KNBC videos posted below. The Eastsider will post the Council District 1 interviews tomorrow because election coverage is better in small doses.

Photo by Revolute via Flickr

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Who needs the LA Times California Section when Eric Garcetti can spread the news

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Councilman and Echo Park resident launched a “Save the California” section page on Facebook. But Garcetti does a pretty good job keeping his followers and fans on Facebook and Twitter informed on local breaking news. Yesterday, Garcetti, as noted in Defamer, warned about a street closure in Hollywood: