David Galaviz vs. The Voice Newspaper, Round One
David Galaviz, President of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, Community Outreach honcho for USC, responds to an article regarding the "Las Villas" issue in "The Voice Newspaper" a monthy based out of El Sereno."Over the course of the past few years, the Voice has shown tremendous potential as a vehicle for reporting on important community news. Unfortunately, the recent front page article on Las Villas set the paper back a few steps due to extreme bias and lack of additional background.
Due to space constraints, I will only touch on a few issues of note. During the mentioned January 17th Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council meeting the article fails to mention that the Voice Staff in attendance literally sat and discussed the meeting with individuals opposed to the project. During the entire meeting, the Voice did not interview or talk to any Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council volunteers or others in attendance to report their individual thoughts.
Second, on February 8th during a historic event in the Lincoln High School Auditorium, one of the leaders of THE VOICE attended the event with a member of the Las Villas opponents and handed out copies of THE VOICE along with copies of a flyer against Las Villas.
Third, not to denigrate the good people of Sacred Heart Parish in anyway, but why is the voice not asking why the parishioners are against Las Villas, but fine with renting out the Sacred Heart auditorium and making beer, wine, and other spirits available to attendees of events on church property. In addition, there are a number of liquor serving establishments in close proximity to three schools - Sacred Heart Elementary and High School as well as Griffin. These liquor serving establishments do not have the same requirements of Las Villas.
The debate over this issue is very important, not only in Lincoln Heights , but in all areas The Voice covers. Unfortunately, The Voice did itself and the communities it services a disservice by inflaming the situation rather than opening up a dialogue on the role of family restaurants, family entertainment and banquet facilities in a community which is sorely lacking in private facilities.
If anyone else is interested in the work of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, they are welcome to attend one of our meetings. We meet the first and third Thursday of every month the Lincoln High School Cafeteria."
Response from Carlos Morales of "The Voice"
RESPONSE FROM THE VOICE
Mr. Galaviz the article I wrote was based on FACTS. The article may seem bias to you however, we made several attempts to contact Ms. Corona & Ms. Duarte of LAS VILLAS via their cell phones, and office number. To date they have not made any attempts to return any of our calls. Because they did not make themselves available to us our only recourse was to rely on the information posted on the LAS VILLAS.COM website.
ALL of our staff members are VOLUNTEERS. This is a community publication. What volunteers do on their own time is their decision. I do not dictate to anyone who they can talk to and who not to talk to.
Instead of making personal attacks on staff, why did you not address the facts mentioned in the article?
If you have a problem with the good people at Sacred Heart Parish I suggest you take it up with them.
Regarding liquor licenses in the area: You have mentioned a number of liquor establishments serving liquor in close proximity to three schools. My investigation with liquor industry professionals indicate that these establishments have grandfather rights, having been established well before the current laws came into effect.
Furthermore, this situation speaks to the fact on how difficult it is to retract a liquor license after it has been issued. This argument has been brought up by LAS VILLAS opponents in countering Councilman Ed Reyes statement that he would take away the LAS VILLAS license after a period of three years if they are not compliant.
What guarantee does this community have that (1) Councilman Reyes has the authority to try to take away an ABC License issued by the State of California . (2) Even if he does, would he still be a Councilman in three years?
The debate over this issue is indeed very important; I agree 100% that's why THE VOICE decided to write about it. What is happening with this project is setting precedence on LA City ordinances.
Why should this private development get all of these waivers and favors from City Officials and the State ABC (Alcohol Licenses) to get permission to ignore ordinances that are in place for public safety reasons?
Contrary to your comments on how our Newspaper did itself and the community stakeholders a disservice! As the only local newspaper, we covered and brought this important issue to the forefront where it needed to be discussed, Not behind closed doors for the politicos to push it through without community input!
I'm sure to your surprise that I admit I truly love this project! I think it is innovative and needed in our community. Ms. Corona referred to having consultants that built attractions for Disneyland in assisting her in the planning and development of this project. As a former Disney IMAGINEER myself, I can point out that each project is developed up to a certain planning stage, then at the point of implementation these projects are often modified and changed to fit the financial requirements of the capital investors and their return on investment goals among other reasons. As an entrepreneur I can also point out, it is common practice in Business!
I would like to remind you that one of your roles as a member of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council is to represent the community and voice their concerns, ensure that the community you represent is well informed of issues that impact their lives.
We wrote this article not to inflame or destroy, but to motivate and empower dialog, which I feel we have accomplished here!
Your thoughts........
Labels: Carlos Morales, David Galaviz, las villas, The Voice Newspaper
Posted by Red Spot in CD 14 @ 3/10/2008 02:12:00 PM
41 Comments:
T.K.O
Such pissing and moaning. Geez, no heroes in THAT interchange.
A: "We can have booze near schools, because the church serves booze"
B: "We don't have to be objective journalists, we're volunteers"
This almost makes the "Uloveme-Iloveme" so-called debates between Clinton and Obama seem "pithy".
What a bunch of crap. Shouldn't this Galaviz be more concerned about getting our Hispanic Youth to USC rather than trying to give them more bad influences.
USC should be ashamed to have this guy around trying to ruin the lives of our children.
Most NC's, especially in the more affluent areas, are almost always opposed to large developments like this and concerned with inadequate parking. Really odd that Lincoln NC supports it, or at least Galaviz does.
Any church member of any church can understand that a church serving wine and beer with meals at private functions like weddings, is far different from a gaming establishment run by two sisters of dubious reputations doing so. If the church didn't have a liquor license it couldn't book many weddings or private functions, and with funding from the parish being down, churches have to survive.
Galaviz really doesn't think that a church has a positive overall impact on a community and deserves support, vs. a place like Las Villas?
Even if you're not religious, which place would you rather kids hung out -- Sunday and bible school, and evening events, or a gaming hall with grownups?
If the kids have so little to do, why not organize "fun" evenings at the church, pizza and movie nights, with a few minutes of bible study thrown in, like at my church? Kids look forward to going.
The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council has not had elections in three years! They only fund their pet projects (like putting ribbons on growing trees up and down Broadway). They have not been representing the community for a long time. That is why, up until this Las Villas project controversy began, their meetings have not been attended by more than 10 people. No communication with the community at all. I stopped believing in LHNC a long time ago
I wonder why Galaviz doesn't address the real issues concerning Las Villas, how this project got permission to serve alcohol and have dozens of computer games in such close proximity to schools and right next door to a convent/orphanage. A location where thousands of children will be walking by every day and how Las Villas got approved with no setback from the street so the kids will have to practically dodge the place and the cars parked all over the neighborhood.
And why the support from the local money laundromat, the eyesore and welfare cheese distribution center, The Los Angeles Girls and Boys Club? If they want to beautify Lincoln Hts why don't they start by spending some of the money on there own facility and the kids.
What a hypocrisy Galaviz is part of.
Galaviz - el Ultimo Carpetbagger - has only lived in Lincoln Heights for 5 years, but seemingly knows what's best for the community. How ridiculous was it that he would stand in front of hundreds of lifelong, multi-generational stakeholders of LH at the Las Villas hearing and tell us why this was important for the community.
This guy is an obvious plant for his former boss Gil "Racoon Face" Cedillo who has made it known he wants Ed Reyes's seat on the Clowncil.
I'm curious if Galaviz' bosses at USC know of his bullshit games in the community, particularly since SC has eyes on the Main Street corridor in Lincoln Heights as a potential development/expansion target.
David and his cronies on the neighborhood council epitomize all that is wrong with the neighborhood council system - wannabe community politicos who represent themselves as "leaders" once they get a whiff of power up their ass.
the same guy who's buddies want the Hazard Park Armory. He also had Hazard Park place in a redevelopement zone.
LET US ALL GO TO THE NEXT LHNC MEETING AN DEMAND HE STEPS DOWN FROM THAT LHNC BOARD, FOR THAT MATTER DEMAND ALL OF THEM TO STEP DOWN !!!
WHEN IS THE NEXT MEETING?
8:26- "When is the next meeting?" or more precisely, "WHEN IS THE NEXT MEETING?"
Read (again?) the last paragraph of Galviz' response.
Attendance at meetings has never been restricted. If sparse attendance is the complaint, that may just be all the interest that residents have.
The Neighborhood Council needs people to run for offices. The positions are volunteer. Has anyone examined the reasons why there have been no recent elections? Complainers should run for office themeselves. The opinions of NC's are advisory only so getting off all this energy at this level might be misdirected.
At meetings, most people who come for their own reasons aren't interested in the entire meeting and usually leave right after they air their opinions. And that's the extent of their interest in the process.
Asking or demanding that board members resign doesn't get anything done. Instead of grandstanding, I would like to see if any complainers would run for any of the many seats available on the NC board and deal with the rest of the process. Being negative is easy. Doing something positive is a little more work.
Marching up the hill with torches and pitchforks does get a lot of attention but it is only an influence as far as intimidation matters.
I still want to know how students are expected to be buying beer and wine with their meals, which is the only way alcohol will be consumed. Secondly, how will they pay for it? Will this be everyday? Does being under-age fit into the picture?
I think many of the fears are disproportionate to real possibilities. The opponents seem to believe the students will all be sucked into some vortex of evil simply by reason of proximity. Give the students credit. Just because they have poor test scores doesn't mean they can't tell what they should or should not do.
Who in the right frickin' mind would want to serve with anyone from the "Inaction Slate"? Gee... maybe you can run for office and work with such quality people like:
Vera "What can I get for Lincoln High" Padilla,
Ernie "I don't have a clue" Sanchez Sr.,
Frank "I am afraid of my own shadow" Wada,
Erika "Never met a buffet I never liked" Gallo,
Lupe "Orale ese..." Guillen,
Martha "My hubby's 3rd strike was on purpose" Riley,
Richard "I'm smarter than anyone" Corral,
and of course...
David "I'm the king of the world" Galaviz.
Yeah.. running out and signing up to run is what everyone should do!
Please!
You speak so eloquently, but think about all your comments! Complainers should run for office - what a joke - the last election was totally railroaded - you know that ! The same will happen a gain! People are
totally disgusted with the so called democratic process here in Lincoln Heights. Their voices are never heard and totally disregarded. It is time to clean house. The sleepy giant has woken up! Booze near schools - only in Lincoln Heights -
no where else would anyone give it a second thought. I cannot believe this is the best our supposed political leaders can do to spark up economic development - booze and arcades near three schools you should be ashamed of yourself
ccGalaviz don't slam the VOICE, because the VOICE gives the community a voice unlike yourself who listens to $$$$$$ - carpetbagger
Its time to clean house and embarrass all the LHNC members who are supposedly representing the community. They are representing someone else
who does not even live here; as usual.
Galaviz what were you doing at NC32
pushing the CRA agenda? EVIL !!
David has no credibility, come on the only ones who listen to him are the same members of his circus act, oh I meant the LHNC.
I have been reading this blog for a long time...and never have posted a message, but feel compelled to do so...particulalry over the Las Villas controversy...
I am against additional beer/wine permits in any community, I am also against the misleading comments by the priest at Sacred Heart. He knows too well that his fight against this permited venue might dry up his revenue at the parish hall at Sacred Heart Church. I know too well from the last pastor's parish council, that we were always looking for ways to bring in additional funds to the church and renting out the hall is easy money...and too boot....you could dispense beer and wine..without little government interference...
So the opponents of La Villas should come clean..Las Villas is able to obtain the permision to sell at a family restaurant, then all of the rentals at Sacred Heart will dry up...You do the math....
The community should ask that all of the parties that are involved with this matter submitt a conflict of interest form. All parties including the church should provide an account of all the rentals that the church would loose to Las Villas and someone should ask for copies of temporary beer and wines permits from the ABC...
Let's see... only a real "putón" could claim that the church and it's weekend rental of the parish hall is in any way competition with a restaurant operating 7 days a week next to 3 school and 2 places of worship.
By the way simplón, learn how to use a spell checker you pinché wacker, we're not in Jalisco.
3:35p.m.: It should be "3 schools" instead of "3 school"
Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council.
Voted in by kids 9 years of age and older. Galaviz and friends found an unethical loop-hole never before used to get themselves voted in.
No elections in 2006, 2007 and none so far in 2008, the only right thing to do is decerify it.
Meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the Month, except for the one right before the meeting with the East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission.
Still waiting for a community newspaper they can minipulate because "The Voice" is too truthful in reporting community issues.
Has a hothead and loose cannon for a leader who lacks the basic understanding of his role. Writes letters without Board Approval. Most other Boards would have impeached him by now. Not this one he controls it and no one has the guts to do the right thing.
Council members who want to make "Las Villas" into an anti-church ralying cry.
Sure we are going to believe that the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council has the stakeholders best interest, think not?
Let's take the church out of this argument, so what do you have? the community..
What do you have to say about the commuity that opposes this Las Villas?
Lincoln Heights Neigborhood Council, Councilmen Ed Reyes and all the other latino politico's
Vs.
Lincoln Heights Community, and surrounding community.
This issue is not about the church!Those in favor of Las Villas are missing the point! The law is clear you cannot have a new alcohol license near schools and churches. Also you cannot interfere with nearby residences right to the quiet enjoyment of their property. Who in their right mind would think that they could build this establishment at this particular location?
SO, I was in city hall today ahd who do I see - none other than the old fleabag herself - Joyce Dillard testifying on some bill
Hey watch what you say about good ole Joyce. She is a fine man,
You are right at least she wore a fleacoller this time.
Speaking of wannabees, I hear that Red Spot is actually Jose (JHey cool-aid) hisself.
Hey watch what you say about Jose - he is one of the best security guards around./
Oh, yeah, please tell him to wear a shirt without holes and to take off that Eroita hat. he almost made me toss my cookies last time I saw him at a Boyhe Heights NC meeting.
Oh don't forget out the three stooges of lincoln heights - Hugo - Bitterest of all bitterest old men in lincoln Heights, Steve - I ruined the chamber, watch what I can do to the neighborhood council and Robert Vega - talks a good game, but that is about it.
Oh you mean that Hugo, who has sold beer his entire life and then says no to Las Villas?
Yes him, that old homophope. I knew him years ago and he even insisted back them that Cal State L.A have an event with liquor. Of course, it did not end well. So, knmow i hear that he is - oh no liquor what about the kids. he should have thought about that when he started his "Career" lightly speakingh
How does Steve lamspon type with one hand - hims right hand is always busy.
Screw all of lincoln heights - tthere is a reason it is a craphole@@@
So, I was tagteaming alicia and teresa last night and all they kept thinking about was good ole Aguilar and his sweaty glasses. Someone please arrest that perv. already
REed spot == Jose Aguilar = the Perviest of all pervs.
Someone tell that guy that he freaks people out!! Seriously, stop trying to intimidate folks - fat, dumb and stupid is not intimidating - it is funny
It actually should go something like this:
Vera "The only person investing her time and energy into the success of LHS" Padilla,
Ernie "Far more informed than the ignorant brain washed by Father Mario" Sanchez Sr.,
Frank "Not afraid to make a citizen's arrest" Wada,
Erika "Too classy for a buffet" Gallo,
Lupe "Surpasing the typical stereotypes of a born and raised Latina of Lincoln Heights" Guillen,
Martha "Cornell University Graduate" Riley,
Richard "Successful Product of Lincoln Heights" Corral,
and of course...
David "I'm proud to have turned the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council around and into a success story" Galaviz.
Previous Post:
Who in the right frickin' mind would want to serve with anyone from the "Inaction Slate"? Gee... maybe you can run for office and work with such quality people like:
Vera "What can I get for Lincoln High" Padilla,
Ernie "I don't have a clue" Sanchez Sr.,
Frank "I am afraid of my own shadow" Wada,
Erika "Never met a buffet I never liked" Gallo,
Lupe "Orale ese..." Guillen,
Martha "My hubby's 3rd strike was on purpose" Riley,
Richard "I'm smarter than anyone" Corral,
and of course...
David "I'm the king of the world" Galaviz.
Can't we all just get along.
Kumbaya!! Kumbaya!!
We could be heroes, just for one day - David Bowie
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