Was the Los Angeles Youth Athletic Club Cheated Out of its New Home by a "Connected Non- Profit"?

USC Lobbyist and former Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council President David Galaviz, on the right.



"Legacy LA/ Hazard Park Armory email # 1



Legacy LA/ Hazard Park Armory email # 2

Former Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council President and current chief USC Lobbyist David Galaviz, is no stranger to the regular visitors here at Mayor Sam.

Matter of fact, his dubious exploits, whether it is using students to get himself and his cronies elected to the LHNC, shilling for questionable community projects such as Las Villas, or taking public property for an "connected non-profit". David Galaviz and his self-interest (plus USC) actions has earn him the bestowment as an Mayor Sam "Ass Clown Award" recipient.

Now one of Galaviz's most glaring act of self-interest is in the spotlight again.

The last meeting of the current LHNC board on Thursday night, was packed with supporters of the Los Angeles Youth Athletic Club, who's decades long home within the Old Jail in Lincoln Heights, is being close due to numerous safety concerns. Simply the building with its "supposed spirits", is in need of major renovation.

Fire Department officials have given building tenants five days to vacate the premises. Community supporters of the LAYAC have been offered accommodations at another facility in Lincoln Heights, but they argue at Thursday's meeting that the new location does not have the space needed to continue the current programs at the Old Jail location.

But this growing controversy regarding the new location of the LAYAC, was an issue that Recreation and Parks was addressing in 2007, according to the emails, posted above, that were obtain as part of an Public Records Act request.

In "email # 1", a Recreation and Parks Official Mark Mariscol, is responding to the incisive requests of Legacy LA Founder Jenny Krusoe, who with the backing of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Jose Huizar, later gets an exclusive agreement to operate the facility. Mariscol states that Recreation and Parks had concrete plans to move the LAYAC boxing program and its other activities to the facility.

In "email # 2", one can see the connection between Krusoe, with former LHNC members Galaviz and Eillen Sanchez, who works for the USC's Violence Intervention Program. They had been openly lobbying for space in the armory and Legacy LA was the front to gain an exclusive agreement with Recreation and Parks. Thus, self-interest actions by Galaviz, Sanchez and other allies (Vera Padilla, Cheryl Riley, Frank Wada plus more) on the LHNC, prevented the LAYAC and its successful programs, from moving their operations to the Hazard Park Armory.

It should also be noted that Galaviz and his allies, also attempted to allocate $3,000 for an Cinco de Mayo/ community outreach event, but was tabled when other members of the LHNC questioned the monetary request.

The observation that one can make in this current controversy, is that the LAYAC is stuck in the middle of two councilman's visions for the respective properties in question, the Armory in CD 14, and the Old Jail in CD 1.

CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, has made many promises to his "connected non-profit friends" for space within the Armory. Further, one cannot ignore Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's wishes for the facility, that even supersedes Huizar.

CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes, simply sees the Lincoln Heights Jail acreage as a key part of his Los Angeles River Beautification plans, that leaves the LAYAC with hardly any options on a future location.

The simple solution to this issue, is to move the LAYAC to the Hazard Park Armory. This would expose the LAYAC programs, which include its well-known boxing program ( former Championship Boxer Joey Olivo being a past member), adult fitness, and others to a wider audience. Further, educational, environmental, and arts programs could be integrated to offer the community an impressive array of programing within the spaceage confines of the armory complex.

But sadly, the likes of Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilman Huizar, David Galaviz and others, prioritize the self-interest of their cronies, over the collective interest of the communities they supposely serve

Your thoughts..........

Scott Johnson in CD 14