Fact checking Councilman Jose Huizar on Hazard Park Armory and Legacy LA

No doubt about it, Councilman Jose Huizar can tell "tall tales" of policy initatives and community action.

Just from viewing the video above, one can gather that Recreation and Parks had no plan for the Hazard Park Armory and along came Legacy LA to the rescue, providing innovated programing at the site. 

But as the emails and photo below will show, their is an inconvenient truth to what transpired at Hazard Park.

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Past Questionable Ethical Behavior of the Lincoln Heights "Action Slate"

"One can see the ties to the LHNC in the email"

This person is running with the "Action Slate" for Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council.

Maria "Lou" Calanche is the Executive Director of the "connected non-profit" Legacy LA, a creation of Mayor Antonio Parkervillar and Councilman Jose Huizar, to funnel GRYD money to their political cronies and give a public facility over to the likes of USC and other connected non-profits.

This meeting was a blatant exercise to cover up the attempted allocation of $2,500 for a community event, that former LHNC members David Galaviz and Eileen Sanchez had a vested interest in, via their employer USC, as the email above notes.

One can see here how Galaviz, Calanche, then LegacyLA employee Jenny Krusoe, and former LHNC Treasurer Vera Padilla, who was at the meeting, attempted to smear the veracity of myself.
From: "Loucalanche@aol.com" Loucalanche@aol.com

Sent: Fri, April 18, 2008 8:14:38 AM

Subject: Emergency Legacy Committee Meeting 4-22-08

Hello Legacy Planning Committee,At our April 1st planning committee meeting it was suggested that Legacy L.A. approach the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council for support of the Cinco de Mayo Community Open House scheduled for May 4th (By former LHNC President and USC Lobbyist David Galaviz). We made a presentation to the Lincoln Heights NC and submitted a request to the budget committee on April 7th. Last night the neighborhood council was set to vote but I was informed that our request was met with opposition and inquiries not only about our request for financial support of the event but also inquiries about Legacy's status as an organization, where and how funds will be spent, and also questions about community support for the Legacy L.A. planning for the Hazard Armory.

I was extremely disappointed that our budget request was not voted on since the funds were to be used to provide a fun-filled day for the community. But what was more disheartening for me as a member of Legacy L.A. and former resident of the Ramona Gardens Community (did you? Look at comment by Sandra Torres) is that it was our own planning committee members that opposed and questioned our request!! It is my understanding that Scott Johnson and Pete Galindo, Sr. both Legacy L.A. planning committee members, were in attendance at the meeting last night (We were). Scott Johnson specifically spoke against our request and questioned the validity of Legacy L.A. as an organization. This was a public meeting that will have minutes and records made available to the public. ( Link here to see those documents. Hmmm, who's name is missing?) When we have Legacy L.A. planning committee members speak against Legacy L.A. we will jeopardize the future of Legacy L.A. and its ability to raise funds to bring needed programs to the community youth. (Lu's assertions are baseless at this point)

The reason I bring this to your attention is because for about a year now Legacy L.A. has been hammered about issues of transparency (Has anyone seen any Legacy LA financial documents at this point in time?). We have made every effort to create an inclusive and open community process and have taken steps to ensure that the community is directly involved in planning for the future of this organization. When an issue such as this comes up it needs to be addressed immediately by the entire community planning committee because we are all invested in making Legacy L.A. an organization that can successfully bring services to the community. To ensure transparency we also need to understand why planning committee members would oppose Legacy in a public forum.

There will be a Legacy L.A. Planning Committee Emergency Meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Armory. We will discuss role of planning committee members as well as how to proceed and ensure that the Cinco de Mayo Community Open House is a success.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks! -Lou

Simple fact is this, Calanche was an willing partner in attempting to usurp "Conflicts of Interest" issues, pertaining to the allocation of Neighborhood Council funds for projects, that benefited the persons and employees of current board members.

Does the LHNC need someone like Lou Calanche who will lie about a fellow community member, for the the simple, nefarious reason of pushing the political agenda of her supporters in government?

........ and one last thing, about your supposed ties to the Ramona Gardens Community?

** This was posted in the recent past on the Eastern Group Publications Website.

Sandra Torres on June 3rd, 2009 9:01 am

I’m a 39 year old mother of two, who grew up in the Ramona Gardens Housing Projects. Lou Calanche NEVER lived in the projects and needs to stop claiming that she lived & gre up there! It’s really upsetting that she continues to say this in order to get ahead. Pathetic! She & he family lived on Murchison which is several blocks away from the Ramona Gardens Housing Projects.

Who is telling the truth here? Makes you wonder if someone was slander? Just wondering.

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

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Follies and Doings of a Connected Non-Profit in CD 14

This is a story about a connected non-profit that needs disconnecting from public money and support.

The past follies and actions of the newest "connected non-profit" in CD 14, Legacy LA, has provided posts galore, which we have highlighted the dubious doings of the likes of Southwest Society Member Jenny Krusoe, USC Lobbyist and former Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council President David Galaviz, former Ramona Gardens Resident (in her opportunist mind) Lou Calanche and the other cast members of connected and wannabees associates.

As the past chairperson of the Hazard Park Advisory Board, which the latest agenda is posted at the left, it was our goal to integrate the Hazard Park Armory and its potential usage into the existing Hazard Park
infrastructure and its programs.

But in my three years as Chairperson, something called "politics" and the resulting catering to their connected associates, now have politicize a public park with so much potential, with serious ramifications for Recreation and Parks, its employees, and how public services are provided city-wide.

Simply, with the city budget heading towards the financial abyss, politically connected non-profits will assume an prominent role in providing services to city residents. But while you can make the case that saving money is of paramount concern...and it is. What quality of services will residents receive from these assorted non-profits, especially when they are connected to those within the political community?

In the case of Legacy LA, these examples should cause major concerns. First, on numerous occasions, I have observed a Legacy LA employee who led bike riding excursions without proper safety gear. Second, in the summer of 2008, a Legacy LA employee, "Monique", who also worked at Hazard Park, tried to persuaded me to go forward with a "teen trip" to Yosemite, that was planned in collaboration with Recreation and Parks, but cancel due to the lack of funding. She stated that we could use Legacy money and no one would known the difference. Third, Rec. and Parks employees had concerns about the "oversight" of the teen program under Monique's direction at Hazard Park. Fourth, Legacy employees are openly competing with Rec. and Parks by using food and trips, in luring youths to their programs at the Armory. Makes you wonder if the likes of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Jose Huizar really support the public emplyees of Rec and Parks?

Then there are the questions about the hiring process for Legacy LA. Simply, if you supported then Legacy LA's founder Jenny Krusoe, you got a job. Also during one PAB meeting in the fall of 2009, Monique mentioned in her report on the Teen Program at Hazard Park, that they had received free tickets for Knott's Scary Farm from the youth coordinator at the Ramona Gardens Housing Project. Later the sister of that coordinator, was hired for a position where no job fliers were made available to the community. For the record, current Legacy Executive Director Lou Calanche, offer me a job after my forced removal as PAB Chairperson, due to "selected enforcement of term limits". But in the light of the incidents listed above and the fact that I work part-time for Rec. and Parks, I declined.

In retrospect, I look back on my experience as PAB Chairperson with both satisfaction and bewilderment.

Satisfaction that we were able to initiated the Armory dialog with the community, we provided trips to places like El Capitan State Beach and Yosemite National Park, a grant from the Sierra Club allowed us to produced a newsletter detailing the restoration efforts of the Hazard Park Wetlands. Also, I took the initiative to set up the "Friends of Henry T. Hazard Park and Community", a non-profit to help with fundraising for future park programs.

But I also must share my bewilderment over the politicalization of departments like Recreation and Parks. During my term as Chairperson, our PAB was subjected to investigation by Councilman Jose Huizar, over some supposed comments about Legacy LA. Further, an management official of Rec. and Parks (initials M.M.), made inquiries to community activist Art Pulido, regarding any "conflict of interests" between my PAB duties and part-time work for Rec. and Parks, that could lead to my termination.

But what hurt the most were the comments from Hazard Park Director Aaron Shaw at the June 23, 2009 PAB meeting which I was excused from due to work place injury. From the minutes, He openly expressed his displeasure of the PAB in general, but was particularly discontent with the obvious focus of attention in areas where we (PAB) have no business or areas in (like Wetlands restoration?) or in areas where there is no involvement whatsoever in the betterement of our facility and its programs and activities". These comments are disappointing for the fact that the best moment of leadership from the PAB, was preventing the transfare of Aaron Shaw away from Hazard Park, now sadly "Legacy LA/Hazard Park".

** For the record, I ask for time at last night PAB meeting to respond to Aaron Shaw's comments but no reply came from my request.

Links to our past series on Legacy LA,

Creation of a "connected non-profit", Part 1

Creation of a "connected non-profit", Part 2

Creation of a "connected non-profit", Part 3

Creation of a "connected non-profit", Part 4

Creation of a "connected non-profit", Part 5

Creation of a "connected non-profit", Part 6

Scott Johnson in CD 14

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

Outtakes from CD 14: Councilman Huizar's Latest Staffer Deletion via his Website

Another staffer has left the field office.

We take you to the the "contact us" section of CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar's website. Direct your attention to the staff directory for the Boyle Heights Field Office. Who is missing from this list?

Jesse Leon, Boyle Heights Area Director (Jesse.Leon@lacity.org)

Jennifer Martinez, Field Deputy & Event Coordinator(Jennifer.Martinez@lacity.org)

David Miranda, Field Deputy(David.Miranda80@lacity.org)

Rocio Hernandez, Case Manager(Rocio.Hernandez@lacity.org)

If you said Celina Mancia, then you get the current e-mail blast from Huizar detailing his latest doings.

But for Celina Mancia, and the growing society of ex. staffers of Jose Huizar, maybe its time to start booking some large venue like the Staples Center, Nokia Theater, 740 Club or Steven's Steakhouse, for a Christmas get together/reunion.

To most "in the know" within the "political cut and paste barrio" that is CD 14. The departure of Mancia comes as no surprise. After being subjected to the alleged verbal assault by Huizar at the National Night Out event at the new Hollenbeck Police Station, Mancia was rarely seen again in her capacity within the Boyle Heights Field Office. Plus, speculation is that she is comtemplating some sort of legal action against Huizar.

Further, the speculation surrounding her relationship with former Huizar's Deputy Chief of Staff Henry Casas, who vacated his position with Huizar some seven months after be charged with domestic violence, may have been the spark that set off the alleged verbal assualt by Huizar.

Casas, we have learned, has been hire by Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA), where he joins another Huizar ex. staffer Armando Gonzalez. Here is hoping that Casas and Mancia find peace away from their former duties in the "staffer grinder" that is CD 14 under Huizar. ** Celina Mancia is now working for Central City East in Downtown LA.

OTHER CD 14 RELATED NEWS:

** Former SEIU Local 660 President and former boyfriend of disgrace SEIU 721 head Arnelle Grajeda, Alejandro Stephens, pleaded guilty to to two counts of mail fraud and one count of filing a false tax return for his role in the Voter Improvement Program scheme of the late County Labor Federation leader Miguel Contreras. Of interest to CD 14 is the role of Councilman Huizar in this scheme. While clear by the FBI of any wrong doings in his role as consultant for the V.I.P. non-profit, the Los Angeles Garment and Citizen Newspaper has not receive any comments from Councilman Huizar's office regarding this story.

ARE FEDS STILL ON HUIZAR?: The U.S. Attorney might have dropped an investigation into 14th District City Councilmember Jose Huizar, but reliable sources say that agents of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are asking some questions of their own. The U.S. Attorney recently cleared Huizar after considering the propriety of payments he received from a labor-backed outfit for consulting services during his tenure on the Los Angeles Unified School District board. The IRS now appears to be backtracking Huizar’s spending habits, which could be an investigative method to check his claims on deductions or to determine whether he properly reported all of his income. Spend more than you could possibly afford on whatever income you claim and it’s liable to become a red flag for the feds. Huizar’s office had not returned calls seeking comment as of presstime…

Still waiting for some statement from Rick Coca.

** Jenny Krusoe, a founding member of the Southwest Museum's exclusive "Southwest Society" and the founder of CD 14 latest "connected non-profit" Legacy LA, has left the organization. Also absent from the from the Legacy LA website is "advisor on redevelopment", CRA official Dalita Sotelo and former Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council President David Galaviz.

Krusoe, for all of her abrasive traits, leaves Legacy LA in the hands of Executive Director, Maria Lou Calanche, who is an well-known political operative and former three-time candidate for public office. Krusoe's former antagonists at the Hazard Park Advisory Board have also met with termination as PAB members, after Los Angeles Recreation and Parks send letters to members who three year terms had expire. But according to sources, Rec and Parks may be acting selectivly in enforcing this policy. For example, Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council member Lupe Guillen, has served on the Lincoln Park PAB for seven years and then there is this from the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, from one of the candidates for the vacant "Recreation, Culture and the Arts position.

MARTHA BENEDICT (Montecito Heights stakeholder) STATEMENT: I’m committed to enhancing Arroyo culture as the main ingredient of our community identity and the flavor of future development. Our dramatic geography has attracted artists and intellectuals for over a century and so it continues, as I’ve learned from knowing my neighbors. I’ve served on the Debs Park Advisory Board for over five years and was recently elected chair. I’m on the board of the Montecito Heights Improvement Association and the Mount Washington Preschools. I support restoring the Arroyo Seco River as an unpaved water course, reopening the Southwest Museum as a museum and preserving historic neighborhood character.

It seems that politics is at play again at Hazard Park and we can link to the "past investigation" of Hazard Park PAB members on instructions from Legacy LA's Jenny Krusoe and CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar.

** Councilman Huizar recently gave this comment regarding the 710 Tunnel to The Eagle Rock Association (TERA) "State of the Town" meeting, as noted by Tom Topping in the Boulevard Sentinal.

Just Say No? 710-Gap!
The Councilman had something to say regarding the 710 freeway gap through his district's communities of El Sereno, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Mt. Washington or Eagle Rock. He said, "I will not allow in the areas of my direct jurisdiction, any above ground or tunnel to come through Northeast Los Angeles to fill that gap. It just- does not- make- sense." To which he received a rousing applause. The residents of eastern El Sereno aka. "Option 3 Neighborhood", may find his comment of some interest.

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

A "Connected Non-Profit" that Mayor Villaraigosa may want to "Disconnect" from

" Some of Mayor Villaraigosa connected friends and allies"

No one who observes Los Angeles political scene will disagree that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is the top all-time exploiter of the "photo-op".

The Mayor's "Discount Prescription Card" above is the classic example of exploiting image for the sake of positive political motives. But what is the story on the selection of the people pictured with the Mayor?

We now know the background of the female on the left and her connections to the Mayor. Lets just say that connections pay off, but can also become problematic if there is some embarrassing details disclose.

Thanks to a tip from a CD 14 observer, we can say that the female on the left is an employee of Legacy LA., a new "connected non-profit" associated with Mayor Villaraigosa's cronies Jenny Krusoe and Maria Lou Calanche. We searched the Mayor Sam archives and came up with this.

Monique Moncayo "Director of Youth Outreach" Is she still double dipping at Hazard Park ?? Some would call that a "Conflict of Interest".Known to some as "Mini Lu".

We could stop here but then there is something about "embarrassing details".

A source has stated that Legacy LA is endanger of losing their Gang Reduction, Youth Development or "GRYD" contract due to "double counting". Legacy LA, as part of their GRYD contract, is require to work with 25 gang members and 25 youths who are protential gang members. But it seems that Legacy LA is trying to count the 25 protential gang members again as "gang members" on their reports to GRYD. Further community members are questioning whether the two intervention specialists, "George" and "Renee" are actually in the field doing their work.

In addition, the GRYD rep for the area "Eduardo" was recently terminated from his position with the city, Eduardo also was the on-site coordinator at Ramona Gardens Recreation Center, for the Mayor Villaraigosa's "Summer Night Lights" program.

Then there is reports out of the Ramona Gardens Housing Project that racial tensions are building due to the City of Los Angeles Housing Authority relocating African-American families into vacant units. a meeting to discuss the racial tensions is schedule for 6:00 PM, on Thursday October 8 at the Ramona Gardens Recreation Center. There is some speculation that during a recent meeting, someone from Legacy LA commented that the Ramona Gardens area had always been a "latino project".

If this is true, that someone would advocate public housing projects being segregated by race, then they have no business being rewarded with public contracts. But then Legacy LA meetings are open only to those who are invited.

Then there are those who say that the Mayor approves who gets invited??

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

Creation of a "Connected Non-Profit" and the "Pimping" of Public Facilities, Part 2

"Coordination among the Insiders"

It seems that Recreation and Parks Mark Mariscal and Legacy LA's Jenny Krusoe have spent some quality time together working on message and making sure that other "key players" are kept in the loop.

For those who may think that Mark Mariscal's name sound familiar, he was one of the central figures in Luara Chick's Audit of Recreation and Parks that uncover millions of dollars in fees that went unaccounted for.

Further, people in the know within Rec. and Parks describe Mariscal as someone who has "upward mobility" in mind when its comes to his career prospects and was known as someone who would do favors for those that were "politically connected".

Thus, it would not be a surprise that Mariscal would be willing to work with Krusoe, considering her close ties to Councilman Huizar and Mayor Villaraigosa.

After all, "Recreation and Parks General Manager Mark Mariscal" would be a title that fits the ego of Mr. Mariscal, according to sources.

........and "in holding to the line", it might make it easier for both Mariscal and Krusoe with the help of David Galaviz and Ellen Sanchez, to reach their desired goals.

Your thoughts......

Creation of a "Connected Non-Profit" Part 1

Creation of a "Connected Non-Profit" and the "Pimping" of Public Facilities, Part One

"Connected one gains access to Public Facility"

Many activists throughout the city are up in arms over the role of "connected non-profits" in the body politics.

While most private non-profits operate in an positive ethical manner and do good in the communities they serve, there are a "connected few" that are created for benefiting the friends, cronies and the political desires of the local politicos, can one remember Fabian Nunez's favorite, "A Collective SPACE" ??

Above is one of many e-mails that are making the rounds that chronicle the outright giveaway of public property to the latest "connected non-profit", Legacy LA.

In reading the above e-mail, one can see the corporation between Jenny Krusoe and the office of Councilman Jose Huizar as they "push" to get entry to facility.

One would of not want to have been Recreation and Park's Gary Baer as he attempts to state that there were other worthwhile organizations that wanted a chance to tour the facility and give proposals on possible use, while not knowing that Krusoe had the backing of both Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilman Huizar.

.....and in the days ahead more on the creation of the newest "connected non-profit" and the consequences on the community and ethics in City Hall.

Your thoughts.

****Some recent "contributions" from CD-14 Non-Profit Heads and others.

06/27/08 Maria Lourdes Calanche (Instructor, LA Community College District) Los Angeles, CA 90031 Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor 1305101 - Antonio R. Villaraigosa for Mayor 2009 A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period: 01/01/08-06/30/08] $1,000.00

06/27/08 Oswaldo Lopez (Exec. Director, L.A. Youth Opportunity Movement, City of Los Angeles) Los Angeles, CA 90032 Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor 1305101 - Antonio R. Villaraigosa for Mayor 2009 A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period: 01/01/08-06/30/08] $1,000.00

06/23/08 Sandra L. Figueroa Villa (Social Services Administrator, El Centro del Pueblo) Los Angeles, CA 90041 Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor 1305101 - Antonio R. Villaraigosa for Mayor 2009 A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period: 01/01/08-06/30/08] $1,000.00

Mayor Sam Exclusive!! David Tokofsky meet the Hazard Park Advisory Board, "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN INVESTIGATING OTHERS AS JOSE HUIZAR", exposed again!!

Interesting e-mail making the rounds in CD-14.

Apparently a group called the Hazard Park Advisory Board got under the skin of Southwest Society Member/Legacy LA Front Person Jenny Krusoe and she went whining to fellow Southwest Society Member Jose Huizar.

So what recourse does the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR" undertake in dealing with this situation?

Its seems that despite the denials that were stated in this e-mail, the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN INVESTIGATING OTHERS AS JOSE HUIZAR" orders his Boyle Heights Field Director (who shortly after resigned to pursue other employment) to investigate Jenny Krusoe's complaints further.

One must wonder if the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN INVESTIGATING OTHERS AS JOSE HUIZAR" even bothered to attempt communicating with the members of the Hazard Park Advisory Board to get their side of the story.

It was this type of behavior that led to the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN INVESTIGATING OTHERS AS JOSE HUIZAR" being fined $15,000 for using campaign funds to "secretly research" former LAUSD Board Member David Tokofsky policy decisions.

With this sort of behavior, maybe it is now time to investigate and question whether the "COUNCILMAN LAST SEEN AS JOSE HUIZAR" is misusing tax dollars in needless acts of "creepy investigations" of his own constituents.

Makes you wonder who will be lurking in the shadows tonight for the Mayor Sam's Bash in Highland Park.

***Is the Mrs. Huizar expecting # 4??***

Controversy over the Hazard Park Armory reaches Newsprint

The controversy over the future of the Hazard Park Armory has made it to the front pages of the Eastern Group Publications.

Much has been written here about Legacy LA and its founder, Southwest Society Member Jenny Krusoe. In the days ahead Ms. Krusoe will have her hands full with Legacy LA and as an active supporter of the Autry atttempt to expand their space in Griffith Park.

In the recent weeks the Southwest Society has been active in supporting the McCormick, Baron, and Salazar Transit Development Proposal in Highland Park with Grayson Cook, Carol Jacques and Jenny Krusoe helping with facilitating a presentation by Dalila Sotelo's old bosses. Some speculate that this was done to win favor with Councilman Ed Reyes .

Meanwhile an important meeting will take place Monday at 10:00 AM in City Hall on Zoning Issues pertaining to the proposed Autry Expansion in Griffith Park.

Back to the Hazard Park Armory, Krusoe and her associate Lou Calanche had these remarks in response to concerns of community activists such as Jose Aguilar.

For Jose Aguilar, Urban Park Community Chair, the development of the buildings and the services planned are positive plans, but he worries about the possibility of a 30-year contract with an entity that is not public.

“They are using private money for the project, and besides talking to the residents of the area, there is no guarantee that Legacy L.A. will always have the best interest of the community in mind or reflect what the community wants,” Aguilar told EGP. Aguilar compares it with the Southwest Museum which began with community members wanting to preserve and keep historical artifacts in Arroyo Seco, but now feel that they have been robbed of a valuable resource, since the privately run Autry National Museum assumed control of the museum.

From Krusoe,
Krusoe says Legacy L.A. is trying to create a partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation. Councilman Huizar echoed that concept.

“The details have yet to be worked out, but Legacy L.A. will be in a partnership with Recreation and Parks, but Rec and Parks will retain ownership of the actual property.”

According to Krusoe, next month they will complete their studies and present their findings to the community.

“We are doing everything we can do be transparent,” Krusoe said.

She also said the Web Site does not contain more information because they currently don’t have the funds to update it.

Hmmm., did someone just get a $200,000 grant??

From Calanche,
Executive Director of Legacy L.A. Lou Calanche grew up in Ramona Gardens and says the majority of the people who make up the organization are from the area and are excited that the armory (which was off-limits to civilians in the past) may be used by the community.

“Legacy L.A. began as an umbrella to house local community organizations,” Calanche told EGP,

“But the program has evolved and now we plan to provide services to the community.”

Calanche said the city had thought about using the buildings for a youth boxing center but the city does not have the funds or capacity to do it.

Calanche recently express her appreciation to Mayor Villaraigosa by doing this,

06/27/08
Maria Lourdes Calanche (Instructor, LA Community College District) Los Angeles, CA 90031
Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor 1305101 - Antonio R. Villaraigosa for Mayor 2009 A - Monetary Contribution Received (IND - Individual) [Period: 01/01/08-06/30/08] $1,000.00

And Councilman Jose Huizar said this,
In a statement responding to questions from EGP, Councilman Jose Huizar pointed out that often community programs are created without community input, and said, “this will be the opposite.”

“Contrary to some fringe opinions, the board is not uniformly filled with supporters of one group over another,” Huizar wrote. “There was a lot of painstaking effort to ensure it included a fair mix of people and it obviously includes community members. Again, the whole basis of the program is to promote community ideas and community support and that will continue throughout the duration once the community decides what programs it wants.”

Will that include dialog with community members??

More in the days ahead............

No politics in new Gang Contracts???

Lets play "Connect the Insiders"...........

Refer to the list of "Advisory Board Members" for the "Legacy LA Project".

Experts on violence intervention: Dr. Astrid Heger, Violence Intervention Program, and Belinda Smith Walker, Girls and Gangs; on redevelopment: Dalila Sotelo, Community Redevelopment Agency; on education: State Superintendent Jack O’Connell and Paula Crisostomo, Occidental College; on environmental sustainability: Larry Smith, Executive Director of Northeast Trees; on community issues: Olivia Rodriguez, Los Angeles Commission for Women; and on marketing: Will Caperton y Montoya, Department of Cultural Affairs.

Steering Committee:
Sister Hilda Alfaro/Church Youth Leaders Santa Teresita Church; Leo Alvarez, Hazard Park Advisory Board; Alma Garcia, Ramona Gardens Community Service Center; Martha Gonzalez, LA Voice; Santa Teresita, Ramona Gardens Community; Scott Johnson, Hazard Park Advisory Board; Monique Moncayo. Hazard Park Teen Program; Tammy Membreno, Barrio Action Youth & Family Center; Veronica Pagan, Murchison Street School – LA’s Best Program and community resident; Hector Verdugo, Homeboy Industries – former Ramona Gardens resident; Raul Estrada, Executive Director, El Centro de Ayuda; David Galaviz, Director Community Outreach, USC Civic and Community Relations (former LHNC President); Sesshu Foster, Bravo Medical Magnet High School

Legacy L.A. staff includes two co-directors for the project, former executive director for the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, Jenny Krusoe, who has led the project from its inception, and Maria Lou Calanche, a former resident of Ramona Gardens and currently a professor at East Los Angeles College.

........and who was one of six groups awarded gang intervention contracts by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the "General Secretary of Gang Intervention, Jeff Carr"???. From today's LA Times piece by Phil Willon,

The mayor's office recommended Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for the gang-prevention program in the Cypress Park area; Community Build for the Baldwin Village area; Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches for the Florence-Graham area; People Coordinated Services for the Newton area; El Nido Family Centers for the Pacoima and Foothill area; and Violence Intervention Program for the Ramona Gardens and Hollenbeck area.

......and some from the "cut and paste archives",

Special Interest = Legacy LA Project. One should ask David Galaviz and Eileen Sanchez (she works for VIP) why they attempted to allocate $3,000 to a Project that they have a vested interest in.

The same ingrate "Ellen Sanchez" who is reported to have told the Advisory Board that they should be happy that they are getting something for their community.The same David Galaviz who told the Advisory Board that restoring the Wetlands at Hazard Park would conflict with USC's building program.
July 03, 2008 11:06 AM

Yeah, David and "Ellen" should remember that the meeting in question was video taped. "Ellen" should also remember the responses to her "kind comments".BTW, alot of people are catching on to the scam that is Legacy LA. Once again a "Non-profit" set up to benefit friends of the Mayor and Huizar.
July 03, 2008 11:26 AM

David Galaviz told a community member that their grant request to USC for "wetlands related" activities was rejected due to conflicts that a restored "wetlands" would have with USC's Capital Projects.
July 03, 2008 12:33 PM

....and this,

Earlier in the year, this body voted to support the controversial "Las Villas Project" on the corner of Broadway and Thomas (old Rose Eye Center location). Later on the same night that Councilman Ed Reyes announced the end of the "Las Villas Project", NC members proposed giving money to support a community event for Jenny Krusoe's "Legacy LA Project". Yet at no time did any of the USC employees or Violence Intervention Program staff member Eileen Sanchez recuse themselves from voting, and not cite that their respective employers have a vested interest in the successful completion of the "Legacy LA Project".

So the notion that the Mayor was removing politics from the awarding of gang intervention contracts is a complete farce.

Controversy galore on Election Day for Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council

As the sun rises on what is expected to be a hot day in the "City of Angels", a "devil of controversy" is brewing in the already contentious Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Elections, the first in three years for the community just northeast of downtown.

We here at Mayor Sam were e-mail a copy of this "alleged" memo written by Lincoln High School Career Advisor Vera Padilla, who also is a current member of the LHNC and is running for re-election with the so-call "Action Slate". (For the record, the e-mail stated that the "Action Team" slate was attached to this memo.)

If this document is true, then there are questions galore about the ethical behavior of Ms. Padiila. First, the usage of school letterhead would present a serious "Conflict of Interest" involving Lincoln High School and LAUSD. Second, if this was done on district time, then questions of sanctions and discipline need to be brought to the table for discussion on why Ms. Padilla is campaigning for re-election and soliciting votes from her fellow staff members, when she is getting paid to create "road maps" that guide students to colleges and careers?

This memo, if true, is just another incident of questionable ethical behavior from the current LHNC under the leadership of David Galaviz.

Earlier in the year, this body voted to support the controversial "Las Villas Project" on the corner of Broadway and Thomas (old Rose Eye Center location). Later on the same night that Councilman Ed Reyes announced the end of the "Las Villas Project", NC members proposed giving money to support a community event for Jenny Krusoe's "Legacy LA Project". Yet at no time did any of the USC employees or Violence Intervention Program staff member Eileen Sanchez recuse themselves from voting, and not cite that their respective employers have a vested interest in the successful completion of the "Legacy LA Project"

In addition, did Carolina Castillo, USC employee and KIPP Charter School Board Member recuse herself when funds were allocated for the Charter School?

Voters in Lincoln Heights will have the final say in this contentous election from 1:00-7:00 PM today in the Lincoln High School Auditorium, located at 3501 N. Broadway.

***Afternoon Update, On site observers report that students were given hall passes during late morning classes and taken to the auditorium to vote with "Action Slate" in hand. When Principal Molina was confronted with this charge, he responded that this was a "civics lesson"..........in Chicago Style Politics?***

LHNC's "Galaviz": First "Las Villas" now "Legacy LA"??.....and Huizar's reaction to Pedophile story

North of County/USC Medical Center to south and west of "Mt. Flattop" lies the former Italian Barrio of Lincoln Heights.

Over the years Lincoln Heights has transform itself from the night time destination of "Little Joe's" regulars to today's Ed Reyes vision of the urban life style, complete with drive bys, traffic, and high density building.

Facilitating or carpetbagging off Councilman Ed "Ewok" Reyes vision is one David Galaviz. By day he earns his paycheck "spinning the vision and virtues " of USC. This may encompass steering CRA into changing zoning designations so that parks and schools become future building zones or getting elderly couples to sell their homes for the rampant expansion of the USC empire.

But at night, mainly the first and third Thursdays of the month, Galaviz presides over a supposed elective body of community stakeholders (with their parents and guardians) called the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council.

This bunch with Galaviz as their leader is building on the reputation of "enriching a few with no accountability". Witness the recent collaboration between Galaviz and Reyes regarding the "Las Villas Project"

Last night, Galaviz held court for his friend Jenny Krusoe and her Legacy LA Project. Shall we play "connect the dots"??

* Dalila Sotelo, "advisor on redevelopment", "Friend of Carol"

* Violence Intervention Program (V.I.P), Eileen Sanchez, LHNC Member

* Jenny Krusoe, "Southwest Society Member"

* David Galaviz, CRA Adelante Board Member

* Al Nodal, Cultural Affairs, Annenberg Foundation, "Southwest Society Member"

* Lou Calanche, "Three time candidate for office, three time loser"

This all connects to a group of political insiders who are gaming the system for their own self interest. Did anybody see public input?? I think not..........

......and lastly from todays LA Time, "Aztec Math does add up", now we know how LA 90032 NC computes its meetings and budget.

We like to add this Breaking News:

Dear Community Members,

I was outraged when I was informed by the Los Angeles Police Department that there were an estimated 47 registered sex offenders living in the Marianna Street apartment complex located within 2,000 feet of the High School of Performing Arts at Cal State L.A.

I immediately coordinated efforts with LAPD and the Department of Corrections to have the offenders moved because they were in violation of the 2,000 feet proximity clause in the parole conditions for all registered sex offenders. They were relocated within two days.

I want to assure you that I will not allow the community of El Serenoto become a housing hub for registered sex offenders and the unusual cluster of them living in our community was reason for alarm. I share your concern for the safety of our children and other residents. LAPD reports that all registered sex offenders living in the Marianna Street apartment complex have been relocated.

In order to better protect the community, we need to have accurate and current information. It is because of situations such as the one on Marianna Street that I called for the creation of a consolidated database that tracks parole violators residing in the City who are known sex offenders, pedophiles, violent criminals and gang members.

Given this recent incident, I will now ask LAPD to build a trigger mechanism into the database that would alert the police when a cluster of registered sex offenders have moved into a particular area of our community. I look forward to continuing to work with you in keeping our community safe.

Sincerely,

José Huizar Councilmember, District 14

Props to "The Voice Newspaper" for exposing this.