The Final Act in Lincoln Heights "Las Villas Saga" ??

Thanks to the concern citizen who forward this on the proposed CRA resolution regarding the "Las Villas Project" in Lincoln Heights.

THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CA.
MEMORANDUM

DATE: APRIL 16, 2009 AD0000
TO: CRA/LA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FROM: CECILIA V. ESTOLANO, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

RESPONSIBLE PARTIES: STEVE VALENZUELA, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR
STANLEY LEFKOWITZ, SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER

SUBJECT: SUBORDINATION OF CRA/LA DEED OF TRUST AND LOAN IN
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $913,000 FOR LAS VILLAS INC.,
LOCATED AT 3301-3331 NORTH BROADWAY IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS
EASTSIDE REGION (CD1)

LOAN COMMITTEE: APPROVED MARCH 10, 2009

RECOMMENDATION
That the CRA/LA Board of Commissioners authorize the Chief Executive Officer or designee to
subordinate the CRA/LA Deed of Trust for Service Repayment Loan # 872498 in favor of Las
Villas Inc.(Borrower), in the amount of $1,500,000 to a new Wilshire State Bank Deed of Trust in an amount not to exceed $913,000 for the vacant commercial property located at 3301-3331
North Broadway, in the community of Lincoln Heights.

SUMMARY
Approval of the recommend action will permit Borrower to pay off a matured senior loan to
Wilshire State Bank (WSB) in the amount of $579,000 principal and interest, pay off past due
property taxes to Los Angeles County of $72,744, loan costs including an interest reserve of
approximately $68,000, accounts payable of $59,152, consulting fees of $115,000 and
miscellaneous expenses of $18,560.

The principal balance outstanding to CRA/LA is $1,500,000. The service repayment loan
accrues no interest, principal is to be forgiven over a ten year period upon completion of the
project and achievement of public benefits (i.e. low/mod job creation). The Borrower has
abandoned all plans to develop the site and the property is currently listed for sale. Moreover
the new senior loan of $913,000 has a one year term, allowing Borrower adequate time for an
orderly sale of the property. The future net sale proceeds are expected to be sufficient to pay
off the indebtedness to both WSB and CRA/LA.

Some concerns,

If there is a profit to be made who should make it. The City or Las Villas

Why are the funds being allocated to pay for a consultant who obviously didn't do a good job in consulting the Teresa and Alicia the owners of "Las Villas"

Is title held in Las Villas, if so why doesn't the city just call the loan and if "Las Villas, Inc." can't pay for it then the city should foreclose and sell the property with a Condition, Covenant and Restriction that no new owners can ever use the land for any beer or gaming purposes.

Ed Reyes should be the first to push for this because in CRA's own words they acknowledge that the "Las Villas" project met with strong opposition from the community for it intended purposes of serving alcohol and providing gaming near schools.

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

Complaints filed in the aftermath of Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Election

If one thought that the "brouhaha" that was the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Election on June 12 would end anytime soon?? Then simply, CHALE!!!

Excerpts from the Eastern Group Publication Story.

Allegations of improper voting procedures and violations of polling-place regulations in the June 12 Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council election are being made in a complaint filed Tuesday with the Los Angeles City Clerk.

“We’re in the position right now that we’re trying to get the city clerk to check the election,” said Carmen M. Serrano, who ran for secretary of the council and lost. Other submitters of the complaint include her husband, Frank A. Serrano, who ran in the election as a community representative for a community-based organization (Sacred Heart Catholic Church) and lost, Jose Aguilar, who ran for an at-large area seat and won, and Hugo Pacheco, who ran for council president and lost.

The complaint alleges that there was no inclusive bilingual voting information and materials for the election, that voters 18 and over were discriminated against by the allowing of minors as young as 14 to vote, that campaign flyers advocating a slate of candidates were on display within the Lincoln High School auditorium polling location, that a memo with a Lincoln High School letterhead about the election was sent to Lincoln High School staff, and that some stakeholders were not provided with ballots, among other allegations. The complaints were to be sent to the City Clerk for review for violation of municipal, state, and federal voting laws. It has not been verified whether the City Clerk has received the complaint.

This response from Lincoln High School's Vera Padilla.

Vera Padilla, counselor at Lincoln, is the neighborhood council treasurer. She said that the stakeholder definition in Lincoln Heights includes children as young as 14 who attend school in the area, as well as people who shop or have bank accounts there.

“You can shop in Lincoln Heights, you can bank in Lincoln Heights, and there are your voters,” she said.

Padilla, who authored and distributed the memo named in the complaint, claimed that her distribution of the memo concerning the election to school faculty was within her job duties, which include distributing memos to faculty about various neighborhood and school-related functions.

Eastern Group Publications obtained a copy of the memo, dated June 10, along with the complaint. (Padilla offered to submit a copy of the memo to EGP, but it was not received by deadline).

The memo reads “Abraham Lincoln High School” and “Inter-Office Memorandum” in bold letters at the top. It was to Lincoln staff, from Vera Padilla, Career Advisor. The subject is Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council Elections. It is not on letterhead stationery.
The memo begins by giving the time and place of the election. It urges voting, and reminds readers that all teachers, faculty, staff and students in grades nine thru twelve can vote. It then lists various donations from the Neighborhood Council to the school and the community, totaling over $168, 000 in value.

“This was my way, a reminder, to get out and vote, “ Padilla said. “To me, I did no wrong.”

You can read all five of the challenges filed with the City Clerk by linking here

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

Ass Clown for the month of May

Exploitation of children for political gain and self interest.

This winner of the Ass Clown Award and his cohorts three years ago devise a scheme to take over a political body by creating a new pool of voters who were not old enough to drive, fight for their country, but used to achieve a margin of victory so that a big corporate interest and political allies could change the face of their community.

One community activist who witness this event saw students walk in to the polling place with a sheet of paper with names of candidates, then later learned that students who voted according to the list were given school credit by a school official who happen to be one of the candidates on the list.

Records show that out of some 600 votes cast in this Neighborhood Council Election close to 300 hundred were cast by students who had no idea how their vote would be use to affect the community.

Thus for the month of May we present the Ass Clown Award to David Galaviz and his allies on the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council.

One must give credit to Zuma Dogg for exposing this scheme and the later abuses by the Galaviz led body. But now after his three year reign as President, word from Lincoln Heights is that Galaviz is being promote by USC to a lobbyist position thus will not run for re-election.

Leave it to the "four year community college on Fig." to award someone who brought ridicule to the Neighborhood Council system, and who in concert with Councilman Ed "Density in all communities" Reyes, and the Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce, create policy and projects that cause the community to rise up and organize to reclaim thier community as seen with the "Las Villas Controversy".

With Galaviz moving on, Jackie Goldberg crony Elena Popp is running for President on a slate with the likes of Erika Gallo, Frank Wada, Vera Padilla, "Vons Riley", Ernest Sanchez, Carolina Castillo and new to the team, former disgraced LAUSD candidate and convicted criminal Chris Arellano.

More on this election and assorted asses in the days ahead..............

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.

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........

Morning quick hits from the "RED SPOT INSTITUTE"

Morning quick links to stories of interest.

Lincoln Heights community showed up in "MASS" to state their opposition to the Las Villas Project". But after hearing from many, a few, in the early hours of this day decided not to overturn the approval of the controversal project. To the people in Lincoln Heights, your version of "PEOPLE POWER" is just the start in returning political decision making to the citizens, not the likes of Ed Reyes and the LHNC.

The "Weekly of Record" dedicate "column feet" to the density debate, ie. "Zev vs. Antonio" Preview of 2009?

They also don't think much about the new "BARKER LAW". Poor Pee Wee loses his "wee wee" due to Big Government. New recruits for ALF?

Pico and Olympic draws the line of congestion at Fairfax. Lawsuits on the way? They sure are.

The "Sniper" takes aim at the Mayor regarding MTA, Puppy Love, and that City Council "number cruncher" who regales in panning the Mayor's budget proposal.

Waste at the "BOARD OF CHILD INDOCTRINATION" ie. LAUSD? Now something about padding timecards for work in the "PEOPLES ENCLAVE OF MT. WASHINGTON".

FREEDOM, FREE SPEECH, AND FREE ENTERPRISE!!!

DON QUIXOTE'S" salient observations about the "LAS VILLAS PROJECT"

Much has been posted here regarding the controversal "Las Villas Project" in Lincoln Heights. But if one is to form a opinion on this project, then lets base our opinion on local voices.

"DON QUIXOTE" is a local who post these thoughts,

"As a former student of Lincoln High and from the old neighborhood, family goes back to the 30's in LH's I am disgusted with this project and the people who are shoving it up the ass of the community.

Every school day thousands of students will walk right by the bar and video arcade, there will be unsavory characters hanging around the bar drinking beer waiting for school to get out.Little Flower convent and orphanage, which has been a part of the community for decades is located right above on Thomas St. and will be impacted by the noise and swearing and fighting and car noise of all the drunks coming and going.

Speaking of parking, where's this going to happen? You know where, all over the surrounding streets!Another poster was correct when stating that if a meeting place is needed for community affairs then go to the San Antonio Winery, or why not spend some money to fix up the Boys and Girls Club? It once was the pride of Lincoln Heights and salvaged many young lives but now it's been mismanaged by politicians and crony's and has turned into a welfare cheese distribution location and is falling apart at the seams.

No bar and video at the old Dupont/Rose Eye care location!Think of the kids and the neighborhood, are you people nuts!?dq"

And as a "Jim Healy Fan" I'm sure he would tell the likes of Councilman Ed Reyes and the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council to go "AH, BLOW IT OUT" in regards to this CRA financed scam.

Opposition to "Las Villas" mounts

Maybe CD 1 Councilman Ed Reyes should just read the sign in the picture.

Regardless of his denial and the efforts of an "Ad Hoc Body" that calls themselves a "Neighborhood Council", the coalition against the "Las Villas" project continues to grow.

The following is a letter to Councilman Ed Reyes,
Dear Councilman Reyes,

Tonight I attended the HHPNC meeting at Franklin High School. A coalition of parents and community members from Lincoln Heights informed us that you are in support of Las Villas project. Furthermore, it was stated that you previously did not support similar proposals near this same area based on obvious reasons of negative impact to the Lincoln Heights community that is already struggling with gangs, graffiti, under performing schools, crime etc.....

My question? Why do you support this project? As an educator, I know that this particular project will in no way help the students and community directly effected by its close proximity to Lincoln High School, Gates St. School, Little Flower Missionary School, Kwan Ying Buddhist Temple and Carmelite Convent.

It is with my sincerest hope that you reconsider your position to this and vote against this particular project.

Respectfully,

Gemma Marquez

And this regarding the actions of the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council

As a Los Angeles citizen, I do believe I have thew right to comment on the agenda of a public entity. Any NC is a public entity, not a private club.My question is : What is the difference between a high sounding agenda talking about financial accountability and similar good things, and "NONC board meeting agenda at all",if, in both instances, there is no way to know (To read ) the minutes ofthe meetings of the NC's board and no public disclosure of accounting to show exacting what are spent, and whether any third person that is no related to the transaction has "verified" the expense item?If in both case, where there is agenda posting no agenda posting,stakeholders or members of the public cannot see the minutes and the verified accounting, then what good does the Posting of Agenda do?I think, the answer is that neither is of any good to the public.

Sincerely,Lewis Wong B.Sc CAAFormer NC director and officer 03-04

Las Villas is in trouble and rightfully so. More alarming is the role of government in not protecting the interest of community members in this process.

Link to nolasvillas.com

Ed Reyes You Tube Link

Las Villas Web site

David Galaviz, the "TROJAN MAN" of the Lincoln Heights N.C.

Much has been written here at Mayor Sam about the antics of Bradley at the Cypress Park Neighborhood Council and his counterpart in the LA 90032, Hugo Garcia.

But lets not forget the "Czar" that reigns over the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council, David Galaviz.

The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council is well known for its "under 18 voter base". Also whatever USC wants the USC dominated N.C. will give.

In recent days, my fellow blogger Zuma Dogg has been bringing you the latest on the "Las Villas" saga that has roiled the masses in Lincoln Heights against the propose project next to Lincoln High School at the old Rose Eye Clinic.

there is controversy raging in Lincoln Heights that will affect the Carmelite
Sisters. The Voice newspaper reports: "Given the close proximity of the project
to their location and the listed hours of operation for the Las Villas facility,
sisters of the Carmelite Covenant at Little Flower Missionary House have stated
that if the project is built with it's beer and wine license, the convent may
have to relocate for the safety of the school's 100+ pre-school and pre-kinder
children. The Carmelite nuns have resided at their Lincoln Heights place of
worship since 1943."

It is alleged that Mr. Galaviz has attempted to restrict activists from handing out an local newspaper ("The Voice") that has been critical of the "Las Villas Project".

The Las Villas issue is just one of many issues that have local activists questioning Galaviz motives in local issues.

Galaviz has been doing his best "Bradley" in expediting developement on the hilltops such as "Flattop" and "Paradise Hill".

Galaviz also sits on the Adelante Redevelopement Board and is USC's point person in pushing forward such projects as the "USC 2030" and the "Bio Tech Research Corridor along Valley Blvd.

Recently, Galaviz, fellow N.C. member Eileen Sanchez, along with political insiders Dalila Sotelo and Jenny Krusoe, were spearheading creation of an new non-profit called Legacy L.A. that would use a old Armory site at Hazard Park.

Some even speculate that Galaviz is using his positions to advance a political agenda, ie. a run for future office. After all, Galaviz was once paid to spin "Driver Licenses for Illegals" when working for State Senator Gil Cedillo.

But how would Galaviz spin the absence of elections in the LHNC for the last three years?? This needs clarification, hopefully before the negative cost of the Galaviz's reign gets too high.

Link to nolasvillas.com