Residents Plan to Oppose Expanded Drilling at Jefferson-Budlong Site at Zoning Hearing Today
Over the course of a lengthy conversation yesterday, Rizgar Ghazi, head of permitting at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), explained that part of the delay on the decision regarding embattled lead-acid battery recycler Exide's petition for a formal operating permit was that Exide had to first draft an Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
November 25, 2014
Eyes on the Street: Avalon/Gage Pocket Park Continues to Take Shape
As much as I genuinely adore South L.A., I have to admit it isn't always the sparkliest of places.
November 21, 2014
Exide Settlement with DTSC Limits (For Now)* Homes that Can Be Tested for Lead, County Supervisors Explore Legal Options
Good news, good people of Maywood, Boyle Heights, and East L.A. who live within the limited assessment areas (see one, above)! The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) wants you to know that, per a Stipulation and Order settlement reached on November 6 with embattled Vernon-based lead-acid battery recycling plant Exide, if Exide has contaminated your yard with lead, it can be cleaned up at no cost to you! (emphasis theirs)
November 20, 2014
Metro Postpones Approving ENA for Mariachi Plaza, Gets Blasted for Having it on Agenda in First Place
"Injustice. [...] Lack of accountability. Lack of outreach in our community," a frustrated Teresa Marquez, president of the Boyle Heights Stakeholders Association, told the Metro Board of Directors this morning. "Nobody's talking to us!"
November 13, 2014
Beyond the Gates: USC Planning Students Build Ties with Communities through Tours
A few weeks ago, I got a phone call asking me to help someone interested in journalism put together a tour in South L.A.
November 12, 2014
Bici Paseo y Accion in Boyle Heights
Come and join the Boyle Heights Prometor@s and Multicultural Communities for Mobility for a Bike Ride through Boyle Heights! (Facebook event info here)
November 10, 2014
Dupont-Walker, Community Press Metro on Surprising Changes Slated for Mariachi Plaza, Demand More Outreach
How can we ensure stakeholder input has value and is incorporated into planning? And, in so doing, help the community feel comfortable in trusting Metro to make sure that happens?
November 7, 2014
Filed Under: D’oh! City Stamps Out Safety-Enhancing DIY Effort in Silver Lake, Leaves Massive Gang Signs in Place in South Central
Last month, I sent a photo illustrating some of the new designs that had popped up at Effie and Hyperion in Silver Lake (above) to Joe and Damien.
November 3, 2014
Days of Dialogue Opens Conversation on Police-Community Relations in South L.A., Gets an Earful
Dialogue was great, said a young man from Youth Justice Coalition as we left the Days of Dialogue on Police-Community Relations in the Aftermath of Ezell Ford and Michael Brown event held at Dr. Maya Angelou High School in South L.A. last night, but what he cared about was action.
October 31, 2014
Leimert Park People St Plaza: Making a Cookie-Cutter Program Fit a Cultural Community’s Aspirations
On my way to a meeting of the Leimert Park Village stakeholders at the Vision Theater a few weeks ago, I poked my head into the art space known as the KAOS Network looking for founder and artist Ben Caldwell.
October 29, 2014