The L.A. Board of Building and Safety Commissioners unanimously voted the Hope Street properties at 1220, 1224, and 1246-48 public nuisance properties on Tuesday, August 25.  This status shifts the property from standard code compliance to mandatory government intervention and legal enforcement. With that designation L.A. officials have more tools, legally and financially, to enact on nuisance properties.

As you walk around South Park, you have likely seen a lot of people working very hard to keep our landscaping alive. Business Improvement District (BID) employees and property maintenance crews water rose bushes and other ornamental plants in tree wells and planters throughout the neighborhood. And yet, in many places, those plants look pretty shabby. In others, they’ve died altogether.

November’s General Election includes 14 statewide measures on taxes and state budget, housing and infrastructure, voting and elections, and healthcare and research. 

The  L.A. Charter Reform Commission was formed after the 2022 City Hall audio scandal where the LA City Council President, two other City Council Members, and the President of the LA County Federation of Labor were recorded during an hour-long conversation  revealing racist and derogatory language and political gerrymandering.

City of Los Angeles November ballot measures include funding for the L.A. Fire Department, finance rules for LAUSD Board of Education, and tax exemption for Palisades fire properties.

‍While there are 14 statewide propositions on the California ballot a few specific high-stakes measures are dominating media coverage, political spending, and campaign debates. The one most discussed is Proposition 40 referred to as the “Billionaire Tax” that lead to Propositions 41 and 42 which are counter measures to Proposition 40 from the opponents of the “billionaire tax.” 

Proposition 39 would amend the California Constitution to require government-issued photo ID for in-person voting and ID verification (such as the last four digits of an ID) for mail-in ballots. The voter ID would be provided free from the state. The proposition orders election officials to verify citizenship and perform audits.

  Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association (DTLA RA) has been organizing and fighting for solutions to the open-air drug use in downtown LA as well as many other downtown issues. Their efforts grabbed the attention of the LA Mayor’s office and city officials are now responding.

  In four months, voters will choose who leads California for the next four years. This article will share the results and the choices on the November ballot and then provide five takeaways from the state-wide elections. 

The results from the June 2, Los Angeles primary election have been certified, setting the stage for a general election in November with a historic mayoral runoff and major shakeups in key city offices. The election underscored a growing political tug-of-war between L.A.’s center-left Democratic establishment and the progressive movement.  

The heat is on for the LA City Controller’s race on the November ballot. The LA Times endorsed Kenneth Mejia for the June primary but has not endorsed anyone for the general election in November. A former LA City Controller wrote against Mejia while other past Controllers have supported Paul Kortez. Below is information from endorsements for both candidates. By the way, what are the controller’s responsibilities? General supervision over the accounts of all officers and departments of the City, including the independent departments of Airports, Water and Power, and Harbor. Under the Charter all City payments must be approved by the City Controller.

Hydee Feldstein Soto and Faisal Gill are running for LA City Attorney in November. The city attorney’s office writes every municipal law, advises the City, defends the city in litigation, brings forth lawsuits on behalf of the people, and prosecutes misdemeanor crimes.

Los Angeles is a big City. The South Park community is relatively small.  You actually have influence in the area you chose to live. Your voice and actions can be a meaningful component in shaping its future.

Important dates:

• Last day to register to vote is October 24. www.registertovote.ca.gov or check to see if you are registered to vote at www.voterstatus.sos.ca.gov .

• Last day to change address to current address is October 24 at www.registertovote.ca.gov.

Reasons why the Los Angeles Times endorsed Long Beach Police chief Robert Luna over incumbent Alex Villanueva:

Los Angeles will have a new mayor after the November 8 General Election. Current mayor Eric Garcetti is termed out. Karen Bass with 43.2% of the vote and Rick Caruso with 36% of the vote in June vie for a majority in the November election.

With 73% of the Primary Election counted, only 392 votes were cast in the South Park precinct. Elected officials listen to neighborhoods that vote. South Park residents need to vote in the November election in order to have their needs and problems addressed by those who represent South Park. Get ready to vote on November 8, 2022.