Here’s a quick recap of what’s happening in the Seventh Council District this week:
111 Acres of New Open Space Acquired
Great news! 111 acres of prime open space has been acquired in Big Tujunga Canyon adjacent to the Angeles National Forest. The new parkland in the Northeast Valley is bordered on all sides by public open space in a key habitat area essential for wildlife movement in the mountain range.
Recognizing a Historic Landmark: Tuna Canyon Detention Station
WATCH: (Click on the image to watch the ceremony)
This week, I joined Councilman David Ryu, Deputy Consul General of Japan Hiroki Matsuo, the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition, and the Little Tokyo Community Council to recognize the Tuna Canyon Detention Center Station as a cultural historic landmark and commemorate the history of people unjustly interned there. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 during World War II, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 which ordered more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry to relocate to internment camps — forcing families to leave behind their property, businesses, and places they’ve called home.
From 1941 to 1943, more than 2,000 individuals, of Japanese, German, and Italian origin were imprisoned at the Tuna Canyon Detention Station before most were transferred to other internment camps. This site is an important piece of our history in the Northeast San Fernando Valley and a timely reminder to ensure that this violation to civil rights never happens again.
Addressing the City’s Homeless Crisis
This week, the City Council approved two ordinances that will help cut red tape to build new permanent supportive housing for the City’s homeless population and convert existing structures into homeless housing. As the Vice Chair of the City’s Homelessness and Poverty Committee, I led efforts to ensure that these important housing projects are done right and include safeguards so that the projects are welcomed into our communities. The amendments I introduced to the new ordinances, in addition to those I made to the City’s proposition HHH guidelines, ensure that these types of projects include: on-site supportive services, clearly defined service plans for the target population, property management, and thoughtful building design. Addressing the homeless crisis requires ongoing efforts and a comprehensive approach. Most importantly — it takes all of us working together.
Cleaning Up Illegal Dumping
This week, my team assisted in the clean up of a large illegal dumping site in Pacoima. For over a year, the property owner at Telfair Ave. and Van Nuys Blvd. refused to comply with a Building and Safety upkeep rules to clear illegally dumped dirt in a vacant lot. My office expedited the clean up and worked to remove this eyesore from our neighborhood. If you see a similar issue, please call 3-1-1 or my office at 818-485-0600.
Photo of the Week
This month, I’m participating in embRACELA, a Citywide initiative aimed at unifying Angelenos and empowering communities through a conversation about race and racism challenging and changing inequities. I embRACELA by celebrating our diverse backgrounds and working to make our City more inclusive & equitable for all. Learn more, here: Embracela.org.