Central City East : Downtown Los Angeles

General Jeff , once again ,highlighted in the mainstream press. This time KCET..

Word comes to us from General Jeff that Skid Row Housing Trust has been named in a multimillion dollar lawsuit! More information as news comes forth! This is gonna be juicy! Quoting  Carmen Trutanich  on the day of the Skid Row Watch Walk about the drug dealer injunction , this is just the beginning!

April 22, 2010

To all,

It's official! The lawsuit that we first announced last year that was coming is finally here.

Earlier today, I viewed a copy of the complaint filed against Skid Row Housing Trust. The sixteen-page document was filed and stamped at Los Angeles Superior Court in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Due to a pending jury trial, I am not at liberty to speak in depth regarding details. Afterall, I would not want to appear to potentially "taint" the jury pool, even though it would be truthful and accurate information. We at ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS fully respect the American judicial system and are extremely confident that the outcome will be equally truthful and accurate, as well as unbiased.  

The delay in filing was not unintentional. Extensive research and the compiling of documentation, including witness testimony in the form of depositions extended the process. Now, the legal team of the plaintiff is ready to proceed. 

Attorney Mustafa Abdul-Rahman, APC is the lead counsel for the plaintiff. He can be reached at 213.550.4460 for more details.

Otherwise, stay tuned for more information.

Sincerely,

General Jeff

community activist-

ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Resident Director- Central City East/ Skid Row

Board of Directors

Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council  

Who doesn't like to spend time in the park with their family and friends? There was no exception at Gladys Park in skid row . For the very first time the residents of skid row held their very own Easter Celebration at Gladys Park.



The day began with prayers and blessings from three pastors in skid row.  Rev. Jeff Thomas of Community Church of the Nazarene,  Pastor Ron Thomas of Set Free Ministries and Outreach , and  Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission all gave their blessings to the event as well as for the whole skid row community.


The difference between this event and others in the area was that this event was put on by the residents and resident grassroots organizations that are headed by actual residents living in skid row. General Jeff was out there , well , when you could find him , because he was all over the area bringing the things to the park that were already supposed to have been there such as the Easter Baskets.  I was heading to the blessing of the Animals and then was going to head over to the Pillow Fight at Pershing square to cover those stories , but the event was so full of a  great spirit and so full of people I had not spent time with since I moved to the other side of Main Street in downtown, I had to stay and, I was glad I did because people whom I had not seen in such a long time made their presence known.

Jan Perry and Jose Huizar both graced us with their presence and as usual OG gave Jose Huizar and Jan Perry a piece of his mind. You can't stop OG Manuel Compito from expressing himself. He is consistent in his passion for the  skid row community. The new Skid Row Boxing club was being shown off and the entertainment of the residents living in skid row was also to be had and on the new Nike basketball court games were being held. The people just came and came and came to enjoy Easter at Gladys Park!


Ryan Vaillancourt who reports for the Downtown News was also there playing  hoops with the people in skid row. So , as you can see this day was miraculous and  so wonderful that I could not leave. The Easter egg hunt began and the children had to pick up as many of the plastic eggs they could find in the grass before being given prizes for their efforts. Again , it was nice to see the children enjoying themselves in the heart of skid row.

Our dear friend , Thomas Knapper showed up with Daytona and her baby! So , surprise , surprise , as the event turned into one huge 10 year skid row resident and long time advocates reunion! 

There was a dancer , musicians , and rappers. Uncle Bean  even showed up and rained money down on those who listened to his act. I wondered if a riot would ensue , but that never happened. The Skid Row Playaz musical group played their numbers and we were all enthralled with those notes. AH! if only I could listen to those guys every night.

There were no problems and LAPD stayed close by in their mobile station to makes sure no one sabotaged the event and sure enough no one did . Thanks to LAPD for their efforts to stay close to the people of skid row who are doing positive things in the community.

A press conference was held in skid row today at Gladys Park that basically marks the beginning of preparations to enforce an injuction against 80 gang members who are selling drugs in skid row. For years gangmembers across the city have had an understanding that they would not be rivals in the lucrative drug bazaar which is skid row in Downtown Los Angeles. The LA Times does the story this morning about the press conference and quotes many service providers and residents who like the idea of this injunction. The ACLU has also stepped in to challenge the injunction , claiming that the LAPD will have carte blanche to search and stop anyone without probable cause because they might resemble the 80 people on the list who are selling drugs in skid row. Over 300 gangmembers might be added to the list. Commander Blake Chow of the LAPD’s Central Division called drugs “probably the biggest threat to the community right now.”

The injunction, Chow said, would help police “protect the homeless from the predators coming from other parts of the city.” Of the dealers, he said, “we can arrest them and arrest them and arrest them, but what we need to do is keep them away.”
The injunction won't go into effect for a couple of months.

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa calls for closure of public services 2 days out of the week during the City of Los Angeles BUdget Crisis. Park's says he will not get involved in name calling with the Mayor. Apparently, the issue is the matter of the handover of 73.5 million dollars from DWP to add to the City of Los Angeles General Fund.

Eric Garcetti says he welcomes the Mayors embrace on the DWP issue. "In the midst of a recession , before we do a giant rate increase we need accountability. What is important is not to play politics... it is about rate payers who are going through a hard time...we voted for Villaraigosa's green endeavor. You must be tone deaf not to hear what is going on out there. We need to get out of these tough times before we do something drastic... for some reason the Mayor decided not to do that. We will land in the black this year..... We are all aware how tough it is out there at an economic level."

We have to look at our legal options. Garcetti Says about the Mayor's plan to shut down public services . Garcetti says the Mayor can not shut down the unions of city employees.

The numbers don't just add up. The dwp said earlier that they can do it if there was a rate increase after. City council did vote for the 30 million dollars, Eric Garcetti says. 30 million dollar increase. The Mayor can not do the 2 day furlough if the Employee Coalition does not agree.

The Mayor says he has no control over forcing the DWP to hand over the 73.5 Million dollars. The City council says that the Mayor says he does.

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

First in a 3 part series on Easter Weekend


The Easter and Passover weekend started with the Los Angeles Mission and their street festival. This year was a poignant and bittersweet time as it was the first time I went and washed feet diabetes free and free of the use of oxygen to help me to breathe.  As always the emphasis at the Los Angeles Mission is the health clinic and the feet washing as homeless and low income folks from all over Downtown have the opportunity to get their feet washed , see a doctor if necessary , and get a new pair of shoes from Etny.




Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Washes feet of woman this year as Doctors look on





The Mayor wasn't the only one who was washing feet!

Feet Washing Time Again at the Los Angeles Mission


The night before Jesus was crucified he washed the feet of his disciples. He did this as a form of love , but also as an example of humility to those who would be left to carry on the work he started. Today at the Los Angeles Mission , this symbol of humility and service is also a way to find those who are suffering physically. Many low income and homeless people in skid row do not see the doctors on a regular basis, even if they have illnesses such as diabetes. Doctors are out there helping the feet washing finding those who need to be treated then and there or who may need to pay a visit later.

Now in 2010 I  am diabetes free because of Gastric bypass surgery. God has blessed me beyond measure and, tomorrow I will wash feet as a prayer , a service , and out of gratitude , because god says that the amount of mercy you show to others will be shown to you. Below was posted in 2007

Last year, we saw the Mayor Washing feet of the homeless and the poor on the streets of skid row. Many folks may see this as a political stunt,I don't see it that way. The Mayor has called attention to how important this aspect of the LA Mission feedings are. . Ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes and, many of you see me out there eating cookies and cake and ice cream, and things I shouldn't , but I see a doctor and take medications to help control my blood sugar levels. I know how important it is to have these feet washings because there are many homeless who suffer with illnesses such as diabetes who probably never see a doctor. Doctors are brought out and people who may have an infection or may have gangrene etc ,who may have been looking at amputation in the future, if it wasn't caught in time , are saved.

I will be out there washing feet. I wish other Missions would do the same at their events. I am thankful for the Los Angeles Mission for their feet washing because it saves lives.

The MTA has added a stop of the Rapid Bus at 6th and San Pedro. This is a stop that compliments the rapid 720 Stop that was put in on 5th and San Pedro Last Month. According to an e-mail from General Jeff ;   "This is a tremendous improvement to our community's public transportation needs."