To be Placed on GEPENC letter head
Board Resolution
July 24, 2014
We, Kwazin Nkrumah and Paul Bowers declare that we are the President Officer and Chief
Information Officer respectively of the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council
(GEPENC) and that on July 24, 2014 a Brown Act-noticed public meeting was held by the
GEPENC with a quorum of 21 board members present and that by a vote of; 17 yes, 0 no,
and 0 abstentions the GEPENC adopted the following resolution:
The Community Impact Statement CF 13-147 submitted by the GEPENC Planning and Land
Use Committee has been available for review and comment by the public and duly
evaluated by the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council Board.
Therefore be it resolved that the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council
approves the Community Impact Statement to be submitted to City File 13-1478
Motion (LaBonge-Krekorian) relative to the Department of City Planning and City
Attorney to evaluate the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance and to revise the
Ordinance to ensure that future Small Lot Subdivisions are compatible with the
neighborhood.
Authorized Signature
Date
Authorized Signature
Date
GREATER
ECHO PARK ELYSIAN
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
PRESIDENT
Kwazi Nkrumah
MEETING
VICE PRESIDENT
Mancito "Fender" Santos
TUESDAY
JULY 15, 2014, 7:00 P.M.
TREASURER
Eva Mejia
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
Paul Bowers
MEETING LOCATION
ECHO PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1226 N. ALVARADO ST.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
CERTIFIED NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
APRIL 16, 2002
TELEPHONE: (213) 400-9155
WEBSITE: GEPENC.ORG
EMAIL: INFO@GEPENC.ORG
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 261046
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
CITY OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
GREATER ECHO PARK ELYSIAN NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
Cover letter
REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEM SEEKING ENDORSEMENT OF PROGRAM
To Whom It May Concern:
In concert with Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, GEPENC has
acted to pass an identical motion of support for the Homeless Bill of Rights.
We do so to
insure the rights of the homeless members of our community until such a time as
homelessness is ended entirely. Our support for the Homeless Bill of Rights is in no way an
endorsement of continued homelessness, or a substitute for real action to house all of our
community members.
Further, we request that the Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles: act in support and
concert with our efforts to support the Homeless Bill of Rights by passing the attached
motion as written as soon as possible; that they discuss and contribute to a conversation
about ending homelessness; and actively seek to send a unified, community based message
to the City Government about homelessness.
In a society as wealthy as ours, homelessness is not acceptable. The solution of housing all
of our community is less expensive than continued homelessness, making a compassionate
response all the easier. Please consider the Homeless Bill of Rights as an important step
toward ending homelessness.
Thank you
Tad Yenawine, on behalf of GEPENC Board of Governors
Moved by Cheryl Ortega, second by Teresa Sitz SLCO 7-15-14 Passed unanimously 5-0-0
CERTIFIED NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
APRIL 16, 2002
TELEPHONE: (213) 400-9155
WEBSITE: GEPENC.ORG
EMAIL: INFO@GEPENC.ORG
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 261046
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
CITY OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA
GREATER ECHO PARK ELYSIAN NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEM SEEKING ENDORSEMENT OF PROGRAM
Date: July 15, 2014.
Committee: The Schools, Libraries and Community Organizations Committee with
recommendations from the joint Hunger and Homelessness subcommittee and Silver Lake
Neighborhood Council.
Text of Motion on the Agenda:
The Schools, Libraries and Community Organizations Committee of the Greater Echo Park
Elysian Neighborhood Council moves to ENDORSE the HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS.
Further, we respectfully REQUEST that the Homeless Bill of Rights be accepted as a
GUIDELINE for the civil code in the City of Los Angeles, and that the Office of the City
Attorney and other applicable city agencies work with LAHSA to adhere and conform to the
Homeless Bill of Rights.
Describe the project in detail:
The Homeless Bill of Rights (HBR) campaign in California will create bills that protect the
following rights and prohibit the enforcement of any local laws that violate these rights:
1. Right to move freely, rest, sleep, & pray and be protected in public spaces without
discrimination.
2. Right to occupy a legally parked vehicle.
3. Right to serve food and eat in public.
4. Right to legal counsel if being prosecuted.
5. Right to 24-hour access to "hygiene facilities."
6. Require judges to consider necessity defense when hearing homeless related cases.
CERTIFIED NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL APRIL 16, 2002
TELEPHONE: (213) 400-9155 WEBSITE: GEPENC.ORG,
EMAIL: INFO@GEPENC.ORG
MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 261046 LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
GREATER ECHO PARK ELYSIAN NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD OF GOVERNORS /
BUDGET AND FINANCE SPECIAL MEETING 2014-5-13 AGENDA
What is the potential impact on the community if we adopt the motion?
As the City and County of Los Angeles work to end homelessness in our community, our
homeless neighbors need the Homeless Bill of Rights. Tracy James, Field Deputy of
Councilman Tom LaBonge, reported at a recent joint SLNC/GEPENC Education Committee
meeting that homelessness is the number one issue in Council District 4. She reiterated that
Councilman LaBonge backs efforts that help, and do not hurt, homeless people. He is
working with Councilman O'Farrell (CD 13), PATH, UCLA Mobile Medical, and other
agencies to provide services to homeless persons in CD 4 and CD 13. Endorsing the
Homeless Bill of Rights is a supportive step that highlights the humane and constructive
efforts of our local Council Districts.
The SLNC and GEPENC Education Committees first became interested in the topic of
homelessness as it affects students and their families in the Los Angeles Unified School
District, and other local school systems public and private. Discrimination against homeless
families has a direct impact on the success of students. The lack of a quiet and safe place to
study, exclusion from libraries and recreation centers, the lack of hygiene facilities, and
families pushed out of their neighborhoods, all take a toll on the success of students.
(Please see the attached LAUSD Homeless Student Fact Sheet and the LA Times article, "In
tough times, schools try to keep homeless students' education on track.") (1, 2)
According to the United Nations Human Rights Commission three states - Rhode Island,
Connecticut and Illinois - have passed Homeless Bills of Rights. The UN found the following:
Criminalization inflicts indignities and violations on homeless people generally, but its harms
are particularly acute for homeless people who experience one or multiple intersecting forms
of discrimination in U.S. society. The violations described in our larger shadow report, from
voter disenfranchisement to family dissolution, are especially severe for people of color,
immigrants, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, people with disabilities, and
others who are especially subject to discrimination at the hands of private actors and law
enforcement officials. These populations are among the most likely to be rendered homeless,
and are often subject to the harshest treatment when that occurs. (3)
Some people are concerned with costs that may be associated with the Homeless Bill of
Rights, in particular, regarding the right to 24-hour access to "hygiene facilities." The LA
TIMES recently reported,
In a break with the city's earlier confrontational stance, Los Angeles' chief administrative
officer Monday proposed a $3.7-million skid row cleanup program that would increase 24hour bathroom access for homeless people and expand storage for their belongings.
And,
The increased round-the-clock bathroom access would be funded by the city at existing skid
row shelters and social service agencies. (4)
2
GREATER ECHO PARK ELYSIAN NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BOARD OF GOVERNORS /
BUDGET AND FINANCE SPECIAL MEETING 2014-5-13 AGENDA
City Hall seems to be making voluntary efforts to comply with federal and international
pressures to safeguard the civil rights of homeless persons, and avoid the costly lawsuits it
has faced in the past.
(1) LAUSD Homeless Education Program, Homeless Student Fact Sheet
http://notebook.lausd.net/pls/ptl/docs/PAGE/CA_LAUSD/FLDR_ORGANIZATIONS/COMM
ITTEE_M AIN/COMMITTEE_SSHHS/COMMITTEE_SSHHS_AGENDA/TAB%206B-HOMELESS%20STUDENT%20FACT%20SHEET%20-%20SAN%20JULIAN.PDF
(2) "In
tough times, schools try to keep homeless students' education on track," by Rick Rojas,
January 08, 2011, LA TIMES http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jan/08/local/la-me-0109lausd-homeless-20101212
(3) Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading: Homelessness in the United States under the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION, March 27, 2014
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CCPR/Shared%20Documents/USA/INT_CCPR_NGO_
USA_1522 0_E.pdf
(4) $3.7-million cleanup plan proposed for skid row, LA TIMES, April 7, 2014
http://articles.latimes.com/2014/apr/07/local/la-me-ln-skid-row-hygiene-20140407
What is the total budget for the project? No funds are being requested. What is the
timeline for the project? Implementation will take place upon passage.
How will this motion be implemented, and by whom?
The Schools, Libraries and Community Organizations Committee will notify the Homeless
Bill of Rights Campaign of the ENDORSEMENT and send a copy of the motion to Council
Offices 1, 4, and 13, the Office of the City Attorney, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services
Authority with the message that, “The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council
voted to endorse the Homeless Bill of Rights and we respectfully request that the Homeless
Bill of Rights be accepted as a guideline for amending the civil code in the City of Los
Angeles, and that the Office of the City Attorney and other applicable city agencies work
with LAHSA to adhere and conform to the Homeless Bill of Rights.”
Moved by Cheryl Ortega, second by Teresa Sitz SLCO 7-15-14 Passed unanimously 5-0-0
Censure motion against Kwazi Nkrumah, Attending a meeting via cellular phone
Moved June 30, 2014 at GEPENC Special Meeting, Future Agenda Items, by Tad Yenawine,
second by Paul Bowers
I, Tad Yenawine, request that GEPENC Board of Governors consider an official censure of
Kwazi Nkrumah for attending a public meeting via cell phone.
Mr Nkrumah attended an executive committee meeting on May 23, 2014 via cell phone.
During the course of the meeting, he made lengthy speeches, called for votes, made
motions, voted on motions, and appeared to be acting as chair of the meeting, postponing
and tabling items. He also spent a good deal of time berating and threatening the CIO of
GEPENC.
Mr Nkrumah’s unlawful attendance resulted in more than 45 minutes of ranting, wasting
the Board’s and the Public’s time, and demeaning the Board in the eyes of the
community.
There is a complete recording of this shameful display for review if anyone
would like to listen to it.
Attending a meeting by cell phone as an active Board member is a violation of the Brown
Act, DONE and City regulations, and the bylaws and standing rules of GEPENC. In spite of
this fact, Mr Nkrumah insisted he had the right to attend the meeting remotely over the
objections of other board members. Once again, this is illegal.
b. Letter to City Council and NC State Representative
The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council supports AB 2222 that would
change the current law under SB 1818. Adequate and affordable housing is an issue of
statewide concern. Yet, the change made to the density bonus law by SB 1818 had the
reverse effect and has resulted in fewer affordable units that were built pre-SB 1818 [and]
that were proposed to be demolished and replaced may now qualify for a density bonus
under the new SB 1818 structure. SB 1818 inadvertently created a loophole whereby
developers that propose to demolish pre-SB 1818 buildings are not required to begin the
new project with the same number of affordable units. As a result, a new project may
result in fewer affordable units than previously existed on the parcel. This bill addresses
the loophole created by SB 1818 and ensures that affordable units are preserved when a
development proposes to demolish a site and the new proposal is to replace the outdated
structure with a new residential structure by ensuring that the project begins with the
same number of affordable units. Additionally, this bill increases the classification of
affordability from 30 years to 55 years. This change is consistent with other state and local
programs and ensures that affordable units remain affordable. AB 2222 will preserve and
promote the supply of affordable units for years to come. The Greater Echo Park Elysian
Neighborhood Council requests for your support/ that a motion be made in [City] Council
on behalf of AB 2222 to improve quality of life and to close the loophole created by SB
1818.
PLUC COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT RE SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION
a. Community Impact Statement: The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood
Council supports the CF 13-1478 Motion (La Bonge - Krekorian) relative to the
Department of City Planning and City Attorney to evaluate the Small Lot Subdivision
Ordinance and to revise the Ordinance to ensure that future Small Lot Subdivisions
are compatible with the neighborhoods.
1. Restricting the height in relation to the surrounding properties; when SLS is
adjacent to R-1 Zones, the SLS is required a 20 ft. height Maximum. When SLS is in
R-2 Zones, require two floor maximum with not rooftop patios.
2. Requiring private trash collection.
3. Follow neighborhood character and not allow homes to be oriented towards
neighbors. SLS require to face each other or the front of street.
4. Require No roof top decks because of noise and privacy concerns when SLS are
adjoining R-1 lots and SLS are in R-2 Zones.
5. The Required Standard setbacks (Front-15 ft., side-5 ft., and rear-15 ft.) when SLS is
adjacent to R-1 homes. In R-2 Zones SLS is required to have 15 ft. front setbacks, 5 ft.
for the side, 10 ft for the rear.
6. Require mandatory open space with 25% greenery (high trees), guest parking,
common trash collection, and common area upkeep.
7. Turn the SLS guidelines into an enforceable ordinance (mandatory).
8. Require maintenance agreements for the common areas including
driveways, walkways, and landscape.
9. Require No kitchenettes nor bathrooms built in SLS garages in R-2 Zones and in SLS
adjoining R-1 lots.
10. Make it a requirement that the City does not issue AZ variances for SLS adjoining R1 lots and in R-2 Zones. In this way there is not an excess of buildings cramped
together into a single lot, giving the block a massive look.
11. Mandate that the developers work with the community to reach agreement on what
will be built when SLS is adjoining R-1 lots and in R-2 Zones.
GREATER ECHO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
ACCESS AND USE POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to advise the Greater Echo Park Neighborhood Council of the
proper access and use of the website, social media, email marketing platforms and other
online used to convey information to the Echo Park community. Social media sites include
blogs, online forums, social networking sites and other sites and services that permit users
to share information with others.
The Outreach Committee is charged with overseeing and maintaining the methods and
communications of the website, social media, email marketing and all other online
platforms used by the GEPENC. The Committee will serve as a liaison between other
committees, chairs, board members and other NC entities or persons and the general public
as well as the Webmaster. Any changes, updates or other requests will go through the
Committee to ensure a consistent marketing message.
AUTHORIZED ACCESS AND USE OF GEPENC WEBSITE
For the purpose of conducting GEPENC business, the following positions are authorized to
access and use the website:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Webmaster
CIO/Secretary
Committee chairs and co-chairs
Designated IT Committee member (if any)
Designated board member-admin (if any)
Designated board member-temporary admin (if any)
Specific access and use is limited to:
Administrator User Level
For the GEPENC.org web site: Administrator level includes access to Wordpress coding,
control over user accounts and levels (including other admin users), and must be kept
intact and secure from accidental overwrites. User accounts with administrative level
access to the GEPENC.org website should be limited to individuals that are both qualified to
code a web site and responsible to maintain content (including backups, platform updates)
and access for other individuals.
Responsible parties are intrinsically: GEPENC BOG Chair or President and BOG Vice
President or Vice Chair, CIO or Secretary, and the web host and website
programmer/designer (individual or company).
Responsible parties can also be: Designees approved by the board by majority vote
as needed.
Qualified parties are: Persons that have completed a level of education or with
professional experience that qualifies them to design and maintain Wordpress
websites, with a competency to maintain, write, rewrite code and/or design web
sites from the ground up.
Persons that have Admin access codes, but are not qualified under the terms of this
document, must use Author or Editor user levels to perform tasks for which they are
responsible in order to protect the stability of the website.
No person shall have the authority to remove users without prior approval of the board,
unless a member resigns or removes themselves, or is forcibly removed from the board or
one of its committees, at which point the CIO/Secretary will be responsible to make
arrangements for permanent removal. If the CIO is unavailable, the BOG Chair/President
will be responsible, followed by the Co-Chair/Vice President, followed by the Board
Designee or Webmaster.
Webmaster—website programming and maintenance, platform updates, email newsletter
template programming, troubleshoot technical issues and any other assignments
requested. A Webmaster may be assigned by a majority vote of the board if a person that is
qualified is available to fill the position.
CIO/Secretary—will maintain the calendar and documentation of all master passwords
(including the master administrator user profile). The CIO/Secretary will be responsible to
see that a password log is retained by DONE with the records of the NC on file for retrieval
in the case of emergency.
Designated board member admin—person with authorization to have access to the website
as administrator. Appointed by the board and should have the ability to complete
administrator level actions; will complete webmaster duties when webmaster is not
available. Point of contact with the webmaster.
Designated board member temporary admin—will complete webmaster duties when
webmaster and 2 admin board members are not available/able to complete task
Editor User Level
GEPENC BOG Chair or President, BOG Vice President or Vice Chair, and CIO or Secretary
shall log on to publish and manage posts, including posts of other users (see above for
administrative access restrictions).
Author User Level
Committee chairs and co-chairs shall be able to post agendas and other documents relevant
to their respective committee business, which includes the ability to publish and manage
their own posts and calendar items.
AUTHORIZED ACCESS AND USE OF GEPENC EMAIL MARKETING (e-newsletter)
For the purpose of conducting GEPENC business, the following positions are authorized to
access and use the email marketing platform used to send meeting notices, special
announcements, and other email communications (essentially known as an e-newsletter or
e-blast) using the GEPENC email database:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Webmaster
CIO/Secretary
Committee chairs and co-chairs
Designated IT Committee member (if any)
Designated board member-admin (if any)
Designated board member-temporary admin (if any)
All email communications to the GEPENC email database will be sent through the platform
by which the Communications Committee has approved and one that will best serve the
community and GEPENC. This platform must obey federal SPAM guidelines, providing easy
and transparent subscription options for the general public (such as email signup and
unsubscribe).
TEMPORARY USE AND ACCESS
Temporary administrative access to the website, email marketing platform and social
media sites can be granted to a board member for up to 48 hours by one or both co-chairs
to complete a task of an urgent nature which cannot be completed by administrator users
due to unforeseen reasons.
PASSWORDS
GEPENC CIO or Secretary, President or Chair and Vice President or Vice-Chair will keep and
maintain a list of username and passwords of the master website administrator login and
all social media sites on behalf of GEPENC. All social media sites are to be set up and
maintained with a generic @gepenc.org email address. Committee co-chairs and those
authorized with creating and maintaining GEPENC social media sites are responsible for
providing passwords to those party members.
All authorizations for temporary access for passwords are to be initiated by the GEPENC
co-chairs.
TRAINING
Upon seating of every new board, the CIO is responsible for scheduling a training class to
educate board members and committee co-chairs with use and access rights on how to use
the website. Thereafter, the Communications Committee can provide training or refresher
course to board members and committee co-chairs.
NEW COMMITTEES
All new committees approved and created by the GEPENC will follow the guidelines
approved by this document and will have the same use and access to the website and social
media sites that all other GEPENC committees have.
CONTENT AND POSTING GUIDELINES
All content posted on behalf of the GEPENC on any GEPENC-related sites is to comply with
Brown Act Requirements, DONE’s ethical guidelines and Code of Civility for neighborhood
councils and any policies specified by the owners of such sites. Content on the website and
social media sites should be categorized as relating to either committee meetings or
community interest.
In addition, content shall not contain any of the following:
 Opinion in support of or opposition of any items that have not been vetted by the
board.
 Profane, discriminatory or harassing language or content
 Content that violates federal, state or local laws
Removal of inappropriate content
Any content on the GEPENC website or social media sites that violate the content and
posting guidelines will be removed. Any person that feels there is inappropriate content
should send an email to info@gepenc.org for review. The co-chairs are empowered to
remove such inappropriate content or to request a person with administrative access (if
neither have such access) to remove the content immediately. Executive committee will
decide if they will agendize discussion on their agenda of such content for possible reuploading.
Clarification of terms:
A party that is referred to as responsible for an action in the above document is considered
to have the authority and responsibility to make sure the given task is executed. They are
empowered to seek necessary assistance in performing these tasks, not necessarily to
perform the tasks themselves.
A party is deemed qualified to perform and be in a custodial position over information and
access on if they have achieved a minimum of training and education or professional
experience commensurate with coding, writing and designing a web site.
MOTION: Community Impact Statement: Fracking
Moratorium.
The (INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME HERE) hearby
adopts and will submit the following Community Impact
Statement. “(INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME HERE)
supports Los Angeles City Council motion (13-1152S1) that was passed by the Council 10-0 to prohibit all
activity associated with well stimulation, including, but
not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, gravel packing, and
acidizing, or any combination thereof, and the use of
waste disposal injection wells in the City of Los
Angeles, with such a prohibition to remain in effect
until:
-
State and federal legislation and regulations are
put in place that include protections from the adverse
effects of hydraulic fracturing, acidizing, and gravel
packing and all wastewater disposal and related
activities, consistent with the Clean Air Act, the Clean
Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act
-
the City Council is assured of the long-term safety,
security, and reliability of current and future Los
Angeles water supplies, the overall health and safety of
the people of Los Angeles and the safety of their
property from seismic or subsidence concerns
- the City Council is assured companies conducting
fracking within the city of Los Angeles, or in
areas providing drinking water to the City, can
mitigate the effects on climate change, protect
environmental quality and natural resources,
allow government access and testing of
chemicals used, anticipate and include related
older and emerging extraction technologies and
require full disclosure and testing of sites, with
adequate time for public input.
Dear GEPENC Executive Committee,
On behave of Steven Vincent the originator of this Initiative, I am requesting
that may you please provide him with 5-7 minutes as a Guest Speaker to
present his Parking Reform Initiative to the Board of Governors at the June
Board Meeting.
Many members of our community are getting unnecessary tickets and their
cars are even towed away from in front of their own homes -- where
residential streets have no posted signs-- in Echo Park with out merit.The
DOT in-place complaint system for tickets does not work, you file and that's
the end of it. Echo Park needs to hear what Steven Vincent's working groups
on Ticket Reform are doing to assist in this urgent matter.
view his website: http://www.ParkingLosAngeles.org
http://www.ParkingLosAngeles.org/reform
Contact: LAParkingFreedom@gmail.com
657-464-7275
I have written a motion for him. I canl also assist with letter after the board
vote.
Discussion and/or Possible Action to agendize at the next GEPENC Board of
Governors meeting
i) a slot of 5 to 7 minutes to hear Steven Vincent speak on the L.A. Parking
Freedom Initiative that would bring reform to the parking system including to
cap the fines for violations that have no public safety component to $23.00.
and separate parking ticket revenue form the city general fund.
ii) Discussion and /or action by the Board of Governors to SUPPORT or
OPPOSE the Los Angeles Parking Freedom Initiative and send a
correspondence to L. A. City Mayor Garcetti with Board action before June 30,
2014.
Thank you for being there for our community,
Connie Acosta
C.acost1@att.net
The 2013 Bohol earthquake occurred on October 15, 2013, at 8:12 a.m. (PST)
in Bohol, an island province located in Central Visayas, Philippines. The
magnitude of the earthquake at the epicenter was recorded at M 7.2, located 6
kilometres (3.7 mi) SW of Sagbayan town, at a depth of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi). It
affected the whole Central Visayas region, particularly Bohol and Cebu. The
quake was felt in the whole Visayas area and as far as Masbate island in the
north and Cotabato provinces in southern Mindanao.
According to official reports by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC), 222 were reported dead, 8 were missing, and
976 people were injured. In all, more than 73,000 structures were damaged, of
which more than 14,500 were totally destroyed.
It was the deadliest earthquake in the Philippines in 23 years. The energy
released by the quake was equivalent to 32 Hiroshima bombs. Previously, Bohol
was also hit by an earthquake on February 8, 1990 that damaged several
buildings and caused a tsunami.
On November 7, just 3 weeks after the quake, Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)
struck the region. Although the storm's eye missed the area affected by the
earthquake, it sent some 40,000 Boholanos still living in temporary shelters back
to evacuation centers and disrupted relief efforts in the province.
Typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was one of
the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, which devastated portions of
Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, on November 8, 2013. It is the
deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,300 people in that
country alone. Haiyan is also the strongest storm recorded at landfall, and
unofficially the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed. As of
January 2014, bodies were still being found.
This weekend, the disaster-weary Philipines braced for a second storm in five
days as the death toll from Typhoon Rammasan surged to 77, according to
officials.
The Philipines have had a special relationship to the United States ever since
those islands were seized by the United States from Spain in 1898. Vast fortunes
have been made by U.S. investors in that country, and it has served as an
essential link in U.S. military and strategic equations throughout the Pacific. The
U.S. relationship runs longer and deeper than with any other country in the AsiaPacific region.
Since Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda devastated the Philippines, the U.S. has been
directing much-needed food and relief aid to the country, but more needs to be
done to move the Philippines from "Relief to Recovery"!
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is available for people who are already in the
US, but conditions in their home country (such as armed conflict, hurricanes,
earthquakes, or typhoons), make it difficult for them to return safely. If a particular
country is designated for TPS, then citizens of that country could receive
temporary relief from deportation, assistance with work authorization, and
possible authorization to travel to their home country without jeopardizing their
residency status.
Since Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda 1.9 million of Filipinos have become homeless
and 600,000 displaced. At the same time, many Filipinos who live and work in
the U.S. are a key source of aid for their families in the Philippines and are at risk
of deportation. It would only burden an already strained infrastructure for the
Philippines to reabsorb thousands of its nationals currently abroad during this
national emergency. TPS would stop deportations and provide working
authorization that will empower Filipinos here in the US to more effectively aid
their own home country. DHS and USCIS acted quickly in a very similar
circumstances to designate Haiti and El Salvador for TPS after massive
earthquakes. That response can and should be repeated for the Philippines.
Show message history
ohn Parker, a member of the South Central Neighborhood Council, requests time
(4-5 minutes) to present to GEPENC on this ballot initiative to urge GEPENC to
endorse this campaign. This campaign is different from the campaign for a new
city minimum wage ordinance (Raise L.A), and compliments that effort.
BACKGROUND FROM AN ARTICLE IN THE ECHO PARK-SILVER LAKE
PATCH:
A group of activists is hoping to get an initiative before Los Angeles voters,
possibly by next year, that would raise the minimum wage to $15 for workers in
the city.
The proposal was submitted to the City Clerk's Office last week by John Parker,
Jose Medina, Maggie Vascessenno, Scott Scheffer and Essie Crosby.
Their proposal calls for a $15 minimum wage that would go into effect
immediately for larger employers, while smaller employers would have less than
two years to comply. It also calls for the minimum wage to be raised in
conjunction with future cost-of-living increases.
"Empowering the low wage workers is a way of creating the forces needed to
make this country change in the right direction. What happens in Los Angeles is
going to affect the whole nation," Parker told Video News West from his home in
South Central Los Angeles.
The proposal goes well beyond a measure being considered by the Los Angeles
City Council that would increase the minimum wage to about $15 for some hotel
workers.
Councilman Mike Bonin, who co-authored the hotel worker minimum wage
motion, said he would need to take a closer look at the initiative proposal, but
added that he has "long been supportive of the citywide minimum wage" idea.
He said a $15 minimum wage is a matter of "simple economic justice" that dates
back to when Martin Luther King Jr. led a march on Washington, D.C., calling for
an end to poverty and to raise the minimum wage to $2. That $2 raise would now
be $15, if adjusted for inflation."
Bonin said he also likes the idea of automatically increasing the minimum wage
to keep up with inflation.
The proposed citywide minimum-wage hike is still in its infancy. The city attorney
still needs to write a title and summary for the initiative, and the proponents of the
initiative would need to collect more than 60,000 valid signatures to get it
qualified for the ballot, according to Maria Garcia of the City Clerk's office.
According to Parker, when people are unable afford basic necessities, it is a
"dangerous situation" in Los Angeles.
"This is what people are demanding, and we think we are going to get it," Parker
said.
-------------
Greetings ,
Some of you know that Councilmember Koretz introduced a motion last month call
on the whole city of LA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050 and for
to do it by 2030.
In order to get this approved by the City Council, and, frankly, to get any traction
the Councilmember needs to get supporters, lots and lots of supporters. As CM Kor
said, he wants to get schools and neighborhood councils and churches and synago
and mosques and businesses, across the board, to sign up as supporters and activ
work toward the goal.
Below is a sample letter from Tar Sands Action SoCal. We request that groups a
individuals submit their letters ASAP, by July 25th!
Clean Energy: LA Councilman Pledges Serious Greenhouse Gas Cuts
L.A. City Councilman Paul Koretz wants the city to set new, higher goals for reduci
greenhouse gas emissions, that would slash citywide emissions 80% from 1990 lev
by 2050.
READ MORE...
Here is the sample letter sent by Tar Sands Action SoCal. Please edit as necessary
send via email to the following recipients:
Ted Bardacke (ted.bardacke@lacity.org); Christine.Frey@lacity.org;
Debby.Kim@lacity.org; David.GrahamCaso@lacity.org; Stephanie.Magnien@lacity.
Dennis.Gleason@lacity.org; Martin.Schlageter@lacity.org; Andy Shrader
(andy.shrader@lacity.org); Adam.Lid@lacity.org
-------------------------------Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
200 N. Spring Street, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Ted.Bardacke@lacity.org
Re: SUPPORT (Councilman Koretz): Citywide Greenhouse Gas Reduction Ta
80% Reduction to 1990 Levels By 2050, LADWP By 2030
Dear Honorable Mayor and Members of the Los Angeles City Council,
[ORGANIZATION] is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to advocac
clean renewable energy alternatives that wean us off dangerous extreme fossil fue
extraction, transportation, storage, and refining projects in the City of Los Angeles
the region, state and nation. These moves put at risk the health and safety of our
California neighborhoods, the sustainability of our ecosystems, and the stability of
global climate. We are a founding member of the Southern California Climate Actio
Coalition 350, affiliated with the national climate change advocate 350.org.
We helped organize an event last March 1st where over 100 organizations and alm
thousand activists came out in the streets of the Port of Los Angeles calling for clea
energy solutions. With the goals of our dedicated supporters and activists in mind,
are writing to voice our strong support for Councilman Koretz’s motion to impleme
Citywide greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 80 percent below 1990 leve
2050 and a Department of Water & Power greenhouse gas emissions reduction tar
80% below 1990 levels by 2030.
It is time the City of LA join San Francisco, Boston, New York, Toronto, and Chicag
making this commitment to protect the health and safety of communities, local and
regional ecosystems, and the long-term stability of the global climate. In addition t
significant health and safety benefits, this move will push our region toward the
transition to a clean energy economy based on efficiency, conservation, and renew
energy sources, with tens of thousands of associated employment opportunities.
We also request that the City Clerk file this letter here.
Sincerely,
[REPRESENTATIVE]
[ORGANIZATION]
Cc: LA City Councilmember Felipe Fuentes, Chair,
Energy & Environment Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 455
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Christine.Frey@lacity.org
LA City Councilmember Tom LaBonge,
Chair, Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee
Member, Energy & Environment Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 480
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Debby.Kim@lacity.org
LA City Councilmember Mike Bonin
Member, Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 475
Los Angeles, CA 90012
David.GrahamCaso@lacity.org
LA City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
Member, Energy & Environment Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 415
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Stephanie.Magnien@lacity.org
LA City Councilmember Joe Buscaino
Member, Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 410
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dennis.Gleason@lacity.org
LA City Councilmember Jose Huizar
Member, Energy & Environment Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 465
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Martin.Schlageter@lacity.org
LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz
Member, Energy & Environment Committee
200 N. Spring Street, Room 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Andy.Shrader@lacity.org
Please hit REPLY to this email for any questions or concerns on this issue. We
appreciate what you all do to advance climate solutions in the City of LA and beyon
Jack Eidt
Director - Wild Heritage Planners
Publisher - WilderUtopia.com - Coexisting into the Great Unknown
Organizer - SoCal 350 and Tar Sands Action SoCal
Keep in Touch on Facebook and @WilderUtopia on Twitter
Office 323 362 6737