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July 2006
It has been a little over one year since I took office. We have accomplished much, but we have much more work to do. Below is just some of the progress we've made towards making Los Angeles...
- A safer city: We are hiring 1,000 more police officers over the next four years. We have also expanded our domestic abuse response teams into Hollywood and Northeast Divisions and dedicated $5 million to install surveillance cameras in police cars.
- A city with less traffic, and more mass transit: We implemented a ban on rush-hour construction, launched the Gridlock Tiger Team, and helped secure $130 million for the carpool lane on I-405. We are making advances on the Extension of the Gold Line, the Expo Line, the Valley Busway, and the Red Line Subway to the Sea.
- The greenest city in the nation: We released a Clean Air Action Plan with the Port of Long Beach to help us reach our shared vision of a cleaner and greener port and worked with the port's largest container ship operator to switch to cleaner burning fuel, lowering emissions by up to 75 percent. We also launched the L.A. River Master Plan to green our river and the "Green Path" project to bring geothermal energy from the Salton Sea to L.A.
- A city with world-class public education: We reached an agreement on district governance reform legislation that will strengthen accountability and oversight of the LAUSD and secured $7,000,000 to expand L.A.'s BEST. We also hosted a Youth Mediation Summit for 300 students from the LAUSD.
- A city with more jobs: Our Business Team helped retain and attract 3,000 jobs to L.A. We launched the HIRE L.A.'s Youth 2006 Summer Employment Initiative, providing 7,000 jobs to youth and young adults, up from 2,900 in 2005.
For the entire year-end review, click here.
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LA Spin
The Mayor is everywhere
The Mayor continues to receive criticism for "being everywhere." Some residents have asked, "When does he ever have time to get work done at City Hall?"
The truth is, the Mayor is working everywhere he goes. He is talking to constituents, commending those that are making improvements in our City and encouraging them to do more, meeting with other elected officials in order to accomplish goals in joint jurisdictions, providing leadership throughout the City of Los Angeles when a crisis occurs, and much more.
He also hired the "best and the brightest" deputy mayors to whom he delegates responsibilities.
We think the 16-page document listing the accomplishments of the Mayor's Office during the first year speaks for itself.
The Mayor is working, his administration is working, and the Mayor's busy schedule seems to be working for the people of the City of Los Angeles.
Keep OurLA Green
Clean Air Action Plan at the Port
In an unprecedented joint action to improve air quality in the South Coast Air Basin, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach introduced a sweeping action plan to significantly reduce the health risks posed by air pollution from port-related ships, trains, trucks, terminal equipment and harbor craft. The goal is to cut particulate matter pollution from the port by 50 percent.
For more information on the bold action plan, read the press release.
Keep OurLA Safe
Fire Season Arrives Early Due to Dryness in Southern California
Below are fire safety tips to keep you prepared:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
-Check your smoke alarm batteries regularly and replace them if necessary.
- Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in your house, and be sure every family member knows how to operate them.
- Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.
- Trim and remove tree limbs within 10 feet of the chimney, and cut off any dead branches that overhang the roof areas.
- Clean leaves, twigs and needles from the roof gutters and eaves.
- Teach your kids about the dangers of fire and show them rules for fire safety.
- Make a floor plan with at least two escape routes from every room. Choose a safe meeting place outside of your home.
- Be sure that each family member knows what to do in case of a fire. Practice alerting each family member during an emergency.
OurLA ... Featuring
Town Hall Meetings on Education
Come be a part of an historic partnership between parents, teachers, and education stakeholders, united to dramatically improve the quality of education in Los Angeles.
Join Mayor Villaraigosa and learn about the current crisis in L.A. education and the opportunity presented by Assembly Bill 1381. Hear from parent organizers and voice your own thoughts on LAUSD.
Details of meetings are in OurLA Events. |
What OurLA is thinking...
How have higher gas prices affected you? Here's how OurLA readers responded:
How much have you been affected by higher gas prices?
A Lot 64%
Some 28%
Not Much 6%
Not at all 2%
How have you changed your behavior in response to higher gas prices (top three answers)?
1. Driving Less
2. Considering a more
fuel-efficient car
3. Not going on vacation/traveling
How much, on average, are you spending per week for gas for your car?
More than $45 43%
$40 - $44.99 16%
$30 - $39.99 19%
Under $30 22%
What are you willing to do to combat global warming? To answer the online survey, click here.
It's OurLA
Looking for a way to make your mark in OurLA? Start today by participating in one of the ways below.
Are you between the ages of 18 and 24 and looking for a job? Find a job through HIRE L.A.'s Youth summer job program. Entry level full-time and summer positions available at Ralphs, Universal Studios, Starbucks, McDonald's, UPS, FedEx, Bank of America, Comcast, and others. For more information, visit www.hirelayouth.com.
Volunteer for the City's Crisis Response Team! Please contact Jeff Zimerman at 213-978-0697 or via email to get involved. The program is especially in need of people who speak Spanish or Korean.
OurLA Events
We hope you check out these events in OurLA.
SAVE THE DATE! Sept. 4
225th Birthday of the City of Los Angeles Celebration and Pobladores Walk
Mon, Sept 4, 2006
7am - Walk from San Gabriel
9am - Walk from Lincoln Park
10am - Olvera Street Celebration (food, music, and entertainment)
Please call 213-485-8372 for more information.
Stay tuned for the announcement of our next Citywide Day of Service in November!
Town Hall Meetings on Education Reform
South LA - July 19, 5-7pm
Victory Baptist Church
4802 S. McKinley Avenue
RSVP 323-789-1409
Westside - July 20, 5-7pm
Westwood United Methodist Church
10497 Wilshire Blvd.
RSVP 310-410-1749
Valley - Aug 3, 4:30 - 7pm
LA Valley College (Monarch Hall)
5800 Fulton Avenue
RSVP 818-778-4990
Eastside - Aug 8, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Sacred Heart (Auditorium)
2201 Griffin Avenue
RSVP 213-978-0839
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