A Rare Chance for Voters in the Middle of LA County

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LA County has a budget of 22 billion dollars: bigger than many states and some nations. It’s run by just 5 supervisors, who provide health care and other basic services for 11 million people. But despite complaints, the supervisors are seldom challenged once they’ve been elected. Just two people have held the 2nd district since 1952. Now Yvonne’ Burkes retirement means there will be change this year.

LA County Supervisors are seldom challenged for re-election. Kenneth Hahn held the 2nd district seat from 1952 until he died 40 years later. Since then, the incumbent has been Yvonne Burke who is stepping down this year. The 2nd District stretches from Koreatown to Culver City, including Inglewood, Watts, Compton and Carson. Historically it’s been a predominantly black district, but 25% of the voters are now Latinos. Leading the race to succeed Yvonne Burke are two familiar public figures who’ve joined us tonight. Bernard Parks served the LA Police Department for 38 years, retiring after 5 years as Chief and he’s now on the LA City Council. Mark Ridley-Thomas headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for 10 years. He was an LA City Councilman for 10 years, served 4 years in the State Assembly, and has been a State Senator since 2006.

Guests:

• Bernard Parks: Los Angeles City Councilmember, 8th Council District
• Mark Ridley-Thomas: State Senator

Host

Warren Olney

Considered the dean of Southern California broadcast journalists, Warren tackles the issues Southern Californians care about. Expanding that concept, To the Point deals with issues of national concern and is on air in most major metropolitan markets across the country. On any day, you’ll hear a fast-paced, news-based talk show featuring multiple perspectives on a single major issue, with Newsmaker and Reporters Notebook features, as well. 

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Air Date

Live:

Produced by

Frances Anderton, Sonya Geis, Karen Radziner

Tapes & Transcripts

A CD copy of Which Way L.A.? is a available by calling 1.888.600.5279.
Transcripts are not available.

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.