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PROFILE
Bernard Parks
Guest
FROM Bernard Parks
Which Way, L.A.?
Is There a Cure for LA’s Flaky Voters? The turnout in LA City elections is falling fast—and next month might see the worst ever. You might not have known, but there’s an election next month—with two Charter amendments designed to increase local turnout. Why is there so little interest in who runs the second largest city and school district in the United States?
Which Way, L.A.?
Can LA Survive the Next Big Earthquake? Despite the Big One certainly being on the way, California has fallen way behind on the mapping of earthquake faults to prevent new building in the wrong places. But what about the buildings we already have? The LA Times has reported that more than 1000 old concrete buildings all over the city are at risk of collapse.
Which Way, L.A.?
Can Guerilla Gardeners Transform Food Deserts? Two years ago, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez reported on Ron Finley, a resident of South Los Angeles. In what’s often called a healthy-food “desert,” Finley had planted a vegetable garden for himself and his hungry neighbors.
Which Way, L.A.?
Jerry Brown Presents a Gloomy Budget With a $25 billion budget gap between spending and income, Governor Jerry Brown proposes $12 billion in cuts and will ask voters for $12.5 billion in extended tax hikes. He says there's no other choice. If the budget passes, the state won't be funding local redevelopment agencies.
Which Way, L.A.?
Council Tries Spreading Pain of Tough Times to Homeowners and Landlords The Los Angeles City Council is trying to spread the pain of economic hard times to homeowners and landlords. Who should pay for sidewalk repairs? Should owners of rent-controlled apartments have to freeze increases for tenants?
Which Way, L.A.?
City of LA on Brink of Bankruptcy, in Conflict with DWP Mayor Villaraigosa has threatened to implement a plan to close down all Los Angeles City departments except police and fire for two days a week, starting next Monday. It's all part of his dispute with the City Council over raising rates for the Department of Water and Power.
Which Way, L.A.?
Second District County Supervisor Candidates Debate 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.
Recommended
Zócalo's Connecting California
Throw caution to the wind Zocalo commentator Joe Mathews has some advice for incoming California Gavin Newsom: don’t follow in the footsteps of Jerry Brown.
KCRW Features
What are LA parents doing with their kids during the strike? During the teacher strike, a lot of students are not going to class. According to the district’s tally, about 163,000 turned up for school Tuesday, out of a total of about half a million. Some are spending their time on the picket line. Older students might go study at Starbucks or play hooky. But the parents of younger children in L.A.
To the Point
Politics, the World Order and Donald Trump’s New Year Newly divided government could mean change in this new year… or not. House Democrats don’t always stick together--and presidential campaigns could get in the way. The GOP might not heed Mitt Romney’s call for respectability. Meantime, will America’s allies unify to sustain world order without America’s leadership?