Tom LaBonge Newsletter: Ed O'Neill Gets Star, L.A. Turns 230 and West Nile Virus

Happy 230th Birthday City of Los Angeles!

Councilman LaBonge and Councilman Huizar invite you to the City of Los Angeles official 230th Birthday festivities on Sunday, September 4th.  It was on that day in 1781 that a group of 44 settlers or "pobladores" walked nine miles from the Mission San Gabriel to the banks of what is now the Los Angeles River and christened the area "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula".  We call it Los Angeles, the City of the Angels.  A lot has happened in 230 years, and the City will celebrate our history, diversity and unity on Sunday September, 4th at 10am at Union Station.  There will be a ceremonial walk over to the Plaza at Olvera Street, followed by a birthday party featuring live music and dancing and birthday cake.  Come out to Union Station on Sunday morning and join the fun.  Help wish Los Angeles a Happy 230th Birthday!

Silver Lake murder-suspect in custody

Councilman Tom LaBonge and Council President Eric Garcetti, along with officials from the Los Angeles Police Department announce the arrest of a suspect in the August 7th murder of a pizza deliveryman on Silver Lake Boulevard.  25-year old Juan David Vasquez Loma was shot and killed during what police believe might have been some type of road-rage incident with another driver in the early morning hours as he drove two friends home from work.  The suspect, 18-year old Jose Beltran, was in custody on a weapons-related charge after a traffic-stop when he was linked to the crime.  A minor female who was in the vehicle with him is being treated as a witness in the case.  Beltran has pleaded not guilty to one count of murder.  He's jailed on 3-million dollars bail and is due back in court on September 15th.

Parking Alert:  DOT begins ticketing for Apron Parking

We've heard from several constituents about the Los Angeles Department of Transportation's recent ticketing of vehicles parked in driveway aprons.  The apron is the portion of the driveway between the sidewalk and the street.  In many parts of Los Angeles, particularly older multifamily neighborhoods, the sidewalks are fairly close to the buildings and residents have parked for many years on the aprons of their driveways between the sidewalk and the street. In years past, regulations against apron parking largely have not been enforced. 
Unfortunately, that changed this year.  Lawsuits were filed against the City claiming, among other things, that apron parking interfered with the mobility of disabled residents. Partially in response to this litigation, the City Attorney’s Office instructed the Department of Transportation to enforce existing prohibitions on apron parking. This abrupt elimination of many parking spaces all over Los Angeles is causing great hardship in many neighborhoods.
Councilmember Kortez introduced a motion, which was adopted by the full City Council (August 19, 2011), to direct the Department of Transportation and the City Attorney to report on a dual strategy regarding apron parking – both the immediate development of an apron parking plan and also the development of a Sacramento legislative strategy.  
Please see this link for the motion on Apron Parking Report Backs.So until such time,  LADOT will be actively enforcing a "no apron parking" police Citywide, which is part of an effort to keep sidewalks accessible to all people.   Tickets for apron parking will be $58, and if a resident receives more than five citations, the vehicle could be subject to towing.  Councilman LaBonge is currently working toward a solution to this issue that meets all necessary legal requirements.  That solution ultimately will be in the hands of the State Legislature, as the law against apron parking is in the California Vehicle Code.

West Nile Virus found in Dead Birds in Studio City
Four dead birds have now been confirmed to contain the West Nile Virus in Studio City.  In all 23 dead birds with West Nile Virus have been found over the past couple of weeks, several of them in different areas of the San Fernando Valley.
Click here to read more about the infected birds

Earthquake Preparedness Tip of the Week

-CHECK OUT MY SAFE LA-
The Big One is coming. There's no doubt, a major earthquake will rattle southern California sometime in the coming 30 years - or 30 minutes. California has seen its share of significant earthquakes, but if the southern end of the San Andreas ruptures (and it's more than 200 years overdue to have a significant event), the greater Los Angeles area will experience a disaster of "Sendai" proportions.
Click here to visit My Safe LA "Quake Smart"


Councilman LaBonge on Fox 11 on Sunday

Councilman LaBonge appears this weekend on Fox 11's "Mid-day Sunday" with Tony Valdez, discussing several issues, opportunities and challenges facing the City of Los Angeles.  Tune in to see Tom on Mid-Day Sunday this coming Sunday, September 4th at 9:00 AM.


A New Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Councilman LaBonge helped the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveil a Walk of Fame star for actor Ed O'Neil, who stars in ABC's "Modern Family", but is a television icon for his role as Al Bundy in "Married with Children".  O'Neil is pictured here (center front) during his star ceremony with Tom LaBonge and LaRon Gubler of the Hollywood Chamber.  In the back row, from left, Katie Segal, who played Peg on "Married with Children", Sofia Vergara, Ed's current wife on "Modern Family", then Marty Shelton, Hollywood Chamber Board President and "Modern Family" creator Steve Levitan.