Tom LaBonge Newsletter: Update on 'Apron' or 'Parkway' Parking Enforcement in the City of Los Angeles

Councilmember LaBonge has heard the complaints about the City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation enforcement of California Vehicle Code restrictions against parking in driveway Aprons or Parkways.  That's why he seconded a motion introduced this week in City Council to clear up the confusion surrounding the term "Parkway" as it relates to parking restrictions.  The motion seeks to clarify and standardize the definition of "Parkway" in Los Angeles Municipal Code, and asks that all enforcement of section 80.50 of the municipal code be suspended unless and until the definition of "Parkway" is consistent throughout the City of Los Angeles.  The matter is expected to come back to Council on October 12th.


City Council Approves a Modest Admission-Fee Hike at Los Angeles Zoo

It's going to cost a little more to visit the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens in the near-future.  The City Council has approved the CAO's Budget request for an increase in the cost of admission to the Zoo.  The cost of admission will rise by $2 per person to $16 for adults, $11 for children and $13 for Seniors.  Children under 2 or kids in groups are still free.  The higher admission will likely take effect sometime in December.  The measure now goes to the Mayor's desk for his signature.  By way of comparison, the San Diego Zoo has a $40.00 entry-fee for a day-pass.  A day-pass to the San Francisco Zoo costs $15.00 for adults. 


 CICLAVIA opens the Streets of Los Angeles to Bicycles and Pedestrians on October 9th

Councilman LaBonge and Mayor Villaraigosa will help kick-off CicLAvia on Sunday October 9th at 930am at the corner of 7th and Spring Streets in downtown Los Angteles.  CicLAvia organizers say the event makes the streets safe for people to walk, skate, play and ride a bike. There are activities along the route. Shop owners and restaurants are encouraged to open their doors to people along the CicLAvia.
Ciclovías started in Bogotá, Colombia, over thirty years ago as a response to the congestion and pollution of city streets. Now they happen throughout Latin America and the United States. 
Connecting communities and giving people a break from the stress of car traffic. The health benefits are immense. Ciclovías bring families outside of their homes to enjoy the streets, our largest public space. In Los Angeles we need CicLAvia more than ever. Our streets are congested with traffic, our air is polluted with toxic fumes, our children suffer from obesity and other health conditions caused by the scarcity of public space and safe, healthy transportation options. CicLAvia creates a temporary park for free, simply by removing cars from city streets. It creates a network of connections between our neighborhoods and businesses and parks with corridors filled with fun. We can’t wait to see you at CicLAvia!
Click here to learn more about CicLAvia



"10-4 Day" Parade in Los Angeles for Road Safety

Councilman LaBonge was joined by representatives from the LAPD, the California Highway Patrol and the LA Fire Department for the annual "10-4 Day" Parade through Hollywood.  A group of vintage law enforcement vehicles, led by a police escort, made their way to Hollywood Boulevard and the Walk of Fame star of actor Broderick Crawford, who starred in the 1950's television series "Highway Patrol".  The vintage car pictured above is an exact replica of the Highway Patrol cruiser Crawford's character used to track down the bad-guys.  It's a 1955 Buick Century, lovingly restored by Gary Goltz.  The 10-4 Day message is road safety and awareness of cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians when out on the roadways of Los Angeles.  That's a big 10-4.
Click here to see more photos of the 10-4 Day Parade

from left: "Shotgun Tom" Kelly from K-Earth 101, Gary Goltz, channeling Broderick Crawford from "Highway Patrol" and Councilman Tom LaBonge at "10-4 Day"

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

--Consider owning a backup generator
A significant earthquake will leave us without power.  Electricity will likely be out, possibly for an extended period of time.  Gas lines may rupture, bringing the threat of fire and explosion and the disruption of heating and natural gas-powered cooking.  Flashlights and candles could raise that risk of explosion and fire.  That's why it's so important to know where your gas-main is located and how to turn off the flow if you smell gas around your property.  A good power-backup is a portable generator.  There are many on the market in various price ranges.  Some are powered by gasoline, diesel, propane ... and there are even solar-powered backup generators.  Do a little research and you might find the generator that meets your needs.  They certainly come in handy in all kinds of power outages; but only work as long as you have fuel to power them.


Tom LaBonge Beautification Team is On-the-Job 
in CD4
Councilman LaBonge has a Beautification Team working full-time to keep Council District 4 clean.  Sylvan De La Cruz and Manuel Bonilla do a great job.  Here's one of their recent efforts, cleaning up a mess at the corner of Wilton and Clinton.


Completing Demolition to make way for a new Park on the Los Angeles River

Councilman LaBonge, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilman Ed Reyes helped knock-down the final wall of the Albion Dairy Complex in Lincoln Heights this week to make way for a new park adjacent to the Los Angeles River.  The 6.34-acre parcel sits between the River and the existing Downey Recreation Center.
Click here to see the final design rendering for the park

Click here to see a video of Councilman LaBonge speaking about the Los Angeles River