Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Newsletter

October 1, 2004

Re: King/Drew Added to Congress Program

KING/DREW MEDICAL CENTER

Many Neighborhood Councils from the area served by the King/Drew Medical Center have asked if there could be an opportunity at the Congress of Neighborhoods on October 9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center for concerned residents to discuss the issues regarding this facility.

The answer is yes.

There is a room available during the afternoon session from noon to 1:30 p.m.

A panel will be assembled to explain this complicated issues related.

We’re working hard to ensure that you will be able to get answers regarding the overview of the County/public hospital system, the critical role the medical center plays in the community, the scope and scale of the services it provides, the impact that this and other scheduled closures will have, the social and economic impacts, the fiscal and medical realities that must be dealt with, and the possible alternatives to closing the trauma center.

There will be plenty of time for questions and answers, “open mike” comments, testimonials, informational comments, calls for action, and opportunities for the community to decide on a course of action.

Because this activity was added so late, there is no longer an opportunity to go to our home page and register for the Congress. But don’t worry. Just show up anyway. To save yourself $10 you can get a free parking pass going to our home page at http://www.lacityneighborhoods.com and going to the bottom left, or by clicking on this direct link: http://www.lacity.org/done/newsflash_a/donenewsflash_a93822772_09082004.pdf

THE USC WORKSHOP ALSO?

If you plan to attend the King/Drew event in the afternoon, you will find yourself participating in two landmark events. First, this will be the first day when Neighborhood Councils leaders have gotten together to discuss citywide issues. And second, this a first time that Neighborhood Councils have attempted to join together to try and exert their influence over the County Board of Supervisors.

Therefore, your Neighborhood Council may also want to ensure that it has one official representative and one alternate attend the morning session from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at which USC’s Neighborhood Participation Project will be leading a session entitled “The Congress as a Decision-making Body?

The question is whether or not the representatives feel that future Congress events should become, at least in part, a place where Neighborhood Council delegates discuss and take positions on issues of importance to all them.

Building & Safety: A Tool for a More Livable Community
(Morning Session)

This workshop has been added to the morning session. It provides information and in-depth knowledge on the Department of Building & Safety's Code Enforcement Bureau, which is charged with enforcement against illegal uses of single-family dwellings and commercial/industrial buildings, illegal uses of land, nuisance abatement, and, poorly maintained / abandoned buildings or vacant lots.

Proposition O - Clean Water, Ocean, River, Beach, Bay, Storm Water Cleanup Measure General Obligation Bonds

(Afternoon Session)

This session has been added to the afternoon session. It will provide information on Proposition O - a City of Los Angeles bond measure designed to protect public health by providing funding and infrastructure improvements that will help clean up polluted storm water, preserve clean drinking water, and reduce flooding.

THE UPDATED PROGRAM

Because of the last minute additions, we won’t have the updated version of the program on our website until Monday.

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Greg Nelson
gnelson@mailbox.lacity.org

866 / LA HELPS
213 / 485-1360
213 / 485-4608 fax
done@mailbox.lacity.org email
www.lacityneighborhoods.com website