No Las Villas Press Conference Wednesday

Upon my return to City Council chambers two weeks ago, my first public comment was on Las Villas and how Reyes was approving the project against community wishes and the law. (Allowing developers to open a "Liquor Game Arcade" less than the required legal distance from a school (500 feet). Plus it was too close to the local church, as well.

Looks like all you have to do to make a Councilmember do something is show up for one public comment. Because within a week, word was out on the street that Reyes was going to announce the plug was pulled on the Las Villas project that Zuma Dogg was screaming about in Chambers.

Thanks CM Reyes. And what a victory for public activism. Just give one two minute public comment, condemning a shady and corrupt project...and they pull the plug within a week. JUST KIDDING!!!

BUT WHAT A COMMUNITY VICTORY IT WAS, INDEED...AND IT DOES PROVE THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN ORGANIZE AND RALLY TO HAVE A SAY IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

And Zuma Dogg spoke with someone from City Hall who said that Reyes didn't want to pull the plug on the project, but it was actually due to community pressure.

What really helped get this project pulled, was the evening there was that meeting (about a month or so ago) where they dragged out to 1AM in hopes of clearing the room.

When all those people stayed until the very end, that was the beginning of the end for Las Villas. And I am told it was due to one thing and one thing only...public pressure that had the developers pulling the plug on Reyes' Liquor Arcade too close to LAUSD for legal comfort, all in the name of economic development.

Now Zuma Times has heard that the developers of the Las Villas project were given a big sweetheart development deal, elsewhere...and will probably end up being even more profitable for them, from what I have heard. BUT, the community DID NOT WANT THIS PROJECT...so if that's what it takes...I guess ZD has to live with that trade off. The pueblos prevailed! And the Las Villas project is now going to be office space.

HERE'S A MEMO FROM WWW.NOLASVILLAS.COM

The Struggle Continues...

The owners of Las Villas have announced that they no longer will pursue alcohol and arcade sales variances for their property at 3319-3325 N. Broadway in Lincoln Heights. See the following: Click here for "No Las Villas" Letter

But for those who have been fighting the issue for the last 6 years, this does not conclude the struggle...

Is it another delay tactic on the part of the politicians? Does this letter from the project backers have any legal standing? What will it take to completely nullify the alcohol and gaming variances?

You are invited to attend a Press Conference this Wednesday (April 23) at 4:00pm at Sacred Heart Church - corner of Sichel and Baldwin Street in Lincoln Heights. Tacos will be served afterwards. For further information, please call (323) 221-3129
NoLasVillas.com thanks the following for their support in this struggle:

Lincoln Heights Action Coalition
Fr. Mario Torres and Sacred Heart Parish
Little Flower Missionary House and Parents
The Voice Newspaper
Highland Park Neighborhood Council
Channels 34/62/22/11/5
Korean Times
Chinese Times
Church of the Epiphany
Zuma Dogg
Red Spot
The Coyote Studio
Local Merchants
J & L Market
Hoy Newspaper
Mexican-American Sun
MayorSam.Blogspot.com
LaDailyBlog.com
Catequil31 & his Yahoo Groups
Sierra Club - Central Group
Starland7
YouTube.com
Jose AguilarW
Michael Carreon (WHO ROCKED REYES REPEATEDLY AT PUBLIC COMMENT! I WAS WAITING FOR BIG JOHN TO STEP IN!)

Residents Outraged at LA City Planning Decision To Allow Alcohol Near Schools Despite Overwhelming Community Opposition

By Carlos Morales
Publisher/Editor, The VOICE: The Number One Source For News In North East LA

Excerpts from March '08 issue of The Voice: Click here for full story

After an exhausting eight hours of pleas from over two hundred concerned Lincoln Heights residents and petitions turned in with over a thousand signatures against the proposed LAS VILLAS Inc. development project, the East Los Angeles area Planning Commission voted 2-1 to deny the community's appeal against a video arcade and the sale of beer and wine.

The proposed Las Villas Entertainment Center will be immediately next to three schools: Gates Street Elementary School less than 75' away, Abraham Lincoln High School less than 50' away, and Little Flower Missionary School for pre-school children only 3' away. There is also the Kwan Ying Vietnamese Buddhist Temple; and The American Vietnam Chinese Friendship Association. Approximately 4,000 children attend classes near the proposed development.

The room was filled to capacity with community stakeholders armed with signs and banners, the row of media cameras ready to record and report live on scene. The overflow of about 30 more people stood outside the hall. Chants were heard inside the hall from the outside "NO ALCOHOL NEAR OUR SCHOOLS" repeatedly. It was near midnight when the vote came in, after the TV stations left, two of three commissioners decided to support Councilman Ed Reyes and the developers and deny the community's appeal.

One of the appellants in this case is Hugo Pacheco, who stated. "This is an absolute injustice. We thought the system was set up to serve the people, but it's obvious to us that the City is only interested in helping developers despite what the community may want." If the project cannot get funding without alcohol, adjust your business model so that you can open it without alcohol.

LA City Councilmember Ed Reyes Saying "NO" to alcohol "to go" permit .71 miles away. How come a full blown bar at a game arcade, even closer to schools is o.k., Ed?

To be continued...

Click here for full report

contact: voicepub@gmail.com

EQUAL TIME: See "Comment Section" of this thread for a response from Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council President, and USC Community Outreacher David Galaviz regarding The Voice and the front page article on LAS VILLAS. [Zuma Dogg's response to The President in brackets.] Plus, The Voice responds to Mr. Galaviz. (See comment section.)

Here's my favorite part: In addition, there are a number of liquor serving establishments in close proximity to three schools - Sacred Heart Elementary and High School as well as Griffin. These liquor serving establishments do not have the same requirements of Las Villas.

[UM...Thank you for making that most important point. With a number of existing liquor serving establishments in close proximity to the schools...DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S ENOUGH AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANYMORE ADDED!?!? Something is wrong with the logic you present if you are trying to argue FOR the liquor arcade across from three schools?]

LADailyBlog News Wire For Tuesday Morning

MAYBE HE THOUGHT NO ONE WOULD NOTICE AS LONG AS ROBIN KRAMER IS CHARGE:
Los Angeles Times - Opinion: Voters will have to decide if the mayor's travels to campaign for Hillary Clinton are hurting or helping the city. The Times reported Monday that Villaraigosa has spent 18 of the last 65 days out of town, campaigning for Clinton. In just over two months, that's nearly a third of his time. Traveling with him are City Hall aides (using vacation days) and his police security detail. Is Los Angeles winning or losing from this arrangement? (See article under "Zuma's News Wire")

HILLARY IS HOT: Don't confuse the commentary with support, but Hillary has finally found her voice, and has been kicking ass this weekend in Ohio, and Monday night in Texas. Not that she would have been able to stop the Obama train, but I think she would he a hell of a lot better off, today...if the campaign was just starting based on how she is finally doing the best that she has done in front of the cameras. (Even if her voice is still annoying in big crowds, that won't be a factor after the election.)

WEAK DOLLAR: Glad I don't have any! Former Fed Greenspan was heard suggesting to the United Arab Emirates to dump the dollar. (I wonder if they can pay Related Co in foreign currency for the Royal Family of Dubai's investment at Grand Avenue Project. And CNBC reported that some NYC retailers are now accepting the Euro.


GOLD & COMMODITIES ARE HOT: Even Calpers has pulled out of Grand Ave Project and dumped money into commodities. Some say it's all a bubble is going to burst, but others (like ZD) feel it is demand based and will keep rising. Jim Cramer says gold is going to $1600 and silver is just as good. Plus the agriculture sector.StrategyUpdate.com for 24 hour gold and metal charts and Wall Street analysis by global economy guru MC Zuma Dogg.


MATT DOWD COMMENTS ON VENICE BEACH: CM Bernard Parks warned that Tennie Pierce's dog food settlement would be cheaper, while CM Dennis Zine says you gotta fight for your right/no settlements. (See thread below for extra $1.6 million on top of it all.) Not that this has anything to do with that...unless it does. (See first comment of this thread for more.)

MATT DOWD & ZUMA DOGG "LIVE" (Many rock stars are also influential political figures! Matt & ZD are no exception.)







Click read more: Unfortunately the older stories are on top (countdown style) so you have to click your way up to newest ones.

CLICK HERE FOR EZ ACCESS TO ALL RECENT LA DAILY BLOG POSTS (Aka: Super Mega-Master SHADY REPORT)

zumadogg@gmail.com

LINCOLN HEIGHTS ACTION COALITION SAYS NO ALCOHOL NEXT TO OUR SCHOOLS!”

LINCOLN HEIGHTS ACTION COALITION

“NO ALCOHOL NEXT TO OUR SCHOOLS!”

PRESS RELEASE

February 28, 2008

Contact: Father Mario Torres, (323) 221-3179

Hugo Pacheco, (323) 528-7605

MEDIA NOTE: Father Torres and residents available for interviews today and tomorrow

RESIDENTS OUTRAGED AT CITY DECISION TO CONTINUE TO BYPASS CITY ORDINANCES AND ALLOW SALE OF ALCOHOL NEXT TO SCHOOLS

LOS ANGELES – After eight hours of pleas from hundreds of concerned Lincoln Heights residents yesterday, the East Los Angeles Planning Commission voted 2-1 to deny the community’s appeal against a video arcade and the sale of beer and wine at the Las Villas development, which will be immediately next to three schools and near a Buddhist Temple. The overflow crowd asked the commission to uphold a pre-existing city ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol 500 feet from a school or religious institution. Two of three commissioners decided to support Councilman Ed Reyes and the developers and deny the community’s appeal.

“We walked in full of hope that the Commission would enforce the law, even though the Councilman had by-passed it,” explained concerned parent, Robert Vega. “Hundreds of people took the time to make their voices heard. They waited patiently past midnight just to be ignored. We simply don’t understand how the City can get away with breaking the laws established to protect our kids!”

“This is an absolute injustice!” exclaimed appellant and concerned resident, Hugo Pacheco. “We thought the system was set up to serve the people, but it’s obvious to us that the City is only interested in helping developers despite what the community may want.”

Father Mario Torres, Pastor at Sacred Heart Church, explained that the community will continue their fight to keep alcohol away from schools. They have requested a meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and will make an appeal to the State.

“The Mayor has made our children’s education a top priority,” said Father Torres. “The students at Lincoln High School already have to deal with gangs, crime and truancy problems, now they want to put a video arcade and sell alcohol right next door. We hope that Mayor Villaraigosa will help our community protect our kids and keep alcohol away from our schools.”

The proposed Las Villas Entertainment Center, at 3319-25 North Broadway, will be immediately next to three schools:

• Little Flower Missionary School for pre-school children - immediately behind;

• Gates Street Elementary School - directly in front;

• and Lincoln High School - directly across.

The development is also near:

• Gates Street Early Education Center;

• Kwan Ying Vietnamese Buddhist Temple;

• and The American Vietnam Chinese Friendship Association, which averages over 350 children who attend Chinese classes on both Saturdays and Sundays. Almost 4,000 children attend classes near the proposed development.

CD 14 Watch said...Even the Neighborhood Council Land Use Groups know that there are many restrictions to many types of business around a school. For example no dirty books in book stores or newspaper vending machines, or no alcohol within 500 feet of schools or churches, etc. These are ABC rules, not just City of LA rules. File a complaint with ABC. Its easy, its online and anonymous.


(Please email this thread to others.)

PUBLIC NOTICE: Chance To Speak With Congressman Xavier Becerra About Investigation Into Las Villas Block Grant Money

Some people in X-man's district want to speak with him about a Congressional investigation into the HUD block grant money (administered by the CRA) as being used for the Las Villas Liquor Arcade in violation of LA City ordinance banning the sale of alcohol within 500 feet of schools and churches.

Just to let you all know, Congressman Xavier Becerra has been invited by the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) to speak about the topic: "All Politics are Local" and to take your questions.

You are all cordially invited to attend this event (which includes a free brunch!), and in which candidates for the ERNC will speak as well.

It will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Dahlia Heights Elementary School
5063 Floristan Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90041

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT!!

Hope to see you there,

Meredith Brown
Secretary, ERNC
For more info, call 323-578-8100

CD 14 Watch said...Even the Neighborhood Council Land Use Groups know that there are many restrictions to many types of business around a school. For example no dirty books in book stores or newspaper vending machines, or no alcohol within 500 feet of schools or churches, etc. These are ABC rules, not just City of LA rules. File a complaint with ABC. Its easy, its online and anonymous.

Letter to Ed Reyes About Las Villas From Concerned Parent Who Isn't Concened About Special Interest

What does he care?

Here's a comment that popped up on the comment section of the "Reyes Screwes The Community at Las Villas" thread. From time to time I like to pull comments and bump them up to a main thread.

Dear Councilman Reyes:

You as a parent want the best for each one of your children. You want them to have a good school, great teachers, and positive experiences. You want them to be successful in life, to have the best of what life can offer. You and I are no different, I want the same for my children and many parents out there want the same for their children.

When you took the Oath as Councilman it was to serve all the community, not the special interests groups. We as the community have to hold you accountable to that OATH. We are the parents of those children that will be affected by the Arcade and the Liquor License. We the parents are the voice of our children. YOU AS OUR COUNCILMAN MUST STAND UP AND HELP US PROTECT OUR CHILDREN IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Your job is not easy, but you made the choice to be councilman. And one of your responsibilities is to stand with the people specially the CHILDREN and protect their RIGHTS.

Some Background Details of the Shady (If not totally corupt) Las Villas "Liquor Arcade" Near LAUSD

Las Villas, Inc.: The $9.2 Million Dollar HUD Project That No One Wants Except the Politicians ($9.2 million includeds $1.5 million HUD block grant.)

First of all, some members of Lincoln Heights area are calling for a Congressional investigation into the HUD money that is being used for this "community block grant" that is being administered by the CRA.

I think Xavier Becerra may be contacted, who is the Congressmember for the district.

Regrading the law that prohibits the sale of alcohol 500 feet from schools and churches, The political bullies in charge claim that the need for economic development overrides any other issue, like public safety.

One person wondered aloud on the phone to ZD, "How are the three commissioners tied into Councilmember Ed Reyes?
East L.A. Area Planning Commissioners:

Louis Lopez: Works on LA River plan with Reyes.
Fabiola Vilchez: Used to work for Jackie Goldberg.
David Marquez:

Maybe some readers have some additional information on any cahootsism.

The economic development zone needs to be economically developed/improved, but why does this liquor gaming arcade have to be near three schools? Reyes the Cowardly Councliman hides behind the non-fact that, Chuck E. Cheese is the comparative model for this project: But can anyone find a Chuck E. Cheese in the City of Los Angeles that is less than 500 feet from schools and churches?

The reason you DON'T see this, is not only because only an idiot or corrupt politician would allow a gaming arcade that serves alcohol to operate less than 500 feet from schools; BUT BECAUSE LOS ANGELES HAS A 500 FT ORDINANCE! (Duh!) But when you feel protected from the law, you simply say, "Economic development trumps all law." (Remember that guy in Lethal Weapon II..."Diplomatic Immunity!" Reyes likes to say, "Economic Development.")

The Las Villas Liquor Palace is a $9.2 million dollar project.

How can two people, who allegedly have no previous restaurant experience walk away with $1.5 million in HUD money?

LADailyBlog.com has heard that there is an ongoing investigation into the legitimacy of all of this.

Alicia Corona, owner Las Villas Caterers: The office address used for Las Villas Catering is registered to Ortiz Moving and Storage facility. (An office, with no food preparation facilities. Dave Margosian (health inspector) went to the office to speak with Alice, and check into things, but she was not there.

Las Villas Catering has already catered some events at the facility, but no license for off site food preparation could be found in Los Angeles County.

So if there are no food preparation facilities at the catering location, and if there is no license filed with the Health Department; how is the food being prepared and served?

The other owner of Las Villas, Inc is Teresa Duarte of Terry's Fashion, an apparel manufacturer. (Even though the person I spoke with called it a "sweatshop", "apparel manufacturer" is the proper term.)

Novack & Associates is a lobbying firm who filled out a Form CEC 434 for quarter ending December 31, 2003. Las Villas, Inc is a client, registered at the same address as Terry's Fashion Shop. And although Terry is one of the owners of Las Villas, Inc...the actual business address for Las Villas Inc is Ortiz Moving and Storage. So there seems to be some confusion regarding the addresses used by Novack on the form.

And the health inspector didn't help instill much confidence.

Is this a sign of what to expect from these operators in the future? Especially from people who want to operate a game arcade that serves alcohol so close to three schools. (In violation of the 500 ft ordinance.)

Meanwhile, to the person who just left me a voice mail, wondering how to start and F.B.I. investigation into this project; I would suggest hooking up with the people who will be trying to get Congressional attention on this matter. I think that is the proper channel for this one.

zumadogg@gmail.com
LADailyBlog.com


NEW YouTube 2/29/08: ULTIMATE ZUMA DOGG (TRIPLE SPEED) HYPER-RANT ON LA VILLAS AND ISSUES BLOGGED ON LADAILYBLOG.COM. (It turns into more of a public convulsion, than a public comment.) Check it out...click here for video

COMING NEXT: How to funnel money to politicians in return for favors like project approvals against community wishes. (It's one big racket!)

Reuters/C-Span Texas Poll Has Obama In The Lead

This just in...Reuters/C-Span Texas Poll: Obama 48%, Clinton 42%. Looks to be about tied in Ohio. But momentum in Ohio may swing toward Obama as local politicians feel pressure to go with the flow. A local Cleveland councilmember was on MSNBC saying that he had to switch support from his long-time friend Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama to represent the voice of his district. Hillary is in bigger trouble than a State of California municipal bond.




LAST DAY TO VOTE IN RE-ELECT ANOTNIO (YES/NO) POLL: So far, it 17% vs 82%. (Guess which one has 82%?) Cast your vote in upper right hand of this blog.

LAS VILLAS: Check this blog for all the Las Villas coverage because I have much, much more to report, later today that may provide additional background as to why this Councildummy Ed Reyes is so hell bent on approving an arcade that sells alcohol across the street from three schools and two churches -- even though there is a law specifically banning the sale of alcohol 500 feet from schools and churches. So what gives, Ed? More to come. [500 people viewed the video of Reyes yesterday!]

BRADLEY/E.B.E. GLASSELL PARK NC: See this blog for new video and update.

LA TIMES ON MUNI BOND PROBLEMS: Anyone who has been reading my blog posts, knows that I have been warning about what LAzy Times finally reported today. (I posted the story two weeks ago to the day. What took those LAzy ass reporters so long?) click here

GOLD/SILVER AT RECORD HIGHS: To those who have been reading my StrategyUpdate.com blog, you know I have been screaming about the rise of metals since $800-$850 range. Remember that when it hits $1000+. Keep hating, haters...I TOLD YO AZZ! HA!

FROM LA Weekly SEVEN PAGE Website Post on Density Problems: "In every city in this country, the zone on the land establishes the value of the land. In Los Angeles, that's not true.

"The value of the land is not based on what the zone says ... It's based on what [the] developer believes he can change the zone to.

"This is disastrous for the city. Disatorous. Zoning has to mean something in this city."

Goldberg probably wishes she hadn't said that, not necessarily because she got reprimanded by L.A.'s famously vindictive Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but because Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavksy has repeated her words in public, over and over. Yaroslavsky, who represented the city's affluent Westside District 5 as a councilman until 1994, has been staging a one-man campaign to slow City Hall's feverish promotion of density — a quiet war on the large swaths of suburbia and few hunks of countryside remaining inside the city limits.

City Council Addresses L.A. Port Pollution With New Cargo Fees For New Cleaner Fuel Burning Trucks: An effort to attempt to reduce smog in LA basin.

ALL OF THIS AND MORE AT WWW.LADAILYBLOG.COM. (Email notice to others!)

zumadogg@gmail.com

Opposition To CM Ed Reyes' Support of Liquor Arcade Grows (Plus YouTube of CM Ed Reyes)

Dear Councilman Reyes,

Tonight I attended the HHPNC meeting at Franklin High School. A coalition of parents and community members from Lincoln Heights informed us that you are in support of Las Villas project. Furthermore, it was stated that you *previously did not support similar proposals near this same area based on obvious reasons of negative impact to the Lincoln Heights community that is already struggling with gangs, graffiti, under performing schools, crime etc.....

(* Here is the video)


My question? Why do you support this project? As an educator, I know that this particular project will in no way help the students and community directly effected by its close proximity to Lincoln High School, Gates St. School, Little Flower Missionary School, Kwan Ying Buddhist Temple and Carmelite Convent.

It is with my sincerest hope that you reconsider your position to this and vote against this particular project.

Respectfully,

Gemma Marquez

Watch for updates at LACityUpdate.com

Blogger Comments About CM Ed Reyes' Las Villas Project (Liquor Arcade Across From Schools And Churches)

For some reason, this proposed liquor license up for approval at the Las Villas Arcade project, across from three schools and some long time churches has generated more feedback than probably any other issue I have come across this past year and a half, since I started blogging. That's not a good sign CM Ed Reyes. Especially since you rejected a liquor license for off premises "to go" at a market on .71 miles away (even though they were relocated under LAUSD eminent domain.) So you moved the market, then denied a "to go" license which will kill their business; but Reyes wants to approve a liquor license for an arcade with video games -- that also sells alcohol for on premise consumption -- spitting distance across from three schools!?!?

See this original Las Villas thread with CM Reyes video (making the argument why Las Villas liquor license should be denied (even though he is pushing for it).

AND SEE "COMMENT SECTION" FOR SOME VERY INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THIS ISSUE:

FEATURED COMMENT: WRT the Liquor License, has anyone filed a complaint with the State Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) people? I talked to them not long ago on a similar matter and the fellow at the ABC told me that if so much as one legitimate WRITTEN complaint (and proximity to schools should certainly qualify as a legitimate complaint) about the issuance of an alcohol permit was received from even one citizen, the license would be stopped while the permit underwent state reviews, hearings, etc. In the meantime, they would not be allowed to proceed. Somebody just needs to write the letter (include the case numbers, etc.) and send it along. The LHNC has no legal authority, they can object or not object, but if a citizen contacts the ABC, apparently the permit is dead in the water

And what do all these names have in common regarding Las Villas? More to come...

David Galaviz
Patricia Alarcon
Javier Angulo
Edith Ballesteros
Celia Brugman
Isaias Cantu
Carolina Castillo
Erik Cervantes
Alice Corona
E. Michael Diaz
Sheri Fierro
Kevin Flint
Mike Fong
Erika Gallo
Nidia Garcia
Kristine Hernandez
Juana Lambert
Terry Lim
Joseph Linton
Richard MAcias
Eddie Martinez
Gabriela Martinez
Eric Medina
Frine Medrano
Dennis Ortega
George Pantazis
Rachel Allen
Abigail Ramirez
Richard Corral
Martha Riley
Ellen Sanchez
Jose Sigala
Patricia Soto
Ernesto Villareal
Susan Wong
Richard Zaldivar

CM Ed Reyes on The Wrong Side of The Issue Again Over Las VIllas "Liquor Arcade" Across The Street From Schools and Churches!

If dummy CM Ed Reyes is FOR it, you can bet the Community is AGAINST it! Meanwhile, watch video below as Ed Reyes presents the argument as to why this project should be denied...even though he's fighting to approve it. He's such a dummy, he doesn't even realize he handed the opposition the entire argument.


“NO ALCOHOL NEXT TO OUR SCHOOLS!” (As if this should even be an issue?!?!)

PRESS RELEASE
February 20, 2008

Contact: Father Mario Torres, Pastor, Sacred Heart Church
Hugo Pacheco, Lincoln Heights Action Coalition member

LINCOLN HEIGHTS RESIDENTS CHALLENGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL DECISION TO SUPPORT SALE OF ALCOHOL NEXT TO SCHOOLS

--Community questions why the Neighborhood Council voted to support a video arcade and the sale of alcohol next to schools despite residents’ protest; Residents question Neighborhood Council’s role as representatives of the community--

LOS ANGELES -- Lincoln Heights residents will attend the weekly Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council (LHNC) meeting tomorrow, February 21, 6 p.m., at Lincoln High School, 3501 N. Broadway, to protest the LHNC’s vote to support the city permits for a video arcade and the sale of beer and wine at the proposed Las Villas development, which will be immediately next to three schools.

Residents feel misrepresented by the LHNC, which held a vote of support last week after rejecting a request by community representatives to hold off the vote to allow residents to express their concerns regarding the arcade and the sale of alcohol at the proposed Las Villas Entertainment Center.

Despite an existing city ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol near schools or religious institutions, the LHNC decided to stand with Councilman Ed Reyes instead of concerned residents, endorsing the sale of beer and wine at Las Villas immediately next to three schools:
• Little Flower Missionary School for pre-school children - immediately behind;
• Gates Street Elementary School - directly in front;
• and Lincoln High School - directly across.

The development is also near:
• Gates Street Early Education Center;
• Kwan Ying Vietnamese Buddhist Temple;
• and The American Vietnam Chinese Friendship Association, which averages over 350 children who attend Chinese classes on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Almost 4,000 children attend classes near the proposed development. Residents have expressed their concern that the arcade will only attract more gang activity and promote truancy, and that the sale of alcohol so close to schools and religious institutions will put children in harms way. The community will attend tomorrow’s meeting to challenge the LHNC’s vote to support the City’s decision to by pass the pre-existing city ordinance despite protests from Lincoln Heights residents.

“More than 1000 residents have expressed their outrage regarding the arcade and the sale of beer and wine at Las Villas,” said Lincoln Heights Action Coalition member Hugo Pacheco. “The Neighborhood Council is supposed to represent the community to the City, yet they are ignoring our concerns and supporting the sale of alcohol next to our schools. If they don’t serve the community, who do they serve?”

ED REYES FIGHTS TO DENY "TO GO" LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LOCAL MARKET ONLY .71 MILES FROM LAS VILLAS PROJECT THAT REYES IS FIGHTING TO APPROVE WITH "ON-SITE" CONSUMPTION (AT A GAME ARCADE) EVEN CLOSER TO SCHOOLS? HEY ED, FRED SANFORD JUST SHOWED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, "YOU BIG DUMMY!!!" This video actually presents the case as to why this project should be rejected!


"Thank you Mr. Sanford."

Community Comments on Las Villas (Both sides)
LA Daily Blog.com
LA City Update (Companion Website)

Zuma Dogg "Shady Report" for 2/21/08

Lots of new items piling up in my email box (zumadogg@gmail.com), but there are previous stories from this week that still deserve attention, and not everyone catches every story; so here's a recap of the stories from LACityUpdate.com this week as we prepare the next round of stories. (It never ends...it's like trying to capture Niagara Falls with a Dixie cup.) Then post comments and info about any of these stories on the Mayor Sam thread.

VIDEO: How come Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa only speaks in short phrases, one or two words at a time? Listen to him declare the Federal government "absolutely criminal" as though this four time bar flunkie is his own judge and jury to declare the Feds behavior "ABSOLUTELY" criminal. Hey, Judge Tony...YOU are the one who keeps losing in Federal court. Shuddupayouface! CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE VIDEO JOHN & KEN/KFI REFERRED TO ON-THE-AIR!


Thanks to Mayor Sam's Blog For Posting "The People Love Zuma Dogg"

DWP Rate Hike On LA City Council Agenda for 2/20/08...Sorry VillarNahai...It's Going Back to Committee

Zuma Dogg Speaks on Global Economy For Next Year and Next Decade (Bring an Umbrella!)


LAS VILLAS: PROPOSED ALCOHOL LICENSE AND ARCADE BREWS CONTROVERSY IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS (Story picked up by KTLA/LA and others!)

Are L.A.'s Taxpayers Paying Villaraigosa To Campaign For Hillary?
By Walter Moore, Candidate For Mayor Of Los Angeles

John and Ken/KFI Mention Zuma Dogg's Coverage of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa URGENTLY REQUESTS Your Opinions And Feedback (Better Write It Down On Toilet Paper If You Want Him To Use It!)

DWP Wants To Scare You Into A New Rate Hike: Don't Buy It Until You Read About Their "Fraud, Waste and Abuse" Blueprint For Money Wasting

HUGE PAYOUT ALERT: City of LA & Department of Water and Power (DWP) Being Sued For Wrongful Termination Over No-Bid Contract Shadiness (THIS IS BIG!)

LAUSD Can't Find $400 Million In Computers and Software -- Classrooms remain outdated

Wall Street Updates & Alerts: Oil, gold and metals at record highs; inflation up; predictions. Palladium (PAL) sky-f'ing-rocketing due to shortages in S. Africa. PAL is in Canada, y'all!!! Check chart for Feb.

LA DAILY BLOG "Mega-Master Shady Report" by Zuma Dogg (Archive Post)

zumadogg@gmail.com
lacityupdate.com

LAS VILLAS LINCOLN HEIGHTS

PROPOSED ALCOHOL LICENSE AND ARCADE BREWS CONTROVERSY IN LINCOLN HEIGHTS

By Carlos Morales
Publisher, The Voice (East Los Angeles newspaper)

A meeting was held on Wednesday, January 23rd at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church auditorium to inform the community of a proposed controversial project in Lincoln Heights that is being supported by Councilmember Ed Reyes.

EXCERPTS:

* Zoning Administrator Friedman approved the sale and dispensing of beer and wine and a variance to allow 100 video games on the premises. The facility will also be able to stay open for extended hours on weekends and will be open for business during school hours - including the video arcade.

* As expressed by attendees at the meeting held at the Sacred Heart Church auditorium, the major areas of concern are the location of the restaurant with it's proposed alcohol sales and video arcade environment next to three local schools. The project site is adjacent to Lincoln High School, Gates Street Elementary School and Little Flower Missionary House. The America Vietnam-Chinese Kwan Ying Buddhist Church is located within 500 feet of the Las Villas project boundary and within a 1000' radius of the project site is the Gates Street Early Education Center.

* Given the close proximity of the project to their location and the listed hours of operation for the Las Villas facility, sisters of the Carmelite Covenant at Little Flower Missionary House have stated that if the project is built with it's beer and wine license, the convent may have to relocate for the safety of the school's 100+ pre-school and pre-kinder children. The Carmelite nuns have resided at their Lincoln Heights place of worship since 1943.

* Parents of Little Flower students have organized in protest to the proposed project and the sisters have filed an appeal to the project. Next to the Las Villas site is Abraham Lincoln High School with a school population of over 2600 students. According to the LAUSD Superintendent's Strategic Plan for High Priority Schools report dated on December 13, 2007, the campus is a PI Status School with an API score of 593 placing it in the 17 lowest performing high school in the LAUSD system. Schools which fall into this performance index are in danger of take over by the California State Department of Education.

* Opponents of the project have cited that the ease of entry to the video arcade designed in the Las Villas building plans would lead to increase opportunities for truancy during school hours, an increase in after-school loitering and the failure of marginal students to go home and do much needed additional studying. Directly across from the proposed project is Gates Street Elementary School with a student population of approximately 830 students. Community opponents have expressed a concern that elementary school children will be in danger while crossing Lincoln Heights' main thoroughfare of North Broadway during peak traffic hours enroute to the video arcade at Las Villas.

* The Councilman and his staff have been advocates for the Las Villas project since its inception. The backers of Las Villas have been astute in their access to political support as evidenced by the various letters of support submitted in the project zoning application from State Senator Gloria Romero, Supervisor Gloria Molina, former Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, and former LAPD Hollenbeck Division Captain Paul Pesquiera.

* There were questions left unanswered including a concern for the project's location and alcohol service in what is being billed as a family-oriented restaurant. During her presentation at the sparsely attended LHNC meeting (which was attended by THE VOICE), Ms. Corona on several occasions indicated that "We are targeting families with children at this facility". When asked by LHNC board member Tony Bukta "If you can't get a beer and wine license is this project economically feasible?", Ms Corona replied " We wouldn't get the loan from the bank." A concern voiced by opponents to the project is that if the facility is closed in the future, all granted variances including the liquor license and gaming variance needed for the video arcade, will be transferred to the site's new owner who may not have such a family-friendly venue in mind. Ms. Corona and Ms. Duarte are local business women who operate Teri's Fashion, a garment manufacturing facility in the industrial part of Lincoln Heights.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE STORY WITH MANY MORE DETAILS INCLUDE STOCK INTERSTS

This story will continue in the next issue of THE VOICE. The East Los Angeles Planning Commission meets on February 27, 2008 @ 4:30pm at the Ramona Hall in Highland Park. At the meeting, testimony in two separate appeals to the granted zoning variances will be heard and the public is invited to express their opinion on the future of Las Villas.

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