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Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Celebrates Approval of San Pedro Waterfront
September 30, 2009
After years of efforts, meetings, and negotiations between the community and the Port of Los Angeles, we have actually reached this moment -- the San Pedro waterfront has been approved, and will finally move forward!
This is a golden opportunity to grow and take advantage of a new economy in San Pedro! Full steam ahead!
Read my article in the San Pedro Business Journal.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Friday, Sep 25, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Responds to Tesoro Fire
September 25, 2009.
After a fire broke out early this morning at the Tesoro Refinery in Wilmington, I rushed over to the scene to lend my support.
Dangerous fuels were burning very hot and very quickly, and a thick column of black smoke rose up into the sky. Thankfully, due to a very swift and capable response from the 150 firefighters on the scene, no evacuations were necessary, no homes were threatened, and no one was injured. The fire was extinguished by late morning.
Authorities are still investigating exactly what caused the fire. Fire officials are urging residents of Wilmington and surrounding communities to be mindful of the poor air quality from the fire, to keep doors and windows shut, and to refrain from outdoor activities until the air clears.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Passes Rooster Ordinance
Councilwoman Hahn with City Attorney Dov Lesel and SPCA's Madeline Bernstein
September 23, 2009
Today, I led the City Council in passing an ordinance limiting the number of roosters per household. I introduced this measure - with full support from the Humane Society -- in order to crack down on cockfighting, which has frequently been linked to gang activity. I also wanted to address residents' concerns about the noise issues caused by roosters. Under the new ordinance, residents will be allowed one rooster per household. People who already own more than one rooster can get a permit from the Department of Animal services to keep up to three of them. Read more about it in the LA Times.
Posted at 1:49 PM
Monday, Sep 14, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Honors Teen Pilot
Councilwoman Hahn with Tuskegee Airman Levi Thornhill and pilot Robin Petgrave.
September 14, 2009
Last week I honored Kimberly Anyadike in City Council. This July, Kimberly became the youngest African-American female to pilot a plane across the country, departing from Compton, CA in a single-engine Cessna, and arriving in Virginia thirteen days later. 87-year-old Levi Thornhill, one of the Tuskegee Airmen (an all-African American combat unit who served during World War II), accompanied Kimberly on the flight, along with a safety pilot.
For many years, Kimberly has had a passion for airplanes and a dream to fly them. Kimberly’s first taste of flying started with a 20-minute demo flight at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, a flight school and youth mentoring center in Compton. The Museum was founded by pilot Robin Petgrave, one or my constituents from San Pedro.
Kimberly worked at the museum to earn her way to flight lessons. She was mentored and inspired by the heroic Tuskegee Airmen who volunteer to teach the program.
Kimberly's accomplishment is truly remarkable, and I know that it is just the beginning of the great things we will see from her. Her spirit and determination are an inspiration to people of all ages and every walk of life!
Posted at 3:35 PM
Thursday, Sep 10, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Supports Firefighters, Urges Colleagues to Find Way to End Brownouts
September 10, 2009
Today, I stood with Los Angeles firefighters in asking my council colleagues to find a way to end the city's newly-enacted brownouts. Though we are currently facing a serious budget crisis, I believe that the last thing we should be cutting back on is public safety.
Enacting these brownouts during wildfire season was a reckless and irresponsible move. That's why over 5,000 Angelenos wrote letters asking for an end to the brownouts. It's time that we work together to cut costs in ways that won't run the risk of resulting in needless injuries or deaths. Jeopardizing the residents of our city is no way to find savings.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Wins the Fight to Provide Health Care for Workers at LAX
September 9, 2009
Yesterday, I led the City Council in approving an amendment to the City’s Living Wage Ordinance that I introduced, which will require that contracted workers at (LAX) be provided with health benefits.
When we are spending millions to revitalize LAX, the very least we can do is provide quality health care to airport workers and their families, who work so hard and who serve as the face of our city. And to those who say it’s the wrong time to do this, I say, there is never going to be a right time – that’s why now is the time. With all of the attention being focused on national health care reform, Los Angeles is leading the way.
Though this is a huge victory for workers in our city, there is still much to be done to see to it that everyone can enjoy high quality health insurance for themselves and their families.
The new living wage is expected to take effect in January of 2010.
Read more in the LA Times and the Daily Breeze. Watch the video here.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Celebrates Successful Summer Night Lights Season
September 9, 2009
It was great to be able to join with the Mayor to celebrate a very successful summer of the Summer Night Lights program, and to welcome Guillermo Cespedes to his new post as head of the Gang Reduction and Youth Development Program.
Once again, we have demonstrated that when we give young people good alternatives and opportunities, we can keep them out of gangs and keep them out of trouble—and most importantly, crime goes down.
If we can provide constructive opportunities that will empower every at-risk child in Los Angeles, I believe we will finally be able to win this war on gangs. And Summer Night Lights is a great way to reach the young people that need these alternatives most.
In Watts this summer we had 1000 kids put to work with summer jobs. We also had 1000 kids participating at Summer Night Lights at the Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts and Jordan Downs Housing Developments. This is 2000 kids that we had off the streets and staying out of trouble.
And because of that, we had a quiet summer in Watts. And we had a quiet summer all over Los Angeles.
Giving kids something to do on night and weekends works. But, we still need to do more. We need to provide every young person with programs like Summer Night Lights, abut also with after-school and job training opportunities. I am committed to making that happen all over Los Angeles.
I look forward to continuing to work to make Los Angeles even safer.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Marches With Working Men and Women on Labor Day
September 8, 2009
On Labor Day, we stop and appreciate the struggle of working men and women. This Labor Day, I was proud to join with the working men and women of Wilmington to celebrate the great strides that the labor movement has made over the years.
The labor movement has constantly reached out to groups in American society who have strived for their share of opportunity and rewards..... to African Americas, to Latinos, to all minorities… to women striving for jobs and equal pay…
In fact, it was labor that spearheaded the drive for public education for every child. I believe that it will also be labor that moves us toward real healthcare reform.
I want to thank everyone for coming out in Wilmington and making the Labor Day March a successful and meaningful event.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Conquers the Bridge
September 8, 2009
This Labor Day was a busy one -- not only did I have the chance to march in solidarity with the working men and women of my district, but I also participated in the Conquer the Bridge five mile race -- the first to go along the Vincent Thomas Bridge in several years. Over a thousand people came out to run (or walk) the race. I walked it, and not only did I enjoy the beautiful scenery, I got a great workout!
With the great turn out that we had, the race was a wonderful way to bring locals and visitors alike out to downtown San Pedro on the holiday weekend. Finally, San Pedro has a running race to call its own!
Posted at 12:00 AM
Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Honors Participants and Leaders of Teen CPAB Program
September 8, 2009
Last week in City Council, I honored leaders from the LAPD’s Youth Leadership Retreat. This is a fantastic program that you may have read about in the LA Times a couple of weeks ago.
20 students from our Harbor area and East Los Angeles Teen Community Police Advisory Boards participated in the program, in partnership with the Museum of Tolerance’s “Tools for Tolerance” student leadership project.
During the week-long program, the group learned about the damage that racial and cultural prejudices can do. They learned how to prevent such discrimination, but were also able to gain greater cultural understanding of other cultures. Through a variety of exercises, they were able to learn what an important and powerful tool empathy can be. I know that they will be taking these valuable lessons back to their communities.
The teens were given violence prevention training, leadership training, and were exposed to different points of view. At one point during the program, they were able to hear the first-hand account of a Holocaust survivor -- a memorable experience that I’m sure will stay with them throughout their lives.
This program was a great way to expose our young people to various cultures and ways of life. We should be doing much more of this… it can only lead to more peace and a greater understanding among cultures.
None of this would have been possible without Captain Ann Young, who runs the LAPD’s detective support division, and who organized this innovative program. Officer Joe Buscaino created the Harbor Area Teen Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB), which helped cover the $250 cost of the program for each teen. The LAPD’s Harbor Boosters Association, led by Captain Billy Hayes, also contributed to the cost.
The Museum of Tolerance, particularly Beverly Lemay, also deserves a very hearty thank you for hosting this program and giving these students this opportunity.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Monday, Sep 07, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Rallies for Health Insurance Reform
September 7, 2009
Last week I attended an Organizing for America rally in support of a public health insurance option.
I have heard from so many people who have found themselves faced with having to seek medical care without having health insurance. Each of these stories is heartbreaking and each makes me embarrassed that we have let our health care system deteriorate to this point.
Here in Los Angeles, we are working to provide health insurance to the people that keep this city running. I am personally fighting to see that we provide health care to our airport workers—and I hope to one day expand that fight to every person in Los Angeles.
After watching the infamous town hall meetings and seeing our Congressmembers being attacked and beat-up, the Los Angeles City Council sent a resolution to Congress.
As they head back to Washington we wanted our Congressmembers to know that Los Angeles is with you, and that you are doing the right thing. Don’t get distracted by the tactics of the insurance companies that are working to derail your hard work.
I have also written letters to my fellow Councilmembers in cities all over the Los Angeles area urging them to join with Los Angeles in supporting our Congressmembers.
We need to send the message that we want health care reform and we expect health care reform.
Our current system is not only fiscally irresponsible, it is morally indefensible. That’s why I am proud to stand with everyone in this city, and everyone in this nation who believe that now is the time to create a plan that provides quality, affordable health care to every American.
We can do better. This is America. We have to do better.
Posted at 12:00 AM