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Dear Neighbor,
We are approaching the final days for voting in the 2nd District Community Budget, the County’s first participatory budgeting pilot program. I encourage all residents ages 16 and older, regardless of immigration status, who live in Florence-Firestone or Ladera Heights to vote on ideas submitted by their fellow Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights residents to determine how my office should invest $500,000 into your community. Voting ends next Friday, November 22.
The proposed project ideas you can vote on range from creating green spaces to expanding access to after-school programming for youth. You can view the complete list of ideas from residents and vote here: https://mitchell.lacounty.gov/cb-vote/.
Thank you to everyone who has already voted. Our team, in collaboration with our partners, Participatory Budgeting Project, Re-Imagine L. A Coalition, Tres Lunas, and our Advisory Committee, composed of residents from both communities, will review the responses, tally up the votes, and provide the winning ideas in the new year.
I look forward to sharing more updates on this initiative as we approach the next phase.
Sincerely,
Holly J. Mitchell
Supervisor, Second District
Read Ahead:
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UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITY UPDATES |
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Update on County Measures: Measure A and Measure G
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The passage of Measure A is a big win for Los Angeles County. Voters decided to support affordable housing, rental assistance, and increased mental health and addiction treatment to reduce and prevent homelessness.
For the first time in years, the Los Angeles Point in Time count documenting how many residents are experiencing homelessness did not show an increase, indicating that our strategies are making an impact and that now is the time to double down on what is working with increased urgency and transparency to get the thousands of unhoused residents into the care and housing they need.
The passage of Measure A increases our ability to do this mandated reporting on the results of proven solutions, including LA County’s Pathway Home initiative, where we bring people into housing and connect them to County social services to help keep them housed.
The voters have also spoken on Measure G, and the nearly split results further confirm that our fellow residents care deeply about how their county government shows up for them.
While the passage of Ballot Measure G is historic, the valid concerns surrounding it have not gone away. These concerns now demand real and thoughtful solutions.
Whether you supported or opposed the ballot measure, we owe it to every resident to ensure that the passage of Measure G results in more diverse and effective county representation.
As we transition to implementing Measure G - without a clear plan to cover its costs - I will remain vigilant in doing all we can to protect the county services and jobs that so many of our residents rely on.
Senator Laphonza Butler Visits 2nd District
LA City Councilmember Heather Hutt, Senator Laphonza Butler, Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, 2nd District Chief of Staff Fredericka McGee
It was an honor to join community leaders, fellow elected officials, and residents from throughout the 2nd District at the Nate Holden Performance Arts Center to thank Sen. Butler for her service as she closes out her term. During her conversation with Mayor Karen Bass, we were reminded of the power that comes from working together.
Update on Parking Enforcement Services for Unincorporated Communities
 This week over 100 residents joined our office and the LA County Sheriff’s Department Parking Enforcement Division for an update on parking enforcement services for our unincorporated communities.
Countywide there has been an increase in staffing to 71 parking enforcement officers with plans to continue to expand to 131 which has helped with ensuring Parking Enforcement is now operating 24/7 including holidays. Thank you to the LA County Sheriff’s Department, LA County Fire Department and Department of Public Works for your ongoing work on addressing residents’ concerns.
To report parking concerns in your neighborhood visit, lasd.org/parking-enforcement. To report a problem with illegal food dumping, sewage blockage and overnight items on the sidewalk, visit https://pw.lacounty.gov/contact/.
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Maggie Hathaway Golf Course Groundbreaking
We celebrated the groundbreaking to begin renovations to the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course at Jesse Owens Park, which will include a new and improved facility, community center, and expanded youth programming.
Thanks to the partnership between the County, Southern Area Youth Programs Inc., Southern California Golf Association, the United States Golf Association, LA Country Club, and philanthropy, we will continue to honor Maggie Hathaway’s legacy of making golf accessible to communities that have historically been excluded from the sport.
I’m excited to share that the County is investing $7.8 million, the largest investment in this community asset since it opened in 1962.
Thank you to the LA County Dept of Parks and all those who have been a part of this journey. I look forward to more youth and residents enjoying the course, the benefits of golf, and utilizing their County park for generations to come. Check out the CBS News segment here of the groundbreaking: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/video/maggie-hathaway-golf-course-groundbreaking/
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Honoring Transgender Awareness Week |
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Bring joy to someone’s life this holiday season and become a sponsor for the Department of Public Social Services’ (DPSS) Adopt-A-Family Program. Each year, this long-standing tradition brings smiles to hundreds of families served by DPSS. In 2023, over 800 generous sponsors, provided gifts to over 1,200 CalWORKs, IHSS, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh families during the holiday season. For more information, visit bit.ly/DPSSAA.
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Military Veterans Affairs - New Website
The Count’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs recently launched a redesigned website. The updated website has been thoughtfully redesigned to be easier to navigate, be more accessible for veterans and their families with a user-friendly interface, and tailored to meet the needs of those the department serves more effectively and efficiently. Visit the website here: http://mva.lacounty.gov.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) - Permits Now Available
In 2019, the California Health and Safety Code established a "Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation" (MEHKO), as a new retail food facility where individuals operate a small scale restaurant in their home. In May of 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authorized the MEHKO. The Environmental Health Division, within the Department of Public Health, will issue permits for MEHKOs for Los Angeles County, except in the cities of Pasadena, Long Beach, and Vernon, which have their own health departments. For more information and to apply, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/mehko
LAHSA Winter Shelters Now Open
LAHSA’s Winter Shelter Program (WSP) is now open throughout LA County from November 1 - March 31 ! The Winter Shelter Program is held annually to protect people experiencing homelessness during Los Angeles's colder months. Winter Shelters are located all across the County, and will be operating 24 hours a day. For more information about the Winter Shelter Program, visit http://lahsa.org/winter-shelter or call 211.
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LA COUNTY PARKS HARVEST FESTIVALS
November 14 - 26
LA County Parks invites everyone to join in the fall festivities at this year’s Harvest Festivals being held at parks throughout LA County! Enjoy cultural celebrations with food tastings, dance performances, live music, crafts, a children’s story corner, and family games. For more information, visit parks.lacounty.gov/fall.
View flyer here for a list of dates and locations.
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NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM COMMONS OPENING DAY CELEBRATION AND BLOCK PARTY!
Sunday, November 17 | 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Celebrate the opening of NHM’s new wing, NHM Commons! Dive into a world of creativity, curiosity, and community with this daylong, outdoor-indoor, Museum-wide festival that includes free entry into NHM Commons. Paid admission unlocks more fun experiences throughout the Museum!
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REDUCING STRESS THROUGH MEDITATION
Tuesday, November 19 | 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
Join the LA County Library for a meditation session. Meditation can reduce stress-related responses, improve concentration, enhance clarity of thought and mental equilibrium. During this session, you will learn a simple, yet powerful time-tested meditation technique that will be explained and practiced.
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2ND DISTRICT RACIAL JUSTICE LEARNING EXCHANGE: CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART & RACIAL JUSTICE
Wednesday, November 20 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Bridge - Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall
3650 West Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Join us for a hands-on art activity, in partnership with LA Commons, as we explore the power of arts and culture in advancing racial justice. Guided by talented artists Eric "King Cre 8" Walker, Guillermo Alvarez, and Brittney Price. This free event is open to all. Come express yourself and connect with others.
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92ND STREET LINEAR PARK STEWARDSHIP MEETING
Saturday, December 14 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Col. Leon Washington Park
8908 Maie Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90002
The 92nd Street Park will be located along 92nd Street between Graham Ave and Elm St in what is currently an LADWP utility corridor. In 2020, the Florence-Firestone community, Kounkuey Design Initiative (a design nonprofit), and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation successfully secured funding for the creation of a new public space envisioned by local residents: the 92nd St Linear Park.
To get involved with the new Park Stewardship Group, who will support the creation of the park and address local neighborhood issues, please join the upcoming steward meeting.
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 We encourage you to share this newsletter with your neighbors!
Sign up for the Second District Unincorporated Newsletter here.
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