Koretz Newsletter: LAPD Funding and More

 [The information below was taken from a press release provided by the Councilman's office].

Councilmember Koretz has been a vocal leader for funding of the Los Angeles Fire Department

On May 15th, the Council's Budget Committee completed its work on the budget for the City’s new fiscal year, which begins July 1.  The full Council will consider the committee's recommendations on Monday, May 21.     

Despite the City's budget difficulties, there is good news.  Throughout the committee process, Councilmember Koretz was, as always, a strong advocate for funding of the Los Angeles Fire Department, as well as a fighter for resources for the 5th District.  Now, following the committee's deliberations, the Fire Department is slated to receive the single biggest budget increase anywhere in the City – not enough in the view of Councilmember Koretz, but an increase nonetheless, and that's a crucial accomplishment in these tough fiscal times.

In addition, the committee was successful in its commitment to responsibly fund other public safety services, and also avoided triggering any layoffs. Plus, the Councilmember had a lead role in convincing others to agree to some modest increases in budgeting for quality of life services such as tree trimming and alley repaving, and the committee was able to find a small amount of additional funds for cleaning up our parks.

L.A.'s budget difficulties are hardly unique, since cities and other governmental jurisdictions across the city and around the world have faced perilous times since the national and global economies suffered deep decline several years ago, with recovery being slow and treacherous sledding. It's worth noting that here in Los Angeles, the City Council has already made some really tough choices over the past three years – choices none liked but which were required to keep the City fiscally sound.  As just a few examples, the City has eliminated thousands of positions; its employee-partners are paying more for their healthcare and more for their retirement as well as being forced to take unpaid vacation days; and even with all the budget cutting, the Council has even been able to increase the City's reserve fund by a small amount, because it is wise to always have a rainy day fund for some new and unexpected emergency, which certainly can happen in Southern California.  Throughout this process, the Council has worked to prioritize and maintain essential city services as best as possible, with public safety and public works getting the lion’s share of attention.  Still, all of this budget cutting, while necessary, has meant less services. Times have stayed tough.  Councilmember Koretz will continue to push reforms and efficiencies and to seek to make government as accountable and as efficient as possible.

The 5th District has been home to HOUSE

Councilmember Koretz and "HOUSE" star Hugh Laurie at City Hall

The critically acclaimed television series, "HOUSE," is coming to an end after eight remarkable seasons.  Because this show has been made almost entirely in Los Angeles, Councilmember Koretz wanted to thank those responsible for the benefits such business brings to our city, by honoring the HOUSE creative team -- including Hugh Laurie, who has charmed and challenged countless audiences as Dr. Gregory House, the brilliant but difficult doctor and diagnostician. 

The final episode of HOUSE will air on FOX on Monday, May 21, as part of a two-hour Series finale event that begins with a one-hour retrospective special that will look back at this groundbreaking, seminal series and feature interviews with the series' stars and producers, special original content and other surprises.  The retrospective will be followed by the emotional series finale episode starring, of course, Laurie in his magnificent portrayal of House, and directed by the series' creator and executive producer, David Shore.

The entertainment industry is absolutely essential to this City's economic well-being, cultural heritage and artistic legacy, and so Councilmember Koretz saluted HOUSE for being among our local entertainment industry's great critical and commercial success stories -- and by local, let it be noted that for all eight years, principle photography took place on the Fox lot in Century City, right here in the 5th District.  HOUSE, therefore, has enriched the people of Los Angeles with jobs, commerce and revenues, while showcasing the unparalleled advantages enjoyed by television and film endeavors that utilize this City's amazing wealth of talented people and knowledgeable businesses.

HOUSE premiered on November 16, 2004.  To date, HOUSE and those involved in its making have been honored with five Emmy Awards and twenty-five Emmy Award nominations (including four for Outstanding Drama Series and six for Hugh Laurie for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series), the 2006 Humanitas Prize, two Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Writers Guild Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, a Peabody Award and five People's Choice Awards, while also being named one of the TV Programs of the Year by the American Film Institute.  HOUSE, the character of Dr. House, and the tremendous assortment of dazzling actors who have played major roles on HOUSE have all gained massive global recognition.  The show was recently designated as the world's most popular current television program, watched by a whopping 81.8 million people in 66 countries, according to the 2012 edition of the Guinness World Records (the second time the show has garnered such recognition).  In the increasingly influential world of social media, the show was recently deemed the most talked-about television show, while the character of Dr. House was named the most discussed fictional character on Facebook for 2011. 
 
Councilmember Koretz praised HOUSE, Fox and all involved for choosing Los Angeles to be the home for production, and announced that Monday, May 21st, the day of the show's finale, would also be "HOUSE Day in the City of Los Angeles."

Adult Education

One of the most important programs provided by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is adult education, which delivers basic education and career training services to over 250,000 adults in the greater Los Angeles area.  These programs have a significant impact on the economic and social structures of Los Angeles, which is already burdened with the most under-educated and under-employed population of any metropolitan region in the United States.

As the Los Angeles Board of Education continues to grapple with yet another year of inadequate funding from the state, it is understandable how difficult it must be to determine which programs are worthy of funding and which ones should be eliminated.  Unfortunately, the Adult Education program is currently on the chopping block.  Depending on management’s negotiations with their employee representatives, it will be partially funded or completely eviscerated. 

Councilmember Koretz wrote to each Board Member, asking that they very carefully consider any possible way to maintain funding for these adult education programs.  Given the fragile nature of the state’s efforts at economic recovery, it is likely that elimination of the District’s Adult Education’s programming could result in an extension of the current recession. According to Councilmember Koretz, “Adult education provides under-employed adults the continued opportunity to pursue educational and career training, allowing them to contribute to our economic recovery, maintain opportunities for all communities and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, increase the likelihood that they will be able to keep their kids in school, and help close the skills gap between a 20th and 21st century workforce.”

 Welcoming Trader Joes to 3rd and Fairfax

Trader Joe's opens its new location on the Northwest corner of 3rd and Fairfax

Who doesn't love Trader Joes? A sparkling, inviting, stocked full of organic earthy yummyness, store is opening at the new Gilmore Station project on the Northwest corner of 3rd and Fairfax - across from the historic Farmers Market. With wider aisles and extra space overall this latest Trader Joes should relieve congestion at other CD5 locations and provide a convenient neighborhood market for the Fairfax District. The store is pedestrian friendly with public plazas, bike racks and inviting landscaping.

The overall Gilmore Station project also includes a Mendocino Farms with its famous fresh salads and sandwiches, as well as more retailers to come ranging from beauty supplies to stationary. The project is the result of months of work and partnership between the developer, the Mid City West Community Council, other area residents and stakeholders and Councilman Paul Koretz.

Liza Braude

Councilmember Koretz and Councilmember Bill Rosendahl welcome Liza Braude of Beanfields Chips to City Council

Councilmember Koretz was pleased to see Liza Braude, daughter of the late, legendary Councilmember Marvin Braude, when she was honored recently by Councilmember Bill Rosendahl at City Hall. Liza Braude is the founder and owner of Beanfields Chips and she recently won Best in Show at the Natural Products Expo West 2012. More than a quarter of a century ago, Koretz was an aide for Councilmember Braude, who set a grand example of civic involvement by courageously championing many historic causes.