May 7, 2020

Page 1

C e l e b r a t i n g 2 6 Ye a r s o f Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

City of Champions Your Community Connection Since 1994

EYE ON THE CITY Rams

Chargers

May 07-13 , 2020

Clippers

Forum

Exclusive “Charter School” See Page 4

VOL. 35, No. 19

Sen. Bradford Applauds

& Lakers

Inglewood poised to host NFL football on schedule Mayor Butts says the decision is responsible

Clippers Purchase

By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

As the coronavirus restrictions loosen throughout the nation, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. made an announcement this week that will resonate in the city and beyond. Mayor Butts stated publically for the first time he supports the decision of the National Football League (NFL) plan to begin the season on schedule in September. If the NFL does proceed in the process of starting the most popular sport in America on time, it will mean that newly built SoFi Stadium will be open for business in Inglewood. Amid the coronavirus pandemic that has paralyzed the globe, construction of the $5 billion home to both the Rams and Chargers have continued without interruption.

of The Forum IT News Wire

INGLEWOOD – Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) released the following statement regarding the finalization of the Clippers organization completing the $400 million purchase of The Forum from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation (MSG). “I applaud Mr. Ballmer and the LA Clippers organization on their recent purchase of The Forum from the Madison Square Garden Company,” said Senator Bradford. “When I authored SB 789 and coauthored AB 987, the idea of creating an economic revitalization and bringing desperately needed jobs to the City of Inglewood was a dream. That dream is now closer to becoming reality for the residents of Inglewood, who welcome the Clippers with open arms and will benefit from this partnership for decades to come.” The Senator’s response comes after the ownership of the forum has officially changed. The Clippers had announced their intention to build a new arena more than three years ago, but MSG opposed the construction vigorously in court.

MSG executive chairman, and Knicks owner, James Dolan lead multiple lawsuits against the arena project in order to delay their competitor, effectively forcing Mr. Ballmer to purchase a space not far from where he originally intended. MSG had two additional lawsuits pending in relation to the arena, deposing dozens of key figures from the Clippers, MSG and Inglewood. The Entertainment Corporation even went so far as to pay the legal fees for a community group that also filed a suit. In contrast, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer announced in 2019 that he would be investing $100 million toward the surrounding community. Of the Continued on page 3

Dean Spanos, Chargers Chief Executive Officer, City of Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. and Rams Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff during the early stages of construction of SoFi Stadium. The NFL has announced plans to begin the season on schedule amid concerns stemming from coronavirus pandemic.

Continued on page 2

Union workers protest Centinela Hospital Complaints rise and negotiations fail for essential workers

Centinela Hospital in Inglewood was under siege from union workers this week. SEIU is demanding that parent company Prime Healthcare retain essential front lone health care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The hospital did not make at statement regarding the matter at press time. (Kenneth Miller/Photos) By Kenneth Miller, Publisher

Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) was joined by nonunion staff and supporters in an early weekday protest at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood. SEIU-UHW represents some 97,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare consumers in advocating to ensure affordable, accessible, high

quality care for all Californians, provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. On May 5th many of their members campaigned outside of Centinela Hospital, accusing both the hospital and parent company Prime Healthcare for cutting essential services and also threatening to cut pay and benefits of hospital workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Buppie is Back! See Page 6

Horns blared from cars as supporters of the union workers circled the block on Hardy St. and Arbor Vitae, while protesters mounted a rally outside of the hospital. Henry G. Washington has been working as an engineer for Centinela for 30 years, but says that he is at wits end with his employer. Continued on page 3

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