Issuu

May 23, 2019

VOL. 34, No. 21

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS FACILITATES PLAN TO PRESERVE IMPORTANT COLLECTION CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts’

Message to the City of Inglewood

By Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

Los Angeles County and The Mayme Clayton Library and Museum (MCLM) have reached an agreement to find a more appropriate permanent location for the Museum’s important collection of rare books, films, documents, photographs, artifacts, and works of art related to African American history and culture. The agreement will allow the Museum to remain in the County-owned Culver City Courthouse through the end of July, even though the museum’s rentfree lease there expired 12 years ago. The agreement settles all legal disputes and 4 puts both parties

As development transforms Inglewood, the city wants to share the wealth with residents Not that many years ago, few would have thought that the gentrification of Inglewood would be a cause for concern among the city’s residents and leaders.

Yet major and historical development is leading many citizens to ask: How will this personally benefit me? Our development agreements include local-hire provisions, which have helped produce a dramatic decline in Inglewood’s unemployment rate, from a

BILLIONAIRE PAYS OFF Student Debt of Morehouse College’s Entire Graduating Class By Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor

high of more than 17% in 2010 to about 5% today. That drop compares favorably to Los Angeles County’s unemployment rate, which went from 13% in 2010 to about 4.5% today. A major project such as building a stadium would be ex-

Commencement speaker and billionaire Robert F. Smith announced Sunday he will donate an estimated $40 million to pay off the student debt for the 400 students graduating at the historically black, all-male Morehouse College, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Why it matters: Student debt in the United States has reached $1.5 trillion. Studies show student debt causes lower incomes and is the No. 1 stressor of millennials. Smith, a philanthropist, tech investor and founder of Vista Equity Partners, already donated $1.5 million to the college. • “This degree you’ve earned is a social contract to devote your talents and energies to honoring those legends on whose shoulders we stand,” Smith said to the class of 2019. • “Between doubt and destiny is action. Between our community and the American Dream is leadership.”

JOIN US ON

Page 2

May 23, 2019

FREE Document Shredding and Donations Event

When: Where:

Saturday, June 22, 2019

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

On Grevillea Avenue off Manchester Blvd. (in front of Inglewood High School)

DRIVE THROUGH DROP OFF

Bring all of your non-working household appliances, computers, tablets, phones, TV's and any other electronic devices that you would like to get rid of. We will also accept gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and bicycles. NO FURNITURE ACCEPTED! *NOTE: Document shredding is limited to Inglewood Residents Only, ID IS REQUIRED (3 boxes or bags per car ONLY) Tax compliant donation receipts will be provided

For more information, please contact the City of Inglewood Public Works Department at (310) 412-5333.

for documents. But Trump recently launched a legal fight to block the banks from doing so, opening a new front in his battle against Congress. Waters, the only woman and the only African American to hold that chairmanship, has offered instruction by example of how to survive as a “first” in the most diverse House in U.S. history. “Her preparedness and her concentration on getting something done, and her ability to get along with us, allows her to get the policy done, too,” said House Oversight and Reform Committee Elijah Cummings, D-Md., whose panel is also investigating Trump. “She can fire folks up, but she also does her homework. She also has a game plan in the end.” Tlaib and a dozen other Democratic freshmen on the panel had front row seats for what became a class in what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls “knowing your power.” When Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin complained about how long Waters was questioning him, she glared down from the dais.

long feud with Trump, in which he branded her “low IQ” and she urged people to publicly shame members of his administration over its family detention policy at the U.S. border. He warned last July, “’Be careful what you wish for Max!” Chairmanship granted, Waters’ portfolio includes overseeing the government’s banking, housing and consumer protection agencies, as well as investigating Trump. On policy, she’s got the background, including helping write the Dodd-Frank Act, which imposed new oversight on the banking industry. Even on impeachment, she’s got experience, should the House ever proceed in that direction against Trump. Waters was one of President Bill Clinton’s staunchest supporters on the House Judiciary Committee when it anchored proceedings against him. Waters also has been through the grinder of public scrutiny. In 2012, a House committee cleared her of wrongdoing following allegations she steered a $12 million federal bailout to a bank where her husband owned stock. Throughout, Waters developed

“This is a new way and it’s a new day and it’s a new chair and I have the gavel at this point,” Waters said levelly. Mnuchin suggested she drop the “gravel” and dismiss him. She did not. “Please do not instruct me as to how I’m to conduct this committee,” she said. Mnuchin departed when Waters was ready. He promised to come back if called. That power moment happened, congressional veterans said, chiefly because Waters has earned clout up the leadership ladder and across the partisan aisle. So when Democrats took control of the House after the November 2018 elections, she had been in line for nearly five years for the top spot — and there was no quarrel over the promotion, Democrats said. That, despite Waters’

an approach that Republicans and Democrats describe as a balance between ferocious public advocacy for her constituencies and a down-tobusiness approach to deal making. And yes, compromise, including on a law she helped negotiate with House Republicans providing flood insurance to millions of Americans. “People understand that she is fighting for them,” said Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, who served with Waters in the California State Assembly. Waters was in the State Assembly for 14 years before being elected to the House in 1990. “They feel confident that she has done everything in her power to get the best possible deal,” Roybal-Allard said. A sense of humor inside Congress’ ivory tower helps, too. “I have a picture of 3

MAXINE WATERS:MODEL FOR

OUTSPOKEN FRESHMAN DEMOCRATS

LEADERSHIP EXAMPLE FORforTENURED LEGISLATORS By Francis Taylor, Asst. Editor many, but notably for the outAfter nearly three decades in, Congresswoman Maxine Waters has become the highest-ranking African American woman in the country as the current House Financial Services Committee Chair She’s been called “Kerosene Maxine” and gaveled off the House floor for accusing Republican men of badgering women. She dismissed President Donald Trump and his allies as thugs and predicted his impeachment before he was sworn into office. No one, Maxine Waters once observed, should be surprised by her. But after nearly three decades in Congress, the 80-year-old California lawmaker is in an eye-opening role as the highest-ranking African American woman in the country. She’s wielding the gavel of the bankregulating Financial Services Committee with the power to investigate Trump where some say it counts most: his business dealings. The role makes Waters a model

spoken freshmen Democrats who have drawn as much scrutiny — and as many threats — for what they’ve said as for the barriers they are breaking. Waters, known by some of them as “Auntie Maxine,” has been there. And her unique ascent offers lessons in how to balance activism with work and prudence. “@RepMaxineWaters always tells it like it is like our favorite auntie,” tweeted Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women in Congress. She, like Waters, called for Trump’s impeachment, though in more profane terms . Waters has minced no words on her drive to see Trump formally charged by the House. She is leading one of six House committee investigations of Trump’s world, specifically into Deutsche Bank, the German asset management firm that has lent Trump’s real estate organization millions of dollars over the years. She said earlier this year that the bank is cooperating with requests

Page 3

May 23, 2019 Continued from page 2: Maxine Waters: Model for Outspoken Freshman Democrats

her hanging on my wall,” said Rep. Steve Chabot, a Republican from Ohio who sparred with Waters on the Clinton impeachment committee. It immortalizes a moment in which he told Waters that even though she’s not a lawyer, he’d call her to advocate for him if ever he got in trouble. “She laughed,” he recalled. Rep. Peter King, a New York Republican and a member of Waters’ committee, said her calls for Trump’s impeachment make it unlikely she’ll get any Republican cooperation on that. But policy is something else. “There’s different levels of Maxine. She really is a tough fighter,” King said, recalling a skirmish he had with her in 1994 in which she told him to “shut up” in a commit-

tee hearing and the fight spilled out onto the House floor. She was gaveled down for her “demeanor” and her words stricken from the record. “On the other hand,” King added, “there’s the Maxine Waters who knows how to get things done, who knows how to make alliances, who can work with people in (banking) industry if she has to.” No longer does anyone ask the leaders to answer for Waters’ words, as happens with some of the freshmen — Rep. Ilhan Omar, for example, for her remarks on Israel. “She doesn’t care who she might offend,” said House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., one of the other chairmen on the call who’s served alongside Waters in the House since she arrived. “She cares more about the policy and getting from A to B.”

INGLEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT

REPRESENTED AT 2019

”MADD AWARDS LUNCHEON.” By Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher

The impact of impaired driving goes far beyond the crash itself, sending shock waves through families. Law enforcement officials understand fully the hurt and pain from these horrific crashes, and in their efforts to prevent another life from being taken at the hands of an impaired driver, MADD supports

them for protecting families. It is with this sentiment that MADD sees these officials as heroes. Pictured below are the Inglewood Police Department officers who recently represented the city at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Awards Luncheon at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Page 4

PLACE YOUR DBAS, PROBATES, TRUSTEE NOTICES, LEGAL NOTICES, SUMMONS AND MORE IN

May 23, 2019

LEGAL NOTICES

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019106025 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019139518 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019125108 The following person is doing business as:

The Print Folks 314 E. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301 6040 Center Dr., Apt 315, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Aresquad 8813 S. 10th Avenue Inglewood, CA 90305

The TMJ Pain Center 1117 W. Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90301

Registered Owner(s): The Print Folks LLC, 314 E. Manchester Blvd., Registered Owner(s): Ares Consulting And Management, LLC., 8813 S. Registered Owner(s): Delsnyder Dental Corp, 1117 W. Manchester Inglewood, CA 90301 10th Ave., Inglewood, CA 90305 Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301 This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on April 22, 2019. above on May 17, 2019. above on May 13, 2019. I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) The Print Folks LLC, Owner.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Ares Consulting And Management, LLC., Owner.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Delsnyder Dental Corp, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 22, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on May 17, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on May 13, 2019.

NOTICE-In accordance with Subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except as provided in Subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A New Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original May 9, 16, 23, 30, 2019 IT004223012002060 Inglewood Today

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original May 23, 30; June 6, 13, 2019 IT004223012002062 Inglewood Today

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original May 16, 23, 30; June 6, 2019 IT004223012002061 Inglewood Today

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019141155 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019099572 The following Person is doing business as:

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2019115089 The following Person is doing business as:

AMI Motors 359 N. Oak Street, Inglewood, CA 90302 329 W. Arbor Vitae St., Apt 1, Inglewood, CA 90301

Hoodfairy & Co. 882 Victor Ave., #18 Inglewood, CA 90302

Jones & Associate Home Builders And Investment 10621 Haas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047

Registered Owner(s): Ramiro Sanchez-Avila, 329 W. Arbor Vitae St., Apt Registered Owner(s): Nicole A. Steele, 882 Victor Ave., #18, Inglewood, Registered Owner(s): Stephanie Jones and Kelynn Williams, 10621 Haas 1, Inglewood, CA 90301 CA 90302 Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90047

SAVE MONEY AND SUBMIT ONLINE AT WWW.INGLEWOODTODAY.COM

OR CALL: 1.888.676.1011 Continued from page 1: Mark RidleyThomas Facilitates Plan to Preserve Important Collection Celebrating African American History and Culture

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on May 20 2019. above on April 15, 2019. above on May 1, 2019. I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Ramiro Sanchez-Avila, Owner.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Nicole A. Steele , Owner.

I (We) declare that all information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Stephanie Jones and Kelynn Williams , Owners.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on May 20, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on April 15, 2019.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on May 1, 2019.

The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a Fictitious Business Name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State or common law (See Section 14411 et.seq., Business and Professions Code.) Original May 23, 30; June 6, 13, 2019 IT004223012002063 Inglewood Today

paign to feed the hungry and spark change across America. The “Fight Hunger Spark Change” initiative raises money through the purchase of participating products from brands at Walmart that include Great Value, Uncle Ben’s and Hidden Valley. To promote the effort, the retail giant is also working with Sam’s Club and the hunger relief organization Feeding America. “One out of eight Americans struggle with hunger,” James says in an awareness video. “And I believe one is too many. With one action [you], can make a huge impact. With one select item through Walmart or online, you can secure a meal for a family in your community through Feeding America.”

The goal of Fight Hunger Spark Change is to reach 1 billion meals before May 20. The total number of meals secured at the time of this article is 975,957,241. In exchange for the former Cleveland Cavaliers help, Walmart agreed to keep the pantry at James’ I Promise School stocked with basic necessities, toiletries and food for the students and their families. “What we hope to accomplish together with LeBron is to magnify each other’s efforts,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a promotion video. “We would love to help this model that he’s creating lead to a situation where it could help even more people.”

LEBRON

on the path toward achieving mutual goals. The County also offered to provide the Museum with funds for relocation assistance and could potentially provide additional financial support if the Museum partners with a viable institution to house and manage the collection. Cal State Dominguez Hills has offered to receive, catalogue and house the collection within its library. “I’m very pleased the County and the Museum’s leadership were able to come to an accord,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “An old courthouse is no place for archival materials of this importance, and now we are all working toward the same outcome: a new home for this wonderful collection.” The County leased the old courtNBA superstar LeBron James has house to Culver City in 2006. Culver teamed up with Walmart for a camCity then sublet the courthouse to the Museum, with the understanding that the arrangement was for a year only. Until that time, the collection had been housed in the private garage. The County has been working continually with Museum officials to find a more appropriate home for the collection, and to preserve the collection for future generations. Dr. Mayme Clayton, a librarian, collector and historian, amassed the collection over 40 years, believing that preserving and sharing the history of Americans of African descent was imperative for current and future generations.

JAMES PARTNERS WITH

WALMART TO HELP FEED THE HUNGRY

Page 5

May 23, 2019

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

INGLEWOOD TODAY CELEBRATING

25 YEARS PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Willie Brown VICE PRESIDENT Gloria Kennedy ASSISTANT EDITOR Francis Taylor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Francis Taylor

QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER Gloria Kennedy Inglewood Today Weekly is a legally adjudicated newspaper of public circ ulation, published weekly by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. News and press releases may be submitted for consideration by mail to 9111 La Cienega Boulevard, Suite 100, Inglewood, CA 90301 or by email to itnetworks@msn.com.

You can reach us at 310-670-9600 or by fax 310-338-9130 www.inglewoodtoday.com The artistic contents of Inglewood Today Weekly are copyrighted by Ads Up Advertising, Inc. and permission to reprint any article herein must be obtained in writing from the Publisher.

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INGLEWOOD TODAY is approaching our 25th anniversary, reporting the news in the City of Inglewood and adjacent communities. To acknowledge such an important milestone, I have decided to invite local business owners, service providers and others who serve the Inglewood community, to join in our celebration. Specifically, special advertisement rates have been established that will allow you to share your message while congratulating INGLEWOOD TODAY for 25 years of publication. Many print publications are declining and we are proud that we not only publish every week but also maintain an online version that reaches over 150,000 viewers. As I am sure you know advertising is an investment and an incredibly effective and powerful way to spread the word about goods, services, important issues and products. There are many advantages to advertising including introducing new goods and services, increasing sales, educating your clients and providing good will in the community that you serve. I hope that you will join us and support your leading weekly news publication with an ad that will be displayed not only in our print edition but will also be featured in our online edition. In addition, if you have a news story that you would like to share with the community, we are happy to publish an appropriate news story related to your enterprise. Please contact us for an advertising rate sheet for your consideration. It features ad rates, ad sizes, ad deadlines and the method of transmitting your ad for publication. Thank you in advance for your consideration and for your support of Inglewood’s longest running weekly news publication.

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

•The IRS audited just 0.59% of individual tax returns last year, marking the seventh consecutive annual decline as the IRS copes with smaller budgets and fewer workers. That total was down from 0.62% the year before and hit the lowest mark since 2002 according to data released Monday. •Democratic leaders faced new calls from House lawmakers to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, with support in the party growing for the politically risky move amid anger at the White House’s efforts to block congressional investigations. •Former White House counsel McGahn’s refusal to appear Tuesday before the House Judiciary Committee, on the direction from Trump, heightened the frustration among Democrats on the panel and in the broader caucus. •U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, an Obama appointee, ruled that Trump cannot block a subpoena from a House committee seeking financial records from his accounting firm, a blow to his efforts to head off Democratic congressional investigators. •American millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996, are approaching middle age in words financial shape than every living generation ahead of them, lagging behind baby boomers and Gen X, despite a decade of economic growth and falling unemployment. •House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff canceled a planned Wednesday meeting to take “enforcement action” against Attorney General Bill Barr after the Justice Department’s offer to provide more counterintelligence information that backed the Mueller report. The decision is a rare sign of the Trump administration and a House panel successfully negotiating around a Democratic subpoena for documents.”

•U.S.-Chinese tariff increases are hurting American business in China and that is another sign that the trade war is starting to bite. Bank of America has said the standoff risks “a global recession.” Now, American businesses are concerned about the effects of President Trump’s action against Chinese tech giant Huawei. •Democratic presidential candidates are denouncing a flurry of red states that passed this year some of the most restrictive abortion bans in history, and 2020 hopefuls are using the new legislation to drive the conversation, pointing to the necessity for better access to health care and defending the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.Many 2020 hopefuls came out swinging in opposition of Missouri and Alabama’s strict new abortion laws, describing the bills as dangerous and exceptionally cruel. •President Trump stormed out of infrastructure talks with Democratic congressional leaders Wednesday, railing against House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s claim that he is “engaged in a cover-up.”

•“I don’t do cover ups,” the president told reporters in the White House Rose Garden. “I walked into the room and I told Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi, ‘I want to do infrastructure. I want to do it more than you want to do it. I’d be really good at that. That’s what I do. But you know what, you can’t do it under these circumstances.’”

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Page 6

May 23, 2019

MAGIC JOHNSON

CONTINUES TO TARNISH

THE LAKERS’ LEGACY AND HIS OWN By Bill Plaschke

A common theme was repeated by devastated Lakers insiders Monday in the wake of Magic Johnson’s franchise-leveling rant on national television. “Who’s the backstabber now?” The rhetorical question struck to the heart of a truth that must be addressed if the Lakers have any chance at fixing their busted front office. Magic Johnson could be part of the solution, but he continues to be part of the problem. Johnson professes his love for the franchise, yet acts in ways that demoralize it. Johnson could be their best ambassador, yet he has become their most visible critic, and this summer that could seriously affect their ability to attract free agents. The Greatest Laker has become The Grating Laker, adding to the dysfunction that he’s attempting to reveal. Make no mistake, Johnson’s words have value, his viewpoint is important, he’s telling his truth, and Lakers fans should listen. Yes, Jeanie Buss has lost control of the room. Yes, Rob Pelinka is not a respected leader. Yes, the team is being guided by too many voices with too few credentials. Johnson is an incredibly credible witness. But he’s no hero here. Where and how he’s choosing to testify doesn’t make him noble, it makes him selfish. “That’s who I’m always going to be, is a person who will be up front,” Johnson told The Times’ Broderick Turner this week. But there is a difference between up front and out front. Twice in the last six weeks, Johnson has submarined the Lakers by being out front without being up front. It was Johnson who first exposed the Lakers’ front-office feud by firing the first public shot when he resigned from his president’s gig while standing in a Staples Center hallway before the final game of the season.

TRUMP

FRACKING PLAN

TARGETS OVER 1 MILLION ACRES

IN CALIFORNIA By Los Angeles Times

He constantly says he considers Buss his sister, but would you quit your sister’s team without telling her? Then, of course, it was Johnson who pulled back the curtain on the Lakers’ leadership wreckage Monday morning just hours before the Lakers were scheduled to begin patching some holes by formally introducing Frank Vogel as their new coach. Coincidental timing? Not a chance. While Johnson’s “First Take” television appearance had been scheduled a couple of weeks in advance, the Lakers news conference had been on the books for a week, so Johnson could have rearranged his calendar to fire his shots at a different time. It’s hard to imagine a TV sports talk show that wouldn’t change its schedule to accommodate him. In both cases, Johnson deftly picked the time when the spotlight would shine brightly on him while casting a deep shadow on the Lakers. It was as if he wasn’t satisfied with exposing a bad situation, he wanted to make it worse. He felt wronged by Pelinka, and he was going to make the entire organization pay. That sort of vindictive and vengeful attitude is unbecoming of a man universally beloved for his generosity and joy. The smirk is ill-fitting on a face known for its smile. He is not only damaging the Lakers’ legacy, he also could be tarnishing his own. He has famously done this before. As a player in 1981, he told Jerry Buss he no longer could play for then-coach Paul Westhead. When Buss didn’t dismiss Westhead immediately, Johnson publicly demanded to be traded and Westhead was fired the next day. In that case, Johnson’s methods worked, the end result was the installation of Pat Riley as the coach and the rest is Showtime history. But this is different. This time, Johnson publicly aired his complaints about Pelinka without first bringing them to Jeanie Buss. And this time, he’s not just taking on a

The sun rises over an oil field at the Monterey Shale formation on March 24, 2014, near Lost Hills, California. (Credit: David McNew/ Getty Images) The Trump administration on Thursday detailed its plan to open more than a million acres of public and private land in California to fracking, raising environmental concerns at a time when opposition to oil and gas drilling in the state is intensifying.

coach; he’s intent on embarrassing an entire organization. If Johnson’s accusations lead to a massive basketball operations overhaul — and that should happen if the Lakers get shut out of any top free agents or big trades this summer — then he will be credited with a victory. But it will be a costly win, as his words already have turned the vaunted Lakers brand into a leaguewide laughingstock. Johnson could have effected change without quitting his job. He could have discussed his issues without blowing up the Lakers’ news conference. He could have kept driving the bus without throwing so many people underneath it, particularly those from the business side, which is the one area of the franchise that actually works. Even with all of his criticisms, Johnson forgot to mention what could have been his most compelling one. He should have ripped Jeanie Buss for hiring him as president in the first place. When Buss enlisted him shortly

ever acknowledge it. Every single fear came true. With the exception of the signing of LeBron James — who really did fall into his lap — he wasn’t a great president of basketball operations. But, more pointedly, as many predicted, he wasn’t a completely engaged and invested president. This was always going to end badly, but nobody had any idea it would end this badly, and now what do the Lakers do with him? How do they handle this massive and influential presence that will forever remain in their orbit? They can’t rip him, he’s Magic Johnson. They can’t praise him; it would be like ripping themselves. They can no longer invite him into the room to recruit free agents; nobody will believe his pitch. But then again, how do they keep him out of that room without him going on television to complain about it? He and Jeanie Buss have met for several infamous dinners in the past. They need to meet again and figure this out. She needs his wisdom, but she also needs his discretion. He

after she took control in February 2017, once again relying on family and friends to run her basketball team, it was her first and biggest mistake. It was suspected that he wouldn’t have time for the job. It was guessed he was too big for just the Lakers, too busy to do the little things that the job required, yet too stubborn to

needs to listen, but he also needs to know she is listening. Buss basically needs to tell him, “Look, you’ve said your piece, I get your point, give me until the end of summer, one way or another, this will be fixed.’’ And with that, Magic Johnson needs to zip it.

The action would end a five-year moratorium on leasing federal land in California to oil and gas developers. That pause came after a federal judge ordered the Obama administration to halt similar leasing efforts until it could better evaluate the environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Trump’s plan – first proposed by the administration in 2018 — targets public and private land spread across eight counties in Central California:

eastern Fresno, western Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. The move drew immediate criticism from environmentalists, who said it would pose health risks and worsen air quality in a part of the state notorious for pollution.

Page 7

May 23, 2019

EYE ON THE CITY GEORGE DOTSON

ALEX PADILLA

JAMES BUTTS

Continued from page 1: Messege to Inglewood City

pected to draw construction workers and trades people from broader Southern California. Hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for construction supplies and services would ordinarily go to preferred vendors with no ties to the local community. Our agreements with the developers of the stadium and other projects set a 35% goal for local hires, which means they must live in an area with an Inglewood ZIP Code. More than 1,200 of the 3,000 people who strap on tool belts each day at the stadium site are from Inglewood or neighboring Lennox. In the first two months of 2019, they earned more than $55 million collectively in wages and benefits. Employers must file payroll data with the city every 60 days to show they are complying with the agree-

ments, which also require that as many supplies and services as practical be secured through firms in Inglewood. By working closely with the developers of these projects, we are trying to benefit Inglewood residents and small businesses, which are sharing in the windfall of wages and profits from construction projects. More than half of the nearly 200 apprentices on the stadium construction site are previously incarcerated gang members, many of them from the area. As a former Inglewood deputy police chief, I find that fact particularly uplifting. Most are earning $60 to $90 an hour, including benefits, while learning life-changing trades as ironworkers, electricians and carpenters. These are people who once lived lives of criminality born of desperation and

LOS ANGELES RAMS HOST

INGLEWOOD

COMMUNITY DAY

AT EDWARD VINCENT, JR. PARK By Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher

LOS ANGELES DODGERS FOUNDATION IN INGLEWOOD By Francis Taylor, Asst. Publisher

Over the last 4 years, the City of Inglewood and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have worked tireless to bring high quality baseball programming to the City of Inglewood. This year marks for the 4th season the Dodgers RBI program has been in Inglewood and its growth is off the charts. Established in 1995, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is the

official team charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Harnessing the power of the Dodger brand and a passionate fan base, LADF works to significantly impact underserved youth in some of the most challenged neighborhoods of Los Angeles. LADF administers direct programs serving youth and communities at large and provides grants to local nonprofit organizations. LADF is focused on finding innovative ways to create opportunities for children through

ELOY MORALES

RALPH FRANKLIN

nonexistent opportunity. At the behest of Inglewood, the stadium construction team has awarded 80 local minority and women-led businesses contracts for supplies and services estimated to be worth more than a half-billion dollars. The redevelopment also includes completed projects - the renovated Forum and the Hollywood Park Casino and the recently opened regional headquarters for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles. As Inglewood transforms into a major destination for entertainment and culture, we are taking steps to protect those who might be squeezed out by rising rents. About two-thirds of Inglewood residents are renters, so our restrictions will have a broad impact. After receiving reports of rents po-

tentially doubling, I personally intervened with the owner of two apartment buildings, who ended up delaying the rate hikes by six months, trimming the rent increases by about two-thirds and offering a $10,000 relocation allowance to residents who wanted to move. In March, the Inglewood City Council approved a temporary citywide moratorium on rent increases, limiting them to no more than 5% of current rent. This is a placeholder until we fashion a permanent housing protection ordinance to protect renters and provide options for them. Will these moves be enough to ease the sting of gentrification in Inglewood? Time will tell, but we are heading in the right direction. James T. Butts has been mayor of Inglewood since 2011.

The Los Angeles Rams will be hosting a Community Day at Edward Vincent Jr. Park, Champions Field in Inglewood on Saturday June 1st. This event will include a LA Rams Youth Football Clinic, 9am – 12:30pm, for 2nd – 8th graders along with the Rams donating items that consist of Rams branded athletic gear, hats, and football cleats (sizes 9 -16) all worn by current and former Los Angeles Rams players. This event is free of charge!

The Rams invite the student involved in One for All to attend and may secure sign up information from Johnathan Franklin, Los Angeles Rams, Community Affairs and Engagement 29899 Agoura Rd, Ste 210, Agoura Hills, CA 91301, 818-5402016, jfranklin@rams.nfl.com There is no limit on attendees for the donation portion, as it will be on a first come – first serve basis.

programs that engage with kids in sports, help kids stay active and promote academic success. With the support of partners, stakeholders and fans, LADF produces incredible results on fields, in classrooms and at recreation centers in some of the most challenged communities in Los Angeles The following pillars serve as a base for programs, partnerships and grantmaking. Education + Literacy - The Dodgers Foundation seeks to provide access, opportunity and innovation to youth at critical engagement stages - specifically middle school engagement, (during and after-school programs), college

access and success. Sports + Recreation - The Dodgers Foundation seeks to use sports to create leadership opportunities and character development in underserved communities by focusing on inclusion, preservation and promotion of sports. Health + Wellness - The Dodgers Foundation seeks to address health challenges that prevent children from engaging in school or recreational activities.

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May 23, 2019

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