SPECIAL ISSUE: Westside Health and Beauty
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Pages 7 – 18 | FEATURING: More Mature on the Westside – Fall Edition
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September 27 – October 10, 2019
IN LOS ANGELES: Trump Vs. Homelessness White House Council of Economic Advisers release report on state of homelessness in America day before president visits California. By Sam Catanzaro President Trump was in Los Angeles and the Bay Area last week for fundraisers, landing at Santa Monica Airport, just one day after White House economists suggested that increased law enforcement could be used to combat increases in homelessness in cities throughout California. “Of course, policies intended solely to arrest or jail homeless people simply because they are homeless are inhumane and wrong. At the same time, when paired with effective services, policing may be an important tool to help move people off the street and into shelter or housing,” reads a report from the
White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), released Monday titled “The State of Homelessness in America”. In a call with reporters, Acting CEA Chairman Tom Philipson highlighted homelessness in California, especially in the City of Los Angeles, partly blaming recent spikes on state and local policies. According to one administration official, Trump has asked aides to figure out “how the hell we can get these people off the streets.” Local organizations serving people experiencing homelessness, however, asked the president to address the need to provide health care, along with housing, to vulnerable individuals in Los Angeles. “During his visit to our state, we hope the president will take the time to understand this issue and seek humanitarian and meaningful solutions,” said Elizabeth Benson Forer, the CEO of Venice Family Clinic. “Proposals aren’t enough. Action is needed now. Success will depend not only on funding for homeless programs but on all programs that serve those in need – from affordable housing to the continuation and extension of Medi-Cal coverage.”
TRUMP, see page 22
Photo: Courtesy
Trump exits Marine One.
Investigating Playa del Rey Oil Facility SoCalGas under fire from Councilmember Mike Bonin. By Sam Catanzaro Councilmember Mike Bonin took action this week to protect neighbors in Playa del Rey, Del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice and Westchester from a gas storage facility operated by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) – the same company responsible for the catastrophic Aliso Canyon gas blowout in Porter Ranch in 2015.
In legislation submitted to Los Angeles City Council, Bonin formally requested an investigation into whether SoCalGas was complying with the rules and regulations intended to keep people safe. According to “The investigation should include a thorough site review for all equipment and wells onsite,
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including a full site review of conditions to verify the site’s city permits; adherence to approved zoning and use conditions; remediation of subsidence and erosion issues; compliance with the new state gas storage rules; and, compliance with any and all facility and operational requirements of the California Coastal Commission, the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and the California Department of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (CA DOGGR)," reads Bonin's motion. The Playa del Rey oil field was converted to a gas storage field by the SoCalGas in 1955. Although primarily used for gas storage, SoCalGas continues to produce oil and gas from the oil field.
These areas require careful scrutiny to ensure public health and safety are protected, primarily because of the poisonous and combustible methane gas associated with petroleum deposits and gas storage facilities, as well as the toxic chemicals used for regular maintenance and operations. Since 1955, the surrounding character of the community has changed drastically. A low-density neighborhood developed along the perimeter of the site. In addition, the facility is adjacent to the Ballona Wetlands coastal resource area, which historically has been threatened by the impacts of encroaching development. Further, since 1955, the nearby Los Angeles Airport (LAX) has grown
INVESTIGATE, see page 22
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