Mitchell Stands Up For Metro Crew Members Following Violent Threats
LA County Board of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (D-Southwest/Central Los Angeles, including Inglewood, Compton, Carson, Hawthorne, Culver City, and portions of South LA) stood up last Friday for Metro employees in response to the arrest of a suspect alleged to have threatened Metro crew members with violence on the Metro C Line Extension project.
“I take the concerns of my constituents seriously, which is why I’ve organized several community events focused on the Metro C-Line, including a walking tour with residents to discuss the proposed changes directly with Metro staff and my office. While we may not all agree on every aspect of this project, we can all agree that violence, or the threat of violence, will not be tolerated,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell noted that Metro crew members are fulfilling their duties by collecting data to address residents’ concerns.
“As both a Metro Board Member and County Supervisor, it is my responsibility to help ensure that our residents and employees feel safe in our communities. I want to thank the Sheriff’s Department and Metro for their prompt response to the threat. My office will continue to monitor the situation and remain engaged with the project,” she added.
Bass Highlights Speed of Recovery Effort to Rebuild Palisades
LA City Mayor Karen Bass (D) said yesterday that three months after the start of the unprecedented wildfires that devastated Los Angeles, actions coordinated with County, State, and federal partners to expedite every aspect of the disaster recovery effort are now considered the fastest in modern California history.
As of this morning, more than 260 properties have had debris completely cleared and have received final sign-off – a required step for permits to be issued. Nearly 1,000 properties in the Palisades have already been initially cleared of debris by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The debris removal process began just 35 days after the fires ignited — roughly half the time it took after the devastating 2018 Woolsey Fire, she said.
“The Palisades community has shown incredible resilience in the face of unimaginable loss,” said Bass. “We’ll continue working around the clock to expedite every aspect of our recovery effort.”
On Friday, Mayor Bass announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had cleared debris from the three schools in Los Angeles that were partially destroyed by the Palisades Fire – Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Charter Elementary, and Marquez Charter Elementary. All three schools were cleared ahead of expectations. She also announced that the City secured private funding to replace the historic Pacific Palisades playground, which has been at the heart of the community for more than three decades.
Asatryan Celebrates Major Step Forward in Preservation of Mountain Oaks Property
Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan last week lauded the City’s announcement of a significant milestone in the long-standing effort to preserve the Mountain Oaks property.
As of the end of last month, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) has officially completed and closed on the acquisition of the largest portions of the property formerly owned by the Fortner Trust (Jimmie D. Fortner, David W. Fortner, Gary M. Fortner, Brett L. Fortner, or Robert S. Fortner, as co-trustees of the F.E.& M., Inc. Employee’s Defined Contribution Plan Trust).
“This is a big win for conservation, for our community, and for future generations,” said Asatryan. “We are grateful to the MRCA and the Fortner Trust for working together on this important transaction.”
The acquisition marks a critical step toward protecting the region’s open space and natural habitat. In part, it was made possible due to the Glendale City Council’s proactive allocation of grant funding before the final deal, ensuring that MRCA had the resources necessary to secure the property.
The City advanced the funds but will be seeking reimbursement through the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) as the City was awarded Legislatively Specified Grant funds through the 2022-2023 State budget in the amount $2,500,000 for the Mountain Oaks Open Space Acquisition.
“This is a big win for conservation, for our community, and for future generations,” said Mayor Asatryan. “We are grateful to the MRCA and the Fortner Trust for working together on this important transaction.”
The City will continue to work with MRCA on the stewardship of the Mountain Oaks property to ensure it remains a protected natural space for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come.
Torres Blasts Trump’s Tariffs for Harming California Families and Businesses
U.S. Rep Norma Torres (D-Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas) condemned President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs, warning that they represent an existential threat to working families and businesses in California’s 35th Congressional District.
“Donald Trump’s tariffs are a direct tax on working families, and we’re already paying the price. This economic nightmare will force businesses to slash costs, which means layoffs, higher prices, and an impending recession,” said Torres. “The residents of my district—many of whom are already scraping by—cannot afford the chaos Trump is creating.”
Torres noted that California’s Inland Empire, a key economic engine for the state, relies heavily on trade and manufacturing industries such as agriculture, logistics, and construction. Trump’s tariffs will obliterate these sectors. Businesses that depend on imported goods will face immediate cost hikes that could bankrupt them, resulting in widespread job losses and economic collapse. Union jobs, the lifeblood of working-class families, will be first on the chopping block as businesses struggle to survive.
“He’s not just hurting businesses—he’s jeopardizing the futures of millions of seniors,” Torres continued. “Just look at the stock market today—retirement accounts are hemorrhaging, and for millions of Americans, their life savings are disappearing. These are people who’ve worked their entire lives, only to be told by Trump that they’ll never retire with dignity. For seniors on fixed incomes, like Social Security, the damage is immediate and irreversible. These price hikes will crush them—forcing them to choose between food, medicine, or basic necessities. And for those with their savings tied up in 401(k)s, retirement is slipping farther out of reach. This is financial ruin for the most vulnerable among us. This is economic malpractice, and I will fight it with everything I’ve got!”
