Councilmember Congratulates Fire Chief Nominee

Battalion Chief Millage Peaks, who was nominated yesterday to become the new Los Angeles Fire Chief, with Councilmember LaBonge.

Councilmember LaBonge congratulated Battalion Chief Millage Peaks yesterday after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa chose him as his nominee for the city's fire chief post. Chief Peaks is a 33-year department veteran who is widely respected within the department and beyond.
"I've know Millage Peaks for years and he is a great choice to lead the department," the councilmember said.
Mr. Peaks would succeed Chief Douglas Barry, who is scheduled to retire next week. Confirmation hearings will be held after the City Council resumes on Sept. 1. For more information about Chief Peaks' career, click here.

Alexandria House Apartments Open

Councilmember LaBonge congratulates Sister Judy Vaughn, Founding Executive Director of Alexandria House, on the opening of the agency's new low-income apartment building.

Councilmember LaBonge helped open the beautifully rehabilitated Alexandria House Apartments in Koreatown on Thursday.
The 16-unit building, which is operated by the non-profit organization Alexandria House, provides low-income housing, social services and child care to its tenants.
"Koreatown is a real neighborhood and the Alexandria House Apartments are a real home," Councilmember LaBonge said at the grand opening festivities.
The agency restored the building with $3.5 million in bond money and a $2.725 million in loans from the Community Redevelopment Agency. Because of its high level of energy efficiency, Alexandria House Apartments earned an additional $200,000 loan through a Los Angeles Housing Department/Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) program.
Six formerly homeless families will be among the new tenants. If you are interested in contributing furniture or other household items for them, please click here. Congratulations to everyone at Alexandria House!

Western Avenue Re-Opens to Traffic

Councilmember LaBonge joined water officials and Western Corridor business owners in celebrating the re-opening of Western Ave. near 1st Street. The intersection has been closed since May because the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) has been installing a new water line in the area.
About 50 community members joined the group at Piper’s Restaurant, 222 N. Western Ave., for lunch to celebrate that the street is now open to drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and anyone who wants to do business on this busy commercial corridor.
“I’m happy to announce that business is back to normal on Western Ave. now that the water line project has moved on,” Councilmember LaBonge said.
“I’m actually surprised that you finished as early as you did, so I’m very appreciative,” added Billy Kim, owner of L.A. Audio and Video and community organizer. “Now, I want to get the word out that Western Avenue is no longer a street to be avoided.”
The DWP water line will allow the utility to move drinking water from different parts of the city to the Silver Lake area in an effort to improve operational flexibility and water quality.
“Reservoirs are being taken out of service because of water quality regulations, so this is an important project,” said Glenn Singley, DWP Director of the Water Engineering and Technical Services Division of the DWP. “We appreciate the patience and cooperation from the whole community.”

Lake Hollywood reopens

Right out of the gate! Community members take the inaugural lap around the eastern side of Lake Hollywood.

August 6, 2009--Councilmember LaBonge and LADWP unlock the gate to the eastern side of Lake Hollywood.

An enthusiastic group of residents, media, and representatives of the LADWP joined Tom in a power- walk around the scenic route. They were treated to a view of one of the turtles that has made a home at the Lake. This was the first time the eastern side of the recreational path has been open since record rainfall closed the facility in 2005.

"Lake Hollywood is one of those much-loved, hidden treasures of Los Angeles and so this day is particularly welcome to people who love coming here and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city," said Councilmember LaBonge.

The hours of operation of the East Perimeter Road have returned to the original seasonal schedule: 6:30 am-7:30 pm through the month of August. The West Perimeter Road will remain closed due to landslide repair work. The western slope repairs are scheduled to be completed by Spring 2011.

Councilmember LaBonge celebrates National Night Out

Councilmember LaBonge joins with community members and Target sponsors at Poinsettia Park

August 5, 2009 Tom visited all Los Angeles Police Divisions in Council District 4. There was a great community show of support, and the LAPD did a fantastic job of creating a street fair atmosphere, with food and live music.

National Night Out, in its 26th year, is a unique crime and drug prevention event involving law enforcement agencies, civic groups, merchants, and neighborhood organizations from over 15,000 communities nationwide.

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