August 31, 2023

31 Years of Service in Inglewood, Airport area Communities

City of Champions

EVOLVING CITYSCAPE: INGLEWOOD 2023

Working on the redevelopment of a nearly 300-acre site, one of the largest urban mixed-use planned developments in the Western United States, would be a significant undertaking for most cities. However, for Inglewood, it was just one part of their ambitious plans for revitalization.

In 2014, Stan Kroenke, owner of the St. Louis Rams at the time, was considering investing hundreds of millions of dollars to build the new SoFi Stadium and bring the Rams back to Los Angeles. This massive development project captured the attention of the entire state, but Inglewood had even more plans in the works.

In November 2016, the city adopted its Downtown and Fairview Transit Oriented Development Plan and Design Guidelines. The plan aimed to transform the historic downtown area into a vibrant hub for living, working, shopping,

and entertainment. It envisioned downtown as a major economic engine, generating jobs, sales tax, and revenue, while also expressing the unique culture of Inglewood.

What makes these plans unique is the context. Market Street, known as “Downtown Inglewood,” is located just 1 mile away from the SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park development. While Hollywood Park received significant investment, Market Street had been neglected for decades, with abandoned buildings, empty storefronts, and struggling businesses.

City leaders, entrepreneurs, and developers recognized the need to bring back the once-vibrant Market Street. The 2016 plan outlined distinct areas along Market Street and proposed the development of a new Techtown Campus to attract innovative companies to Inglewood. The plan also designated an area as the Downtown/Techtown Arts District, building on Inglewood’s

existing arts community and the anticipated growth of science and technology industries.

A key focus of the plan was managing traffic, parking, and pedestrian flow while bringing together people, cars, and commercial activity. Inglewood incorporated public transit into its plans, with the Downtown Inglewood Metro Station serving as a linchpin. This station connects Inglewood to downtown Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport.

To create these new areas, Inglewood needed to change planning and zoning laws to allow for greater density, taller buildings, and a mix of commercial retail, hospitality, and residential uses. This presented a challenge as Market Street had many historic buildings, including the shuttered Fox Theater. The city aimed to preserve and enhance quality building shopfronts while replacing plain building facades with new retail buildings.

The plan also encouraged residential construction above ground floor retail to activate retail activity.

Inglewood’s approach is yielding success. At a recent event hosted by the Urban Land Institute, Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Councilmember Eloy Morales, Economic and Community Development Director Chris Jackson, and current developers along Market Street discussed the city’s vision for its downtown arts and technology districts. One success story highlighted was the Miracle Theater, which underwent a complete renovation in 2017 and now serves as a prominent live music and arts venue.

Inglewood’s dual transformation at Hollywood Park and in the historic downtown area demonstrates the value of good planning and seizing opportunities. As Mayor Butts often says, “The only thing that has changed in Inglewood is everything.”

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

Aging Californians: Relaxing the State’s Public Meeting Law Is a Good Thing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that temporarily suspended certain requirements of California's public meeting law, known as the Bagley Keene Act. This executive order allowed elected boards, commissions, and other state bodies to hold remote meetings via teleconference without the need to post each official's teleconference location, post agendas at each location, or make those locations accessible to the public, as required by law.

Currently, there is a bill being considered by the California legislature that would extend some of these changes to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act until January 1, 2026. The bill, known as Senate Bill (SB) 544, was introduced by Senator John Laird in February and is currently under review by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Supporters of the legislation argue that it saves taxpayer money by reducing the costs associated with in-person meetings by up to 90%. They also believe that virtual meetings provide access to vulnerable

populations, such as aging Californians, who may not be able to attend meetings in person. Former Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, who is now the chair of the California Commission on Aging, believes that remote access to public meetings is important for seniors to stay engaged with their government and to avoid isolation.

During the pandemic, there was a record level of participation in meetings because they were broadcast online and accessible through teleconference. Brown supports the changes proposed by SB 544 and wants people to have permanent access to public meetings.

However, there are opponents of SB 544, including groups like the First Amendment Coalition (FAC), the California Newspaper Publishers Association, California Common Cause, The Society of Professional Journalists, and other organizations committed to holding the government accountable. These groups argue that passing SB 544 would lead to more government secrecy and turn state government boards and commissions

into "faceless

bureaucracies." The FAC cosigned a letter criticizing the bill, stating that it would undermine the guarantee of public access and participation by allowing state bodies to never again meet in person.

David Loy, legal director at the FAC, believes that more online meetings would diminish elected officials' face-to-face contact with their constituents. He also points out that the governor's executive orders regarding online meetings were established during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that the health crisis is over, meetings should return to inperson.

However, Sedalia Sanders, former mayor of El Centro and active member of the California Commission on Aging, disagrees with Loy. She participates in Commission meetings through video conferencing and believes that nothing is lost in terms of participation and interaction with representatives. She

also notes that for an elected official to participate in an online meeting, the majority of board members still need to meet in person to form a quorum.

Sanders acknowledges that not all senior citizens are as tech-savvy as she is, and some may face challenges with internet access due to financial constraints. However, she believes that the opponents of the bill are conflating the issues, as boards and commissions are different from elected leaders voting on public policy matters. She emphasizes that seniors and disabled communities support this bill because it promotes inclusion, not exclusion.

"They want to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, and remote access allows them to do that," says Brown.

In summary, the debate around SB 544 centers on whether relaxing the requirements of public meeting laws is beneficial for aging Californians and other vulnerable populations, or if it compromises transparency and accountability in government proceedings.

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

Cheryl Brown, CA Commission on Aging, Chair Cheryl Brown, CA Commission on Aging, Chair

Sen. Steve Bradford Files a Bill for Historic Reparations

The state should establish a system of redress for injustices committed against Black Californians, according to Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena).

The California American Freedman Affairs Agency (CAAFAA) is a new state agency that would be established by Bradford’s Senate Bill (SB) 490, which was introduced on August 21. In accordance with decisions made by the Legislature and Governor Gavin Newsom, the agency would be in charge of overseeing the reparations process for Black Californians.

Bradford said, “This historic legislation lays the foundation for the future.” “My fellow task force participants and I have identified the harm, described its generational effects, and chosen a course of action to correct these wrongs.

As California accepts responsibility for the historical harms that have been done, the Freedman Affairs Agency will set up the necessary infrastructure. The creation of the CAFAA was one

of the task force’s recommendations in its 1,075-page final report, which it delivered to the legislature on June 28 after a two-year investigation. Please check out the full article

released by the California Black Media written by journalist Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson. Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson. “Sen. Steve Bradford Files

Area Communities

Serving Ladera, Hawthorne, Westchester, Lawndale, Gardena, Carson

Assemblymembers Wilson and Gipson Present $3 Million Check to 40-Acre Conservation League for First

Assemblymembers Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun) and Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) have presented a $3 million symbolic check to the 40-Acre Conservation League, which is California’s first and only Black-led conservation group. This funding, provided by the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, will assist the league in acquiring its first parcel of land, a 650-acre plot located 70 miles North of Sacramento.

Gipson expressed his delight at

being able to secure $3 million for the 40-Acre Conservation League’s inaugural land acquisition. He views this achievement as a gateway for more individuals of color to enter the conservation field and emphasizes that when organizations with similar objectives come together, remarkable outcomes can be achieved.

The 40-Acre Conservation League, a nonprofit land conservancy, strives to protect the environment by connecting people to it, with a particular focus on people of color. Additionally, the organization aims

to obtain land for the purposes of economic, environmental, and recreational justice.

Jade Stevens, President of the 40-Acre Conservation League, expresses excitement and humility at being able to make history as California’s first Black-led land conservancy, thanks to the support and collaboration of Assemblymembers Mike Gipson and Lori Wilson. Stevens states that this milestone represents significant progress in rectifying past injustices, restoring dignity, and laying the groundwork for economic

empowerment and social equity. The league eagerly anticipates future developments.

Please check out the full article released by the California Black Media written by journalist Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson. Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson. “Assemblymembers Wilson and Gipson Present $3 Million Check to 40-Acre Conservation League for First” The Sacramento Observer, August 30, 2023.

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

Sports & Entertainment

Mark Ridley-Thomas Sentenced

A federal judge has sentenced Mark Ridley-Thomas, a former prominent figure in Los Angeles politics, to 42 months in prison. This marks the end of his long career as a local power broker and advocate for civil rights and racial

officials recommended 18 months in prison. Prosecutors had requested a sixyear term.

Ridley-Thomas was convicted of seven felonies, including bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud, in a scheme where he obtained benefits from the

Ridley-Thomas and his supporters have consistently asserted his innocence, accusing prosecutors and the FBI of dishonesty and racial bias. They have also questioned the foreperson’s account of how the jury reached a guilty verdict.

During the hearing, Assistant U.S.

had numerous facilities named after him.

Over 100 friends, allies, and family members pleaded for leniency before the sentencing, praising Ridley-Thomas’ character and service to the community. However, federal prosecutors described him as a corrupt politician who used his

equity. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Dale Fischer, who presided over Ridley-Thomas’ criminal trial in March. In addition to the prison term, Ridley-Thomas was fined $30,000 and will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Judge Fischer stated that RidleyThomas had committed serious crimes, had not accepted responsibility, and had shown no remorse. He emphasized that there was no justification for monetizing one’s office. Ridley-Thomas had requested probation and alternatives to incarceration, while federal probation

University of Southern California (USC) for himself and his son while serving on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. The jury acquitted him of 12 other charges related to a scholarship and professorship his son received from USC.

Before the sentencing, RidleyThomas apologized to his family for the impact his actions had on their lives but maintained that he did not break the law. He acknowledged that his conduct may have appeared unlawful but believed it fell within the bounds of legal conduct.

Attorney Lindsey Greer Dotson described Ridley-Thomas’ actions as “boardroom corruption,” a more sophisticated form of corruption that is difficult to root out. She contrasted it with “back alley corruption” involving cash bribes.

Ridley-Thomas’ conviction has tarnished the legacy of a politician who had a successful career as a council member, state assemblyman, state senator, county supervisor, and council member once again. He was known for championing other Black politicians and

elected office for personal gain.

Ridley-Thomas’ co-defendant, Marilyn Flynn, the former dean of USC’s social work school, was sentenced to three years of probation earlier this year after pleading guilty to bribery.

Ridley-Thomas’ conviction led to his suspension from the L.A. City Council, where he represented the 10th District. He has now permanently lost his seat. He is required to report to prison by November 13, shortly after his 69th birthday.

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

BUPPIE | BUSINESS

March on Washington: Dr. King’s Vision for a Polarized Nation

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

We believe that America must move beyond extreme partisanship in order to achieve a more united and perfect union. Sixty years ago, we were among the hundreds of thousands of people who gathered in Washington for the March on Washington for Freedom and

and with everyone else there that day. Since then, America has made progress towards Dr. King’s vision, with the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. However, the work of the Civil Rights Movement is far from complete. The struggle for equality, unity, and justice continues, and it is under renewed attack today. One

Americans feel alienated from and disgusted with the political process.

That’s why we are co-chairs of No Labels, a national movement of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents who believe that America must move beyond extreme partisanship to achieve a more perfect union. No Labels has a track record of promoting

suppression and goes against what Dr. King stood for.

As we reflect on the progress we’ve made since that historic August day 60 years ago, we are ready to continue the work ahead. We call on all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, to engage in conversations with those who have different political views, advocate for

Jobs and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. We were drawn to the event by our shared belief in equality and our revulsion at the racism and injustice prevalent in our country at the time.

The March on Washington was about advocating for jobs and freedom, but the underlying principle was equality and civil rights for all Americans. Dr. King’s dream of a nation where people are judged by their character rather than the color of their skin resonated with us

of the biggest sources of this danger is the extreme partisanship in Washington, D.C., which undermines the spirit of unity and bipartisan problem-solving that furthered the civil rights movement and other great accomplishments in our nation’s history.

Extreme partisanship has also spread to communities across the country, fueling prejudices, hostilities, bigotry, and hatred. It legitimizes politically motivated violence and even insurrection. Meanwhile, many

bipartisanship and has played a critical role in passing significant legislation. We aim to be a voice for the commonsense majority of Americans and cultivate a grassroots movement of like-minded citizens.

No Labels has faced criticism for our efforts to secure ballot access in all 50 states, which would give Americans more choices in the democratic process. Well-funded groups in Washington, D.C., are trying to deny voters these choices, which is a form of voter

compromise and collaboration, and vote for democracy, freedom, jobs, and equality. Let us honor Dr. King’s dream and work towards a nation where character and mutual respect matter most. In a world filled with misinformation, let us hold onto the truth of our unity and shared progress.

Dr. King shared his dream with the world, and now it is up to all of us to keep that dream alive and move forward as one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Inglewood Dropped From Lawsuit by Fan Assaulted Outside SoFi Stadium

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case # 23STCPO2840

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS

Petitioner: Juana Sosa, 1416 S. Norton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90019, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, to change her name.

FROM: Juana Sosa-TO: Joanna Sosa

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on, September 25, 2023, 9:30 AM, Dept. 26, Room 316, to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Publication Dates: August 10, 17, 24, 31, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

Case # 23TRCP00239

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS

Petitioner: Aaron Love Coleman, 13020 Kornblume Ave., #47, Hawthorne CA 90250, has filed a petition with the Superior Court Of California, County Of Los Angeles, One Regent St., Inglewood, CA 90301, to change his name.

FROM: Aaron Love Coleman-TO: Aaron Lamont Troy Coleman

The city of Inglewood has been removed as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by a San Francisco 49ers fan who was assaulted in a parking lot at SoFi Stadium during the 2022 NFC championship game. The victim, Daniel Luna, was left in a medically induced coma as a result of the attack.

In court documents filed on Thursday, Luna’s attorneys requested that all claims against the city be dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning they can be refiled at a later date. It is unclear from the court papers whether a settlement was reached or if Luna is not proceeding with the case against the city for other reasons.

A hearing was scheduled for August 30th to consider the city’s motion to dismiss the two causes of action against it, which included allegations of public employee negligence and loss of consortium by Luna’s wife, Irene Sulencka. The city argued that both allegations were “defective” and did not provide grounds for relief.

Earlier this month, Luna dropped Apex Security Group Inc. as a defendant in the case. The Los Angeles Rams and Luna’s alleged assailant, Bryan Alexis Cifuentes, were among the original defendants named when the lawsuit was filed last September. Cifuentes has claimed that he acted in self-defense during the confrontation with Luna.

Luna and Sulencka filed an amended complaint on May 18th, adding the city of Inglewood and Los Angeles County as defendants. The revised suit claimed that the city had a duty to ensure that designated areas, such as sobering cells or drunk tanks, were available for intoxicated detainees. The suit also argued that the city, along with the other defendants, was responsible for Sulencka’s loss of consortium with her

spouse, including the loss of comfort, society, and companionship.

However, the city’s attorneys argued in court papers that the plaintiffs’ lawyers failed to provide any statutory basis for direct liability against the city. They claimed that the allegations were “boilerplate” and lacked supporting material facts.

The lawsuit stems from an altercation that took place on January 30th, 2022, during the Rams-49ers game, which determined the team that would go to Super Bowl LVI. Luna allegedly approached a group of people outside the stadium, leading to a confrontation where Cifuentes allegedly punched Luna, causing him to fall to the ground.

Luna, who was wearing a 49ers jersey, was found by a security guard in the parking lot and taken to HarborUCLA Medical Center, where he was placed in a medically induced coma due to injuries to his face and upper body.

Inglewood Mayor James Butts stated shortly after the incident that surveillance video showed a group of fans tailgating in Parking Lot L, and Luna appeared to have shoved Cifuentes from behind. Butts said that Cifuentes retaliated by pushing Luna and striking him in the mouth area. Luna then fell to the ground, where he was later discovered by security personnel who called for paramedics.

Cifuentes was eventually identified and arrested thanks to the surveillance video, which captured the license plate of a vehicle. Cifuentes’ acquaintances later told reporters that Luna was the aggressor and appeared to be intoxicated.

Friends of Luna said that he had traveled to Los Angeles and attended the game alone after other fans who had planned to go canceled their plans. Luna is the owner of the Oakland

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing on, July 21, 2023, 9:30 AM, Dept. 8, Room 504, to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name change described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

Publication Dates: August 17, 24, 31; September 7, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Fictitious Business Name Statement File No. 2023134885

The following Person is doing business as: B-Clean Plumbing 339 West 91st Street Los Angeles, CA 90003

Registered Owner(s): Maynor Betancourth, 339 West 91st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003

This business is conducted by an individual(s). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the fictitious business listed above on June 20, 2023.

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.) Maynor Betancourth, Owner.

This statement was filed with the County Clerk on June 20, 2023

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 August 17, 24, 31; September 7, 2023

IT0042230120020377

Inglewood Today

Kristian Walker Junior Writer

Peruvian fusion restaurant Mistura.