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Including Inglewood Airport Area • Baldwin Hills • Crenshaw/LA • Ladera Heights VOL. 23, No. 45
November 6, 2014
Butts Wins By Largest Margin in Inglewood Mayoral History By Veronica Mackey
M
ayor James Butts was all smiles, all night on Tuesday, as he made the rounds at his victory watch party on Florence Ave. and Market Street. He shook hands and posed for photographs, but was seriously focused on the numbers. It came as no surprise that the incumbent Mayor of Inglewood would win another term. To Butts, the question was, “by how much?” According to the Inglewood City Clerk’s Office, Butts won more than 83 percent of the vote. His nearest rival is former Inglewood Councilmember Mike Stevens with 9.49 percent, making Butts’ margin the largest in Inglewood’s mayoral history. Not content to merely win another 4 years, Butts made multiple trips to the widescreen monitor on the wall to track his progress. Absentee ballots had the mayor at around 81 percent. “I want 90,” he said.
Inglewood businessman Billy Campbell said he supports the mayor because “he has been able to get a council into office who works together. He has the capability to make things happen.” A building contractor said she supports Butts “because of what he stands for.” After thanking the crowd, introducing his family and giving a special honor to his mother-in-law, Mayor Butts
• Community • Entertainment • Health • Real Estate • Business
By Thomas Bunn
L
ast week the City of Inglewood ascended into some rare air, as the grounds were broken on the old Thrifty Oil site in District 2, that will bring the city a highly anticipated Community Center. The air is rare in this venture because as Mayor Butts (Continued on page 5)
By Veronica Mackey
R
epublicans upset the balance of power in Congress Tuesday night, taking over the Senate. The GOP now controls both the Senate and the House. California, however, has remained “true blue,” with Democrats winning impressive margins in Congressional races. In Inglewood, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Inglewood) won 70.4% of the vote against opponent John Wood, Jr. with 29.6%. Rep. Karen Bass (D-Los
ment prompted a round of cheers and high-fives. Butts was joined by Gloria Gray, West Basin Municipal Water District Board Member who also won re-election. Gray, who had won 77 percent of absentee votes by 10pm, thanked Butts for “all the good work he has done for this city,” and said the Gov. Brown with his wife mayor has a servant’s heart. “Inglewood is really, really Angeles) easily won, with (Continued on page 4) 83.8% against Adam King’s 16.2%. Republicans enjoyed takeovers of seats in Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, West Virginia, South Dakota, Iowa and North Carolina. With 36 Senate seats up for grabs— most in red states—Democrats could not overcome the challenges. Compounding the problem was lower voter turnout (caused in part by voter suppression laws), and declining approval numbers for President Obama. The win will put Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) in charge of the Sen(Continued on page 2)
City Breaks Ground on New Community Center
On The Inside: • News
recounted how Inglewood has changed under his leadership: “Four years ago, (people) thought of Inglewood as drive-by shootings, council meetings that last until 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning, and a city that was rudderless. Today, we have billionaires shaking in their boots because we’re taking their lunch money. I will meet with the owner of the Rams tomorrow.” That announce-
GOP Takes the Senate, California Stays Blue
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