LAWT-6-3-2010

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June 3, 2010

SERVING LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH NEWS YOU CAN USE

Vol. XXX, No. 1182 FIRST COLUMN

‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Star Coleman Remembered BY JENNIFER DOBNER AP WRITER

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Gary Coleman once said he wanted people to think of him as something more than the chubby-cheeked child star from television show “Diff’rent Strokes,” that he wanted to escape the legacy of character Arnold Jackson, whose “Whatchu talkin’ ’bout?” became a catch phrase of the 1970s and ’80s. He spent his later years still keeping a hand in show business, but also moving away from it, marrying and settling in Utah, far away from Hollywood’s sometimes all-too-bright lights. Still, he

was dogged by ongoing health problems and struggled with legal woes. After suffering a brain hemorrhage, Coleman was taken off life support May 28 and died, his family and friends at his side, said Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank. He was 42. “He has left a lasting legacy,” tweeted singer Janet Jackson, who appeared on several episodes of “Diff’rent Strokes.” “I know he is finally at peace.” Coleman chafed at his permanent association with “Diff’rent See COLEMAN, page 9

JAZZ & REGGAE — Musicians perform for the crowd at the 24th annual Jazz Reggae Festival, which took place over Memorial Day weekend. The festival has been touted as the largest U.S. event ran by students. It was was sold out. Well-known entertainers and artists converged on the University of California’s Los Angeles campus to play music for thousands, including Nas, Damian Marley and Q-Tip. See more photos on page 7. Photo by INDIA ALLEN

Crowd Fills Dorsey’s Cafeteria to Voice Opinions on Expo Line Proposal BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

Photo by BILL JONES

HERE NO LONGER — Gary Coleman poses with (left to right) Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Boyz II Men member Shawn Stockman and comedian Chris Rock. Coleman suffered from a brain hemorrhage, dying later on May 28.

A divided audience of supporters and opponents voiced their opinions June 1 about an amended proposal of an at-grade crossing at the Expo Line near Dorsey High School. More than 80 people signed up to speak at the school’s cafeteria where the California Public Utilities Commission held a public hearing, addressing a hotly contested issue that has drawn concern from many community members who say having an at-grade crossing near the school — as opposed to an above- or underground crossing — is unsafe. “I got involved in this project in the late ’80s or very early ’90s, and it was suggested then that we go underground on this project. Isn’t anybody listening to the community?” said Opal Young, chair of the Baldwin Hills Homeowners Coalition, which represents nine home-

Candidates Vie for 33rd District Seat BY CHICO C. NORWOOD STAFF WRITER

On June 8, voters begin the process of choosing who will win Congresswoman Diane Watson’s 33rd District seat when she vacates it. And whoever replaces Watson will have the responsibility of working in one of the most diverse districts in the state. The district has the largest number of South Koreans outside of South Korea, a large Hispanic population, a brisk Armenian community in the Hollywood area, a Pacific Islander community in the southern part of the county and “a vigorous’’ African American community, said Watson, who has represented the district since 2001 and announced her retirement this year on Feb. 17. Candidates for the upcoming race include: Democrats Karen Bass, Morris F. “Big Money”

Karen Bass

Griffin, Nick Juan Mostert and Felton Newell and Republicans James L. Andion, David C. Crowley II and Phil Jennerjahn. Bass, who visited the L.A. Watts Times May 28, is viewed by many as the frontrunner who will take Watson’s seat. But the speaker emeritus of the California State Assembly said she is not taking this election for grant-

ed. She has been walking neighborhoods, attending house meetings, seeking endorsements and raising money. “I feel that it’s important for me to work at this level right now in terms of going to Congress. I think that Massachusetts tells us never to take anything for granted,” said Bass, referring to Republican Scott Brown’s January victory over Martha Coakley for the late Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat. “Also, I think it is a question of respect. Respect for voters. Even if I were the only person on the ballot, I would still be running in the exact same fashion I am now because you should never take anyone’s vote for granted.” Bass has been involved in foreign and domestic issues for about 30 years. She founded the Community Coalition, a communitybased social justice organization, about 20 years ago to address the See CANDIDATES, page 5

EXPO — A rendering of a typical station design for the proposed Expo Line. An at-grade Farmdale Avenue station near Dorsey High Schoolhas been proposed.

owners associations and three block clubs. “We have come forth to you, we have talked to you, we have met with you, we have appealed to you, we have almost begged you to put this system underground. It is not

safe. We know it’s not safe, you know it’s not safe. So we would like to know, what is your objection? We haven’t heard that yet.” Darrell Clarke, co-chair of See EXPO RAIL, page 8

NEWS IN BRIEF Temptations Singer AliOllie Woodson Dies at 58 DETROIT (AP) — Ali-Ollie Woodson, who led the legendary Motown quintet The Temptations in the 1980s and ’90s and helped restore them to their hit-making glory with songs including “Treat Her Like A Lady,” has died, a friend said. He was 58. Woodson died May 30 in Southern California after battling cancer, Motown Alumni Association President Billy Wilson said. Woodson was not an original member of the group, which had several lineup changes since it started in the 1960s. But he played an integral part in keeping The Temptations from becoming just a nostalgia act. By the early 1980s, The Temptations were no longer posting hit after hit like they did in the 1960s and ’70s with classics such as “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “My Girl,” and “I Wish It Would Rain.” The group had lost original members, and Woodson was charged with replacing Dennis Edwards, whose passionate voice defined the group during the 1970s.

Photo by BILL JONES

Ali-Ollie Woodson

Woodson’s voice, though similar to Edwards’ with its fiery tone, was distinct in itself, and helped the group notch the R&B hits “Treat Her Like A Lady,” “Sail Away,” and “Lady Soul,” from 1984 to 1986. Despite his fame, Woodson was “always a gentleman and always polite and kind to everybody. If we ever asked him to do anything, he never said, ‘Well, it’s going to cost you.’ He’d always say, ‘Yeah, let’s go,’ ” said Wilson, who founded the Detroitbased Motown association in the mid-1990s.

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See BRIEFS, page 4


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