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Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista
August
your community newspaper • your community • WESTCHESTER • PLAYA DEL REY • MARINA DEL REY • PLAYA VISTA • your community newspaper • your community
LAWA releases Draft EIR for LAX Specific Plan Amendment Study On Friday, July 27 Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DRAFT EIR) for the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Specific Plan Amendment Study (SPAS) and the SPAS Report. The more than 1,800 page document includes nine proposals for LAX’s North Airfield, which are meant to increase safety and security and take into account environmental and financial implications, according to LAWA. One option includes moving the northernmost runway 350 feet towards Westchester and Playa del Rey.
“The future development of LAX requires a holistic approach that will address both the needs of an aging airport infrastructure and relationships with its neighbors,” said Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey. “We have two choices: either prepare now by creating a long-term plan to continue the modernization, or limp along with an airfield designed for 1960s-era aircraft and leave the planning and improvements for others to deal with in the future, after natural demand arrives and airport facilities at LAX will be both insufficient and, in some cases, near
the end of their useful life.” Local groups like ARSAC, the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion, have come out against any possibility of moving the runways north. “Moving Runway 24 Right closer to homes and businesses is unsafe, unnecessary, unacceptable and probably illegal under the Stipulated Settlement Agreement,” said Denny Schneider, President of ARSAC. “We will vigorously fight efforts to move the runway to the north, especially when there are better alternatives available to increase safety, security and passenger
convenience that would not require destroying homes and businesses in Westchester/Playa del Rey. Furthermore, any movement of the runway to the north will permanently alter flight patterns over Southern California, newly exposing millions of residents to aircraft noise, pollution and safety issues who have not been impacted by LAX operations in the past. If necessary, we will go back to court to protect our communities and to force LAX to reconsider other runway (continued on page 4)
National Night Out to bring community, police together The community is invited to help celebrate “National Night Out,” with the Pacific Area Police Department. Started in 1984 as an “effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anticrime efforts,” National Night Out has grown from having 2.5 million people participate in that first year, to more than 37 million people and more than 15,300 communities expected to participate in this year’s event. This year, LAPD Pacific Area Officers will be joining local residents for an evening dubbed “Take Me Out to the Ballpark.” Community members of all ages are invited to stop by the park on Tuesday, August 7 beginning at 6 p.m. for a friendly game of softball with the officers, drinks and hot dogs. This will be the third year the Pacific Area Police department’s has participated in the event, but the first year that it is taking place in Westchester. “The purpose of this event is to bring the police and folks together and promote a safe community, and part of that is having a positive experience with the police,” said Neighborhood Council Westchester/Playa President and Public Safety Advocate, Cyndi Hench. “Our community has a very
good relationship with our officers. We wish we had more resources for non-emergency calls, but I always hear good feedback when I talk to people about our officers.” Everyone interested in playing softball will have the option of playing. There will be mixed-teams of all ages and abilities. A 16” softball will be used and gloves are optional. Pacific Area Captain Jon Peters and members of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa are expected to take part in the game. The event will take place at Westchester Park, located at 7000 W. Manchester Ave. in Westchester. Parking is encouraged close to Baseball Diamond #1 at Lincoln Boulevard La Tijera or Manchester at Georgetown Ave. This event is made possible thanks to the Pacific Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB), Pacific Boosters, the Neighborhood Councils of Westchester/ Playa, Venice, Del Rey, Mar Vista and Palms,LA City Parks and Councilman Bill Rosendahl’s Office. For more information, please visit ncwpdr.org.
At left: Members of LAPD pose at last year’s parade. PHOTO BY GLENN MARZANO.
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