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SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
GARCETTI CALLS FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO PREVENT FUTURE TRAIN ACCIDENTS
 Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Wendy Greuel this week introduced a resolution calling for passage of federal legislation that would require implementation of technology that could help prevent accidents such as the Metrolink 111 crash.
"The technology to prevent tragic accidents exists. Our nation must invest in the modernization of our rail system so that it is safe for all travelers,” said Council President Garcetti.
The resolution urges Congress to pass the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act, which is currently before the House and Senate. The Act includes provisions that would require railroad carriers to implement positive train control systems -- technology that is used in parts of the country and around the globe to prevent train collisions and speed-related accidents by detecting problems and overriding mistakes made by human error. In addition to urging the Act's passage, Garcetti and Greuel's resolution also calls on the federal government to speed up the timetable for implementing the new technology.
GARCETTI ANNOUNCES $700,000 FOR CAMINO NUEVO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD CONSTRUCTION
This week the City Council awarded $700,000 to help build an athletic field at Camino Nuevo High School in the Virgil Village neighborhood. The field will be built on a formerly blighted property across the street from the school, which is located at the corner of Virgil Avenue and Temple Street. It will also be open to community organizations for use on weekends and evenings.
“We want our young people to have access to public schools that help them learn and grow academically and as people.The new athletic field will give students at Camino Nuevo the opportunity to get some exercise, play team sports, and learn good sportsmanship,” said Council President Garcetti.
"Can you imagine if we could build soccer fields all over this part of the city? We could prevent a lot of social problems, including gang problems, if our children and youth had more opportunities to participate in community sports and recreation programs. Not to mention the intangible value of the joy and excitement kids get from chasing soccer balls on an open field," said Philip Lance, Camino Nuevo Co-founder and President of the Board.
The $700,000 allocation from the City of Los Angeles comes from the city’s Community Development Block Grant, federal funds that are allocated to support community development projects in qualifying low-income neighborhoods across the nation.
16TH ANNUAL THAI CULTURAL DAY IS SUNDAY AT BARNSDALL ART PARK
Los Angeles's 16th annual Thai Cultural Day will be celebrated this Sunday at Barnsdall Art Park (4800 Hollywood Blvd.). From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., families can enjoy entertainment, food, and other cultural activities.
This free event is co-hosted by the Thai Community Development Center, the Thai Community Arts and Cultural Center, and the Thai Town Preserve America Honorary Committee. The City of Los Angeles's Department of Cultural Affairs is also a sponsor.
"MEET ERIC GARCETTI" VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE ON WEB SITE
 "Meet Eric Garcetti," a brief video, is now available for viewing in English and Spanish at www.ericgarcetti.com. Viewers can learn about Council President Garcetti's life and record on the City Council.
Click here to watch the video in English. Click here to view it in Spanish.
L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti represents the Thirteenth Council District which includes all or part of the communities of Glassell Park, Little Armenia, Thai Town, Atwater Village, Elysian Valley, Echo Park, Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake, East Hollywood and Hollywood. Councilmember Garcetti serves as President of the Los Angeles City Council.
Council President Garcetti and his staff can be reached via e-mail at councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org or by mail or phone at City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Room 470, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-473-7013; 5500 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-957-4500; and 3750 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065, 323-478-9002.
www.ericgarcetti.com
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