East L.A.'s Cityhood effort has got people talking, but it's just picking up. Senator Gloria Romero will soon hold a public hearing on Cityhood here in East LA, and we're hoping that you can all join us! Can you be there?
2008 promises to be an important year for the Cityhood for East L.A. effort. The accomplishments of last year have moved us many steps closer to our goal of forming a city. We have just finished putting the final touches on the petition that will soon be circulated for signatures and continuing discussions about the benefits of Cityhood for unincorporated East Los Angeles.
We want to share with you how we plan to kick off the new year and let you know what to expect in the coming weeks.
During February, we plan on launching the signature gathering drive. As you know, the goal is to collect the signatures of at least 25% of all registered voters in East L.A. Although we will have 180 days to go door-to-door gathering signatures, we know that with everyone's hard work the job can be done quickly. Submitting enough signatures is a legal requirement in order to conduct a second study on East LA's financial viability, referred to as the Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis (CFA). The Initial Fiscal Analysis (IFA), the first study, was released in last October. Please read it if you haven't yet, as it demonstrates that the proposed City of East L.A. would in fact be financially viable. After the petitions are submitted, LAFCO will commission the CFA.
If you are interested, please read pages 3 and 4 of the IFA for a more detailed look at the steps that lay ahead.
Also in the works is a public hearing sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero which will examine issues of local governance, transparency and accountability, and Cityhood. As it turns out, East L.A. isn't the only community in the process of forming a city. We are joined by at least 14 other communities across California who are seeking a greater say in local government. The hearing will be Friday, February 8th, beginning 6:00p at Ford Elementary, 1112 S. Ford Blvd, with more details to follow.
Our effort to form a city in East L.A. is historic, and local media has taken notice of our community! This is why we'll be doing regular weekly round-up of news stories on East Los Angeles and neighboring areas. Check out the most recent news.
Clinton woos labor, Latinos on California swing, L.A. Times, January 12, 2008
Vibrant in a fading East L.A. scene, L.A. Times, January 12, 2008
Towering ambitions for Boyle Heights, L.A. Times, January 11, 2008
Beautiful boulevard, Whittier Daily News, January 6, 2008
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