CD1 COUNCIL MEMBER ED REYES MEETS THE ECHO PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber President, Mitchell Frank & CD1's Ed Reyes
Council member Ed Reyes (CD 1) and Senior Lead Officer Sonia Rimkunas of the LAPD/Northeast Division were guest speakers at the Echo Park Chamber of Commerce, May Mixer at Taix on May 17th. Both offered upbeat views of life in our very dynamic corner of Los Angeles.
Ed Reyes introduced himself to each and every member of the Chamber, renewing old acquaintances and making new friends. Personable and charming, when he took to the Chambers' 'virtual' podium, his words offered optimism and hope, tempered with measured pragmatism. He reiterated his desire to re-route some of the estimated $4 billion of contracts annually awarded to businesses beyond the city, back to Los Angeles, correlating this money, lost to the city, with the good jobs and the hope it could offer our community.
He talked about turning his dream of restoring the LA river into reality, there is real progress at present and boy it sounded so much like we would could get The South Bank (of the Thames, you know the nice mixed use part, down by Tony Blair's favorite restaurant), in East L.A.
One of the pressing concerns for the Chamber is how to help the homeless people in our community. Several members, including President Mitchell Frank sought support for a homeless drop-in center. While Reyes expressed joy at the desire of the Chamber and would offer help should it be welcomed, he also quite rightly cautioned all present of the tough road ahead facing the project in light of the inherent citywide NIMBY-ism such initiatives generally face.
So, Hope and not quite Despair, he did actually head out to spend time with his family. Great to see him back at the Chamber of Commerce and with luck he will be back soon.
Senior Lead Officer Sonia Rimkunas of the LAPD/Northeast Division also addressed the Chamber. Offering a sometimes humorous insight into her life on the beat, she brought the message everyone wanted to hear, crime has been slashed in Echo Park by 20% in general. Better than city wide averages, with a 40% cut in aggravated assault in particular. Overall a great testimony to the vigilance of our local police and members of our community.
paul
this story...
City councilor, Ed Reyes and Senior Lead Officer Sonia Rimkunas of the LAPD/Northeast Division offer upbeat assessments of life in Echo Park
recent stories
ECHO PARK CHAMBER - DODGERS NIGHT!
Echo Park Chamber of Commerce Annual Dodgers Night [more...]
THE TASTE OF ECHO PARK
The first Chamber fundraiser of 2009, at the Allston Yacht Club, with art for a silent auction provided by Shepard Fairey and others... [more...]
ONSITE PARKING: THE SCOURGE OF AMERICA'S COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
As the struggle continues to make downtown Echo Park viable and neighborly for all, Planetizen's Mott Smith says parking regs are chronic in this city [more...]
EPICURIOUS IN ECHO PARK?
LA Times blog writers say thrill to the new taste of Echo Park in "A little foodie to go with that indie" [more...]
2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS... EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE LUNCH MEETINGS
The Executive Committee Meetings occur twice monthly, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month [more...]
archive
Visit our archive of chamber news stories here
