“Boyle Heights has been in the news like, everyday lately,” I was told by a non-resident a few months back. So what does that mean? For us? For others? (hmmm)
Some of these topics were discussed last night at 89.3 KPCC’s broadcast recording of the Patt Morisson show at the Boyle Heights Technology Youth Center. My attempt to post live updates for the Facebook and Twitter feeds was a little disappointing due to the weak internet connection— of all places….
So, if you missed the updates here’s a brief recap of the night’s highlights; I break it down with panel quotes (scroll down to see list of panelists).
HEALTH: Doctors on the panel talked about the challenges Boyle Heights residents faced—particularly youth. Nutritional options, the need for community members to gain knowledge on health problems, and access to quality health care were all mentioned.
Patt Morrison:
“Boyle Heights is one of the many food deserts in L.A. where people have a hard time actually finding quality inexpensive nutritional food.”
Dr. Astrid Heger:
“Over 50% of [screened] students [in Middle Schools and High Schools in the area] were obese and a huge percent of them are at risk of diabetes.”
“The rates of PTSD and depression in this community is very close to veterans returning from war.”
“20-percent of 15 yr-olds were illiterate, and their teacher’s didn’t know it.”
HOUSING: Huizar and Roble talked about potential future plans including bringing in different levels of income and housing (i.e. condos) while Blaney and Cabildo stressed the importance of more (stricter) rent control and preservation of current housing (ex: proposed destruction of Wyvernwood).
Elizabeth Blaney:
“We’ve lost housing through the Metro project, the extension of the [Hollenbeck] police station… none of that housing has been replaced.”
“21% of LA public housing is located in Boyle Heights…” and there’s proposals to convert this to other housing, privatized.
Maria Cabildo:
“There’s a mismatch between what’s proposed and what’s is the actual need in the community…We’re losing the base of housing that’s affordable to extremely low-income people.”
Jose Huizar:
“What protects the idea that we want improvements for the residents who live here now is rent control… a stable population will be here to benefit from new improvements.”
[On Wyvernwood] “Do you want new modern condos there or do you want to protect historical aspect of this project?” (He said he didn’t have the details on the project and he didn’t take a stand on it either).
The panel also discussed the need for accessibility to grocery stores, parks, health facilities and the importance of community organizations partnering with schools. Huizar talked about the historic preservation projects taking place and the facelifts of popular corridors (oh, and he mentioned he was pushing for not one, but two grocery stores on the corner of Soto and Cesar Chavez and the on 1st and Boyle… vamos a ver).
The broadcast will air on Wednesday, March 30 at 2pm on 89.3 KPCC-FM
Panelists:
Maria Cabildo, Co-founder of East LA Community Corporation,
Jose Huizar, L.A. City Councilman- CD 14
Faisal Roble, senior city planner at L.A. City Planning Department,
Dr. Astrid Heger, executive director, VIP (Violence Intervention Program) Community Health Center
Maria Brenes, executive director at Inner City Struggle
Cynthia Sanchez, Proyecto Pastoral
Elizabeth Blaney, Co-Director, Union De Vecinos
Mis Neighbors 