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The Weekly Newspaper of Inglewood
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 68, No. 4 - January 24, 2019
36th Annual MLK Celebration
The City of Inglewood’s 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration held on Jan. 19 was another big success. The Girl Scouts were among the many participants in the parade this year.
Photo: City of Inglewood
Council Lauds Program to Put
At-Risk Adults in Construction Jobs
By Haleemon Anderson
Tuesday’s meeting of the Inglewood
City Council began with a special presentation
from Second Call, a community-based
organization that targets adult men getting
out of prison. Representative John
Harriel presented a video showcasing the
group’s advocacy. “Second Call’s mission
is assisting in the personal development of
high-risk individuals,” he said. The nonprofit
offers life skills workshops and a
path to vocational careers through unionized
apprenticeships in allied trades. “We focus
on goal-setting, low self-esteem and anger
management,” added Harriel. “Participants
can take leadership classes. We prepare them
to be able to come up and take my place
when it’s time.”
Harriel is a veteran of the program. As
project supervisor at a local construction
company, he is a facilitator for Second Call,
recruiting men and women to construction
jobs. He introduced the group with him as
participants who have been recruited to Local
11, IBEW, an electrical workers’ union.
The Council presented certificates of
appreciation to Second Call members in attendance,
a few donning construction gear.
Several are employed at the NFL stadium
construction site in Inglewood. “These kinds
of programs, show that the new Inglewood
is for everyone,” said Mayor James T. Butts.
“Most people with felony conviction are
written off.”
In public comments, Matt Palmer of the
LA County Sanitation District appealed to
the Council for support. He said he represents
1,000 employees who have been asking for
a reasonable cost of living increase for the
past two years. “After 20 months of negotiations,
there has been no movement,” reported
Palmer. He said management believes their
contributions to PERS offsets the need for
a pay increase.
Althea Moses, Olympian and Inglewood
resident, invited the community out to her
fitness class held weekly at Darby Park,
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Moses said she
believes it is a time for increased leadership
among the youth of the city, and that she may
start a program. She added that she knows
the community. “I grew up in the ‘bottoms’
of Inglewood,” said Mosley. The area she
mentioned is south of the Crenshaw-Century
retail district and borders Morningside High
and Woodworth Elementary schools.
Gwen Allen, referencing a notice on buyers’
assistance, said she has clients who are
first-time buyers and would benefit from this
information. The Council directed her to the
seventh floor housing department for further
assistance and information. Ray Davis, 2nd
district, suggested the city might resist gentrification
by encouraging moneyed celebrities
to buy property in Inglewood.
Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman
Willie Agee remarked on the fantastic
job done by Parks and Recreation Director
Sabrina Barnes and her staff on the MLK day
events. “The parks are looking beautiful,” said
Agee. “Keep on doing what you’re doing.”
Inglewood Chamber of Commerce Vice
President Eric Holly said bringing the
MLK Day event to Market Street brought
awareness to the businesses there. He also
commended the Second Call participants
for their commitment to giving back to the
communities they’ve hurt.
Councilmember George Dotson also
commended the Parks and Recreation staff.
“I’ve been to all 37 Martin Luther King Day
celebrations and this one was one of the best
I’ve seen,” he said. “If you missed it this
year, you don’t want to miss it next year.”
Dotson also announced two events in his
district. Wednesday, Jan. 30, the fire department
will hold a recruiting drive. Feb. 9 will
be the District 1 Annual Shredding event.
Councilmember Eloy Morales commended
all the business and service providers who
had booths at the event. “Our community
came out together to celebrate all the good
things we have here in Inglewood,” he said.
“Also, I want to thank Big John, Skip and
Eric Brown for the work they do with Second
Call. That electricians’ union is the cream
of the crop of unions.”
Mayor Butts commended the Rams on
their win of the NFC game this weekend.
“That’s really wonderful,” he said. “But
it’s not just that. When we heard the Rams
were looking for a home, we got involved.
Every single thing we set out to do, we’ve
accomplished. The Rams, the Super Bowl
[coming to Inglewood], the stadium at the
stage it is, this says to the world Inglewood
is for real. Our employees treat this like
an adventure of service. I’m grateful to be
here at this time with these employees and
these residents.”
The Inglewood City Council meets every
Tuesday, unless otherwise noted, at 2 p.m.
in the Council chambers on the 9th floor,
Inglewood City Hall. •