By Megan Burks
With Redistricting Ride Over, Emerald Hops on Campaign Trail
It’s official (barring any lawsuits, of course). Redistricting is over and City Heights is poised to take the helm of a new, ninth council district.
The Redistricting Commission voted last night to approve its preliminary map with some minor tweaks to the districts sharing Linda Vista. The borders of District 9 remain intact.
This morning on Twitter, current City Heights representative Todd Gloria welcomed the neighborhoods netted by District 3. Last month, Gloria said he intends to run for reelection in the district, even if it doesn’t include City Heights.
The question now is who will represent the new district. Marti Emerald said in a press release this morning she wants the job.
Emerald currently represents the northeast corner of City Heights and the College Area in District 7. She recently had to sell her Tierrasanta home and had been waiting for a final redistricting map before telling us which district she would move to.
Some have said running in District 9 would be an easier task for the left-leaning candidate, whose current district will become more conservative. But Emerald has been active in the College Area throughout her tenure and has shown support for City Heights at events and meetings that stretch into Gloria’s half of the neighborhood.
Want your local news fast? Follow Speak City Heights on Twitter @spkcityheights. Follow Marti Emerald @MartiEmeraldD7.
Meat of California Dream Act on the Table
Assembly Bill 131, the half of the California Dream Act that would free up public financial aid such as Cal Grants for undocumented students, is back on the table. Legislators put the bill on suspense before going on recess for the summer. It was picked up again yesterday and could go to the Senate floor for a vote next week.
Southern California Public Radio blog Multi-American takes a good look at its chances of being passed. Unlike AB 130, the private aid bill signed into law last month, AB 131 requires a state expenditure of at least $22 million. California is cash poor and even its liberal lawmakers are hesitant to open the state’s wallet.
Follow Multi-American @Multi_American.
City Heights Teen Named Cox Conserves Hero
City Heights resident and Hoover High School graduate Isabel Herrera, 18, became a Cox Conserves Hero Monday.
The annual competition honors community members who inspire their neighbors to protect the planet. Herrera has worked with the Ocean Discovery Institute for three years teaching City Heights residents about the affect polluting their canyons can have on the ocean. The nonprofit will receive $10,000 on Herrera’s behalf.
Gerry Keskeys, who helped start New Roots Community Farm, was also honored. The nonprofit Grow Strong will receive $2,500.
Learn about the other winners by searching #CoxConservesHero.
Finally, A Skate Park, and Other Stories From the U-T
Residents came out last week to support…skateboarders? According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, residents told the city in a public hearing they think a skate park is the best option for 0.37-acre recreation space on Central Avenue between Dwight and Landis streets.
Skaters in the neighborhood have long wanted a space for ollies and kickflips, even gathering signatures for a park on the former Pearson Ford lot. They currently skate the flat service road behind the library.
The project manager for the proposed park said she’s unsure if the project’s budget will accommodate a skate park.
The Union-Tribune also introduced us to a new neighbor in City Heights: Mama’s Kitchen. The nonprofit provides meals for AIDS and cancer patients.
The paper also has an inspiring read on Hoover High’s football program. Head coach Cree Morris talks about how his try-again policy on the practice field transfers to player’s homes and neighborhood.
“In life, you’re going to get knocked down, whether it be on the field, in the office, at work, or in the classroom,” Morris told the paper. “It happens. But what do you do in that moment? Do you sit on the ground and mope? Are you defeated? Or are you going to stand up again, get back in the huddle or in the mix of the drill, and take it one more time.”
Follow Union-Tribue reporter Nathan Max @natemax.
Weekend Read: One-Woman Nonprofit a Saint in South-Central Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Times has a beautiful profile on Rose Rios, a 65-year-old grandmother who runs a nonprofit out of her South-Central Los Angeles dining room.
In her office, there are no reports to write or grants to apply for—just hustle. As soon as she gets off the phone with someone who needs food or money to keep the electricity on, she’s off asking neighbors and businesses to help. And she isn’t afraid to spar with elected officials.
“I tell them, straight out,” Rios told the newspaper. “Look, this man needs help. If he dies in your district and you didn’t do anything about it, your name is gonna be splashed all over the place and it ain’t gonna be pretty.”
Follow the Los Angeles Times @latimes.