Month: February 2024

GRACE YOO FOR LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL SECURES ENDORSEMENT FROM BLUE WAVE DEMOCRATS

LOS ANGELES (2/27/2024) – Grace Yoo for Los Angeles City Council is pleased to announce the endorsement from the Blue Wave Democrats. This endorsement highlights Yoo’s commitment to inclusive, equitable, and
forward-thinking leadership for the city.

Grace Yoo, a seasoned attorney, former city commissioner, and long-time advocate for community empowerment, has been at the forefront of critical battles for justice, equality, and access in Los Angeles. Her campaign has centered on addressing the most pressing issues facing the city, including affordable housing, public safety, environmental sustainability, and economic recovery.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Blue Wave Democrats. Their support reinforces our shared commitment to creating a city that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. As the next councilmember for District 10 I will fight for a Los Angeles that is equitable, prosperous, and resilient.”

As the election approaches, Grace Yoo continues to gain momentum, demonstrating her readiness to lead and her capacity to bring about the transformative changes that Los Angeles needs.

IN NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO REVEREND MARCUS MURCHINSON SHARES HOW GRACE YOO “HEARD OUR CRY AND CAME TO OUR AID AND FOUGHT FOR US” TO PROTECT CHURCH FROM FORECLOSURE

“Today, the Church is flourishing. We are able to run programs out of here because of Grace (Yoo).”

LOS ANGELES (2/14/24) – Today, Grace Yoo for Los Angeles City Council released a video
featuring Reverend Marcus Murchinson with the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church and the
instrumental role Yoo played in protecting the Church and its many community-based programs
from closure.

In 2021, the Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church had applied for a traditional bank loan to
pay the Church’s mortgage and operating expenses and was told that the Church had the credit
and the income to qualify. Despite assurances from the bank, at the last minute, the Church’s
loan was denied. Rev. Murchinson felt that his Church was redlined by the bank, and without a
loan the Church and its many services including food banks, job trainings and outreach to the
community would come to an end.

While Reverend Murchinson had only met Grace once, he reached out, calling in the hopes
Grace might be willing and able to assist. As a result, Yoo was able to connect the Church with a
small community focused bank which issued the necessary loan.

In the video, Rev. Murchinson states:
“I’m Pastor Marcus Murchinson. The Pastor of Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church.
“This church that I’m in right now is only here today because of Grace. Grace the
compassionate, the one that heard we were about to be foreclosed, put out of our church.
“She heard our cry and came to our aid and fought for us.
“Today, the Church is flourishing. We are able to run programs out of here because of Grace.
“Grace is for you.”

LA Watchdog’s Voters Guide

LA WATCHDOG – My recommendations are influenced by my fiscal conservatism (hate deficits, debt, deferred maintenance, and unfunded pension liabilities) and my lack of trust in our elected officials, especially when it comes to budgets. They place their interests and those of the public sector unions ahead of what is best for Angelenos and Californians. I have a bias against measures that are placed on the ballot at the last minute, are too complex, and lack of transparency, public input, and adequate time to analyze the impact of such measures. I support efficient delivery of services and public safety (including limited unarmed response), key responsibilities of the City, County, and State governments.

Measure HLA. NO. City Mobility Plan. This City’s Mobility Plan and this special interest ballot measure does not address the repair and maintenance of our 6,500 miles of streets, our 10,750 miles of sidewalks, and our 900 miles of alleyways. According to the City Administrative Officer, it is not affordable given its projected budget deficit of $400 million and the $2.5 billion cost over the next ten years. It will divert resources from the City’s Pavement Preservation Program and increase the deferred maintenance liability.

Proposition 1. NO. $6.4 Billion Bonds for Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Homeless. This 65,000-word, 69-page measure was placed on the ballot by our elected officials who occupy Sacramento. Without doubt, there are many loopholes for our politicians to drive a convoy of trucks through. It diverts precious mental health dollars. And it adds to the $80 billion of State debt and the many hundreds of billions in unfunded pension and other retirement liabilities that we are dumping on the next generations of Californians. This is better known as Intergenerational Theft.

District Attorney. Jeff Chemerinsky. He has the best chance of beating current District Attorney George Gascon in a runoff election. As an experienced prosecutor with the US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, he has never lost a case. He works well with law enforcement but recognizes the need for reform in law enforcement, the County jails, and juvenile detention centers. Importantly, he has an excellent relationship with Hydee Feldstein Soto, the Los Angeles City Attorney, who has also endorsed him. Anybody but George Cascon.

US Senator. Adam Schiff. Anybody but Steve Garvey who is a spoiler, has no platform, and whose personal life leaves much to be desired.

US House of Representatives. 30th District. Nick Melvoin. We need new young representatives in Washington who are not tainted by their experience in Sacramento. Fiscally responsible and understands the need for educational reform given his experience on the Board of LAUSD.

Republican Presidential Primary. Nikki Haley. Send Donald Trump a message.

Los Angeles City Council

Council District 2. Adrin Nazarian. He understands his district and the City because of experience as a staffer at City Hall for Tom LaBonge, the king of constituent services, and Paul Krekorian, the former chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Also, a respected member of the State Assembly.

Council District 4. Ethan Weaver. As a deputy city attorney and a neighborhood prosecutor, he understands the importance of our neighborhoods, public safety, and constituent services. He is a supporter of the Police and Fire Departments and the removal of homeless encampments that are near our schools, parks, and libraries. His opponent, an extreme left wing idealogue and a card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, wants to defund the police and densify our neighborhoods. She has poor record for constituent services.

Council District 6. Imelda Padilla. While the jury is still out on this recently elected member of the City Council, she understands constituent services. There are no other qualified opponents.

Council District 8. Marqueece Harris-Dawson. This fiscally irresponsible councilman has no meaningful opponents.

Council District 10. Grace Yoo. She is a long-time advocate for ethics reform and has an excellent understanding of the needs of her district. She is conversant with the City’s budget and finances, Anybody but Assemblyman Reggie Sawyer-Jones.

Council District 12. John Lee. While he has his issues, he brings a different perspective to the City Council, especially as it relates to the budget and the City’s finances.

Council District 14. Wendy Carillo. Anybody but Kevin deLeon. Miguel Santiago is owned by the public sector given their overly generous independent contributions supporting his candidacy.

Judges of the Superior Court

A trustworthy and knowledgeable friend supplied the following recommendations except for one candidate.

Office No. 12. Judge Lynn Olson

Office No. 39. Steve Napolitano

Office No. 48. Renee Rose

Office No. 93. Victor Avila

Office No. 97. Sharon Ransom

Office No. 115. Keith Koyano

Office No. 124. Kimberly Repecka. She is challenging a sitting judge, Emily Spears, who both the Met News and the LA Times agree (strangely) is unfit for the job. Rare to see anyone with a valid challenge to a sitting judge, but perhaps this will serve as a lesson to Spears and others like her.

Office No. 130. Leslie Gutierrez

Office No. 135. Steven Mac

Office No. 137. Tracey Blount

County Board of Supervisors

Recommendations are work in progress. The major issues facing the Board of Supervisors are operational. Its delivery of services leaves much to be desired, especially for homeless services, the Men’s Central Jail, and juvenile detention centers. There is also the issue of reform: expanding the size of the Board and the need for an elected Chief Executive Officer.

Los Angeles Unified School District

Recommendations are work in progress. The major issues facing the Board are the need to improve the education of its students, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds, charter schools, the maintenance of its facilities, its Structural Deficit, its unfunded pension and other retirement liabilities, and the upcoming requests for tax increases.

(Jack Humphreville writes LA Watchdog for CityWatch. He is the President of the DWP Advocacy Committee, the Budget and DWP representative for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, and a Neighborhood Council Budget Advocate. He can be reached at: lajack@gmail.com.) Original Article: https://www.citywatchla.com/la-watchdog/28432-la-watchdogs-voters-guide

GRACE YOO FOR LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT FROM FORMER CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER JOHN CHIANG

LOS ANGELES (February 6, 2024) – Grace Yoo for Los Angeles City Council is honored to announce the
endorsement of John Chiang, former California State Controller, Treasurer, and member of the Board of
Equalization.

“I’m so pleased to endorse Grace Yoo for Los Angeles City Council, District 10. Grace’s leadership for
residents, and vision for a better, more unified Los Angeles is exactly what’s needed at this pivotal
moment,” stated Chiang. “We need a courageous leader who will hold government accountable while
putting the needs of constituents first – Grace is that leader.”

Yoo, who has long been a champion for the people of Los Angeles, advocating for fair representation,
accessible government, and the protection of vulnerable communities, responded to the endorsement
by saying “I am deeply honored to receive John Chiang’s endorsement. John is known for his fiscal
responsibility, transparency in government finances, and dedication to serving and protecting the
people of California – all of which are values that I plan to bring to City Hall.”

The endorsement from John Chiang underscores the momentum behind Yoo’s campaign as she
continues to garner support from leaders and communities across Los Angeles.

GRACE YOO FOR L.A CITY COUNCIL IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN RACE TO ACHIEVE FOUR FINANCIAL MILESTONES: 1) OUT RAISES ALL OPPONENTS IN FUNDRAISING 2) MAINTAINS MOST CASH ON HAND 3) BOASTS ZERO DEBT 4) FIRST TO QUALIFY FOR MATCHING FUNDS

LOS ANGELES (January 29, 2024) – Grace Yoo for Los Angeles City Council, District 10, is proud to announce that Yoo has achieved four key financial milestones: Yoo has out raised all opponents, maintains more cash on hand than all others combined, is the first candidate to receive matching funds, all while operating without any incurred debt.

These milestones speak to the outpouring of support Yoo has received from the community along with running a fiscally responsible campaign.

“Our campaign’s robust financial health is a direct reflection of the growing support for Grace Yoo’s vision for a better Los Angeles,” stated Samantha Stevens, Yoo’s Campaign Consultant. “Grace’s dedication to public service and her commitment to addressing the critical issues facing our city have resonated deeply with our community. These financial achievements are clear indications of the trust and confidence voters place in her leadership.”

According to the latest financial reports submitted to the City Ethics Commission, Yoo has successfully raised more funds than any other candidate in the race to represent the10th District and holds more cash on hand than all other candidates combined. Thereby allowing her to effectively communicate with the voters as ballots begin arriving this week. Yoo also met the stringent requirements to qualify for the city’s matching funds program providing the campaign with an additional $117,588 so far.

According to the Ethics Commission, Yoo has raised $224,436 with $124,977 on hand. Appointed Councilmember Heather Hutt has raised $219,898 and holds $60,321.35 on hand with a $18,000 debt. Reggie Jones Sawyer has raised a total of $204,790, holds $18,358.79 on hand with a debt of $25,357.27. Aura Vasquez has raised $118,222, maintains $17,747.52 on hand and carries a $1,816.38 debt. Eddie Anderson has raised $71,531, holds $4,268.64 on hand with a $17,795.50 debt. Taking debts into account both Jones Sawyer and Anderson are operating in the red.

“This campaign is about the people of Los Angeles, and I am incredibly grateful for the grassroots support that has brought us to this point,” Yoo commented. “Our message of holding government accountable, making the success of our communities a priority, and bringing real solutions to the challenges that have plagued us for far too long continues to gain momentum. I am honored by the trust our supporters have placed in our campaign.”

The Yoo campaign has been actively engaging with various communities across Los Angeles, conducting a series of coffee gatherings, community meetings, and listening sessions to better understand and address the diverse needs of the residents of Council District 10.

Looking ahead to the election, Yoo reaffirms her commitment to key issues such as public safety, addressing the root causes of homelessness, making Los Angeles more affordable, and prioritizing the people first at City Hall.