Paparazzi Task Force

Councilmember LaBonge discusses the Los Angeles Regional Paparazzi Task Force on the steps of City Hall with Councilmember Dennis Zine, Sheriff Lee Baca, several other elected officials and actors.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge joined a phalanx of regional officials in an effort to protect celebrities and the public at large from the aggressive tactics of paparazzi. Councilmember Dennis Zine, a reserve officer in the Los Angeles Police Department, convened the Los Angeles Regional Paparazzi Task Force for all-day hearings at City Hall on July 31st.
"This is a regional issue, not just a Los Angeles issue," Councilmember LaBonge said. "The task force gives us a chance to get in a huddle, draw up a plan and come up with a win for all of us."
The task force heard testimony from elected officials throughout southern California as well as celebrities such as actor Eric Roberts and singer John Mayer. The task force will explore the possibility of regulating professional photographers with revocable credentials or imposing stiff penalties on those who violate existing traffic, and trespassing laws.

Griffith Park Bike Ride

Tom directs biking enthusiasts off the Los Angeles River Bike Path onto Riverside Drive at the halfway point of his second "Tour LaBonge" summer evening ride.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge continued “Tour LaBonge,” a series of summer evening bike rides by leading about 50 cyclists on a ten-mile route along the Los Angeles River Bike Path and through Griffith Park on July 30th. The Griffith Park Ride was the second in the Councilmember’s “Tour LaBonge,” a series of five Wednesday evening rides designed to instill strong personal health, promote non-polluting transportation and showcase some of his favorite spots in Los Angeles.

"We saw twelve herons and hundreds of ducks on the Los Angeles River," the councilmember marveled after the ride. "I encourage everyone to get out and see the city on a bike. You'll see so many wonderful things that you’ve never noticed before."

As part of his effort to promote biking, the councilmember also asked City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo for a legal opinion on including cyclists in a holiday light festival that had once been open only to automobile traffic. Last year, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Festival of Lights in Griffith Park allowed pedestrians and cyclist on specially designated evenings. The experiment was so successful, that the city is expanding the number of pedestrian evenings for the 2008 light display. In a letter dated July 28, 2008, the Councilmember said he wants to included cyclists on all evenings open to vehicles.

“I’d like to include bikes along with automobiles, but my first priority is to protect the safety of all who attend,” the councilmember’s letter said.

The councilmember’s next ride will tour downtown. It is another 10-mile ride that will leave City Hall on Wednesday, August 6 at 6:15p. It is open to the public and, like the others, will include a mid-way stop for ice cream.

Stan Chambers Day in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles City Council declared Friday, July 25 Stan Chambers Day to honor the legendary KTLA news anchor and reporter.

Councilmember LaBonge declared Friday, July 25th "Stan Chambers Day in the City of Los Angeles." The honor was bestowed upon the highly respected and widely known KTLA news anchor who has been a legend in local broadcasting for more than 60 years. "We're honored to have you here in City Hall today to thank you for all you do and have done for the City of Los Angeles," Councilmember LaBonge said. "You were the trusted reporter we watched at every major news event in my lifetime."
Six of Mr. Chambers 11 children, his wife Gigi and his grandson and fellow KTLA reporter Jamie Chambers were on hand in the John Ferraro Council Chambers. The councilmembers took turns recalling their favorite moments from Mr. Chambers long and continuing career. Those moments included the Kathy Fiscus well tragedy in 1949 to the Tournament of Roses parades and the assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
"When amateur videographer George Holliday wanted to turn over tape of a very unfortunate police event involving Rodney King, he went to the reporter he trusted most, Stan Chambers," Councilmember LaBonge said. Mr. Chambers smiled and waved to the packed council chambers.
"I am lucky to have worked for wonderful people at KTLA and covered a great city, Los Angeles," he said. Photos from the event can be seen in our photo gallery.

Tour LaBonge Bike Rides begin

Biking advocates Ingrid Peterson and Joe Linton join Councilmember LaBonge and his wife Brigid LaBonge on Fourth Street bike ride.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge launched “Tour LaBonge,” a series of summer evening bike rides, last night with about 50 bike enthusiasts. The six-mile bike ride followed the dedicated bicycle route on West Fourth Street in the Wilshire area. This ride, dubbed “Positively Fourth Street” for the 1967 Bob Dylan song, was the first of five rides the Councilmember will lead this summer to promote the many benefits of biking: easing traffic congestion on city streets, instilling good health and appreciating the cityscape.

“There is no better way to see and enjoy the city than from the seat of a bicycle,” said Councilmember LaBonge, a longtime bike enthusiast. “In European cities, you can ride a bicycle anywhere and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. I want Angelenos to have the same experience here.”

The ride began at Shatto Park at 6:15 and followed the dedicated bike route west to Cochran. At that point, bikers turned north for a quick pit stop at Fire Station 61 on Third St. On the way back, the riders stopped at the Baskin Robbins on Larchmont Boulevard where the councilmember treated everyone to a free ice cream cone.

Among the riders were Michelle Mowery, bicycle program coordinator for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation; Jennifer Klausner, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, several other bike advocates and Los Angeles Police Senior Lead Officer Tim Kim who led a police escort. The Councilmember has scheduled bike rides each Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. in different parts of Council District Four between now and August 20th . The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation is updating its Bicycle Master Plan, a process that includes the gathering and analysis of data on improving the city’s bike route system. More information on the master plan is available at labikeplan.org.

Miracle Mile Forum Pushes Subway to the Sea

Councilmember LaBonge joined Assemblymember Mike Feuer and transportation officials at the day-long, "Wilshire Corridor Forum III: Are We Ready for the Subway?"
About 75 business and community leaders from the Wilshire area said they're ready for the subway and want to see it funded. The councilmember said he supports a half-cent increase in the sales tax to fund the subway.
"It's going to be a long road to the subway down Wilshire, but we better get on it," the Councilmember said. "Hopefully people will see the need to make this half-cent investment. I'm going to vote for it and I hope everyone else does, too."
The sales tax initiative may be on the November ballot.

CD4 Serves Up Gratitude

CM LaBonge and Chief Legislative Analyst Avak Keotahian at the sixth annual CD4 City Staff Appreciation Barbecue

Councilmember LaBonge and his staff served up hamburgers, hot dogs and a pretty good time to about 500 city staffers at the sixth annual CD4 City Staff Appreciation Barbecue. The event, held at the Friendship Auditorium, is the brainchild of the Councilmember. He wanted to formally thank city staffers for responding quickly to calls from CD4 offices at all times of the night and day. "Sometimes, I have an idea for a Council Motion and stop at the home of Avak Keotahian of the Chief Legislative Analyst's office, don't I, Avak?" the councilmember said during brief remarks. "Yes, you do, sometimes as early as 6 a.m.," Mr. Keotahian said with a smile. Fire trucks, police cars and hybrid compacts with the city logo lined Riverside Drive during the 90-minute event. Inside, CD4 staffers and students from the Los Angeles Conservation Corps served barbecue fare. Great oldies tunes played on the stereo. And there was much hugging and shaking of hands.

LaBonge Summer Bike Rides

Shown: Demarcated bicycle-only lanes in Berlin, Germany.

Councilmember LaBonge Announced a series of Wednesday evening Summer Bike Rides this week. All rides will take place in Council District 4 and begin at 6:15p.m. on Wednesday nights.
The flier in the bottom right side of this page lists the locations of each ride. (Click on the flier to enlarge it.)
"I see more and more cyclists on Los Angeles streets and they've inspired me to make this a more bike-friendly city," the Councilmember said. "The best way to do that is to get out and ride the streets myself and I hope people join me."
The Councilmember began holding bike rides last summer, beginning with a six-mile ride along 4th St. in the Wilshire District, which was a lot of fun. The 2008 series of rides will again begin with a ride on 4th St. on Wednesday, June 23. Bikers will meet in the parking lot of Shatto Park, 3255 West 4th St., Los Angeles. The route will follow 4th St. to Park LaBrea and back.
Click on the icon below to hear Tom discuss his philosophy of biking in a recent hearing before the City Council's Transportation Committee.

Larry King Squared

Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Tom LaBonge gabbed with talk show legend Larry King on the dedication of Larry King Square on Thursday, July 17th. The corner of Sunset and Cahuenga boulevards in Hollywood is now fittingly named for the interviewer since his "Larry King Live" is broadcast from the CNN studios at that location at 9 p.m. nightly. CM LaBonge presented King with a loaf of his signature pumpkin bread, which is baked by nuns at the Monastery of the Angels in the Hollywood Hills. "As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, I always thought I'd like to have a street named after me," King said. "I always wished for a loaf of pumpkin bread, too. Now I have both." CM LaBonge called King "an angel in the City of Angels."