EDITORIAL HIGH-WIRE ACT BALANCING JOBS AND NEED FOR CLASSROOMS TAKES LEADERSHIP.CHILDREN need schools. L.A. needs jobs. Balancing those interests requires vision and leadership - two hot commodities generally lacking in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , a city that likes to bill itself as a 21st century world capital when it's really a national disgrace National Disgrace is a hip hop single, released on April 19, 2006, by the group Atmosphere. It was released on 12" vinyl. Track listing A Side
This is the core problem facing Los Angeles. Since no one in Los Angeles to date has articulated a coherent public policy for building schools, parks and affordable housing and regenerating neighborhoods, it's going to be tough for children the next few years. It's also going to be tough for people whose developments generate the jobs and wealth of the community. People like Daniel F. Selleck, brother of actor Tom Selleck and son of prominent developer Bob Selleck, who wants to build a $20 million commercial complex that would employ about 2,000 people in Panorama City. Too bad that the site he wants is also targeted by the Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. , which is desperately trying to pinpoint more than 100 sites to build schools. It's just one more potential hassle for the struggling LAUSD LAUSD Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA) as it tries to deal with the legacy of a generation of incompetent leadership. Because the district didn't do its job for decades, it's now trying to play catch- up in crisis mode. But just as kids grow up, life moves on and people and developers move forward with plans to develop property, attract businesses and spur economic growth and jobs. The last thing the district needs is another protracted pro·tract tr.v. pro·tract·ed, pro·tract·ing, pro·tracts 1. To draw out or lengthen in time; prolong: disputants who needlessly protracted the negotiations. 2. property war, when it's still at war over the Ambassador Hotel, is embroiled em·broil tr.v. em·broiled, em·broil·ing, em·broils 1. To involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions: "Avoid . . . in a fight over the Robinsons-May headquarters in North Hollywood, and is haunted by the Belmont Learning Complex lobby. Perhaps Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. , who has done a lot for L.A. schools in the past and who supports public education, will step forward again and convene a summit that brings L.A.'s best minds together with city and school officials to hash out Verb 1. hash out - speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion; "We discussed our household budget" talk over, discuss guidelines for balancing competing interests. The state and the city are flush with money to build schools and parks and regenerate neighborhoods. What does it get L.A.? Nothing. No schools. No development. No jobs. No parks. No neighborhoods regenerated. So where are the five candidates for mayor on this issue? Where is their plan to push school construction to the head of the class while protecting the interests of individuals and neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for all the people of Los Angeles? Los Angeles is waiting for leadership. Where is it? |
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