In February, Attorney Leo Terrell, representing residents in the 8th, 9th and 10th districts, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the outcome of the recent redistricting process.
He has also combined his lawsuit with the federal lawsuit brought by 5 Koreatown resident's upset over Council President Wessons controversial and possibly illegal handling of the redistricting process. Koreatown, tired of being a cash cow for CD10 Councilmembers campaign coffers, had wanted out of District 10 and unification and alignment with Eric Garcetti's district which contains Thai Town and Historic Filipinotown.
On Thursday March 22, Attorney Terrell sent out California Public Records Act requests to Wesson, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, each City Council member, and other government leaders - in an effort to find smoking gun evidence.
The lawsuit claims the redrawn boundaries benefited Council President Herb Wesson by strengthening the black voting block. Terrel claims it was meant to “ensure a guaranteed re-election” for Wesson who should be termed out but will be running for a 4th term claiming he only did a partial term when he initially took over the remainder of Councilmember Ludlow’s district. “Shame on this city when minorities disenfranchise minorities" Terrell an African American, recently told City Council. The plaintiffs live in the Hyde Park, Baldwin Hills, Florence, Gramercy Park, Leimert Park and Koreatown neighborhoods.
“We represent residents who don’t want to be political pawns,” Terrell said.
The new development proposed for Crenshaw and Rodeo is called “District Square.” Councilman Wesson and his staff have been working on this for several years. Stores being recruited have included Target, Marshall’s, Ross Dress for Less and other retail outlets, including full-service restaurants. It seems likely that a Target would include grocery sales, as they have been expanding in that area.
The city is in the process of developing and implementing a community plan for a large part of The Neighborhood News territory.
