NELA Lives!

Yours truly attended the early Friday morning meeting of the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee to see what democracy held in store for Northeast Los Angeles & the Southwest Museum.

In an impressive display of organizational ability, the Friends of the Southwest Museum were able to muster about 50 people at 8:45 in the morning at City Hall on two days notice. Politicians take note of this ability, particularly after the same group was able to organize an effective campaign and turnout for the City Hall vote to assert jurisdiction on Monday, just a few days before.

Having said all of that, it was clear during the public hearing that the Autry, with their substantial financial and political resources, have the Chair of the Committee, Tom LaBonge, firmly in their camp on this issue. After all, the Autry is in his District.  It was equally clear from the comments made by the Museum’s CEO, Daniel Finley, that he in not fond of Councilman Ed Reyes (and by implication Jose Huizar), as he attempted to get the City Attorney to enforce his vision of what the hearing was about.

Reluctantly, Councilman LaBonge had to remind Mr. Finley that the City Attorney was at the Committee meeting as legal advisor to the City, not the Autry and Mr. Finley. Personally, I couldn’t tell if Mr. Finley is simply as arrogant and officious as he appeared to be at the hearing, or if he is simply irritated at this latest demonstration of political ability by the Friends to get the City Council to force a hearing, or if he’s just cranky because attendance & revenues at the Autry are down and they need this new exhibit to boost advertising and attendance. Having never met Mr. Finley before, I let you take your pick.

As reported elsewhere, the hearing resulted in a 1-1 tie between CD4 and CD1, with the Chair having the upper hand of being able to control the process. Councilman Herb Wesson was unable to attend due to a scheduling problem and the late notice. At this point, the Chair may do a procedural maneuver or there may be another meeting (not hearing) of the full committee to break the tie.

I came away from the meeting with two new viewpoints. First, Councilman Ed Reyes is seriously engaged in this issue of the Southwest Museum, and his passion (not to mention his willingness to call the State legislature to exert influence) even warmed the cockles of my heart, old cynic or not.

Second, and maybe I’m wrong because Tom LaBonge is a very difficult politician to read, I thought I saw recognition by Mr. LaBonge that this issue is a really no kidding super divisive one of power, diversity, and an awakening sense of the residents of Northeast LA that they have been on the short end of the stick for too long in this City of the Angels.

On the instant issue, don’t misunderstand — Councilman LaBonge is firmly on the side of the Autry that the action in question is a ministerial rather than a legislative one, and that there was just enough due process to pass muster.

At the same time, I believe that I heard Mr. LaBonge express an honest willingness to work with Council members Reyes and Huizar to try and broker some sort of resolution to this ongoing war. That would be really cool and I hope I did not misread my hope into the professional platitudes of a politician.

I certainly pray that my hope is correct, because the Friends of the Southwest Museum aren’t going anywhere, and I have no doubt that if the matter is not sent back to the Board of Commissioners of Recreation and Parks, it will wind up in litigation.