No.

47 May 31, 1972

ELYSIAN PARK DEFENDERS-- Some of the pioneers in the seven-year effort to save Elysian Park are shown before recent monthly
Steering Committee meeting, during an interview with L.A. T1mes feature writer, Lynn Li I Iiston. Top row, from left: Joe Stermer,
Alberta Burke, Irene Ferguson, Marion Siu. Seated: Geneva Williams, secretary; Grace E. Simons, chairman; Margaret Heerdt, treasurer.
Picture by Times photographer, Judd Gunderson.
COUNCIL TO VOTE ON POLICE ACADEMY
"YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LAND! $25 million or 21 acres of Elysian Park!" This is an
ultimatum the police want placed on the November ballot in the form of a Charter Amend-
ment. Action on the Amendment is to be taken by the City Council Thursday, June 8.
The Council will be voting on a 4-1 recommendation of its Joint Committee to reject the
Charter Amendment proposal. Instead, the Committee approved a motion allowing three
years for relocation of the Police Academy. The vote was -- FOR: Edelman, Lorenzen,
Snyder, Stevenson; AGAINST: Ferraro.
THERE IS NO SUBSTANCE to police arguments against relocation. The $25 million
cost to taxpayers is make-believe. A comparison of official figures showed that the
move would cost only an additional $3 million -- not $25 million. Thereupon the police
began juggling their figures.
INCREDIBLY, the cost for the new academy in the park has shrunk by two-thirds,
from $15,100,000 to less than $5 million -- in one month! Correspondingly, estimates
for Villa Cabrini, one of the alternate sites, ballooned from 90 acres and $18 million
to 455 acres and $22 million. These figures do not take into account available Federal
grants. Nor do they reflect an added $3 million if 21 acres of land is slashed out of
the park. That's now State law, which replacement or payment for land taken.
PRESSURE on the Councilmen is intense. To win we need your support. Be at the
Council meeting, Room 340 City Hall, 10 a.m., if you can. If you can't, please write,
phone or telegraph your Councilman. Urge him to uphold the Joint Committee report, re-
jecting the ballot proposal and calling, instead, for relocation of the Police Academy
within three years.
NO on M; NO on J; YES on 9
NO on M -- Charter Amendment M means boss rule. It curbs citizen rights.
See enclosure. If you want copies, write or phone.
NO on J --Charter Amendment J, like M, is aimed at Recreation and Parks,
and Libraries. It permits raids on department funds. It makes bud-
geting meaningless. It is bad legislation.
more ...
CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO SAVE ELYSIAN PARK
.. MortonAve.;.Los Angeles, Calif. 90026/MA 5-8427
;.>.< ..: .
YES on 9 -- State Proposition 9 will help clear the air. It calls for
a moratorium on atomic plants, reduction of poisonous fumes from
automobiles and industrial plants, and restrictions on oil-drilling,
pesticides and conflict of interest on environmental control boards.
It merits support.
POLICE BUILDINGS HEAD FOR COURT TEST
THE CITY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED that a suit for a writ of mandate to prevent construc-
tion of three "temporary, relocatable" buildings adjacent to the Police Academy will be
riled in the near fUture. The "temporary" buildings are part of the police Master Plan
to take over the central portion of Elysian Park for police purposes. (See first article
above.) The court test was made necessary when the City Council rejected our Appeal, 8-4.
The majority supported us, but we needed 10 votes. Supporting the Appeal were: Bradley,
Braude, Edelman, Lorenzen, Russell, Snyder, Stevenson and Wachs. Bernardi and Mills left
before the vote was taken. Court cases are expensive. We need your help. Please con-
tribute generously.
COME -- TO CHINESE GOURMET BANQUET
MAKE A DATE with us for Saturday, July 15, at 5:30p.m. and help
build our Legal Fund. At Hong Kong Low Restaurant, 425 Gin Ling Way in
New Chinatown. A genuine nine-course Chinese complete with
Peking Duck. Ordered by Chinese gourmets, for gourmets, in any language.
Please send donation of $10 (per person) to Marion Siu, 1471 Avon Park
Terrace, L.A. 90026, as soon as possible. We must make reservations.
HELP DEFEAT GIVE-AWAY OF RECREATION CENTER
ON JUNE 5, the City Council will decide whether to take another bite out of
Elysian Park. This time it's the Elysian Recreation Center and its .surrounding acres,
worth about $750,000. Mayor Yorty wants to give it to the Board of Education for a Day
Care Center. If approved, area residents will lose a much needed Recreation Center,
and it will be costly for taxpayers. Besides, it's probably illegal. Please show up
at the Council Meeting Monday, June 5, at 10 a.m., and help defeat one more scheme to
grab land in Elysian Park.
BE SURE TO VOTE TUESDAY, JUNE 6 --NO on M; NO on J; YES on 9
DATED MATERIAL