latimes--2020-01-10--L.A.-area residents flock to Taiwan to vote in 'do or die' presidential election

As Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen finished her stump speech , Wendy Yang hopped up and down , shaking a campaign flag and grinning from ear to ear .
“ Elect Tsai !
Elect Tsai !
” the Torrance resident shouted along with a crowd of hundreds hoping to see the president win a second term when voters across Taiwan go to the polls Saturday .
Next to Yang in the front row at the Wednesday rally in Taoyuan , just west of Taipei , Taiwan ’ s capital , were other Californians who had flown across the Pacific to cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine the island ’ s relationship to China for the next four years , with Hong Kong ’ s pro-democracy protests looming as a backdrop .
Though they have lived in the U.S. for decades , Yang and the nearly 150 people in the Friends of Tsai Overseas group maintain dual citizenship and a deep emotional investment in Taiwan , which transitioned from authoritarian rule to democracy in the 1990s .
Supporters of the Kuomintang political party , also known as KMT or the Nationalist Party , also have arrived in force from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Han Kuo-yu , 62 , mayor of the international port city of Kaohsiung , who favors closer ties to China than Tsai ’ s Democratic Progressive Party , or DPP .
According to the U.S. census , more than 300,000 people in Southern California identify as Taiwanese American , which is probably an undercount because some with roots on the island consider themselves Chinese .
A KMT advisor estimates that the turnout for voters returning from overseas is about 20,000 for his party alone , with many hailing from California .
Leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles on the two major Taiwanese airlines , China Airlines and EVA Air , have been full and cost more than usual , occupied by voters as well as travelers spending the upcoming Lunar New Year in Taiwan .
On an island of 23 million people , expatriates are unlikely to sway the election .
But Taiwanese say they are inspired by the dedication of those who traveled halfway around the world to vote .
“ This is as important to us as the American presidential election , if not more , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles .
“ Taiwan is such a small country .
If we as Taiwanese don ’ t care about our future , who will ?
” Wu , who endorses Tsai , said longtime U.S. citizens return to Taiwan to vote because they have experienced American democracy and want the same for their homeland .
Like many other immigrants in Southern California , Taiwanese expatriates keep close tabs on events back home .
As the Saturday election approaches , many are tuning in to Taiwanese television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mudslinging and talking-head analysis .
Both parties agree that Taiwan ’ s future is at stake but differ on who should lead it , a political gulf as profound as America ’ s red-blue divide .
Tsai , 63 , a U.S.- and London-educated former law professor who became Taiwan ’ s first female president in 2016 , has a substantial lead in public opinion polls , with James Soong of the center-right People First Party a distant third .
The KMT is hoping for a Trump-like turnaround to prove the polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her work as an attorney to lead the Friends of Tsai Overseas group , whose members paid up to $ 1,300 each for a seven-day campaign tour for Tsai around the island .
As a junior high student , Yang marched in protests in Taipei against martial law before moving to California in 1992 .
She is involved in U.S. politics as a Trump supporter who attends a monthly South Bay Republican discussion group .
If Han , the KMT candidate , wins , she fears that Taiwan ’ s hard-won political freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views the self-governing island as a renegade province and is eager to reclaim it .
“ It ’ s dangerous for democracy , for the people , for the economy , to be so closely tied to China , ” said Yang , 43 .
“ Taiwan belongs to the world , not China.
” But in Taipei , the day after the rally in Taoyuan for Tsai , several Southern California residents supporting Han emerged from a subway station , announcing that they had come straight from the airport .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taipei through the roof , they had found cheaper tickets by changing planes in the Chinese city of Xiamen to arrive just in time for a giant Han rally .
As Han supporters streamed past , waving red , white and blue KMT flags and decked out in KMT hats , T-shirts and face tattoos , the California group described the election as “ do or die ” for maintaining economic development and avoiding conflict with China .
In nearly four years as president , Tsai has damaged relations with China and curtailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at restricting Chinese infiltration , said Jim , 70 , a member of the California contingent from the South Bay who did not want to give his full name because it would endanger his job .
Jim believes that Tsai wants to declare independence from China — though she does not explicitly say it — a stance that could cause China to attack .
Chanel Lee of Chino , president of the Taiwan Benevolent Assn .
of America , a pro-KMT organization that claims thousands of members , welcomed the California arrivals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago and elsewhere to pose for photos behind a red and blue banner , holding up two fingers to indicate Han ’ s “ No .
2 '' ballot number .
Lee , who wore a KMT bandanna around her neck , had tried to reserve seats near the stage , but others had beaten her to it , camping out since early that morning .
So the group , which had thinned to a handful of people as some split off in the increasingly congested streets , staked out an area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clutching their banner , which indicated they were from overseas and drew attention from passersby .
“ Thank you for coming back !
” said a man with two KMT flags tucked between his shoulders .
When Han took the stage four hours later , he began by thanking supporters who had journeyed from abroad .
“ I know it was difficult for everyone to get here .
Buying round-trip tickets probably cost thousands of dollars , ” he said .
“ We are really , really moved by this kind of enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you.
” Lee , a retired skin-care saleswoman , moved to California 32 years ago so that her children could have an American education .
She votes in U.S. presidential elections but acknowledges that she is more passionate about Taiwanese politics .
Under Tsai , Taiwanese people are struggling , and Taiwan has lost some of its few diplomatic allies as China intensified a campaign to win over those countries , Lee said .
Because China does not acknowledge Taiwan as independent , nations can have diplomatic relations only with one or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen China and its economic clout .
Although Taiwan ’ s economy under Tsai has experienced its fastest growth in two decades , and the island has benefited from the U.S.-China trade war , per capita incomes haven ’ t kept pace with the boom .
“ We ’ ve become very isolated , ” Lee said .
“ Tsai has done a bad job and should step down .
The economy isn ’ t good .
People ’ s lives aren ’ t good.
” The ongoing street protests in Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , particularly young people , said Abraham Wen-Shang Chu , who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles .
TECO performs the functions of a consulate but operates under an ambiguous name because China does not allow full diplomatic recognition for Taiwan .
Last January , Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the “ one country , two systems ” model of Hong Kong is the only acceptable path for Taiwan .
Neither the KMT nor the DPP supports that structure , with the unrest in Hong Kong highlighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see their peers , so many university students of the same age put themselves in front of danger , it makes them think a little bit more deeply about politics and the importance of showing your voice , ” Chu said of young voters .
Chu said he has heard of older voters in their 80s and 90s braving the 14-hour flight to vote because they grew up in a Taiwan that was not free and “ treasure the fact that a democracy exists.
” “ We don ’ t want Taiwan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim Wu , 69 , a retired information technology specialist from Walnut , said at the Taoyuan rally for Tsai on Wednesday .
Jerome Chen , 67 , of Hacienda Heights helped the Friends of Tsai Overseas group score their front-row seats with connections built from leading a California contingent every four years since Taiwan ’ s first presidential election in 1996 .
“ When we went to the U.S. , we experienced liberty , ” said Chen , a retired clothing importer .
“ We want to do everything American style .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Clad in lime green windbreakers , the group has traveled around Taiwan this week , knocking on doors and cheering at rallies .
Most are from the San Gabriel Valley , with others from Orange County , San Diego , Fresno and San Jose .
Before Tsai took the stage , an emcee led the crowd in a Taiwanese folk song .
In the California section , a man in a black baseball hat sang along , tears streaming down his face .
Special correspondent Ralph Jennings and Times staff writer Jennifer @ @ @ @ @ @

Torrance resident Wendy Yang leads the Friends of Tsai Overseas group during a rally in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in support of President Tsai Ing-wen’s reelection bid.
As Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen finished her stump speech, Wendy Yang hopped up and down, shaking a campaign flag and grinning from ear to ear.
“Elect Tsai! Elect Tsai!” the Torrance resident shouted along with a crowd of hundreds hoping to see the president win a second term when voters across Taiwan go to the polls Saturday.
Next to Yang in the front row at the Wednesday rally in Taoyuan, just west of Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, were other Californians who had flown across the Pacific to cast their votes in an election that will determine the island’s relationship to China for the next four years, with Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests looming as a backdrop.
Though they have lived in the U.S. for decades, Yang and the nearly 150 people in the Friends of Tsai Overseas group maintain dual citizenship and a deep emotional investment in Taiwan, which transitioned from authoritarian rule to democracy in the 1990s.
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Supporters of the Kuomintang political party, also known as KMT or the Nationalist Party, also have arrived in force from California to cast ballots for their candidate, Han Kuo-yu, 62, mayor of the international port city of Kaohsiung, who favors closer ties to China than Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at a rally in Taoyuan. (Chris Stowers / For The Times)
According to the U.S. census, more than 300,000 people in Southern California identify as Taiwanese American, which is probably an undercount because some with roots on the island consider themselves Chinese.
A KMT advisor estimates that the turnout for voters returning from overseas is about 20,000 for his party alone, with many hailing from California. Leading up to the election, seats from Los Angeles on the two major Taiwanese airlines, China Airlines and EVA Air, have been full and cost more than usual, occupied by voters as well as travelers spending the upcoming Lunar New Year in Taiwan.
On an island of 23 million people, expatriates are unlikely to sway the election. But Taiwanese say they are inspired by the dedication of those who traveled halfway around the world to vote.
“This is as important to us as the American presidential election, if not more,” said Ken Wu, secretary-general of the Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. “Taiwan is such a small country. If we as Taiwanese don’t care about our future, who will?”
Wu, who endorses Tsai, said longtime U.S. citizens return to Taiwan to vote because they have experienced American democracy and want the same for their homeland.
“This is as important to us as the American presidential election, if not more,” said Ken Wu, secretary-general of the Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Like many other immigrants in Southern California, Taiwanese expatriates keep close tabs on events back home. As the Saturday election approaches, many are tuning in to Taiwanese television stations broadcasting nonstop coverage of campaign rallies, mudslinging and talking-head analysis.
Both parties agree that Taiwan’s future is at stake but differ on who should lead it, a political gulf as profound as America’s red-blue divide.
Tsai, 63, a U.S.- and London-educated former law professor who became Taiwan’s first female president in 2016, has a substantial lead in public opinion polls, with James Soong of the center-right People First Party a distant third. The KMT is hoping for a Trump-like turnaround to prove the polls wrong.
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Yang took time off from her work as an attorney to lead the Friends of Tsai Overseas group, whose members paid up to $1,300 each for a seven-day campaign tour for Tsai around the island.
As a junior high student, Yang marched in protests in Taipei against martial law before moving to California in 1992. She is involved in U.S. politics as a Trump supporter who attends a monthly South Bay Republican discussion group.
Supporters of presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu at a rally in Taipei. (Chris Stowers / For The Times)
If Han, the KMT candidate, wins, she fears that Taiwan’s hard-won political freedoms will be eroded by China, which views the self-governing island as a renegade province and is eager to reclaim it.
“It’s dangerous for democracy, for the people, for the economy, to be so closely tied to China,” said Yang, 43. “Taiwan belongs to the world, not China.”
But in Taipei, the day after the rally in Taoyuan for Tsai, several Southern California residents supporting Han emerged from a subway station, announcing that they had come straight from the airport.
With the price of direct flights from L.A. to Taipei through the roof, they had found cheaper tickets by changing planes in the Chinese city of Xiamen to arrive just in time for a giant Han rally.
As Han supporters streamed past, waving red, white and blue KMT flags and decked out in KMT hats, T-shirts and face tattoos, the California group described the election as “do or die” for maintaining economic development and avoiding conflict with China.
Members of the Friends of Tsai Overseas at a rally in Taoyuan. (Chris Stowers / For The Times)
In nearly four years as president, Tsai has damaged relations with China and curtailed freedom of speech with recent legislation aimed at restricting Chinese infiltration, said Jim, 70, a member of the California contingent from the South Bay who did not want to give his full name because it would endanger his job.
Jim believes that Tsai wants to declare independence from China — though she does not explicitly say it — a stance that could cause China to attack.
Chanel Lee of Chino, president of the Taiwan Benevolent Assn. of America, a pro-KMT organization that claims thousands of members, welcomed the California arrivals, who joined others from Miami, Washington, Chicago and elsewhere to pose for photos behind a red and blue banner, holding up two fingers to indicate Han’s “No. 2” ballot number.
Lee, who wore a KMT bandanna around her neck, had tried to reserve seats near the stage, but others had beaten her to it, camping out since early that morning.
So the group, which had thinned to a handful of people as some split off in the increasingly congested streets, staked out an area toward the back of the crowd, clutching their banner, which indicated they were from overseas and drew attention from passersby.
Local news reports estimated that 400,000 people attended the rally.
“Welcome, welcome!” a woman said.
Members of the Taiwan Benevolent Assn. of America, who traveled to Taiwan from across the U.S., rally for presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu. (Chris Stowers / For The Times)
“Thank you for coming back!” said a man with two KMT flags tucked between his shoulders.
When Han took the stage four hours later, he began by thanking supporters who had journeyed from abroad.
“I know it was difficult for everyone to get here. Buying round-trip tickets probably cost thousands of dollars,” he said. “We are really, really moved by this kind of enthusiasm, and we really, really thank you.”
Lee, a retired skin-care saleswoman, moved to California 32 years ago so that her children could have an American education. She votes in U.S. presidential elections but acknowledges that she is more passionate about Taiwanese politics.
Under Tsai, Taiwanese people are struggling, and Taiwan has lost some of its few diplomatic allies as China intensified a campaign to win over those countries, Lee said. Because China does not acknowledge Taiwan as independent, nations can have diplomatic relations only with one or the other, not both. Most have chosen China and its economic clout.
Although Taiwan’s economy under Tsai has experienced its fastest growth in two decades, and the island has benefited from the U.S.-China trade war, per capita incomes haven’t kept pace with the boom.
“We’ve become very isolated,” Lee said. “Tsai has done a bad job and should step down. The economy isn’t good. People’s lives aren’t good.”
The ongoing street protests in Hong Kong against Chinese control have resonated with Taiwanese Americans, particularly young people, said Abraham Wen-Shang Chu, who heads the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles. TECO performs the functions of a consulate but operates under an ambiguous name because China does not allow full diplomatic recognition for Taiwan.
Last January, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the “one country, two systems” model of Hong Kong is the only acceptable path for Taiwan.
Neither the KMT nor the DPP supports that structure, with the unrest in Hong Kong highlighting its potential shortcomings.
Han Kuo-yu, center, at a rally in Taipei. (Chris Stowers / For The Times)
“When they see their peers, so many university students of the same age put themselves in front of danger, it makes them think a little bit more deeply about politics and the importance of showing your voice,” Chu said of young voters.
Chu said he has heard of older voters in their 80s and 90s braving the 14-hour flight to vote because they grew up in a Taiwan that was not free and “treasure the fact that a democracy exists.”
“We don’t want Taiwan to be a second Hong Kong,” Kim Wu, 69, a retired information technology specialist from Walnut, said at the Taoyuan rally for Tsai on Wednesday.
Jerome Chen, 67, of Hacienda Heights helped the Friends of Tsai Overseas group score their front-row seats with connections built from leading a California contingent every four years since Taiwan’s first presidential election in 1996.
“When we went to the U.S., we experienced liberty,” said Chen, a retired clothing importer. “We want to do everything American style. The KMT likes to be like China.”
Clad in lime green windbreakers, the group has traveled around Taiwan this week, knocking on doors and cheering at rallies. Most are from the San Gabriel Valley, with others from Orange County, San Diego, Fresno and San Jose.
Before Tsai took the stage, an emcee led the crowd in a Taiwanese folk song. In the California section, a man in a black baseball hat sang along, tears streaming down his face.
Special correspondent Ralph Jennings and Times staff writer Jennifer Lu contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-10--Column: They signed a contract on a Papa John's franchise. Then came the founder's racist remarks

It seemed like a good idea three years ago , when Jarvis and Josslyn Young first considered opening a Papa John ’ s pizza franchise in South Los Angeles .
The View Park couple — he ’ s an aerospace engineer , she ’ s a real estate broker — figured it would help support their growing family , bring a fresh dining option to a neglected neighborhood and satisfy Jarvis ’ craving for the pizza he ’ d loved since he was a UCLA student two decades ago .
Because Papa John ’ s didn ’ t deliver to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making evening runs to the Culver City outlet , toting an insulated box to keep his pizza hot .
“ We started thinking about how nice it would be to have one nearby , then to the idea that maybe we could own one , ” he said .
“ The next thing we knew , we were on our way ” to Louisville , Ky. , for the training to become franchisees .
Papa John ’ s was riding high back then .
It was the official pizza of the NFL , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Youngs signed on in 2017 .
But the ink was barely dry on their franchise contract when racially offensive remarks by Papa John founder and Chief Executive John Schnatter turned the pizza chain into a national pariah .
In November 2017 , Schnatter launched a tirade against the NFL for not cracking down on players ’ take-a-knee protests against police brutality .
He blamed his chain ’ s declining pizza sales on the turmoil the protests provoked .
Schnatter didn ’ t single out black players , but we knew what he meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrogance : The protests should have been “ nipped in the bud , ” he said , to avoid “ polarizing the customer.
” The furor his remarks generated forced Schnatter to step down as CEO .
But several months later , as chairman of Papa John ’ s board , he drew fire again for using a vile racial epithet on a conference call that had been convened to help clean up his image .
When asked how he would distance himself from racist groups online during the recorded call , Schnatter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Colonel Sanders called blacks … , ” using the n-word , and escaped public backlash , he claimed .
Once his language became public , Schnatter apologized , resigned from the board and severed his ties with the pizza chain he ’ d launched 35 years ago in his father ’ s bar .
By the time the second scandal broke in the summer of 2018 , the Youngs were already in business .
But the n-word episode reignited fury and customers stopped coming .
Their sales dropped immediately , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered backing out of the franchise deal when Schnatter made the comment .
“ I knew why people were angry , ” Jarvis said .
“ We felt the same way ... .
We would never want to be connected to something so disrespectful , something racist.
” But they had made a high-stakes commitment and couldn ’ t afford to lose the money they ’ d already invested .
The franchising fee alone was $ 25,000 , and other costs could exceed $ 300,000 .
They took to heart Papa John ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisively to dump Schnatter , added NBA legend and former Laker to its corporate board and promised to support new franchisees .
Ultimately , the couple realized this was about more than pizza or profit .
They ’ d both grown up in nearby Inglewood and wanted to be local role models , “ to show that you can come from disadvantage and own your own business , chart your own course , ” as Jarvis put it .
“ We thought about this as a test of our personal philosophy , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , or do you see it through ?
” So while white supremacist websites were calling Papa John ’ s the “ official pizza of the alt-right , ” Jarvis and Josslyn Young were setting up shop in a black neighborhood and hoping customers would have their back .
The Youngs ’ store opened in February 2018 in a cramped strip mall on Crenshaw Boulevard near Hyde Park .
Josslyn willed herself to be optimistic .
She scoured the neighborhood for local hires .
On social media she posted cheery “ Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was swift and harsh .
“ There were so many nasty comments , ” she recalled .
“ Don ’ t bring that racist company to our area .
Why would black people want to own a franchise of racists ?
” The ferocity of the attacks stunned her .
“ I had no idea what this would do to our business , ” she said .
“ I was actually pretty excited , thinking that once people saw our faces , we could make this thing turn around.
” But when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut her down .
“ They kind of looked at me like , ‘ Papa John ’ s ?
Are you kidding ?
’ ” Some of her friends eventually lent support , but the community ’ s outrage was loud and prolonged .
The Youngs were cast as turncoats , propping up a company now known for the bigotry and bluster of its former leader , not its signature pizza .
People threw rocks at their delivery trucks and harassed their drivers .
“ They were cussing and honking their horns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community !
We don ’ t want you here !
’ ” Josslyn recalled .
“ Boycott Papa John ’ s ” became an agenda item at community meetings .
The Youngs would show up and make their case to angry neighbors .
Most agreed not to call for a boycott but said they would never patronize their place .
“ It ’ s been frustrating , ” Josslyn admitted as she worked the counter in a Santa hat last month , one week before she was scheduled to give birth to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been on the grind for 22 months now .
And some days it does feel as if a turnaround is on the horizon .
New customers continue to trickle in .
Strangers admire their commitment to hiring locals that other businesses won ’ t , including recovering addicts and ex-convicts .
Neighbors appreciate their donations to schools and community groups , and the toy giveaway and Santa visit they host every December .
“ We ’ re moving past it , ” Josslyn told me as she handed out gifts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a way that was our goal from the jump : Serving the community.
” The entire company bore the brunt of Schnatter ’ s remarks .
About a quarter of Papa John ’ s franchises failed to turn a profit last year , analysts said .
New CEO Rob Lynch , who took the reins in August , told me the company is spending $ 40 million to help struggling franchisees .
“ They ’ re losing school lunch accounts because school districts don ’ t want to be affiliated with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Schnatter ] did , ” Lynch said .
And in the irony of unintended consequences , the fallout was particularly harsh for black employees and franchisees like the Youngs .
“ We have African American employees working in a lot of our restaurants , ” Lynch said .
“ We feel bad when they can ’ t even wear their uniforms to work and be proud of the company .
They didn ’ t do anything to deserve that.
” That ’ s what persuaded Shaquille O ’ Neal to get involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a fan of Papa John ’ s pizza since college .
After Schnatter left the company , O ’ Neal reached out and asked to join the board .
He also invested in nine Atlanta franchises .
“ These franchisees put their heart and soul into this business , ” he told me .
“ It ’ s not fair that they ’ re affected by what this one man said.
” I asked Shaq the same question the Youngs ’ neighbors asked them .
How does he handle the criticism his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : You ’ re a sellout , a lackey , an apologist for racism .
“ I heard it a lot , ” he acknowledged .
“ People say , ‘ Man , what are you doing ?
’ I just try to explain , it ’ s under new leadership , it ’ s a different board , we ’ re going to make sure this never happens again.
” That ’ s a noble promise , but one that ’ s hard to keep .
You can ’ t clean out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biases that animate our actions on the job .
Ask Starbucks or Nordstrom or Sephora .
On any given day , any company might be just one rude clerk or tone-deaf CEO away from notoriety that ’ s hard to move past in today ’ s unforgiving cancel culture .
I understand the impulse to wipe Papa John ’ s off the map .
I could add it to the list of companies I don ’ t patronize and shows I won ’ t watch .
But I also feel encouraged by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message that angry customers sent .
I know that despite the textbook-perfect corporate response , the psychic pain that lingers on the streets is hard to disperse .
People I talked to at the Christmas party who patronize the Youngs ’ shop didn ’ t want to give their names ; that reflects the depth of the anger that still surrounds them .
At this point , boycotting is counterproductive and apt to discourage other would-be business owners , they say .
The bad man is gone .
The pizza is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are almost 2 years old .
Influential folks are offering support .
When a in a black community newspaper , the Los Angeles Standard , drew snarky comments on social media , publisher Jason Lewis came to their defense : “ We should get behind the Youngs because they are exactly what we complain that we don ’ t have in our communities , ” Lewis wrote .
“ They stepped up , took the risk , and put their money where their mouth is.
” Still , I can ’ t help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date .
Can you punish the guilty yet insulate the innocent from blame ?
How long does it take for a stain to fade ?
I was thinking of that as I left my visit to the Youngs ’ Papa John ’ s with a pizza in hand .
I ’ d never tasted the brand .
I stopped by my daughter ’ s to share it with my pizza-loving son-in-law .
He took one look at the box and laughed .
“ It ’ s the n-word pizza , ” he called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gobbled it up .

It seemed like a good idea three years ago, when Jarvis and Josslyn Young first considered opening a Papa John’s pizza franchise in South Los Angeles.
The View Park couple — he’s an aerospace engineer, she’s a real estate broker — figured it would help support their growing family, bring a fresh dining option to a neglected neighborhood and satisfy Jarvis’ craving for the pizza he’d loved since he was a UCLA student two decades ago.
For the record: The headline has been changed to more accurately reflect the local debate surrounding the opening of a Papa John’s franchise. The column has been updated to reflect comments from John Schnatter, Papa John’s founder and former chief executive.
Because Papa John’s didn’t deliver to their neighborhood, Jarvis had spent years making evening runs to the Culver City outlet, toting an insulated box to keep his pizza hot.
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“We started thinking about how nice it would be to have one nearby, then to the idea that maybe we could own one,” he said. “The next thing we knew, we were on our way” to Louisville, Ky., for the training to become franchisees.
Papa John’s was riding high back then. It was the official pizza of the NFL, with legions of devotees, when the Youngs signed on in 2017.
But the ink was barely dry on their franchise contract when racially offensive remarks by Papa John founder and Chief Executive John Schnatter turned the pizza chain into a national pariah.
In November 2017, Schnatter launched a tirade against the NFL for not cracking down on players’ take-a-knee protests against police brutality. He blamed his chain’s declining pizza sales on the turmoil the protests provoked.
Schnatter didn’t single out black players, but we knew what he meant. I remember feeling outraged by his arrogance: The protests should have been “nipped in the bud,” he said, to avoid “polarizing the customer.”
The furor his remarks generated forced Schnatter to step down as CEO. But several months later, as chairman of Papa John’s board, he drew fire again for using a vile racial epithet on a conference call that had been convened to help clean up his image.
Advertisement
When asked how he would distance himself from racist groups online during the recorded call, Schnatter complained that he was being unfairly scrutinized. “Colonel Sanders called blacks …,” using the n-word, and escaped public backlash, he claimed.
Once his language became public, Schnatter apologized, resigned from the board and severed his ties with the pizza chain he’d launched 35 years ago in his father’s bar.
In a letter to The Times following publication of this column, Schnatter said his comments were mischaracterized. He said he did not launch a tirade but criticized the NFL for “poor leadership” and said “there was never a whiff of bias or prejudice in my comments.” He claimed the use of the n-word during the call was a paraphrase of a third party. He noted his “disgust for the use” of the word.
◆
By the time the second scandal broke in the summer of 2018, the Youngs were already in business. The n-word episode reignited fury and customers stopped coming. Their sales dropped immediately, by more than one-third.
The Youngs had considered backing out of the franchise deal when Schnatter made the comment. “I knew why people were angry,” Jarvis said. “We felt the same way.... We would never want to be connected to something so disrespectful, something racist,” he said of the controversy.
Josslyn Young during a Christmas toy giveaway outside the Papa John’s pizza franchise she and Jarvis opened in February 2018. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
But they had made a high-stakes commitment and couldn’t afford to lose the money they’d already invested. The franchising fee alone was $25,000, and other costs could exceed $300,000.
They took to heart Papa John’s response: The company had moved decisively to dump Schnatter, added NBA legend and former Laker Shaquille O’Neal to its corporate board and promised to support new franchisees.
Ultimately, the couple realized this was about more than pizza or profit. They’d both grown up in nearby Inglewood and wanted to be local role models, “to show that you can come from disadvantage and own your own business, chart your own course,” as Jarvis put it.
“We thought about this as a test of our personal philosophy,” he said. “Do you fold up, or do you see it through?”
So while white supremacist websites were calling Papa John’s the “official pizza of the alt-right,” Jarvis and Josslyn Young were setting up shop in a black neighborhood and hoping customers would have their back.
◆
The Youngs’ store opened in February 2018 in a cramped strip mall on Crenshaw Boulevard near Hyde Park. Josslyn willed herself to be optimistic. She scoured the neighborhood for local hires. On social media she posted cheery “Grand Opening” invites.
But the response was swift and harsh. “There were so many nasty comments,” she recalled. “Don’t bring that racist company to our area. Why would black people want to own a franchise of racists?”
The ferocity of the attacks stunned her. “I had no idea what this would do to our business,” she said. “I was actually pretty excited, thinking that once people saw our faces, we could make this thing turn around.”
But when she shared that excitement with friends, they shut her down. “They kind of looked at me like, ‘Papa John’s? Are you kidding?’”
Some of her friends eventually lent support, but the community’s outrage was loud and prolonged.
The Youngs were cast as turncoats, propping up a company now known for the bigotry and bluster of its former leader, not its signature pizza.
Franchisees Jarvis Young and Josslyn Young had considered backing out of the deal after ex-CEO John Schnatter’s racist remarks. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
People threw rocks at their delivery trucks and harassed their drivers. “They were cussing and honking their horns, saying, ‘Get out of the community! We don’t want you here!’” Josslyn recalled.
“Boycott Papa John’s” became an agenda item at community meetings. The Youngs would show up and make their case to angry neighbors. Most agreed not to call for a boycott but said they would never patronize their place.
“It’s been frustrating,” Josslyn admitted as she worked the counter in a Santa hat last month, one week before she was scheduled to give birth to the couple’s third child.
They’ve been on the grind for 22 months now. And some days it does feel as if a turnaround is on the horizon. New customers continue to trickle in.
Strangers admire their commitment to hiring locals that other businesses won’t, including recovering addicts and ex-convicts. Neighbors appreciate their donations to schools and community groups, and the toy giveaway and Santa visit they host every December.
“We’re moving past it,” Josslyn told me as she handed out gifts at the Christmas party. “Doing things in a way that was our goal from the jump: Serving the community.”
Khamill McDonald, 8, and Amyricle McDonald, 5, at a Christmas toy giveaway at the Youngs’ pizza outlet in South L.A. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
◆
The entire company bore the brunt of Schnatter’s remarks. About a quarter of Papa John’s franchises failed to turn a profit last year, analysts said. New CEO Rob Lynch, who took the reins in August, told me the company is spending $40 million to help struggling franchisees.
“They’re losing school lunch accounts because school districts don’t want to be affiliated with our brand anymore, because of what John [Schnatter] did,” Lynch said.
And in the irony of unintended consequences, the fallout was particularly harsh for black employees and franchisees like the Youngs.
“We have African American employees working in a lot of our restaurants,” Lynch said. “We feel bad when they can’t even wear their uniforms to work and be proud of the company. They didn’t do anything to deserve that.”
That’s what persuaded Shaquille O’Neal to get involved. Like Jarvis Young, Shaq has been a fan of Papa John’s pizza since college. After Schnatter left the company, O’Neal reached out and asked to join the board. He also invested in nine Atlanta franchises.
“These franchisees put their heart and soul into this business,” he told me. “It’s not fair that they’re affected by what this one man said.”
I asked Shaq the same question the Youngs’ neighbors asked them. How does he handle the criticism his role with Papa John’s provokes: You’re a sellout, a lackey, an apologist for racism.
“I heard it a lot,” he acknowledged. “People say, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ I just try to explain, it’s under new leadership, it’s a different board, we’re going to make sure this never happens again.”
That’s a noble promise, but one that’s hard to keep. You can’t clean out all the bigots or scrub away the biases that animate our actions on the job.
Ask Starbucks or Nordstrom or Sephora. On any given day, any company might be just one rude clerk or tone-deaf CEO away from notoriety that’s hard to move past in today’s unforgiving cancel culture.
I understand the impulse to wipe Papa John’s off the map. I could add it to the list of companies I don’t patronize and shows I won’t watch. But I also feel encouraged by the remedies they took — and empowered by the message that angry customers sent.
I know that despite the textbook-perfect corporate response, the psychic pain that lingers on the streets is hard to disperse.
People I talked to at the Christmas party who patronize the Youngs’ shop didn’t want to give their names; that reflects the depth of the anger that still surrounds them.
At this point, boycotting is counterproductive and apt to discourage other would-be business owners, they say. The bad man is gone. The pizza is good. And the company’s transgressions are almost 2 years old.
Influential folks are offering support. When a profile of the couple in a black community newspaper, the Los Angeles Standard, drew snarky comments on social media, publisher Jason Lewis came to their defense:
“We should get behind the Youngs because they are exactly what we complain that we don’t have in our communities,” Lewis wrote. “They stepped up, took the risk, and put their money where their mouth is.”
Still, I can’t help but wonder whether outrage has an expiration date. Can you punish the guilty yet insulate the innocent from blame? How long does it take for a stain to fade?
I was thinking of that as I left my visit to the Youngs’ Papa John’s with a pizza in hand. I’d never tasted the brand.
I stopped by my daughter’s to share it with my pizza-loving son-in-law. He took one look at the box and laughed. “It’s the n-word pizza,” he called out. Then he grabbed a slice and gobbled it up.


latimes--2020-01-10--Tourists describe ruined L.A. vacations as police work to thwart Bay Area car burglars

Shannon FitzPatrick was excited to show her husband and two children her grandfather ’ s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame when the family traveled to Los Angeles in July for a wedding .
But while shopping in the Melrose District , the vacation turned into an ordeal that still haunts FitzPatrick .
Someone had smashed the back window of the family ’ s rented SUV and stolen suitcases , backpacks and valuables worth more than $ 4,000 .
“ It was frustrating , heartbreaking and seriously scary for the kids , but thankfully no one was injured , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who grew up in Southern California .
“ One of the best summer vacations of our lives turned into a nightmare from hell .
I still remember the pit in my stomach , the tears and some choice words from my mouth as I stormed down the street in a rage.
” FitzPatrick and her husband , a Volusia County sheriff ’ s deputy , are among hundreds of tourists in the last year caught up in a new crime wave of smash-and-grab car burglaries at some of the city ’ s top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have tainted their perception of Los Angeles .
The Times previously reported that , in a twist , the culprits are out-of-towners from Northern California and not locals .
Police across Los Angeles ’ Westside have been working to stop an epidemic of the brazen car burglaries carried out by gang members primarily from San Francisco , Oakland and other Bay Area cities traveling to the Southland to ransack rental cars filled with valuables .
The thieves have committed hundreds of smash-and-grabs , stealing items worth tens of thousands of dollars from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuables and passports while being hundreds if not thousands of miles from home , the thefts have led some tourists to warn others about the dangers lurking around Los Angeles .
Rupert Heseltine , the executive chairman of Haymarket Media Group in London , said his family vacation began in Phoenix and moved to Monterey before ending in Los Angeles in April .
The family visited shops on Melrose Avenue on their last day in the city .
Heseltine removed his camera from his backpack and left the bag in the rear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken glass near the vehicle .
It scared his 15-year-old daughter , who feared thieves were still lurking nearby .
He sent his family to a coffee shop , he said .
After looking in the SUV , Heseltine noticed the backpack — with their five passports — was missing .
Their flight home was scheduled to depart only hours later .
As they waited for police , a shop owner told Heseltine that her surveillance camera recorded the theft .
The video showed a woman break the vehicle ’ s window and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the getaway car .
Heseltine said he was fortunate to get new passports within hours from the British Consulate in Los Angeles .
But the crime still left a negative impression on the family , he said .
“ It was bloody annoying , ” Heseltine said by phone .
“ It was the last day of our holiday .
We got the whole L.A. experience and what goes on there.
” In August , Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies arrested Adrian Benton Jr. , 20 , the driver of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins said .
Benton , from Richmond , pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary from motor vehicles , Hopkins said .
The woman who grabbed Heseltine ’ s backpack has yet to be arrested , he said .
The California Highway Patrol recently created task forces in Los Angeles , San Diego and the Bay Area to target the smash-and-grab groups and share information with local police , said Lt. Kevin Domby of the Golden Gate Division .
In October , Bay Area agencies began an operation called Tangled Web to target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold , he said .
Police have so far made 52 arrests , including some people who traveled to Los Angeles to commit the crimes , he said .
The task forces are working to “ detect , deter and dismantle organized vehicle burglary rings that operate up and down the state ” and the West Coast , Domby said .
Deputies in Los Angeles County have increased patrols in tourist spots and are conducting undercover operations to nab suspects , said Lt. William Moulder of the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thefts are “ challenging to combat ” because of the volume and because tourists are not aware of the problem .
The thieves prey on people who often have no choice but to leave luggage and other valuables in cars during visits , he said .
“ It ’ s hard to send the message to tourists coming into town , ” Moulder said .
“ We ’ re doing what we can to mitigate it .
In July , a three-member crew from the Bay Area garnered headlines when it led LAPD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a shopping center in Sherman Oaks .
The trio , police said , were committing thefts in Hollywood and the Mid-Wilshire area .
Arrested were Xavier Pittman , 21 , and Damillion Davonte Williamson , 22 , both of San Francisco , and Jaurice Anthony Laxa , 26 , of Daly City .
Each was charged with 10 felonies , including seven counts of second-degree burglary of a vehicle , two counts of fleeing police while driving recklessly and one count of vandalism over $ 400 .
They also face three misdemeanor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property damage , according to prosecutors .
Even when arrests are made , a loophole in state law makes it harder to obtain a conviction for auto burglary without proof that the car doors were locked .
Many tourists can not easily return to testify , also hampering prosecution of the thieves .
FitzPatrick , the granddaughter of James A. FitzPatrick , a travel film producer and director known as the “ Voice of the Globe , ” said she will probably never return to Southern California .
She said it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You shouldn ’ t keep valuables in cars while traveling.
” But that can be difficult to avoid , and travelers don ’ t think they ’ ll be burglarized in broad daylight at popular destinations .
Her family still fears the burglary could result in identity theft .
“ I will warn everyone I know going on vacations with rental vehicles , especially higher-end SUVs , ” FitzPatrick said .
“ It has taken us many months to recover from our losses , and some things can ’ t ever be replaced @ @

Shannon FitzPatrick was excited to show her husband and two children her grandfather’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame when the family traveled to Los Angeles in July for a wedding.
But while shopping in the Melrose District, the vacation turned into an ordeal that still haunts FitzPatrick. Someone had smashed the back window of the family’s rented SUV and stolen suitcases, backpacks and valuables worth more than $4,000.
“It was frustrating, heartbreaking and seriously scary for the kids, but thankfully no one was injured,” said FitzPatrick, a Florida realtor who grew up in Southern California. “One of the best summer vacations of our lives turned into a nightmare from hell. I still remember the pit in my stomach, the tears and some choice words from my mouth as I stormed down the street in a rage.”
FitzPatrick and her husband, a Volusia County sheriff’s deputy, are among hundreds of tourists in the last year caught up in a new crime wave of smash-and-grab car burglaries at some of the city’s top attractions. The victims describe ruined vacations that have tainted their perception of Los Angeles.
Advertisement
The Times previously reported that, in a twist, the culprits are out-of-towners from Northern California and not locals.
Police across Los Angeles’ Westside have been working to stop an epidemic of the brazen car burglaries carried out by gang members primarily from San Francisco, Oakland and other Bay Area cities traveling to the Southland to ransack rental cars filled with valuables.
The thieves have committed hundreds of smash-and-grabs, stealing items worth tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting tourists. Besides scrambling to replace valuables and passports while being hundreds if not thousands of miles from home, the thefts have led some tourists to warn others about the dangers lurking around Los Angeles.
Rupert Heseltine, the executive chairman of Haymarket Media Group in London, said his family vacation began in Phoenix and moved to Monterey before ending in Los Angeles in April. The family visited shops on Melrose Avenue on their last day in the city. Heseltine removed his camera from his backpack and left the bag in the rear of an SUV.
They returned to find broken glass near the vehicle. It scared his 15-year-old daughter, who feared thieves were still lurking nearby. He sent his family to a coffee shop, he said. After looking in the SUV, Heseltine noticed the backpack — with their five passports — was missing. Their flight home was scheduled to depart only hours later.
As they waited for police, a shop owner told Heseltine that her surveillance camera recorded the theft. The video showed a woman break the vehicle’s window and grab the bag. A man drove the getaway car.
Advertisement
Heseltine said he was fortunate to get new passports within hours from the British Consulate in Los Angeles. But the crime still left a negative impression on the family, he said.
“It was bloody annoying,” Heseltine said by phone. “It was the last day of our holiday. We got the whole L.A. experience and what goes on there.”
In August, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies arrested Adrian Benton Jr., 20, the driver of the getaway car, LAPD Det. Brent Hopkins said. Benton, from Richmond, pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary from motor vehicles, Hopkins said. The woman who grabbed Heseltine’s backpack has yet to be arrested, he said.
The California Highway Patrol recently created task forces in Los Angeles, San Diego and the Bay Area to target the smash-and-grab groups and share information with local police, said Lt. Kevin Domby of the Golden Gate Division.
In October, Bay Area agencies began an operation called Tangled Web to target thieves and fencing operations where valuables are sold, he said. Police have so far made 52 arrests, including some people who traveled to Los Angeles to commit the crimes, he said.
The task forces are working to “detect, deter and dismantle organized vehicle burglary rings that operate up and down the state” and the West Coast, Domby said.
Deputies in Los Angeles County have increased patrols in tourist spots and are conducting undercover operations to nab suspects, said Lt. William Moulder of the Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood station.
He said the thefts are “challenging to combat” because of the volume and because tourists are not aware of the problem. The thieves prey on people who often have no choice but to leave luggage and other valuables in cars during visits, he said.
“It’s hard to send the message to tourists coming into town,” Moulder said. “We’re doing what we can to mitigate it.
In July, a three-member crew from the Bay Area garnered headlines when it led LAPD officers on a 100-mph chase that ended at a shopping center in Sherman Oaks. The trio, police said, were committing thefts in Hollywood and the Mid-Wilshire area.
Arrested were Xavier Pittman, 21, and Damillion Davonte Williamson, 22, both of San Francisco, and Jaurice Anthony Laxa, 26, of Daly City. Each was charged with 10 felonies, including seven counts of second-degree burglary of a vehicle, two counts of fleeing police while driving recklessly and one count of vandalism over $400. They also face three misdemeanor counts each of hit-and-run driving resulting in property damage, according to prosecutors.
Even when arrests are made, a loophole in state law makes it harder to obtain a conviction for auto burglary without proof that the car doors were locked. Many tourists cannot easily return to testify, also hampering prosecution of the thieves.
FitzPatrick, the granddaughter of James A. FitzPatrick, a travel film producer and director known as the “Voice of the Globe,” said she will probably never return to Southern California.
She said it’s easy for critics to say, “You shouldn’t keep valuables in cars while traveling.” But that can be difficult to avoid, and travelers don’t think they’ll be burglarized in broad daylight at popular destinations. Her family still fears the burglary could result in identity theft.
“I will warn everyone I know going on vacations with rental vehicles, especially higher-end SUVs,” FitzPatrick said. “It has taken us many months to recover from our losses, and some things can’t ever be replaced.”


latimes--2020-01-09--Trump and Garcetti, enemies in public, are quietly working out a deal on homelessness

Senior Trump administration officials have made quiet but significant progress toward a potential deal with Los Angeles officials that would provide federal funds and land to help shelter the city ‘ s and county ’ s growing homeless population .
The movement follows a series of phone calls involving Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger .
The positive tone , much of it behind the scenes , comes as a sharp contrast to President Trump ’ s bellicose anti-California rhetoric at political rallies and on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to threaten to invoke sweeping emergency powers to force local officials to “ clean up their act ” rather than offer federal help .
But the political impasse appeared to break in recent days .
Garcetti sent a formal letter to Carson and Trump on Thursday requesting federal help to address homelessness in Los Angeles .
“ I appreciate the federal resources that Secretary Carson offered yesterday , ” he wrote , referencing the city ’ s request for money and land .
The Times obtained the letter through a public records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carson on Wednesday , and the discussion included negotiations about federal funds and land , aides said .
Officials would not say how much money is on the table or how close they are to an agreement .
Alex Comisar , Garcetti ’ s spokesman , said the mayor spoke with Carson “ about the need to expand and accelerate federal investment in confronting the homelessness crisis.
” “ Los Angeles is already taking bold steps forward , and more emergency assistance from our federal partners could help us scale up our work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street more quickly , ” Comisar said in a statement .
Barger ’ s office confirmed a separate phone call with Carson as well as the ongoing talks .
“ We ’ re asking for anything that can help us solve this homelessness problem , ” said Barger ’ s spokesman , Tony Bell .
“ Mental health treatment has to be a top ingredient in the mix , in addition to other supportive services , including job training and veteran outreach.
” Carson confirmed the negotiations in a tweet Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new partnership ” with Garcetti and Barger “ that will benefit our fellow citizens.
” “ We must alleviate the suffering of our most vulnerable Californians in the most compassionate way possible , ” Carson added .
Carson and other Trump administration officials have promised federal action for months , but feuded with California state and local officials who have accused the president of demagoguing the city ’ s homelessness crisis to fire up his political supporters .
In recent weeks , administration officials have conceded that they could do little without local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past had floated plans that would involve more aggressive crackdowns on homeless people , mostly through sweeps of skid row encampments that have been ruled unconstitutional by the courts .
In a recent Fox News interview , Carson suggested harsh measures might be needed , saying officials needed to “ uncuff law enforcement so that people can be removed now and placed in transitional places.
” Garcetti officials have opposed those notions , accusing the Trump administration of “ playing politics ” without offering serious solutions .
But on Monday , Trump appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting an invitation — laced with partisan attack — for cities and states to ask for federal help to ease homelessness .
If “ the city or state in question is willing to acknowledge responsibility , and politely asks for help from the Federal Government , we will very seriously consider getting involved in order to make those poorly run Democrat Cities Great Again !
” Garcetti ’ s office said he plans to meet with Carson when the mayor visits Washington for the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting , scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom said he would ask state lawmakers to allocate more than $ 1.4 billion to help alleviate the homelessness crisis .
The state ’ s role in the negotiations between local and federal officials was not clear .
In September , Carson and other Trump administration officials visited Los Angeles to tour shelters and streets clogged with encampments .
Carson didn ’ t meet with Garcetti , but officials from the White House , the Justice Department and other agencies met with the mayor ’ s staff , toured Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row .
Justice Department officials also met with the heads of the unions that represent rank-and-file Los Angeles police officers and county sheriff ’ s deputies to discuss options to deal with court rulings and legal settlements that have limited the LAPD ’ s ability to carry out sweeps at encampments .
While at skid row , Carson and others met with the Rev .
Andy Bales , chief executive of the Union Rescue Mission .
In an interview Thursday , Bales said the news that federal and city officials were deep in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s an answer to prayers , ” he said .
“ I know the folks who are devastated on the streets .
They ’ re probably praying as well .
This could be an answer to all of our prayers.
” Bales said White House officials whom he declined to name had told him the Trump administration would offer federal land that could be used to build emergency shelters , along with money for medical services .
A deal offers potential risk and reward for both Trump and Garcetti .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big cities that oppose him politically as poorly run and dangerous , stoking fears and contempt among his more rural Republican base .
California ’ s largely Democratic political establishment considers itself the headquarters for anti-Trump forces , which view the president ’ s policies as racist and discriminatory .
But Garcetti has tried to cast himself as a bridge builder who will do anything to help the city .
And Trump suggested in his Monday tweet that he views a deal as an opportunity to play the role of hero in contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership .
In the past , Garcetti has called Trump ’ s rhetoric on homelessness “ political cheap shots [ that ] don ’ t solve difficult problems.
” Both he and Newsom have called for more housing vouchers to be made available and called for increased investment in programs that help house poor people .
“ I welcome any investment this administration wants to make in our local and what is a national problem , “ Garcetti told The Times over the summer .
Bierman reported from Washington , and Oreskes and @ @ @ @ @ @

Noah Bierman, Benjamin Oreskes, Dakota Smith

Housing Secretary Ben Carson, center, talks to Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission, after touring the shelter on skid row in downtown L.A. in September.
Senior Trump administration officials have made quiet but significant progress toward a potential deal with Los Angeles officials that would provide federal funds and land to help shelter the city‘s and county’s growing homeless population.
The movement follows a series of phone calls involving Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
The positive tone, much of it behind the scenes, comes as a sharp contrast to President Trump’s bellicose anti-California rhetoric at political rallies and on Twitter. At times, the president has appeared to threaten to invoke sweeping emergency powers to force local officials to “clean up their act” rather than offer federal help.
But the political impasse appeared to break in recent days. Garcetti sent a formal letter to Carson and Trump on Thursday requesting federal help to address homelessness in Los Angeles.
Advertisement
“I appreciate the federal resources that Secretary Carson offered yesterday,” he wrote, referencing the city’s request for money and land. The Times obtained the letter through a public records request.
Garcetti spoke by phone with Carson on Wednesday, and the discussion included negotiations about federal funds and land, aides said. Officials would not say how much money is on the table or how close they are to an agreement.
Alex Comisar, Garcetti’s spokesman, said the mayor spoke with Carson “about the need to expand and accelerate federal investment in confronting the homelessness crisis.”
“Los Angeles is already taking bold steps forward, and more emergency assistance from our federal partners could help us scale up our work, and get our homeless neighbors off the street more quickly,” Comisar said in a statement.
Barger’s office confirmed a separate phone call with Carson as well as the ongoing talks.
“We’re asking for anything that can help us solve this homelessness problem,” said Barger’s spokesman, Tony Bell. “Mental health treatment has to be a top ingredient in the mix, in addition to other supportive services, including job training and veteran outreach.”
Advertisement
Carson confirmed the negotiations in a tweet Wednesday, saying he looks “forward to a new partnership” with Garcetti and Barger “that will benefit our fellow citizens.”
“We must alleviate the suffering of our most vulnerable Californians in the most compassionate way possible,” Carson added.
Garcetti Letter to Trump and Carson On Thursday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sent a letter to President Trump and Secretary Ben Carson asking for federal assistance to address the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.
Carson and other Trump administration officials have promised federal action for months, but feuded with California state and local officials who have accused the president of demagoguing the city’s homelessness crisis to fire up his political supporters.
In recent weeks, administration officials have conceded that they could do little without local cooperation.
The Trump administration in the past had floated plans that would involve more aggressive crackdowns on homeless people, mostly through sweeps of skid row encampments that have been ruled unconstitutional by the courts.
In a recent Fox News interview, Carson suggested harsh measures might be needed, saying officials needed to “uncuff law enforcement so that people can be removed now and placed in transitional places.”
Garcetti officials have opposed those notions, accusing the Trump administration of “playing politics” without offering serious solutions.
But on Monday, Trump appeared to offer a cease-fire of sorts, tweeting an invitation — laced with partisan attack — for cities and states to ask for federal help to ease homelessness.
If “the city or state in question is willing to acknowledge responsibility, and politely asks for help from the Federal Government, we will very seriously consider getting involved in order to make those poorly run Democrat Cities Great Again!”
Garcetti’s office said he plans to meet with Carson when the mayor visits Washington for the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting, scheduled Jan. 22-24.
Earlier this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would ask state lawmakers to allocate more than $1.4 billion to help alleviate the homelessness crisis. The state’s role in the negotiations between local and federal officials was not clear.
In September, Carson and other Trump administration officials visited Los Angeles to tour shelters and streets clogged with encampments. Carson didn’t meet with Garcetti, but officials from the White House, the Justice Department and other agencies met with the mayor’s staff, toured Jordan Downs public housing in Watts and skid row.
Justice Department officials also met with the heads of the unions that represent rank-and-file Los Angeles police officers and county sheriff’s deputies to discuss options to deal with court rulings and legal settlements that have limited the LAPD’s ability to carry out sweeps at encampments.
Los Angeles police officers patrol 6th Street on skid row. (Jabin Botsford / Los Angeles Times)
While at skid row, Carson and others met with the Rev. Andy Bales, chief executive of the Union Rescue Mission. In an interview Thursday, Bales said the news that federal and city officials were deep in talks “thrilled” him.
“It’s an answer to prayers,” he said. “I know the folks who are devastated on the streets. They’re probably praying as well. This could be an answer to all of our prayers.”
Bales said White House officials whom he declined to name had told him the Trump administration would offer federal land that could be used to build emergency shelters, along with money for medical services.
A White House spokesman declined to comment Thursday.
A deal offers potential risk and reward for both Trump and Garcetti. Trump has used the homelessness crisis to cast big cities that oppose him politically as poorly run and dangerous, stoking fears and contempt among his more rural Republican base.
California’s largely Democratic political establishment considers itself the headquarters for anti-Trump forces, which view the president’s policies as racist and discriminatory.
But Garcetti has tried to cast himself as a bridge builder who will do anything to help the city. And Trump suggested in his Monday tweet that he views a deal as an opportunity to play the role of hero in contrast to what he describes as failing Democratic leadership.
In the past, Garcetti has called Trump’s rhetoric on homelessness “political cheap shots [that] don’t solve difficult problems.” Both he and Newsom have called for more housing vouchers to be made available and called for increased investment in programs that help house poor people.
“I welcome any investment this administration wants to make in our local and what is a national problem,“ Garcetti told The Times over the summer.
Bierman reported from Washington, and Oreskes and Smith reported from Los Angeles.


latimes--2020-01-11--Teen killed by truck in hit-and-run in Pico Rivera

A 15-year-old boy died Friday after being struck by a box truck at Slauson Avenue and Paramount Boulevard in Pico @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Department said .
The teen , whose name was not released , @ @ @ @ @ a crosswalk when he was hit by the truck about 3 p.m. , the department @ @ @ @ @ .
He was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital , where he @ @ @ @ @ the box truck fled the scene and was arrested a short time later , the @ @ @ @ @ is being investigated by Pico Rivera sheriff ’ s deputies and detectives from the traffic @ @ @ @ @ information is asked to call the Pico Rivera Sheriff ’ s Station at ( 562 @ @ @ @ @ provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at ( 800 ) 222-8477 .

A 15-year-old boy died Friday after being struck by a box truck at Slauson Avenue and Paramount Boulevard in Pico Rivera, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said.
The teen, whose name was not released, was among four pedestrians in a crosswalk when he was hit by the truck about 3 p.m., the department said in a news release. He was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital, where he died.
The driver of the box truck fled the scene and was arrested a short time later, the statement said.
The incident is being investigated by Pico Rivera sheriff’s deputies and detectives from the traffic services detail.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station at (562) 949-2421, or to provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.


latimes--2020-01-10--Two found dead in apparent murder-suicide at Hawthorne hotel, police say

A man apparently shot his elderly mother to death and then turned the gun on himself Friday afternoon at the @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Hawthorne police officers summoned by hotel staff discovered two bodies and @ @ @ @ @ were a murder-suicide , Lt. Gil Sanchez said .
The victims had suffered a single @ @ @ @ @ , calling it a tragic incident .
The victims ’ names and ages were not @ @ @ @ @ the mother and son had been staying at the hotel for a couple of weeks @ @ @ @ @ to be in a convalescent condition .
Police arrived at the scene about 3 p.m @ @ @ @ @ coroner ’ s office also is investigating the deaths .

A man apparently shot his elderly mother to death and then turned the gun on himself Friday afternoon at the Candlewood Suites hotel in Hawthorne, police said.
Hawthorne police officers summoned by hotel staff discovered two bodies and a note indicating the deaths were a murder-suicide, Lt. Gil Sanchez said. The victims had suffered a single gunshot each, Sanchez said, calling it a tragic incident.
The victims’ names and ages were not released. Sanchez said that the mother and son had been staying at the hotel for a couple of weeks, and that she appeared to be in a convalescent condition.
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Police arrived at the scene about 3 p.m. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office also is investigating the deaths.


latimes--2020-01-10--Huntington Beach must follow 'sanctuary state' law, court rules

A California law limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities does not infringe on charter cities ’ right to run their own police forces , a state appeals court ruled Friday .
The opinion from the California 4th District Court of Appeal overturned a 2018 ruling by the Superior Court of Orange County that prohibited Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra from enforcing the so-called sanctuary state law against the city of Huntington Beach .
Huntington Beach is one of 121 California charter cities , which are governed by charters adopted by local voters .
The city had challenged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Values Act , arguing that it violated a section of the state Constitution that gives charter cities “ supreme authority ” over municipal affairs .
But the state appealed , arguing that the law related to a matter of statewide concern .
“ Today ’ s decision is a resounding victory for sanctuary in California , ” Jessica Bansal , senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California , said Friday in a statement .
“ The appellate court decision affirms that all Californians — including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entitled to the California Values Act ’ s protections.
” The California Values Act , which was signed into law in 2017 , prevents law enforcement officers in many cases from holding and questioning people at the request of federal immigration agents , and limits them from sharing the release dates of some county jail inmates who are in the country illegally .

A California law limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities does not infringe on charter cities’ right to run their own police forces, a state appeals court ruled Friday.
The opinion from the California 4th District Court of Appeal overturned a 2018 ruling by the Superior Court of Orange County that prohibited Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra from enforcing the so-called sanctuary state law against the city of Huntington Beach.
Huntington Beach is one of 121 California charter cities, which are governed by charters adopted by local voters. The city had challenged the law, also known as the California Values Act, arguing that it violated a section of the state Constitution that gives charter cities “supreme authority” over municipal affairs.
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But the state appealed, arguing that the law related to a matter of statewide concern.
“Today’s decision is a resounding victory for sanctuary in California,” Jessica Bansal, senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California, said Friday in a statement. “The appellate court decision affirms that all Californians — including the millions living in charter cities — are entitled to the California Values Act’s protections.”
The California Values Act, which was signed into law in 2017, prevents law enforcement officers in many cases from holding and questioning people at the request of federal immigration agents, and limits them from sharing the release dates of some county jail inmates who are in the country illegally.


latimes--2020-01-10--No one injured in blast at water treatment plant in Corona

An explosion rocked a portion of a Corona wastewater treatment facility Friday but no injuries or chemical releases were reported @ @ @ @ @ a news release .
The blast occurred at 3:52 p.m. in the “ biosolids drying @ @ @ @ @ Facility No .
1 , at 2205 Railroad St. , the release said .
The @ @ @ @ @ under investigation by the Corona Fire Department and the Department of Water and Power .
@ @ @ @ @ was not disclosed , but the plant continued to operate Friday .
Reclaimed water from @ @ @ @ @ landscaping and other non-drinking purposes , according to the Corona DWP website .

An explosion rocked a portion of a Corona wastewater treatment facility Friday but no injuries or chemical releases were reported, city officials said in a news release.
The blast occurred at 3:52 p.m. in the “biosolids drying structure” at Water Reclamation Facility No. 1, at 2205 Railroad St., the release said. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Corona Fire Department and the Department of Water and Power.
The extent of the damage was not disclosed, but the plant continued to operate Friday.
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Reclaimed water from the plant is used for landscaping and other non-drinking purposes, according to the Corona DWP website.


latimes--2020-01-10--Five quintessentially Newsom moments from the governor's news conference

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom began a news conference Friday to unveil his $ 222.2-billion state budget proposal with a plea for forgiveness and a warning : The exhaustive 90-minute presentation he gave for his first spending plan one year ago wasn ’ t an exception , it set a precedent .
“ I want you to be prepared that I ’ m going to extend this as a new pattern , ” Newsom said of his lengthy budget reveals .
“ And I do that because I want you to know what my priorities are , I want you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This year , Newsom spoke for nearly three hours , largely delivering his speech in an uninterrupted monologue that offered as much insight about his financial priorities as governor as it did the personality of the sharply dressed 52-year-old Democrat with impeccably styled hair .
Before a captive audience of journalists and television cameras , Newsom appeared to revel in the wonky , fiscal wonderland of his own making .
No topic was too big , no detail too small : tampon taxes , a looming economic downturn , billion-dollar pension liabilities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I just had enough of TCAC , CDLAC , OPR , CalVet , HCD , CalHFAs , ” Newsom said , losing reporters in a complex web of agencies involved in funding housing programs .
“ Six of you understand what the hell I just said , no one else does .
And that ’ s the point.
” There was no TelePrompTer in sight , just a notepad on a lectern edged by pink Post-it Notes .
Displaying a speaking style all his own , Newsom described his proposals as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Observers noted the frequency with which he used the words “ in this space , ” repeating the turn of phrase more than 30 times ( not including the times he said “ in that space ” or “ the space ” ) as he discussed work on school meal programs , the intersection of mental and physical health , a school bond , college affordability and other topics .
“ In terms of our intentionality in this space , you recall we put $ 650 million in emergency grants in last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Newsom said of funding to address homelessness .
And by the end of the briefing , which began in the morning and stretched until after the lunch hour , not a single reporter ’ s hand remained raised with questions .
Here are a few quintessentially Newsom moments from the governor ’ s news conference : Newsom the marathon speaker It took a three-person rotation of sign language interpreters to keep up with the governor , who rarely paused for more than a few seconds .
Some reporters came armed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom talked for nearly 100 minutes straight before taking questions .
Name that czar On the campaign trail , Newsom pledged to appoint the state ’ s first ever homelessness czar , a Cabinet-level role that would take the lead in addressing one of California ’ s biggest problems .
At a news conference in August , the governor said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas were both acting in that capacity , though he had not yet filled the position .
But Newsom also told the Fresno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Ghaly was effectively his homelessness czar .
Then in December , Newsom hired Matthew Doherty , who led homelessness efforts at the federal level under former President Obama and President Trump , as “ an expert advisor ” to the governor on homelessness , raising suspicions that he might be the actual homelessness czar people had been waiting for .
On Friday , Newsom tried to address confusion over the position , preempting questions from reporters on the topic by doubling down on his ownership of the role : “ You want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ czar ?
I ’ m the homeless czar in the state of California.
” Total recall Newsom ’ s encyclopedic recall of his budget proposal was on full display at Friday ’ s presentation .
A reporter asked the governor what he would do to address 500,000 housing units that had been approved by developers in California , but hadn ’ t been constructed .
Without missing a beat , Newsom directed the journalist to the exact spot in his 246-page budget that touched on the issue : “ Yeah , take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ ll see a chart with four graphs.
” Opening up Accidentally transposing a bill number in response to a question , Newsom paused to comment about how the fumble was evidence of his learning disability : `` ... 1611 , uh 1161 , proving the dyslexia.
” The governor , who has made education a centerpiece of his administration , has opened up about his struggle , from time to time talking about how he had a difficult time with his studies while growing up .
When visiting an elementary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , Newsom declined an impromptu offer to read to a class of students and admitted that he dreaded reading in public .
Dropping hints Former Gov .
Jerry Brown displayed less public interest in the media .
But Newsom often foreshadows actions he thinks will be headline-worthy and tries to direct reporters to stories he thinks they should write .
On Friday , Newsom teased a program to give laptops to prisoners that his office hasn ’ t yet announced : “ Ask me about it .
Talk to your editors about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we do it .
”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom gestures toward a chart showing the growth of the state’s rainy day fund as he discusses his proposed 2020-2021 state budget during a news conference on Friday in Sacramento.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom began a news conference Friday to unveil his $222.2-billion state budget proposal with a plea for forgiveness and a warning: The exhaustive 90-minute presentation he gave for his first spending plan one year ago wasn’t an exception, it set a precedent.
“I want you to be prepared that I’m going to extend this as a new pattern,” Newsom said of his lengthy budget reveals. “And I do that because I want you to know what my priorities are, I want you to know what matters to me.”
This year, Newsom spoke for nearly three hours, largely delivering his speech in an uninterrupted monologue that offered as much insight about his financial priorities as governor as it did the personality of the sharply dressed 52-year-old Democrat with impeccably styled hair.
Before a captive audience of journalists and television cameras, Newsom appeared to revel in the wonky, fiscal wonderland of his own making. No topic was too big, no detail too small: tampon taxes, a looming economic downturn, billion-dollar pension liabilities and the food on school lunch trays.
“I just had enough of TCAC, CDLAC, OPR, CalVet, HCD, CalHFAs,” Newsom said, losing reporters in a complex web of agencies involved in funding housing programs. “Six of you understand what the hell I just said, no one else does. And that’s the point.”
There was no TelePrompTer in sight, just a notepad on a lectern edged by pink Post-it Notes.
Displaying a speaking style all his own, Newsom described his proposals as “audacious” and formed with “intentionality.” Observers noted the frequency with which he used the words “in this space,” repeating the turn of phrase more than 30 times (not including the times he said “in that space” or “the space”) as he discussed work on school meal programs, the intersection of mental and physical health, a school bond, college affordability and other topics.
“In terms of our intentionality in this space, you recall we put $650 million in emergency grants in last year to help support cities and counties,” Newsom said of funding to address homelessness.
And by the end of the briefing, which began in the morning and stretched until after the lunch hour, not a single reporter’s hand remained raised with questions.
Here are a few quintessentially Newsom moments from the governor’s news conference:
Newsom the marathon speaker
It took a three-person rotation of sign language interpreters to keep up with the governor, who rarely paused for more than a few seconds. Some reporters came armed with snacks, anticipating a long speech. Newsom talked for nearly 100 minutes straight before taking questions.
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Name that czar
On the campaign trail, Newsom pledged to appoint the state’s first ever homelessness czar, a Cabinet-level role that would take the lead in addressing one of California’s biggest problems. At a news conference in August, the governor said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas were both acting in that capacity, though he had not yet filled the position. But Newsom also told the Fresno Bee that Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly was effectively his homelessness czar. Then in December, Newsom hired Matthew Doherty, who led homelessness efforts at the federal level under former President Obama and President Trump, as “an expert advisor” to the governor on homelessness, raising suspicions that he might be the actual homelessness czar people had been waiting for. On Friday, Newsom tried to address confusion over the position, preempting questions from reporters on the topic by doubling down on his ownership of the role: “You want to know who’s the homeless czar? I’m the homeless czar in the state of California.”
Total recall
Newsom’s encyclopedic recall of his budget proposal was on full display at Friday’s presentation. A reporter asked the governor what he would do to address 500,000 housing units that had been approved by developers in California, but hadn’t been constructed. Without missing a beat, Newsom directed the journalist to the exact spot in his 246-page budget that touched on the issue: “Yeah, take a look at page 115, upper right. You’ll see a chart with four graphs.”
Opening up
Accidentally transposing a bill number in response to a question, Newsom paused to comment about how the fumble was evidence of his learning disability: “... 1611, uh 1161, proving the dyslexia.” The governor, who has made education a centerpiece of his administration, has opened up about his struggle, from time to time talking about how he had a difficult time with his studies while growing up. When visiting an elementary school recovering from the Camp fire last year, Newsom declined an impromptu offer to read to a class of students and admitted that he dreaded reading in public.
Dropping hints
Former Gov. Jerry Brown displayed less public interest in the media. But Newsom often foreshadows actions he thinks will be headline-worthy and tries to direct reporters to stories he thinks they should write. On Friday, Newsom teased a program to give laptops to prisoners that his office hasn’t yet announced: “Ask me about it. Talk to your editors about it. That’s a story when we do it.”


latimes--2020-01-10--California could soon have a new state park, but governor won't say where

California is in the land market to create a new state park .
The only questions are — where ?
And at what price ?
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he wants legislative leaders to dedicate $ 20 million from a one-time budget surplus to help purchase new public parkland , possibly creating one of the largest new state parks in decades .
In his budget briefing , the governor declined to state where the new park might be , suggesting the purchase price could “ go up ” if he revealed details .
But for several days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor to help appropriate $ 20 million — the exact amount he proposed Friday — to help preserve a legendary property , the N3 Ranch near Livermore .
California state parks officials declined to comment late Friday , but it has been known since Wednesday that funding was coming together to make an offer on the ranch , which covers nearly 51,000 acres of mostly untrammeled Bay Area wilderness that is home to elk , deer and hundreds of species of migrating birds .
The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest conservation organizations — have already secured commitments to cover $ 30 million of the negotiated purchase price , state Sen. Steve Glazer ( D-Orinda ) said .
He and 14 other Bay Area lawmakers , including state Sen. Bob Wieckowski ( D-Fremont ) have argued that a $ 20-million appropriation from the state , if approved , would help complete the N3 Ranch purchase package and create one of the largest public parks in the state .
“ This is a matter of urgent concern because this irreplaceable property is for sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nonprofit conservation groups have assembled funding commitments that could finance more than half the cost .
We need to move on this quickly.
” “ The N3 Ranch property is a critical asset in the efforts to protect our open spaces and fight climate change — Californians deserve this opportunity to be provided clean air , clean water and access to parklands , ” added Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan , ( D-Orinda ) .
“ I am proud to be working with my colleagues to preserve this natural treasure.
” But that won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broker and principal owner of Vacaville-based California Outdoor Properties , said the N3 Ranch was listed for sale in July 2019 for the first time in 85 years and has attracted purchase offers and interest from around the country and world .
The owners are two Southern California sisters who don ’ t want to sell the property piecemeal , Renfrew said in an interview .
“ They want to whoever buys the ranch to keep it whole.
” “ So far , I ’ ve shown the property to 14 prospective buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them want to remain confidential , but several are qualified to buy the whole thing.
” Roughly 500 head of cattle roam the rarely visited 80-square-mile ranch within an hour ’ s drive of San Francisco , Oakland , San Jose , Stockton and Modesto .
An estimated 80 % of the property , including 9,600 acres of the Alameda Creek watershed , captures drinking water for Bay Area residents and millions of Californians .
The property comes with a four-bedroom headquarters , a one-bedroom annex , a bunkhouse , shops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 14 hunting cabins and some cattle .
“ It ’ s quite a place , ” Renfrew said .
“ This is a landscape that looks like it did more than a century ago .
”

California is in the land market to create a new state park. The only questions are — where? And at what price?
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he wants legislative leaders to dedicate $20 million from a one-time budget surplus to help purchase new public parkland, possibly creating one of the largest new state parks in decades.
In his budget briefing, the governor declined to state where the new park might be, suggesting the purchase price could “go up” if he revealed details. But for several days, Bay Area lawmakers have been lobbying the governor to help appropriate $20 million — the exact amount he proposed Friday — to help preserve a legendary property, the N3 Ranch near Livermore.
California state parks officials declined to comment late Friday, but it has been known since Wednesday that funding was coming together to make an offer on the ranch, which covers nearly 51,000 acres of mostly untrammeled Bay Area wilderness that is home to elk, deer and hundreds of species of migrating birds.
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The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Lands — the nation’s two largest conservation organizations — have already secured commitments to cover $30 million of the negotiated purchase price, state Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) said.
He and 14 other Bay Area lawmakers, including state Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) have argued that a $20-million appropriation from the state, if approved, would help complete the N3 Ranch purchase package and create one of the largest public parks in the state.
“This is a matter of urgent concern because this irreplaceable property is for sale now,” Glazer said. “Nonprofit conservation groups have assembled funding commitments that could finance more than half the cost. We need to move on this quickly.”
“The N3 Ranch property is a critical asset in the efforts to protect our open spaces and fight climate change — Californians deserve this opportunity to be provided clean air, clean water and access to parklands,” added Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, (D-Orinda). “I am proud to be working with my colleagues to preserve this natural treasure.”
But that won’t be easy. Todd Renfrew, broker and principal owner of Vacaville-based California Outdoor Properties, said the N3 Ranch was listed for sale in July 2019 for the first time in 85 years and has attracted purchase offers and interest from around the country and world.
The current asking price: $72 million.
The owners are two Southern California sisters who don’t want to sell the property piecemeal, Renfrew said in an interview. “They want to whoever buys the ranch to keep it whole.”
“So far, I’ve shown the property to 14 prospective buyers,” he added. “Most of them want to remain confidential, but several are qualified to buy the whole thing.”
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Roughly 500 head of cattle roam the rarely visited 80-square-mile ranch within an hour’s drive of San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Stockton and Modesto. An estimated 80% of the property, including 9,600 acres of the Alameda Creek watershed, captures drinking water for Bay Area residents and millions of Californians.
The property comes with a four-bedroom headquarters, a one-bedroom annex, a bunkhouse, shops, outbuildings, four cabins for employee housing, 14 hunting cabins and some cattle.
“It’s quite a place,” Renfrew said. “This is a landscape that looks like it did more than a century ago.”


latimes--2020-01-10--A high-profile lawsuit targeting Huntington Beach over housing could end in a settlement

The Newsom administration is nearing a deal with Huntington Beach that would end a contentious lawsuit over the city ’ s alleged failure to plan for more affordable housing .
In a letter sent to the Orange County city on Friday , state housing officials said a proposal to increase low-income housing development in the city would meet the terms of a state law that requires all communities to zone for enough affordable housing to meet projected population growth .
If the Huntington Beach City Council approves the proposal by March , the letter said , the city would then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want to compliment the team that Huntington Beach put together that worked with [ the state housing department ] over the holidays , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said during a news conference Friday to unveil his state budget proposal .
Last January , Newsom spearheaded a lawsuit against Huntington Beach , arguing that the city backtracked on its plans to zone for affordable housing along the city ’ s primary commercial corridors and never took action to replace the planned residential density elsewhere in the city , as required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the governor ’ s first month in office , was widely interpreted to be a warning shot against local governments that have resisted housing development — something Newsom has argued is a key cause of the state ’ s shortage of homes .
Under the deal , which mainly applies to the commercial corridors , the city would have to allow for more projects that set aside at least 20 % of their housing for low-income residents .
The terms were negotiated by state and city housing officials .
Huntington Beach ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposal on Tuesday .
Should the city ultimately agree , the central issue in the state ’ s lawsuit will be resolved , said Russ Heimerich , a spokesman with the California Business , Consumer Services and Housing Agency .
“ The lawsuit against Huntington Beach is about them not being in compliance , ” Heimerich said .
“ If they come into compliance , the lawsuit would likely become moot.
” Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta could not be reached for comment Friday .
In a statement , City Manager Oliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act because they wanted to tap state homelessness prevention dollars available only to local governments that are in compliance with the broader state housing law .
Newsom said the proposed deal showed how pressure from his administration could force cities to plan for housing .
He held meetings last winter with dozens of cities that were out of compliance with the housing supply law .
Since then , 17 local governments — most of them small or rural — have reached agreements with the state on their housing plans without litigation .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do more , including lowering fees and reducing regulations , to ensure that developers are able to build new housing on land that ’ s planned for it .
“ It ’ s the most vexing struggle that we have , ” he said .
Should the city of Huntington Beach pass the proposed development plan , it would not end all housing litigation with the state .
The city has challenged four recently passed state housing laws , arguing that they unconstitutionally impinge on the city ’ s authority to regulate land-use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Newsom administration is nearing a deal with Huntington Beach that would end a contentious lawsuit over the city’s alleged failure to plan for more affordable housing.
In a letter sent to the Orange County city on Friday, state housing officials said a proposal to increase low-income housing development in the city would meet the terms of a state law that requires all communities to zone for enough affordable housing to meet projected population growth.
If the Huntington Beach City Council approves the proposal by March, the letter said, the city would then be in compliance with the state law.
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“We want to compliment the team that Huntington Beach put together that worked with [the state housing department] over the holidays,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a news conference Friday to unveil his state budget proposal.
State housing letter to Huntington Beach Jan. 10, 2020 A letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development to the city of Huntington Beach on Jan. 10, 2020.
Last January, Newsom spearheaded a lawsuit against Huntington Beach, arguing that the city backtracked on its plans to zone for affordable housing along the city’s primary commercial corridors and never took action to replace the planned residential density elsewhere in the city, as required by law. The case, filed in the governor’s first month in office, was widely interpreted to be a warning shot against local governments that have resisted housing development — something Newsom has argued is a key cause of the state’s shortage of homes.
Under the deal, which mainly applies to the commercial corridors, the city would have to allow for more projects that set aside at least 20% of their housing for low-income residents. The terms were negotiated by state and city housing officials.
Huntington Beach’s planning commission is scheduled to consider the proposal on Tuesday. Should the city ultimately agree, the central issue in the state’s lawsuit will be resolved, said Russ Heimerich, a spokesman with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
“The lawsuit against Huntington Beach is about them not being in compliance,” Heimerich said. “If they come into compliance, the lawsuit would likely become moot.”
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Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta could not be reached for comment Friday. In a statement, City Manager Oliver Chi said city leaders were motivated to act because they wanted to tap state homelessness prevention dollars available only to local governments that are in compliance with the broader state housing law.
Newsom said the proposed deal showed how pressure from his administration could force cities to plan for housing. He held meetings last winter with dozens of cities that were out of compliance with the housing supply law. Since then, 17 local governments — most of them small or rural — have reached agreements with the state on their housing plans without litigation.
Still, Newsom said the state needs to do more, including lowering fees and reducing regulations, to ensure that developers are able to build new housing on land that’s planned for it.
“It’s the most vexing struggle that we have,” he said.
Should the city of Huntington Beach pass the proposed development plan, it would not end all housing litigation with the state. The city has challenged four recently passed state housing laws, arguing that they unconstitutionally impinge on the city’s authority to regulate land-use. That case remains pending in court.