Community Unites at Wednesday's WNC Meeting

Last night at the Wilmington Neighborhood Council (WNC) meeting Wilmington residents united to show support for the fire department. The Senior Citizen’s Center was over flown with a crowd of people waiting eagerly to speak during public comments.

Person after person went up demanding that the WNC showed support by writing a letter to the city of Los Angeles and Councilwoman Janice Hahn to not allow Fire Station 38 to lose two rescue ambulances and one emergency incident technician in Wilmington.

Some argue that how is it that Councilwoman Hahn could have allowed this to get as far as it has. If she is really for the community of Wilmington then this should not be happening.

Wilmington lacks many resources and it is devastating that in a town surrounded by refineries and one of the largest ports in the United States the city of LA would jeopardize our safety by removing even more resources.

It was great to see so many people united and demanding what the community needs.

Wilmington, we cannot wait until things are on the verge of being taken away to do something. Everyone needs to stay involved and take ownership of what already belongs to us: OUR commUNITY.

It was a long meeting but great.

Here are some of the other great topics discussed and programs to look forward to.

* Clean Wilmington Program – Hahn has donated $50,000 to Salavador Lara’s, WNC member, ongoing effort to clean Wilmington. Lara has partnered with Clean San Pedro through which funds will be channeled.

* Illegal Dumping – recently created a partnership between City/GAP – Gang Alternatives Program to clean up specific locations; Gulf/Ronan N/Opp St.; End of “G” St., Cruces Neighborhood alleys; Behind 400 Block/Avalon; Frigate between Emden/Mauretania and N/PCH; “E” St. under 110; Behind 1300/W. Mauretania; Little Alameda/E of Young St.; Alameda between Mauretania/”O” St.

For alley dumping problem, call CD15 office – 310-732-4515.

* Pipeline Franchise Fee funds ($500,000) have been allocated to Wilmington. These funds will be used for fixing broken sidewalks, handicapped access ramps and support work at Drum Barracks.

* Wilmington Community Benefit Trust Fund: Warren E&P donated $500,000 to the City for this on-going effort. Funds to be used for fixing broken sidewalks, reconstructing street/drainage problems, trimming trees. Priority will be given to area around the company’s facility.

* Wilmington Waterfront Park – opening ceremony schedule for June

* Family Crisis Center will bring their services to Wilmington. A center that offers resources to victims of domestic violence, runaway and homeless youth, homeless families, unemployed adults and youth, and other low-income community members in need of assistance.

* Money from WNC was donated to the following programs:

Wilmington Middle School Band $ 500
Wilmington Family Health Clinic $ 2,500
Sharefest- Wilmington $5,000
GAP – “My Gangfree Life” - $1,000

To view entire minutes visit the WNC website

Bekins Warehouse Tour

One of the elements proposed in the Wilmington Waterfront EIR is to redevelop the Bekins Warehouse at 245 North Fries Avenue/326 “C” Street, in Wilmington into a Red Car Museum.

The Wilmington Waterfront Development Subcommittee invites the community to join them in a walk through and take a tour of the Bekins Warehouse Building, Tuesday, April 12, 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM.

There’s been a lot of talk about what this building should be used for and whether the Red Car Museum is the best idea. On February 28 the Port of LA held a meeting in San Pedro updating residents about the development plans for the Waterfront. Among the things discussed the Bekins Building was one of them.

A group of Wilmington residents, including myself, attended this meeting to speak out what Wilmington really needed and questioning the importance of having a third museum in Wilmington.

As many of you know we have two museums in Wilmington that no one goes to. So, why a third museum when Wilmington lacks resource centers, clinics, respectable businesses, parks and more? Because the Port of LA owns the building and it is being funded by a trust fund that only allows something that serves maritime, visitors (tourist), and residents to be built there.

The Red Car Museum will obviously serve visitors, but will it really serve the community of Wilmington? Another issue brought up was the fact that there's already a Red Car Museum in Seal Beach so why have another one?

Instead of bringing back an old school red trolley to Wilmington, we need a modern metro rail to connect us to downtown LA and help us be less reliant on cars.

I highly recommend for Wilmington residents to take this tour. Get to know YOUR community and take ownership!

For more information contact Deb at 310-732-3499 or send an e-mail message to dbabcock-doherty@portla.org.

Janice Hahn to Host Town Hall Meeting

Next Thursday, April 14, 2011 is not only the day before taxes are due, it’s also the day Janice Hahn is visiting Wilmington.

Today I received an email from her assistant informing me that the Community Town Hall Meeting will be an opportunity to hear updates from City Departments, as well as ask any questions related to the City of Los Angeles.

I’m a member of the Wilmington Neighborhood Council (WNC), and on Monday I attended the Planning & Land Use/Transportation Committee meeting where I asked members if they knew what Hahn had on her agenda to discuss at the meeting. No one knew.

One member said it is very likely for Hahn to talk about the illegal vending in Wilmington. City officials say it is unsanitary and it hurts local businesses. I dont think we would have residents selling tacos de canasta if there were resources available to help the undocumented. I know there are also documented people that also are illegal venders, but lack job training.

She might mention the Pipeline Fund of $500,000 to use towards Public Works. This money is going to be used to fix things around Wilmington like sidewalks and street lights, etc. If there is an area that an residents want to see improved, I recommend collecting pictures and signatures and making sure the Neighborhood Council is aware. We have to money, so there is no excuse.


Don Compton, long-time Wilmington resident, wants Hahn to do something about the toxins being released from the Watson Rail Yard.

What are you concerned about?


The meeting will be Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wilmington Senior Citizens Center.

Wilmington Drummer Rocks the House

A friend of mine that moved to Berkeley was in town and called my boyfriend to hang out. We reunited with another high school friend who was performing at Long Beach restaurant/dive bar, Prospector with his band “So Many Wizards.”

Erik Felix, from Wilmington, is the drummer of the trio. Since they were headlining and weren’t scheduled to perform until 11:30 p.m.

Their indie swag and feel good tunes are awesome. Parts of some songs reminded me a little of Vampire Weekend, which I love. They definitely have their own unique sound and recommend everyone to check out their music.

They were also at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas this year. Keep rockin out Erik y no te vayas olvidar de los pobres en Wilmas. ;)

Click here to get updates on their upcoming performances.