By admin SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) — With Councilmember Curren Price termed out, new representation is coming to L.A. City Council District 9. And for the first time in over 60 years, that councilmember won’t be Black.
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Los Angeles City Council District 9 covers parts of Downtown L.A. and much of South L.A.
Two Latino immigrants are running — Price’s former deputy chief of staff, Jose Ugarte, and community organizer Estuardo Mazariegos.
“My parents brought me from Mexico, from Oaxaca, when I was 4 years old, right down the street. I grew up here in the ’90s. Very dangerous place to grow up in, South Central L.A., in the ’90s, race riots, crime. And I started to get involved in politics because I wanted to change my community,” said Ugarte.
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“My priority is making sure that we have an accountable government that’s responsive to the folks here in the 9th City District. Making sure that our streets are clean and safe to walk on, that the rent goes down, our wages go up and that we have transparency in government,” said Estuardo Mazariegos.
Out of L.A.’s 15 council districts, CD9 has the highest poverty rate. Some of the other big issues in the district include public safety, homelessness and sanitation problems.
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Ugarte and his wife are raising his daughter in CD9, the same district where he grew up. Ugarte believes his work for labor unions, nonprofits, the state assembly and the city have prepared him to get things done.
“Our street sweeper comes every two weeks now. Our sanitation crews come less now, 25% less. And you see more bulky items, you see trash on the streets, you see more abandoned vehicles,” Ugarte said.
“My opponent was the deputy chief of staff for the current council member, as well. So I say, ‘Look, he’s had an opportunity and leadership decision to act on the issues in our neighborhood, and the result has been shortcomings for our communities getting not enough services for our neighborhoods,'” Mazariegos said.
Mazariegos is a member of the L.A. chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). He’s also raising his children in the district, and says making sure the street lights turn on, there’s more park space and that sidewalks are clean are top priorities.
“I respect the LAPD, right? And at the same time, I think a lot can be taken off of their plate, and making sure that our folks are getting fully funded communities. Look, the LAPD right now is costing the city — that I saw the last figure over the last couple of years — $400 million in liability payments because they’re showing up and not de-escalating,” Mazariegos said.
“We have the highest crime rates in the city of L.A. When people talk about defunding the police or abolishing the police, we take the biggest hit. Our crime rates go through the roof. Our response rates turn from 15 minutes to 45 minutes,” Ugarte added.
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Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.