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Curren Price And The “New 9th”

Rachel Scott |
November 5, 2013 | 11:45 a.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Councilman Price leading the 9th District's Clean and Green Community Clean Up Day, Los Angeles City Council
Councilman Price leading the 9th District's Clean and Green Community Clean Up Day, Los Angeles City Council

“New 9th”--that’s the phrase Curren Price adopted when he decided to run for a seat on the Los Angeles city council. Price ran on a platform that promised change for those in his district. He promised fair health benefits, cleaner streets, and a focus on education all while establishing a better connection with his constituents. But has the “New 9th” platform confronted the issues that people throughout his jurisdiction deal with everyday?

Clement Nwadnei, a manager of a shoe retailer in Crenshaw says he believes that Price must first address the issue of employment before anything else. “I hope that the mayor and our elected officials on the city council come together to solve unemployment,” Nwadnei said. “Communication in this aspect is key,” Nwadnei explained.

Marlene Chambers agreed but says unemployment is not the only issue; equal pay also tops the list. “People are looking for equality in their contracts, people are looking for fair pay” said Chambers. Chambers, who works for the city of Los Angeles has participated in protests for equal pay but says the responsibility also relies on those who are elected in office to put pressure on those not doing their share.

Yet, many residents may be unable to get the results they want because they are not taking their issues to the polls. One of the main reasons for disconnect could be the lack of communication between elected officials in office and those within the district. “Many people are unaware of the elected officials who represent them,” said Albert Hexox who former resident of South Los Angeles.

Despite the disconnect between elected officials and their constituents, many in Los Angeles have noticed the efforts made by city representatives like Councilman Price. Adela Bajaras, founder and executive director of L.A.U.R.A, a non-profit organization in South Central Los Angeles says Councilman Price has been working hard to reach out to youth in the city.

Bajaras says Councilman Price reached out to L.A.U.R.A, a non-profit organization in South Central Los Angeles centralized on the lives of youth, in hopes of igniting positive change. Last week, Price and L.A.U.R.A partnered to clean Fred Roberts Park for the “Clean and Green CD 9 Campaign”. “Council Price reached out to us and asked if we would be interested in doing a community clean up. He came with his staff and was actually cleaning with us all day,” she said.

The effort hasn’t stopped there, Barajas explained. L.A.U.R.A and Councilman Price partnered again on October 29th for “Meet and Greet Your Elected Officials”, an event focused on connecting youth to city representatives.

“A lot of our youth raised concerns about alleys and empty lots. He promised them that he would look into that,” she said.  “The youth asked their own questions” she continued, “one of the biggest was keeping parks open later since they close at 7 p.m. on Fridays.”

Bajaras explained that keeping parks open later would help keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.

Nevertheless, the event also addressed the needs of other constituents within the district. The younger generation may have had stacked questions for Councilmember Price but so did senior citizens. Topping their list of concerns, the lack of activities for the elderly. “Senior citizens wanted more programming and outreach,” Bajaras said. Whatever the problem, Price seemed receptive and promised action, Barajas explained.

“Having him reach out is awesome, we hope he maintains being a positive source in our area.”

Perhaps, with an emphasis on constituent drawn events--Price can bring about the change he wanted to see in the “New 9th” and help alleviate the problems concerning his constituents.  

Reach Staff Reporter Rachel Scott here. Follow her on Twitter here.

 



 

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