Daily News of Los Angeles
By Alex Dobuzinskis
May 02, 2005
During a campaign forum Sunday, both Mayor James Hahn and Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa said they oppose expansion of Sun Valley's Bradley Landfill.
The forum was organized by the community group One LA.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the forum at Manual Arts High School near Exposition Park. The event began with residents describing problems in their neighborhoods, such as crime and housing costs.
The Rev. James Fee of Mary Immaculate church in Pacoima spoke about the Bradley Landfill.
``The landfill is almost filled with garbage ... but that's not enough,'' Fee said. ``Some people want to add another five stories of garbage onto this landfill.''
Hahn, who took the stage first to answer questions from panelists, said he wants a landfill-free city and opposes expansion of the Bradley Landfill. He also said a ``compelling case'' could be made for not building a transfer site at the landfill.
``Unfortunately, the only two landfills in this city are in the Valley,'' Hahn said. ``That is not fair, that's not right. We can't have landfills next to where our children go to school or where we live and go to sleep at night.''
Villaraigosa took the stage next, saying he opposes both expanding the Bradley Landfill and using it for a garbage transfer station.
At one point, some residents complained that the annual Los Angeles Marathon prevents them from getting to church because of road closures.
When asked about the marathon, Villaraigosa confessed he had not heard that it was a problem, but pledged to work on the issue.
``We need the skills of a consensus builder, someone who can sit all the parties down and try to figure this out,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I've got to believe that it has a solution, and I'm prepared to roll up my sleeves and help you find that solution.''
Villaraigosa was also asked about recent violence at Jefferson High School in South Los Angeles.
``The grown-ups need to model tolerance,'' Villaraigosa said. ``The grown-ups need to model for their children that we can work together.''
When asked about education, Hahn said he would like the mayor to have the power to charter five schools and appoint members to the Los Angeles school board.
``We can't accept the status quo of our school district if we want to make sure our kids are doing everything they can,'' Hahn said.