CD 15

ALL IS NOT WELL IN WATTS

Timothy Watkins & Mark RavisOctober 22, 2020

Councilman Joe Buscaino recently replied to a series of articles by the undersigned setting forth facts demonstrating that Watts is and has been a politically neglected appendage of Los Angeles. Mr. Buscaino takes issue with that contention and responds that Watts has not been neglected and cites several recent projects to support his argument. At the outset, we need to express appreciation for Mr. Buscaino’s efforts for the people of his district and his willingness to debate the larger political issues relating to Watts in particular, and the city generally. Healthy debate always leads to positive results. That said, let us take a closer look at Watts.

Op-Ed Opinion

AN OPEN LETTER FROM WLCAC TO COUNCILMAN JOE BUSCAINO

Timothy WatkinsOctober 15, 2020

This urgent letter of protest is filed by the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in objection to the ongoing 1845 East 103rd Street Request for Proposals Process (Mafundi RFP). The Mafundi RFP is in fact an invitation for bids to demolish a site of historic and cultural import for the City of Los Angeles, if not the nation: The Mafundi Institute, which includes the Watts Happening Coffee House. Among the many hindrances to achieving best use caused by this RFP is its title. The use of only the property address without reference to the widely recognized building and business names for the RFP is misleading and downplays the importance of the nature of the project by obscuring the historic value of the site.