Monday Morning Links
1. An activist is calling for Bernard Parks to step down from his City Council seat as well as his positions with the MTA and Expo Line Construction Authority or face a recall for his “disgraceful, unethical, illegal actions and abuses of power.”
2. Bernard Parks offers an odd response to reports that he has multiple houses and may have been skirting the law by voting in the wrong district for himself. Parks’ surprising defense was that he only owns one home and that he rented the other houses in order to live within L.A. city limits while serving as a councilman. In other words, Parks’ defense seems an admission that he is a carpetbagger.
3. Mole’s Progressive Democrat endorses Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas and calls the Supervisors race the “highest priority” for L.A. progressives. The website outlines some key differences between Councilman Bernard Parks and Senator Ridley-Thomas:
“Although elected by a majority African American district, Parks has a conservative voting record when it comes to investing in communities. If Parks wins, Los Angeles County will be controlled by a conservative majority at a time when county hospitals and emergency services in communities of color are facing closure. Mark has been a staunch supporter of progressive issues such as the establishment of school health centers, consumer protection, community reinvestment, jobs and workforce development.”
4. Indymedia L.A. has a post up with the sub-headline, “Dirty Bernie Parks is abusing his power to attack a political enemy. It’s a low blow, but, not unexpected.”
Tags: Bernard Parks, City Council, Expo Line, Mark Ridley-Thomas, MTA, Senator
