At the Jan 23, Noon meeting, Rotary Club President, Gudiel Crosthwaite, called the meeting to order. Club President Crosthwaite introduced Karen Greenberg, Assistant District 5280 Governor, and member of the South Bay Sunrise Rotary Club, located in Torrance.
There was a discussion about small Rotary clubs. Ms. Greenberg mentioned two coming District events. In Commerce, Sat Jan 25, the LA Food Bank. Also the next District Breakfast, on a Tue, 7am – 9am, in Apr, at the Proud Bird Restaurant, near LAX .
Daniel introduced the speaker, Julia Brown, LACMTA Community Affairs Manager. Daniel noted that Ms. Brown presented a LACMTA update of major LACMTA transportation projects, a year ago at a Lynwood Rotary meeting.
Since Ms. Brown had another appointment, she needed to complete her presentation before additional announcements. Using a power point presentation, and a very informative handout report, here is a description of the rail project. It is 19 miles from the last station in Cerritos, Pioneer Station. The route follows the existing rail route, now operated by the Union Pacific RR (historically, it was a Pacific Electric RR Route). (It was noted that there will have to be careful coordination during construction to enable the freight rail operation to continue.) Then it follows a rail route north thru South Gate and Huntington Park. There are 12 new stations and 5 park and ride facilities. In DTLA, there are two alternative routes, one ending at Union Station, and the other route, ending at the existing 7th & Metro Station. Both of these alternative routes are under ground (subway). There are two Initial Operating Segments (IOS). On IOS would operate from the end station at Pioneer to a new station along the Green Line. The other IOS would operate from the end station to Slauson adjacent to the Slauson Station on the Blue / A Line. The purpose of the two initial operating segments is to get into operation a portion of the entire line, while the rest of the line is still under construction. The funding for this project is from Measure M, which was approved by the voters in LA County a few years ago. The LACMTA Board has given this project top priority, in order that the full line be completed and in operation by 2028.
After the presentation, Daniel briefly mentioned coming events of note, in order of their dates. First of all, he noted, that after the Jan 23 meeting, there will be the annual homeless count for the community of Lynwood, from 7pm -- 12pm, starting in Bateman Hall. On Sat, Jan 25, Plaza Mexico, 9am – 4pm, Main Stage, 4th Tech + Business Expo, Presented by Latina Nerds; On Sat, Feb 15, 1pm- 4pm, Lynwood’s Black Heritage Celebration, to include Blues Gospel, Bateman Hall, (Admission $10.00).
J.D. Whitaker, Lynwood Staff, talked about the history of Black History Month. Originally it was only one week. He talked about several African American people who attended college and were local leaders a hundred years ago. He also talked about a proposal to put a sign up along the Harriet Tubman walkway/ lane, adjacent to the Lynwood City Hall. The Lynwood Rotary would help fund the cost, along with the support of the City of Lynwood. Club President Crosthwaite, along with J.D. Whitaker, are coordinating a meeting with the City Manager, and/or other city staff. J.D. will speak at the Black Heritage Celebration, and encouraged Lynwood Rotary members to attend.
There was also detailed discussion with visitor, Elsa Chagolla, Executive Director of the Lynwood Partners, Educational Foundation, whose organization, works with the LUSD. She has stated she would like to become a Lynwood Rotary member. Several Rotary members talked about the community service objectives and accomplishments, and the satisfaction that members receive from supporting each other. Also, the commitment of each member to avoid any political involvememt while performing Rotary projects. Several members talked about their long time involvement in the community and their long time membership in the club, including Ramon Rodriguez, who was a Council member and current long time owner of a hardware store in Lynwood. For example, member Iris Pygatt, stated: “I was was the Treasurer for the City of Lynwood for 16 years, and now I feel that I should support the community through membership in the Rotary club.”Also Martina Rodriguez stated: “I have been a club member for 15 years, and I joined the club because I love to support the community.”
Daniel Miller Public Relations/ Community Outreach Lynwood Rotary Club