Aide Castro Chosen as Mayor Pro-Tem

Lynwood, CA - Recently elected Aide Castro is chosen as Mayor Pro-Tem.

Read story here.

Lincoln Elementary Teacher Arrested for Possessing Child Pornography

Lynwood, CA - First grade teacher Kenneth Kothe at Lynwood Elementary has been arrested on possession of child pornography.

Kothe was arrested as a result of Operation Predator, an ongoing probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into the downloading of child pornography off the Internet.

Officers found hundreds of pictures of child pornography at his home in Alhambra. The Lynwood Unified School District have placed Kothe on unpaid administrative leave.

Read story here.

Lynwood School Board Members Ignore Community

Lynwood, CA -Close to 100 teachers, parents and community activists demanded the superintendent's termination. The Lynwood School Board ignored the requests.

Read Story Here.

Election Results

LYNWOOD CITY GENERAL MUNI    COUNCILMEMBER                                  
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN   2                                                   
                                                                           
  AIDE CASTRO                                                  845    13.94
  ALFREDO FLORES                                               764    12.61
  JIM MORTON                                                   745    12.29
  PATRICIA CARR                                                708    11.68
  LETICIA VASQUEZ                                              583     9.62
  LOUIS BYRD                                                   436     7.19
  RAMON RODRIGUEZ                                              427     7.05
  EDWIN R JACINTO                                              264     4.36
  K WICKER-AMEY                                                260     4.29
  MARGARET ARAUJO                                              218     3.60
  FERNANDO PEDROZA                                             209     3.45
  HAROLD TUCKER                                                190     3.13
  REBECCA J WELLS                                              190     3.13
  JUAN J ENCISO                                                132     2.18
  ARTHUR MARTINEZ                                               46     0.76
  HARRY GIBBENS                                                 44     0.73
                                                                           
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING        11   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,672                                                                                             
                                                                        

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As of Date: 11/06/2007 Time: 23:40                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY GENERAL MUNI    CITY CLERK                                    
                                                                         
 MARIA QUINONEZ                                             1,684    65.63
 NANETTE COLEMAN                                              882    34.37
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING        10    90.91
REGISTRATION        17,672                                                 
                                                                         

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As of Date: 11/06/2007 Time: 23:40                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY GENERAL MUNI    CITY TREASURER                                
                                                                         
 SALVADOR ALATORRE                                          1,595    57.13
 IRIS PYGATT                                                1,197    42.87
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING        10    90.91
REGISTRATION        17,672                                                 
                                                                         
LYNWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL       GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER                        
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN   3                                                  
                                                                         
 JOSE LUIS SOLACHE                                          1,849    26.60
 MARIA G LOPEZ                                              1,442    20.75
 OSCAR ESPINOZA                                             1,408    20.26
 D PLUMMER-JONES                                            1,127    16.22
 G R RODRIGUEZ                                              1,124    16.17
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9    81.82
REGISTRATION        17,898                                                   
                                                                         

New Mayor, and Councilmembers

Lynwood, CA - The new Mayor and the new members of the City Council cut own travel budget, eliminate council deputy positions, and fire two attorneys.

Read story here.

New Councilmember Sworn In, Santillan Mayor

Lynwood, CA - The newly elected councilmembers were sworn in. Maria Santillan was elected Mayor.

Read article here.

Council Ignores Recall

Lynwood, CA - May consider council's refusal to step down an act of vengeance to the community that recalled them.

Latimes.com
wavenewspapers.com

La Gente de Lynwood

Anti Immigrant group protests outside of Plaza Mexico on Sunday, September 30, 2007.

≈
La Gente de Lynwood - Watch more free videos

School Employee Assaults 13 Year Old Student

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the investigation into the assault of a 13 year old student at Cesar Chavez.

Read story here.

Mayor and 3 Councilmembers Recalled

Lynwood, CA- The associated press reports that the Mayor and 3 members of the associated press were overwhelmingly recalled.

Read story here.

Four Councilmembers Recalled

Lynwood, CA - Historic elections in Lynwood result in the recall of Louis Byrd, Alfreddie Johnson, Leticia Vasquez, and Fernando Pedroza.

Infamous Burro became
the mascot of the recall movement

Election Results

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-BYRD                                  
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF LOUIS BYRD       - YES                    2,411    72.95
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                       894    27.05
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED L BYRD                             
                                                                         
 ALFREDO FLORES                                             1,133    39.33
 PATRICIA CARR                                              1,098    38.11
 MARGARET ARAUJO                                              650    22.56
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-JOHNSON                               
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF A. JOHNSON       - YES                    2,353    72.36
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                       899    27.64
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED A JOHNSON                          
                                                                         
 J "TONY" MARTINEZ                                          1,632    57.44
 ANDREA L HOOPER                                            1,209    42.56
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-PEDROZA                               
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF F. PEDROZA       - YES                    2,389    72.81
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                       892    27.19
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED F PEDROZA                          
                                                                         
 RAMON RODRIGUEZ                                            1,169    41.62
 WALTER A LOPEZ                                               978    34.82
 EDWIN R JACINTO                                              662    23.57
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-VASQUEZ                               
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF L. VASQUEZ       - YES                    2,317    69.31
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                     1,026    30.69
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED L VASQUEZ                          
                                                                         
 JIM MORTON                                                 1,431    51.00
 AIDE CASTRO                                                1,375    49.00
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422                                                 
                                                                         
                                                                         

---

Recall Election Nears

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports on four council members facing recall.

Read story here.

Fernando Pedroza Claims False Endorsement

Lynwood, CA - In a letter dated September 14, 2007, Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez accuses Pedroza of misleading voters by "listing her in a category of previous and current endorsements."

The Congresswoman has asked Pedroza to cease from listing her in his mailings as an endorsee past or present.

City Hires Firm to Conduct Survey

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood City Council hired Alvin Parra and Roland Aranjo of Milagro Strategies to conduct a survey on Angeles Fields.

Read story here.

Democratic Party Accusses Jim Morton and Edwin Jacinto of Voter Fraud

Lynwood, CA - The Los Angeles County Democratic Party has send out an urgent Voter Fraud Alert indicating that Candidate Edward R. Jacinto, running to replace City Councilmember Fernando Pedroza and Jim Morton, running to replace City Councilmember Leticia Vasquez, have falsely claimed the endorsement on their campaign literature and at public events.

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party states that it has not endorsed any candidates running in the Lynwood City Special Recall Election.

Read alert here.

County Takes Over Recall Election

Lynwood, CA - State legislature voted on Friday to allow county election officials to take over Lynwood's recall election.

Read story from LA Times.
(Requires suscription)

Read Story from Wavenewspapers here.

Jim Morton (For Vasquez' Seat)

Aide Castro (For Vasquez' Seat)

Walter Lopez (For Pedroza's Seat)

Edwin Jacinto (For Pedroza's Seat)

Ramon Rodriguez (For Pedroza's Seat)

Andrea Hooper (For Johnson's Seat)

Jose Antonio Martinez (For Johnson's Seat)

Alfredo Flores (For Byrd's Seat)

Patricia Carr (For Byrd's Seat)

Margaret Araujo (For Byrd's Seat)

Louis Byrd (Incumbent)

Leticia Vasquez (Incumbent)

Alfreddie Johnson (Incumbent)

Fernando Pedroza (Incumbent)

Judge Orders Recall Election to Move Forward

Lynwood, CA - Despite allegations by councilmembers of fraud, Court Judge Dzintra I. Janavs ordered the recall election to continue.

Read story here.

Arnoldo Beltran Fired as City Attorney

Lynwood, CA - Arnoldo Beltran, who has been highly criticized for his excesive billing to the Ctiy, was fired as city attorney by a 4-1 vote of the City Council.

Read story here.

Lynwood City Council Approves Changes to Promenade

Lynwood, CA - The Lynwood city council approved July 17, 2007 an amendment to the proposed promenade project. A press release was made public before the council voted on the item.

Read story here.

Cadidate Packages for Recall Election Ready

Candidate Packages for the recall election can be picked up in the
City Manager’s Office
effective immediately.

Deadline is July 12 2007, 5:00p.m. PST.

For questions please call (310) 603-0220 ext. 501.

Office Hours:

July 5, 2007
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

July 9 - 12, 2007
7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Please remember to VOTE !!!

City's website here.

Councilmembers Fear Facing Electorate

Lynwood, CA - The Press Telegram reports that the Lynwood City Council members that are target of a recall, may be afraid of losing their plum jobs and facing the electorate.

Read story here.

Elected Official Court Date August 13, 2007

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Lynwood elected officials must appear in court on August 13, 2007.


Read Story here.

Pet Shop Owner Sanctioned by Council Faces 22 Years in Prison

Lynwood, CA – The owner of Animal Pet House, Young Sam Park 52, faces 22 felony counts of animal cruelty that range from torturing to mutilation. Park, who was exceedingly defended by Mayor Louis Byrd, and other members of the City Council, was jailed on more than $450,000 bail.

Read story here.

City Clerk Duties Removed

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Vasquez, Johnson, Pedroza, and Byrd took away the City Clerk's role of presiding over city elections, including the recall drive.

Read story here.

Vasquez tops Travel Expense

Vasquez tops travel expense in the first quarter of 2007 with $12,715. Following is Byrd $11,993, Johnson $9,779, Pedroza $9,228 and Santillan $0. The Lynwood City Council spent $43,715 in only four months. This information is based on a public information request that may be obtained at the City Clerk's Office.

Last years total travel expense was $100,205.
Byrd - $27,141
Pedroza $24,531
Johnson $20,428
Vasquez $18,470
Santillan $9,635

Lynwood Politics Tainted by Racial Strifes

Lynwood, CA - The Los Angeles Times reports that Lynwood is at center of a political and racial strife.
Read story from latimes.com

Lynwood Welcomes Paris Hilton

Recall to be Investigated

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood City Council voted in favor of hiring the firm Strategic Counsel to investigate the recall.

Read story here.

Recall Signatures Certified

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the recall signatures have been certified.
If the council does not set a date for the recall election by May 30, the county by law will set one by June 4.

Read story here.

Not Guilty Pleas at Arraignment

Lynwoo, CA - Local newspaper reports that the four accussed current and former officials enter not guilty pleas at arraignmet.

Read story here.

Paris Hilton's Sexual Indiscretions and Fernando Pedroza's Porn Habits Bring City Needed Attention

Lynwood, CA - Local newsper discusses how, among other things, Paris Hilton's sexual indiscretions, and Fernando Pedroza's porn habits have brought Lynwood national and international attention.

Read story here.

Arraignment to Take Place Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the arraignment of two current and three former council members is expected to take place Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at Compton Superior Court, Division 12, before Judge John J. Cheroske.

Read story here.

Registrar-Recorder May Have Verified Petitions by Memorial Day

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports on recall signatures submitted to the City Clerk's Office.
3,700 signatures are needed on petitions to recall Vasquez, Johnson, Pedroza, and Byrd.

Read story here.

Senior Center Opens

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports on opening of Lynwood's Senior Center.

Read story here.

Recall Proponents Submit Over 4,500 Signatures

Lynwood, CA - Recall proponents submitted over 4,500 signatures today to recall Louis Byrd, and Fernando Pedroza, who have recently been charged with misappropriating over $100,000 dollars each. The recall signatures also include Leticia Vazquez and Alfreddie Johnson.

Lynwood Case Shows Need for Local Vigilance

Lynwood, CA - Barnstablepatriot.com critiques the Lynwood case, and highlights need for local vigilance.

Read story here.

Byrd, Pedroza, and Three Former Councilmembers Charged with Misappropriating More than $100,000 in Taxpayer Money

Lynwood, CA - Current Mayor Louis Byrd, and Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Pedroza are chaged with misuse of public funds. Some of the charges include trips, and in the case of Pedroza, a session with exotic dancers.

Former Councilmembers Armando Rea, Arturo Reyes, and Ricardo Sanchez will also be prosecuted. If convicted, they face 6 years in state prison.

Read press release by DA

Los Angeles Times

CBS2

N. Enrique Martinez Declines to comment on charges

Read La Opinion

View arrest details (from Sheriff's website)

Report Clears Enrique Martinez

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that a report made public by the City clears former City Manager, making Pedroza's accussations of embezzlement false.

Read story here.

Redlands Hires Martinez as City Manager

Lynwood, CA - The City of Redlands has hired N. Enrique Martinez, who's on administrative leave in Lynwood as city manager.

Read story here.

Recall Proponents Exceed 2,000 Signature Threshold

Lynwood, CA – Hoyinternet.com reports that recall proponents have exceeded the 2,000 signature threshold. Proponents intent to collect 5,000 signatures.

Read story here.

Beltran and Leal have made a small fortune representing scandal-plagued cities

Lynwood, CA - Story in LA Weekly discusses Arnoldo Beltran and Francisco Leal's reputation for being influential advisers to many small cities plagued with corruption.

Read story here.

Planning Commission Chair Victor Gomez Lies About Residency

Lynwood, CA – Victor Gomez, currently the chair for the Planning Commission, and appointed by current Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Pedroza, has deceived Lynwood residents and fellow commissioners in believing he lives in Lynwood. Public records show that Gomez sold his house in Lynwood on October 2006. Instead of resigning as chair of the Planning Commissioner, Gomez has continued to affirm residency at 10929 Wright Road.

Each commissioner must follow the following codes

1) Must be resident of the City – not holding a position for which the City pays compensation

2) Commissioner maybe removed at any time by the Mayor without cause

4) Three (3) absences within a twelve (12) month period shall constitute a vacating of the position.


View public record.

Fire at City Clerk's Office

Lynwood, CA – Firefighters rushed to City Hall the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2007 to extinguish a fire that erupted at the City Clerk’s Office. City workers were evacuated as a preventive measure.

Color Matching Not Important for Lynwood Crews

Lynwood, CA - Color matching is not important for City crews when covering graffitti.

California Governor Criticizes Plaza Mexico

Lynwood, CA - California Governor, who started his campaign, amongst others, with council member Leticia Vasquez, and School Board member Maria Lopez in Lynwood, criticized Plaza Mexico to illustrate his point about immigrants lack of assimilation.

At one point, to illustrate immigrants’ lack of assimilation, he described a shopping mall in Lynwood called Plaza Mexico.

“Literally I felt I was in Mexico City,” he said. “Everyone only spoke Spanish, every shop was in Spanish, every sign was in Spanish. They create a Mexico within California.”

Read Story Here.

Montebello City Council Selects Beltran As City Attorney

Lynwood, CA - The Montebello City Council voted 3-2 to hire Lynwood's City Attorney Arnoldo Beltran as their City Attorney.

Read Story Here.

Recall Led by Residents

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the recall effort is headed by 30 volunteers. Recall proponents must gather 3,418 signatures for each member.


Read story here.

City Manager Placed on Administrative Leave

Lynwood, CA - The Lynwood City Council placed City Manager N. Enrique Martinez on a 30 day paid leave.

Taking Homes for Lynwood Promenade May be Illegal

Lynwood, CA - Los Angeles Times article indicates Lynwood was wrong to consider a redevelopment plan with a football stadium, and that it may be illegal to take private property for reasons of economic development .

Read story from the LATimes.

(Requires Suscription)

City Manager to be Discussed in Closed Session

Lynwood, CA – During the council meeting held January 2, 2007, two people allegedly tied to Imperial Partners, inc asked for the City Manager’s resignation. On a move that many consider an attempt to disarm opponents of the Lynwood Promenade, the Lynwood City Council has placed the position of City Manager in the agenda for the next council meeting which will be held January 16, 2006. Historically, when the position of City Manager has been placed in closed session agenda, a new City Manager is appointed.

It is alleged that Byrd, Johnson, and Pedroza want to fire Martinez because of his inability to move [their] projects forward. Critics argue that a new City Manager, more attuned to the new majority will move the Lynwood Promenade, and other projects onward.

See agenda here.

Economic Difference of Imperial Partners Project Questioned

Lynwood, CA - Joel Kotkin, author and commetator on urban issues is
quoted in the Los Angeles Times as questioning the economic difference
of Imperial Partner's proposal because the sport is seasonal. Kotkin
also admonishes that the project is an "awful big big development for a
small town".


Read story in the Los Angeles Times.

Requires subscription.

Caroon submitted by "monero"

City's Response to Lynwood Promenade, LLC

Lynwood, CA - Click here to view City's response to Lynwood Promenade LLC.

Mailer Alleges Superintendent Resignation

Lynwood, CA - An underground mailer was sent to Lynwood residents alleging that the Superintendent has submitted his resignation. This mailer marks the beginning of 2007 campaign.