DRP will stay in DTLA

The misguided plan to move the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (DRP) to the suburbs bites the dust.

DRP headquarters will stay in #DTLA in the purpose-built, Neutra designed Hall of Records!

Thanks to LA County Supervisors Hilda Solis, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Sheila Kuehl, and Don Knabe for their leadership, and everyone who sent letters demanding we #KeepDRPinDTLA

In Memoriam: Jacqueline Leavitt (1939 – 2015), Professor Emerita of Urban Planning

Jacqueline-Leavitt_63d9c591-03f1-4682-afd4-e8b82e55c291-prv

This has been a difficult autumn for the UCLA Luskin family.

Professor Jackie Leavitt passed away on November 27, 2015. I am lucky to have been one of her students. A tireless advocate for urbanized communities of color, Jackie is deeply missed but forever loved and respected.

UCLA Urban Planning will hold a gathering in celebration of Jackie’s life and work on Monday, March 7, 2016 at UCLA.

In Memoriam: Edward Soja (1940-2015), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning

soja-2
Dr. Edward W. Soja. Photo courtesy of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs

I declined a scholarship at another university to study urban planning under Edward W. Soja at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Ed will be greatly missed.

His legacy lives on in us.

In Memoriam: Edward Soja (1940-2015), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning

A celebration of Ed’s life and work will be held Monday, January 25, 2016, from 4:00PM-6:00PM at the UCLA Faculty Center, Sequoia Room.

Candidate Statement for CAPE Board of Directors

CAPE represented planners, engineers, appraisers, GIS professionals and inspectors:

My name is Jonathan P. Bell. I’m a planner in the Zoning Enforcement section at the Department of Regional Planning. Currently I’m serving on our CAPE Board of Directors, and was honored to accept the appointment after the retirement of a long-time Director. I’m now seeking a full-term on the Board, and I humbly ask for your vote.

Leadership, experience, and dedication are the qualities I bring to our Board. Since 2012, I’ve served as a CAPE Delegate striving to improve workplace conditions for members. My service includes:

– 2013 and 2015 Contract Negotiations teams
– 2014 Political Endorsement Committee
– Recruitment of 13 new members since 2012
– Organizer for 2013 pay raise petition that garnered over 1,700 member signatures, and was delivered to the BOS

I’m proud that my hard work in support of our members helped me earn the Robert “Bob” Remes Outstanding CAPE Volunteer Award in 2014. This is the passion you’ll always get from me as your Board Director.

Union activism is in my blood. My mom and dad were Communications Workers of America union members for a combined 56 years. Mom was a CWA Shop Steward, and I helped her write grievances when I was in college. As your Board Director, I’ll continue to fight for union members, as I always have.

You need a Board Director who’ll fight hard for better benefits, wages, and pensions for our 2,700+ hardworking members. I have. I WILL.

I humbly ask for your vote.

In solidarity,
Jonathan P. Bell