Mike Hernandez

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Shortly after taking office, Hernandez threatened to file suit against the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) who, during the 5-month hiatus of any representation between the time Gloria Molina moved to the County Board of Supervisors and Hernandez was elected to replace her, constructed a maintenance facility at a nearby rail yard without producing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). As part of the settlement, LACTC agreed to fund a series of community workshops for local residents.Hernandez put a call out to his community to attend critical planning meetings, an announcement which was picked up and published thus in the Los Angeles Times on November 12, 1992: [6]

The workshops were funded by the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) who were forced to do so under threat of a lawsuit by the City of Los Angeles which Hernandez initiated.

Personal life

Hernandez was arrested in Pacoima in 1997 for cocaine possession. [2] He posted bail and checked into a rehabilitation facility, which allowed him to avoid a felony conviction and therefore to keep his council seat. [3] The investigation found he had been sued for failure to pay debts and nearly lost his house due to financial troubles from his addiction. [2]

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References

  1. Purdum, Todd S. (1997-10-29). "A Politician's Comeback May Take Him Only So Far". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  2. 1 2 3 Newton, Jim; Rohrlich, Ted (August 23, 1997). "Hernandez Drug Probe Unfolded Over Months". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Morrison, Patt (October 26, 2021). "In L.A., at least our corrupt officials don't have much power". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  4. “Hernandez… called for greater attention by city government to ‘zones of need’--neighborhoods that suffer disproportionately from poverty, substandard housing, unemployment and lack of education. Hernandez released demographic studies to more precisely delineate the substandard socioeconomic zones, including much of his own 1st District near downtown. “[Los Angeles Times-CALIFORNIA | LOCAL: LOS ANGELES : More Aid Is Urged for 'Zones of Need' October 15, 1992]
  5. “What unsettled many of the council members about Hernandez was that he seriously tried to argue that the wealthier neighborhoods took the resources that should be used in the inner city.” [Anything But Mexican, Chicanos In Contemporary Los Angeles by Rodolfo Acuna]
  6. "Councilman Mike Hernandez has organized a three-day public workshop, beginning Friday, for area residents to discuss development of the 250-acre Taylor Yard. Representatives from the American Institute of Architects will interview participants about what types of projects would best serve the public's needs. The architects will include the comments in a report to Hernandez, which will guide him in discussions with prospective developers…” [Los Angeles Times NEWS -Northeast L.A. : Workshops on Taylor Yard, November 12, 1992]

Mike Hernandez
Mike Hernandez, 1986.jpg
Member of the Los Angeles City Council for the 1st district
In office
1991–2001
Preceded by Los Angeles City Councilman
1st district

19912001
Succeeded by
Preceded by Assistant President Pro Tempore for the
Los Angeles City Council

1995–1997
Succeeded by