Monday, November 3, 2008

From the L.A. Times: Final hours: the Bernard Parks campaign



In the race to become Los Angeles first new county supervisor in 16 years, Barack Obama is playing as much of a starring role as the candidates themselves.

Strategists say voters in the district, which includes South Los Angeles, may turn out at the polls in unprecedented numbers under the prospect of electing the country's first black president. As a result, Bernard Parks has rebranded his campaign office the "Obama/Parks Headquarters," and supporters of Mark Ridley-Thomas have recrafted their rallies in recent days as "Obama/Ridley-Thomas" affairs.

The issue is particularly acute for Parks, who has battled attacks from Ridley-Thomas that he is a Republican in Democrat's clothing. Hoping to counter the perception, Parks -- a delegate for Obama at this year's Democratic convention -- carried a stack of hundreds of photos showing himself smiling with Obama, distributing them during visits to 10 churches and two voters' forums Sunday.

The district is home to 2.5 million people, with its core in Crenshaw, Watts and Baldwin Hills; around the edges are Marina del Rey, Culver City, Koreatown, Compton, Carson and Inglewood. African American voting strength is estimated to be roughly 40% in the district, closely followed by whites with 30% and Latinos with 25%.

Neither Parks nor Ridley-Thomas speak Spanish, forcing Parks to use Supervisor Gloria Molina as a surrogate at a Spanish-language service Sunday. Adriana Valenzuela, a 35-year-old mother of two children, hovered close to Parks as he exited Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church near Exposition Park.

Although the two were unable to communicate, Parks' many years of visibility in Los Angeles earned Valenzuela's vote. "I've seen him on television for many years, first when he was chief of police and later as city councilman. I trust him. He can do more for us," she said.

-- Garrett Therolf


From the L.A. Times: Police unveil billboard to help catch serial killer

The sign advertises a $500,000 award offered by the City Council for information leading to the capture of the killer, who appears to target prostitutes.

By Joel Rubin 
1:44 PM PST, November 3, 2008
Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks and the LAPD unveiled a billboard today that aims to help police in their search for a serial killer in South Los Angeles.

The killer first surfaced in the late 1980s and then after a long period of apparent silence resurfaced in 2002. Except for one male victim, he has targeted young black women, killing 11 in all and badly wounding another woman, investigators said.

He sexually abused the women and left almost all of their bodies in a corridor along Western Avenue, often in alleys. Detectives suspect most of the women were working as prostitutes at the time they were killed.

The billboard, at the intersection of 98th Street and Western Avenue, advertises a $500,000 award offered by the City Council for information leading to the capture of the killer. After several weeks of relatively few tips from residents, detectives hope the sign will generate a heavier flow of leads.

Rubin is a Times staff writer.

Friends,

This election is coming down to the wire. Here are a few things to remember:

·        Los Angeles County is expecting the largest voter turnout in recent memory.

·         Do not be discouraged by long lines or bad weather. In this historic race EVERY vote counts.

·        You can call the County Registrar-Recorder to determine your registration status or to locate your polling place at: 1-800-815-2666 or visit www.lavote.net for more information.

·        If you have an Absentee Ballot but have yet to turn it in, you can drop it off at any Polling Place on Tuesday, November 4th between 7am and 8pm.

·        And most importantly, I humbly ask you to please vote for me,

Bernard C. Parks for Supervisor of the 2nd District!

Thank you,

BERNARD C. PARKS

Candidate, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors