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 4^th between 7am and 8pm.

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

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

Thank you,

BERNARD C. PARKS

Candidate, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

BERNARD C. PARKS for Supervisor

Picture 1: Councilmember 

Bernard C. Parks joins Congresswoman Maxine Waters at a "Get Out the Vote Rally" for the Barack Obama for President Campaign. The rally was held at Obama's Crenshaw Office Headquarters at 5444 Crenshaw Boulevard.

Picture 2: Councilmember Bernard C. Parks flips pancakes at his Issues Only Townhall Meeting in Culver City as former Culver City Mayor Alan Corlin looks on.

MRT& McCain: Politics as Usual

As Senator John McCain's Campaign is flooding swing voters with "robocalls"(automated phone calls) smearing Senator Barack Obama's character, the campaign for Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is attempting to do the same thing to the reputation of Councilmember Bernard C. Parks.

Television ads paid for by corrupt former union boss Tyrone Freeman and his cronies are distorting Parks' record as a Police Chief and as a Councilmember.

The Obama Campaign says that McCain's tactics distract voters from the issues that matter. And, the Parks Campaign agrees.

The fact is that our opponent's negative ads don't provide any real answers to the issues we all hold close to our hearts and our pocketbooks: health care and the economy.

So, instead of joining in the mudslinging, here's what you can do: Come to Parks Campaign Headquarters at 3734 Crenshaw Boulevard and sign up to phone bank, walk a precinct or contribute funds.

Click here to Donate:
http://parksforsupervisor.com/GetInvolved/Donate/tabid/74/Default.aspx
Click here to Volunteer:
http://parksforsupervisor.com/GetInvolved/Volunteer/tabid/73/Default.aspx


That is one of the only ways your voice can be heard in the very important election for the Second District Seat on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

See you there!

Major Papers Back Barack & Bernard Ticket

Over the last week, the campaigns of Presidential hopeful, Senator Barack Obama, and Supervisorial candidate Councilmember Bernard C. Parks have been racking up the endorsements from Los Angeles County's major newspapers.

So far, the L.A. Times, L.A. Daily News, L.A. Daily Breeze, L.A. Sentinel and Long Beach Press-Telegram have all gone on record to support what's being called the "Barack and Bernard" ticket. This strong wave of support is a clear indication that Senator's message of hope and change and Parks' message of courage and leadership is resonating with L.A. County's opinion makers.

In many ways, the endorsements of the two candidates mirror each other. Look below to see what L.A. County's leading newspapers are saying about Senator Barack Obama and Councilmember Bernard C. Parks:


Healthcare
Daily News/Daily Breeze Family of Newspapers on Obama: "He(Obama) has a clear health care plan, similar to what California has been trying to create over the past two years"

Daily News/Daily BreezeFamily of Newspapers on Parks: "Parks favors new approaches for the county health care system and, in particular, returning King-Harbor Medical Center to a full-service hospital.


Budget & the Economy
Daily News/Daily Breeze Family of Newspapers on Obama: "His(Obama's) national economic policies pay homage to what this great state has already pioneered"

L.A. Times on Parks: "Parks has shown a steady hand chairing the City Council's budget committee, and would bring similar care to the much larger county government."

L.A. Times on Obama: "It is Obama's character and temperament that come to the fore. It is his steadiness. His maturity."


The 2008 Presidential and Supervisorial Election
Daily News/Daily Breeze Family of Newspapers on Obama: "...this election has become about hope and despair... when it comes down to the choice between the two top contenders and between hope and despair, there is one clear choice. Barack Obama is the one."

L.A. Times on Parks: "We are counting on Parks to resist the county's tendency toward mediocrity.. as a county supervisor, he(Parks) would be well positioned to correct those failures and make the government of the nation's most -populous county more effective and efficient."

Business & Labor
L.A. Times on Obama: "He(Obama) is a Democrat, leaning further left than right, but he has won the backing of some on Wall Street not because he's one of them but because they recognize his talent for extracting from a broad range of proposals a coherent and workable program."

Daily News/Daily Breeze Family of Newspapers on Parks: "Parks also draws support from businesses and the L.A. Chamber of Commerce. Parks would take a consistent and balanced view when dealing with labor-management issues."

Working with Others
L.A. Times on Obama: "He(Obama) is no lone rider. He is a consensus-builder, a leader."

Daily News/Daily Breeze Family of Newspapers on Parks: "Through his service as an elected leader, he(Parks) has worked in tandem with organizations such as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, National League of Cities and Southern California Association of Governments."

Candidate Qualifications
L.A. Times on Obama: "Obama has offered more competence than drama. Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature."

L.A. Times on Parks: "Parks has the ability and experience to make the most of the position. Parks has shown tough-mindedness and independence. The demands of the position will require the next supervisor to demonstrate intellectual, legal and political skills that transcend a right-left or business-labor approach."