HHPNC Live Blog: Thursday, Feb. 3

Update: 8:45 p.m. Meeting ends with Anson storming out of the Senior Center. He was very unhappy with softball questions during candidate's forum. Councilmember Chris Smith said he was a moderator not an interrogator. Doesn't appear to be any hard feelings among board members, though.

Update: 8:40 p.m. Interesting discussion going on right now regarding HHPNC bringing in elementary school principals to talk about their needs. Rick Marquez is in favor and thinks there are some little things council can do to help out within the schools. Stan Moore said the council, given its budget, is in the position to be offering help to anyone.  Janet Dodson said, regardless of whether the neighborhood council can provide any financial support, it couldn't hurt to develop relationships with the local schools.  "All we would like to do is develop a relationship with some of the principals so we have an idea of what their needs are so they would answer the phone the next time we make the call," Dodson said.

Update: 8:34 p.m. Neighborhood council approves sending letter to Councilmember Ed Reyes' office requesting they do something about graffiti behind Chase Bank on Figueroa St. Community members say they would rather see the graffiti mural repaired rather than painted over, even though it's not city sponsored.

Update: 8:30 p.m. Council votes in favor of $1,000 grant to Highland Park Heritage Trust. That money would go to the friends of the Southwest Museum, who would use it to print educational materials for their effort to have the museum reopened. This would need to get approved from the budget and finance committee as well.

Update: 8:25 p.m. Conditional approval for CVS liquor license tabled. New letter of support needs to be crafted that mathces conditions required for El Super and La Tropicana.

Update: 8:20 p.m.

HHPNC member Andrei Anson not doesn't want  to give conditional apprval to liquor license for CVS, saying there's already enough places in Highland Park. "You don't need to buy deoderant and booze at the same place," he said.

Update: 8:14 p.m.

Council considering granting conditional approval to extension of liquor license for CVS on Figueroa and Ave. 60. Highlights of the discussion so far? Al Strange of the Northeast Democratic Club calling that CVS "tacky."

Update: 8:01 p.m.

Some good news out of Councilmember Jose Huizar's office. The long awaited bike corral in front of Cafe de Leche on 5000 York Blvd. is coming very soon. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, Feb. 18 at 9:00 a.m. at Cafe De Leche.

Update: 8 p.m.

Public comments now underway. Jose Carmona, a local youth organizer, was at the podium again pushing for stronger gang intervention in Highland Park's schools, especially Luther Burbank Middle School.

Update: 7:45 p.m.

CD 14 Candidate Rudy Martinez took questions from 7 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. He took questions about gang violence, development and councilmember salaries. When pressed for specifics about whether he would take a pay cut, Martinez said he would not. Stay tuned for video.