La Opinión Endorses José Huizar For CD 14

The two candidates for Council District 14 are now even in their respective number of endorsements earned from the city's major newspapers, with incumbent José Huizar getting the nod from the editorial board of La Opinión, the mostly widely read Spanish-language newspaper in Los Angeles.

La Opinión's endorsement of Huizar comes 10 days after the Los Angeles Times of his challenger, Eagle Rock businessman Rudy Martinez.

The La Opinión piece credits Huizar for successfully implementing an "ambitious agenda" during his first term in office, including the "development of more green spaces, the expansion of the Metro Gold Line, the opening of educational centers and the initiation of economic development projects such as the plan to revive downtown's Broadway commercial corridor."

The editorial also makes note of Huizar's political experience, saying that his previous work on the Los Angeles Unified School District's board of directors served him well in his first term, and suggested that the councilmember would continue to prosper while navigating through the city's complex political alleyways.

However, Huizar has faltered, La Opinión conceded, in meeting the needs of Northeast residents. "Huizar’s leadership has had a positive impact on district residents, especially in Boyle Heights and El Sereno," the newspaper's editorial board said. "Not as much progress has been apparent in the city’s Northeast part, which is the reason for opponent businessman Rudy Martinez’s campaign. Despite this, we believe Huizar’s administration has been adequate in northeast area's like Eagle Rock, for example, as to merit a second term."

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new fitness equipment at the Eagle Rock Recreation Center this morning, Huizar told Eagle Rock Patch that he thought La Opinión "got it right" in its endorsement of him. "They mention my experience, my dedication to the district, and the type of person I am—I know every part of the district and it shows." Asked what he thought of the Los Angeles Times' endorsement of Martinez, Huizar quipped: "They spoke to a bad sample of the district—I think the L.A. Times is out of touch."

Martinez has sought to make political hay from Huizar's perceived lack of attentiveness to Northeast communities and has continuously stressed in public appearances that he would "listen to the community."

Huizar has recently  made an attempt to be more visible in Mount Washington, Highland Park and Eagle Rock.

Over the last month, he celebrated the first step in the repainting of the on the AT&T building at 1207 N. Avenue 56. and the dedication of the in Mount Washington, both collaborative efforts between the community and his council office.

He's also made strong push to redevelop a stretch of York Boulevard between Ave. 50 and Ave. 56, through his , and has recently attempted to between the Autry National Center and in an attempt to reopen the Southwest Museum.

Martinez, though, has been dubious of Huizar's newfound interest in the Northeast.

At a recent candidates forum hosted by the , Martinez took a shot at Huizar when asked by a local business owner whether, if elected, he would continue to support the "new York" redevelopment plan.

Martinez, who has played his own role in revitalizing the neighborhood by opening Marty's Bar on York Boulevard, said he would indeed take an interest in redeveloping the area, and "wouldn't wait until he was up for reelection to do it."

The challenger also recently unveiled Project Block by Block, an initiative though which he is encouraging CD 14 residents to post "areas of concern" on his Facebook page.

"Use your camera phones, or digital cameras to photograph potholes, sidewalks, untrimmed city owned trees, blighted business, buildings, corridors and alleys.  Once you post the picture on my Facebook, please tell me the location, and if possible how long the problem has been there and what you want done," Martinez wrote in a statement announcing the launch of the program. "When elected, I fully intend to address each and every one of the problems you post. I will use my experience building relationships to ensure that the corresponding City Departments address your concerns and get them fixed in a timely manner."

The election for CD14 will be held on Tuesday, March 8.