Patch Blog: Margarito Martinez, Candidate For HHPNC

Hello Everyone,

My name is Margarito "Mike" Martinez, and I am a Candidate for an At Large Director's Seat on the board of the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council.

If my candidacy is successful, I promise to make preserving The Southwest Museum of the American Indian as an historic treasure  and lasting heritage of our proud Northeast Los Angeles Communities a top priority. I recognize public safety, oppose unregulated medical marijuana dispensaries in residential neighborhoods, support sane, compassionate, safe medical marijuana cooperatives for the patients who sincerely need it. I will lobby the City for more wholesome, creative activities for the teenagers to participate in. Complimenting Garvanza Skate Park and our Highland Park Recreation Center and the newly proposed Veterans Memorial at York & Figuera. Incorporating new businesses along the new York corridor, music stores, and other shops popular with the youth to provide events encouraging positive diversions from what could otherwise be a life of drug dependency and gang crime. I will fully support the efforts of businesses like La Tropicana, on Monte Vista, in its community participation, in regards to block parties and mini-fiesta's, partnering with Pastors, and other people of Faith and Goodwill, to seek collaborative efforts that support community cohesion, and participation in these endeavors.

I grew up along the avenues, south of Figueroa. I attended Monte Vista Street School, Good Shepherd Lutheran School, Luther Burbank Junior High, and Franklin. I treasure boyhood memories of roaming the surrounding hillsides before there were condos dotting the landscape. I remember the horses people kept behind there houses along Collis Ave., playing on Elephant Hill, hiking the Arroyo Seco to the Rose Parade and I shall forever hold in my heart, the beauty, wonder, and splendor of our natural surroundings. I will always seek to promote conservation of our open spaces for ourselves, our children and for all time to come.

I support 100% the efforts of local people like Rebecca Prine, of Recycled Resources, and Richard Ledesma, of Hathaway-Sycamores, who selflessly put in the time and dedication to provide a measure of relief and compassion for those who are suffering, and who abide among us, doing all they can to make our neighborhood a better place for those who may have no other place to turn.

I received all my Holy Sacraments at St. Ignatius, was a member of SIYA, a confirmed catechist under Sis. Grace and Monsignor Hernandez. I use to attend Ave. 54 Bible Church and went to Verdugo Pines Bible Camp in the summer, when I was a kid. As a young teenager, I went to the Christian Challenge, that was located on Ave. 60 & Fig., and became born again at a David Wilkerson Rally at East L.A. College. I received the gift of the Holy Ghost at Christ Faith Mission, Pisgah, when Bro. & Sis. Smith were alive. I recognize the great community involvement and potential of Churches and other faith groups, like SGI-USA, Mystic Darma Buddhist Temple and BOTA, who can together, through cooperation and collaboration, make our community safe and happy.

I know about, and support the work among youth, by Churches like All Saints, on Monte Vista, and the old red brick, 1st Presbyterian Church, on 53 & Fig., and the Spanish Speaking Church on 54 & Fig. (Especially the Food Boxes. Because Lord knows, I've had more than a few of those!) That is my vision for Highland Park, and if elected I give my sacred promise, before God and man, to work towards those goals, and encourage others to work together towards the same pursuits.

That's a little bit about me, personally, and generally about where I'm coming from, as I seek to represent you, my family, friends and neighbors. If elected, I will never forget that my PRIMARY responsibility is to be YOUR voice in City Hall. To represent YOU accurately, and with honesty, and integrity, the stakeholders of my home town, Highland Park.

You can see a little more of me, if you'd like, give you a little better idea of what I'm about, by viewing a couple of videos I posted on Patch's Pics & Clips Page (under my nick name, M.O.G.-man of God). I'm afraid I don't own a fancy camera, so the production quality may leave a bit to be desired. Thank you again, for your kind consideration. Vote for me, Margarito "Mike" Martinez on Oct. 13!