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2009 Urban Lecture Series

As a new president took office in Washington, D.C. and California entered a severe economic recession, the 2009 Urban Lecture Series, presented by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles, addressed many issues that directly impact Los Angeles. Some of the region’s most influential leaders and officeholders participated in a series of interactive panel discussions at Loyola Marymount University and discussed public policy challenges facing decision makers as well as young adults preparing to enter the workforce. In partnership with Channel LA36 and moderated by Dr. Fernando Guerra, the series consisted of the following programs:

Feb. 5: L.A. as a Subject

  • DJ Waldie, commentator/historian
  • Hon. Ruth Galanter, former L.A. City Councilmember
  • Ron Kaye, Saving Los Angeles Project
  • Brendan Huffman, Huffman Public Affairs
As Angelenos prepared to go to the polls in one month, this panel examined what makes Los Angeles unique in terms of its culture, diversity, history and political dynamics. Much of the conversation turned to a controversial solar initiative on the March 3 ballot as well as the governance of Los Angeles and why so many people feel disenfranchised.  
 

Feb. 12: Political Diversity

  • Hon. Richard Polanco, former State Senator/Assemblymember
  • Hon. Mike Woo, former L.A. City Councilmember
  • Hon. Mark Slavkin, former LAUSD Board President
  • Hon. Bernard Parks, L.A. City Councilmember
Following a presentation by Dr. Guerra showing the growing diversity of L.A. officeholders over the past 50 years, a dynamic panel of past and present officeholders discussed their ethnic communities rises to power as well as their own experiences with voter prejudice—and how they overcame it. The audience was treated to several candid stories about past political campaigns of the panelists along with comments about the roles of ethnic groups in today’s political initiatives. 
 
 

Feb. 26: Commentators

  • Larry Mantle, 90.7 KPPC-FM’s Airtalk
  • Warren Olney, 89.9 KCRW-FM’s Which Way L.A.?
As the news business continued to suffer as newer technologies have changed how people obtain news, two of L.A.’s most seasoned and popular radio commentators shared their experiences and thoughts on the news business and how their mediums have changed. 


March 5: L.A. & the Obama Administration

  • Hon. Mark Ridley-Thomas, L.A. County Supervisor
  • Phil Recht, Mayer Brown Row & Mawe, LLP
Dr. Michael Genovese, Loyola Marymount University’s Political Science Dept.
For many Angelenos, Barack Obama captured the imaginations of those who have fought for civil rights since the 1960s. The panelists shared their perspectives on this dynamic new president and made interesting observations about his management style and perceived lack of experience. Several comments were also made about the opportunities for L.A. opinion leaders to influence the directions of the Obama Administration. 
 


March 19: Education

  • Angela Bass, Partnership For L.A.’s Schools
  • Hon. Marlene Canter, LAUSD Board of Trustees
  • Shane Martin, Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education
  • Dr. Pedro Noguera, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education
As urban schools continue to suffer, the panelists at this program offered refreshing evidence of some examples of success and bold opportunities for improvement. Despite different backgrounds, the panelists agreed that students are served best when special interests put disagreements aside and focus on academic reforms that prioritize student achievement. 


March 26: Economic Development

  • Carol Schatz, Central City Association
  • Xavier Gutierrez, Phoenix Realty Group
  • Carrie Rogers, L.A. County Economic Development Corp.
  • Steve Soboroff, Playa Vista
Los Angeles’s business climate is ranked among the worst in the nation, so why are so many businesses still operating here? The panelists revealed the pros and cons L.A.’s business climate and why the city’s employment numbers have been stagnant since 1980 while neighboring cities have added thousands of jobs in that time period. The panel also discussed how politics and lawsuits impede job growth and economic opportunities. 
 

April 2: Transportation & Infrastructure

  • Hon. Richard Katz, former State Assemblymember/current MTA & Metrolink Board Member
  • Hon. Wendy Greuel, L.A. City Councilmember/L.A. City Controller-elect
  • Gilbert Ivey, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
L.A. has some of the worst traffic congestion in the world and severe drought conditions, so why aren’t policymakers doing more to fix transportation and water needs? The panelists presented many of the historical challenges of land use planning in Los Angeles that has made it difficult to development and fund infrastructure to prepare for future growth. 
 

April 16: Healthcare

  • Herb Schultz, Office of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Hon. Abbe Land, West Hollywood City Mayor/Saban Free Clinic
California is one of the most affluent regions in the world, so why are so many of us without health insurance? The panelists, who have worked in health care for many years but from two different capacities, commented on the economic and political challenges to provide coverage to everyone as well as the new opportunities with a new presidential administration. 


Special thanks to

  • The Leavey Family
  • Father Michael Lawton, LMU President
  • LA 36
  • Billy Valdavia, camera operator/film editor
  • Brendan Huffman, producer