10.31.09

Council Raises Concern Over Expo Yard

The maintenance and storage yard proposed before the city council that had concerns from the Pico community, now is raising them with the city council.

City officials are now worried about a proposed hybrid station that was put together after initial concerns brought up by the community. This hybrid site proposes to add extra space to its car lot and also a paint and body shop on location.

Showing concern for the residents of the community, City Councilman Kevin McKeown said that “if there is nothing in the Environmental Impact Report about a 50-odd car lot or a paint and metal shop, then the people have not had the opportunity to comment, have their comments heard and responded to.”

Steve Pelechronis, a consultant on the project, did say that of the over 3,000 letters, with over 9,000 comments, there were little if any regarding the hybrid site. Expo officials claim that the changes to the proposal will not need a new review and that the paint shop will be fully contained.

Westside Subway Update

In a meeting held on October 22^nd, the Metro Board of Directors approves a long-range transit plan that will guarantee funding for the future Wesside Subway that will connect Culver City with Santa Monica.

Planned locations for the Santa Monica stations are at Wilshire and Bundy, Wilshire and 15^th/16^th, and the last stop being at Wilshire and 4^th. the plans are currently in the Draft Environmental Impact stage.

Cops Nab Murder Suspect

Last Sunday, in a coordinated effort, the Santa Monica Police Department and the LAPD we able to apprehend Jason Eddie Coleman, 27, for the murder of Preston Brumfield.

Brumfield was found brutally beaten on may 11, 2008 and laying in a pool of his own blood. Brumfield was taken to UCLA Medical Center but died from his injuries four days later.

Coleman and three other have been arrested in connection to the murder. All suspect are believed to be members of the street gang, The Graveyard Crips. It is believed that Brumfield was beaten after insulting one of the suspects.

All suspects have pled not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted.