Counselor in the community

Maywood Riverfront Park years in making

Maywood Riverfront Park, located along the Los Angeles River, recently celebrated its grand opening.

 This long-awaited celebration, on May 10, included music, food, and activities for all that enjoyed the afternoon. The 7.3-acre park is home to a bike path along the Los Angeles River, a children's play area, basketball courts and a picnic area with tables. 

The project, which started in 1993, has been several years in the making. It is a welcome addition to the community.  The park will benefit the 30,000 residents of Maywood, as well as bicylists and joggers who use the path adjacent to the L.A. River.

There were many obstacles to the park's opening from its inception. There were more than 12 years of environmental studies and cleanup, as well as parcel-acquisition difficulties.

  Six parcels from various companies had to be acquired, which included land that required the Environmental Protection Agency's approval, as well as a defunct railroad line parcel. Funding was made possible by city, state and federal governments, nonprofit organizations and private philanthropists, as well as donors in the community. 

  An additional challenge arose in 2005, when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed allocated funding of $2 million from the California State Resource Agency, citing that these funds had not been used since 2000.

   Legislative Advocacy Group worked tirelessly to regain funding by meeting with many state officials and informing them that the funds actually were allocated in 2002. The Group was successful in securing funds with assurances to the Governor's office and the California State Resource Agency that this park would open in 2006.  Construction of the park was completed in the early part of 2006, with a scheduled grand opening of July 1, 2006. Due to community concerns about whether the park was safe to use and some political turmoil, the opening was delayed.

  These concerns were brought to the attention of the EPA, which was responsible for conducting the last cleanup phase.

 The EPA utilized a new and innovative technology known as a "electrical resistive heat system," a process that consists of heating the soil's subsurface. The benefit of utilizing thermal heating process is that soil and groundwater contamination is greatly reduced faster and cleaner compared with some of the older methods of treatment. In addition, the time required to reach cleanup goals is shorter.  The real benefit for the Pemaco Superfund Site was the ability of the thermal heating to cleanup contaminants trapped in some of the clay soils located in the subsurface. 

 With over $10 million invested in the project and the need to ensure that Maywood Riverfront Park opened on time, Legislative Advocacy Group worked aggressively to communicate with the Maywood City Council, the EPA and with Supervisor Gloria Molina's office to avoid any interruption in funding already allocated to the project prior to its May 10  opening. 

 Francisco Leal, principal of Legislative Advocacy Group, said, "Riverfront Park has been a long-awaited and necessary addition for the residents of this community. 

 Legislative Advocacy Group is proud to be a part of making this opening possible." With over 30,000 residents, the City of Maywood is one of the most densely populated cities in California. The state standard recommends that communities should have 4 acres of parks or open space per every 1,000 in population. According to this standard, the City of Maywood parks should have a minimum of 120 acres of open space.  Maywood has a mere 5.8 acres of park space currently available.  Moreover, the closest substantial public open space is in the City of Long Beach, approximately 12 miles south of Maywood Riverfront Park. 

 Although the park will not bring Maywood anywhere near the state standard, the park will help alleviate pressure on the two existing city parks.

 "Our community is truly deserving of this beautiful park and all that it has to offer," said Maywood City Council Member Thomas Martin. "It is a welcome addition that everyone can enjoy." 

Maywood Riverfront Park is located at the corners of Slauson Boulevard and Alamo Street in the City of Maywood, and is part of the 51-mile Los Angeles River Greenway Project. It is the newest of several parks along the southern portion of the Los Angeles River, from the San Fernando Valley to the Pacific Ocean at Long Beach.

Francisco Leal hosts fundraiser for Jovenes Inc.

Francisco Leal, Managing Director for the law firm Leal-Trejo, hosted an annual charity fundraising event at his Hancock Park home in honor of the non-profit organization Jovenes Inc.  

Jovenes provides youth and community services, specializing in culturally appropriate services for homeless and low-income Latinos.

 Attending this great event on May 4 were L.A. Council Member Jose Huizar and his family.

Council Member Huizar expressed his continuing support for this community-based organization, which is located within his 14th District's boundaries.

Among other distinguished guests enjoying the afternoon were Father Richard Estrada, Founder of Jovenes Inc., and Ernesto Montano, Executive Director for the organization, as well as several invited friends. 

 

Guests were entertained by special guest emcee actor Herbert Sigueza of Culture Clash, a prominent Chicano/Latino performance troupe based in San Francisco. 

An appearance by the "Peace Bus" was celebrated with a special blessing given by Father Estrada.

 "This is an afternoon of excitement and encouragement for this wonderful organization and the community it serves," host Francisco Leal said.

(Photos: Top left: Francisco Leal, Father Estrada and young friend. Above right: Council Member Huizar and Father Estrada.)

Leal law firm rewards promising Latinas

Four well-deserving and very excited young ladies experienced a memorable opportunity March 14: Being among several prominent Latinas during the 17th annual Latina History Day Conference.

The event was started by the nonprofit organization Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Latina History Day celebrates the accomplishments of Latina leaders. It provides forums on career development, addresses community issues and provides financial empowerment for the Latina community.

This year’s event was at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Rosenda Morales, Irene Rocha, Diana Sanchez and Carina Santacruz were selected to attend the conference through the sponsorship of the law firm of Leal-Trejo, LLP.

Francisco Leal, managing partner of Leal-Trejo, said: "It was an honor to sponsor these young ladies for such a great event, which provides them with an opportunity to hear from and interact with leaders within their respective communities and encourages them to set high goals for themselves as well."

The event included keynote speaker Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (pictured), the best-selling author whose works include "Playing with Boys" and "The Dirty Girls Social Club."

Valdes-Rodriguez was named one of Time magazine’s top 25 influential Hispanics in America, as well as being honored as Latina Magazine's "Woman of the Year." Also speaking that day were Emmy Award winner Jackie Guerra, Dr. Julie Mendoza, Dr. Juan Sanchez and many other prominent Latino Leaders.

The four future leaders are members of the Women’s Club of Huntington Park and were represented under the leadership of Ofelia Hernandez, council member for the City of Huntington Park and co-founder of the Women’s Club, and Guadalupe Crystal Morales, president of the organization.

“The Women’s Club empowers young Latinas and assists them so they can sharpen their skills as leaders in their communities,” Morales said. The Women’s Club has taken the responsibility of mentoring the winner of the Miss Huntington Park USA 2007 contest by emphasizing the value of education, community and integrity.

These young ladies are no strangers to hard work and are dedicated to their dreams:

• Rosenda Morales is currently at Huntington Park High School and has already been accepted to some of the top universities in California. She is interested in becoming a pediatrician.
• Irene Rocha attends UCLA and looks forward to becoming a lawyer.
• Diana Sanchez will graduate from Huntington Park High School this year and is excited about working in the medical field.
• Carina Santacruz attends Cerritos College and looks forward to becoming a professional photographer.

These committed Latinas continue to be actively involved in the community and are dedicated to making a difference as future leaders.

East L.A. schools make progress with LAUSD

The Southeast Schools Coalition has been working for the past two years to direct more funding and legislative focus to Los Angeles Unified School District schools in the cities of Bell, Maywood, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Vernon, and South Gate.

The coalition is continually working to improve communications with the district.

Fortunately, with the election of new School Board Member Yolie Flores-Aguilar, the coalition is optimistic about continued success.

Also, LAUSD plans to break ground on 10 new schools in and around the Southeast Communities of Los Angeles County.

The following schools are slated for development:

1. South Region Elementary School #3, City of Cudahy/Bell, opening Q3-2010


2. South Region Elementary School #4, City Of South Gate, opening Q3-2010


3. South Region Elementary School #5, City of Huntington Park, opening Q3-2011


4. South Region High School #7, City of Huntington Park, opening Q3-2011


5. South Region High School #8, City of Maywood, opening Q3-2012


6. South Region High School #9, City of South Gate, opening Q3-2012


7. South Region Middle School#2, City of Bell, opening Q3-2010


8. South Region Middle School #3, Walnut Park, opening Q3-2011


9. South Region Middle School #4, City of South Gate, opening Q3-2012


10. South Region Elementary #9, City of South Gate, opening Q3-2012

Legislative Advocacy Group backs water push

Legislative Advocacy Group has announced that it will support a statewide campaign by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) to build increased awareness about the critical challenges that face the state’s water supply and delivery system.

The firm will help promote the ACWA's statewide effort, "California’s Water: A Crisis We Can't Ignore," by providing links to ACWA campaign materials on the firm’s website and keeping water issues top-of-mind among elected and government officials during meetings and public events.

"We intend to leverage our relationships among our client cities and government agencies to boost awareness about the critical state of water in California," said Francisco Leal, the principal of Legislative Advocacy Group, based in downtown Los Angeles.

Leal continued: "The collective impacts of drought, climate change and increased population growth have severely hampered the state’s water system and we must educate the general public about the impacts this could have on California residents, businesses and the quality of life in our state."

The ACWA’s education program will reach the public directly through television, radio and print advertising, as well as through the Internet and community outreach. The effort began in September and will continue through 2007. Information on this program can be obtained at calwatercrisis.org

The multimillion dollar program, funded by voluntary contributions from public water agencies throughout the state, is aimed at raising awareness among Californians of current and future water problems, including a deepening crisis in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta) and a recent court-ordered massive reduction in our statewide water supply.

Key Water Problems at a Glance
Thanks to a string of relatively wet years and the fact that water flows whenever the tap is turned on, the state’s water problems are not readily apparent to the public. But many experts agree the state is facing some of the most significant water challenges seen in the last half-century:

• The Delta, a key natural estuary and the pathway through which more than 25 million Californians and 2.5 million acres of productive farmland receive their water, is in an ecological crisis that threatens people as well as the environment.
• California’s water supply has been drastically reduced, impacting people, businesses and farms in Northern, Central and Southern California. In late August, a federal court cut water supplies from the state’s two largest water delivery systems by up to one-third to protect an endangered fish -- potentially the largest court-ordered water supply reduction in California history.
• California’s population is growing rapidly, but our statewide water storage and delivery system has not been significantly improved in 30 years.
• Our statewide water reserves are extremely low and would not be able to meet public demand during a major disruption to the state’s water delivery system.
• Aging Delta levees are at risk of a natural disaster that could cripple water deliveries for an extended period of time.
• California is facing severe drought conditions, with 2007 ranking as a record dry-year in some regions. If the current drought continues, mandatory water rationing may be imposed in many areas.
• Significantly reduced supplies and growing water uncertainties already are causing some California farmers to fallow prime agricultural lands, hurting one of our state’s most important industries.
• Climate change is reducing our mountain snow pack -- a critical source of natural water storage -- and may usher in longer droughts and more severe floods.
• While we have made great strides in water conservation and efficiency programs, the collective impacts of drought, climate change, increased population demands, court-ordered supply reductions and/or potential natural disasters mean that conservation alone will not solve this crisis … it's just simply not enough.

For more information about the ACWA’s campaign, contact Timothy Quinn, ACWA Executive Director, at (916) 441-4545 or visit calwatercrisis.org

Leal: Towing policy too tough on immigrants

Francisco Leal, managing partner of the Southland law firm Leal & Trejo, told the Los Angeles Times that the provision in California State Law that allows cities to impound vehicles for up to a month imposes an unfair hardship on unlicensed drivers, particularly undocumented immigrants.

Francisco Leal, who serves as City Attorney for Huntington Park, outlined the city's decision to end 30-day impounds of vehicles driven by unlicensed drivers.

Attorney Leal told the Times: "This will take away the most egregious part of the law, that is, the 30-day period," city attorney Leal said. "There’s no way these people can afford that.”

The City of Huntington Park recently approved a resolution that allows registered owners to reclaim their vehicles immediately and avoid costly impound fees, Leal explained.

Read the full story on towing on the Los Angeles Times web site.

Francisco Leal boosts Roosevelt High

Los Angeles attorney H. Francisco Leal, a graduate of Roosevelt High, welcomed newly appointed Principal Sofia Freire with a smile and a check as she joined the Boyle Heights school.

Francisco Leal was graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1978 -- and went on to Harvard and Yale.

"It is great to be back and be part of a ceremony to honor the principal of my high school and to contribute to its scholarship fund," Leal said.

On behalf of Leal-Trejo LLP, his law firm, Francisco Leal donated a check for $5,000 to the Roosevelt High School Scholarship Fund.

Freire says of her goals: "My vision is simple. I want our seniors to wake up the day after graduation with a plan for the future. I want all our students to value education and become lifelong learners. I want to create coherence, so that every function of our school is in some way connected to student achievement. I want every member of our school community to understand their role in making a difference in the lives of our students."

Located in Boyle Heights, Roosevelt High School was founded in 1922.

Leal & Trejo: Working for our schools

Francisco Leal's firm Leal & Trejo LLP provides legal services related to the day to day operations of school districts, to include advice regarding Agenda items, Brown Act compliance, conflict of interest and election related matters.

Leal & Trejo LLP has successfully litigated and represented the interests of various school districts throughout Southern California. Our attorneys have extensive experience working with and/or serving as school board members. They understand the unique nuances and challenges of our public schools. Leal & Trejo LLP also utilizes the educational consulting services of former California Assembly Majority Floor Leader and Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus Marco Antonio Firebaugh.

Leal & Trejo LLP is affiliated with the Legislative Advocacy Group, Inc., a Lobbyist Firm registered with the California Secretary of State which has a developed practice in the representation of public and private entities before the State Legislature, Office of the Governor, and the various State Agencies.

Francisco Leal's civic connections

Leal-Trejo LLP strives to empower and engage our clients by providing leadership, knowledge and guidance through legal advice and advocacy aimed at achieving the vision of the communitites we represent.

Since our inception, Francisco Leal and his associates at Leal-Trejo LLP have committed themselves to delivering exception client service and continually striving to produce high-quality legal services.

In a world of constant change, fostering a diversified practice is the hallmark of our success and longevity. Francisco Leal and his associated retain only highly effective and experienced attorneys and professional staff, ensuring that the expertise required by our clients is readily available in-house.

Our growth and strength is derived from the trust, reliability, efficiency, effectiveness and results we provide to our clients.