Supporters of the proposed Cambodia Town district along Anaheim Boulevard in Long Beach gather in a hallway at City Council on Tuesday night. The council voted to send the proposal for further review and more feedback from affected residents and businesses. (Stephen Carr / Press-Telegram)10/24/2006
Cambodia Town on hold
City Council decides the proposed district on Anaheim Street requires further review.
By Mira Jang, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram
LONG BEACH - After a nearly two-hour discussion, the City Council voted 6-3 to send the Cambodia Town proposal to a council committee for further review and directed the city manager to obtain feedback from affected residents and business owners.
Council members Gary DeLong, Bonnie Lowenthal and Suja Lowenthal voted against the measure.
The council was scheduled to decide whether a strip of Anaheim Street would be designated as Cambodia Town for a six-month trial period.
But Councilwoman Laura Richardson, the author of the proposal, altered this recommendation and instead asked the council to vote to send the matter to the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee for further review. Richardson also requested that the city get more community input and give the council a report in 90 days.
However, Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal asked the council to approve a measure that would immediately designate a Cambodia Town without specifying its boundaries. Like Richardson, she asked the city manager to survey businesses and explore the possibility of creating a business improvement district and for the matter to be sent to the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee, which is staffed by three council members.
Later in the night, after hearing comments from dozens of people, Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga moved to vote on a motion similar to Richardson's.
"It's about the people who live there. We need to be considerate of that point," Uranga said.
Councilwoman Rae Gabelich asked to include in it a possible name change to Cambodian Culture District or something similar of the "highest quality."
The majority of the council voted in favor of the motion. The matter will return to the full council within 90 days.
Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal stressed the importance of the city recognizing a Cambodia Town and assured opponents that their concerns will be addressed.
"I think this designation is terribly, terribly important because that's what gives us official recognition," Lowenthal said.
More than 100 people filled the chamber hall and the council lobby, some waiting several hours to voice their opinions for or against the proposal.
Proponents organized carpools from as far away as Fullerton and Westminster. Donning fluorescent green stickers that read "Cambodia Town," they expressed their support for the designation.
Melinda Ung, a Cal State Fullerton student, gathered about a dozen friends and drove 45 minutes to show their enthusiasm. She said Cambodians throughout the region frequent Anaheim Street for Cambodian food and shops, and an official designation is the natural next step.
"It'll benefit all of us," Ung said.
Him Chhim, executive director of the Cambodian Association of America, said his biggest fear became a reality on Tuesday.
"The worst-case scenario is a delayed action. We've been waiting for many years," he said. "We're very flexible about the size and even the name."
Opponents, however, said designating a Cambodia Town will increase tension and violence between Cambodian and other ethnic or race-specific gangs that will view this designation as a territorial claim.
"This is Long Beach, not L.A. If we have this, it will raise violence," said Hadassa Jackson, who works to curb gang activity as an advisory board member to the nonprofit Anaheim Street CPC.
Maria Lopez said only the people who live in the area really understand the negative impact that Cambodia Town would have on public safety.
"Who's going to be there to pick up the pieces?" said Lopez, also an Anaheim Street CPC board member.
Police officials say a culturally based project like Cambodia Town will have no effect on gang violence or interracial relations.
Proponents say an official designation will increase tourism and private investment while instilling pride for the city's large Cambodian community.
Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278.
By Mira Jang, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram
LONG BEACH - After a nearly two-hour discussion, the City Council voted 6-3 to send the Cambodia Town proposal to a council committee for further review and directed the city manager to obtain feedback from affected residents and business owners.
Council members Gary DeLong, Bonnie Lowenthal and Suja Lowenthal voted against the measure.
The council was scheduled to decide whether a strip of Anaheim Street would be designated as Cambodia Town for a six-month trial period.
But Councilwoman Laura Richardson, the author of the proposal, altered this recommendation and instead asked the council to vote to send the matter to the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee for further review. Richardson also requested that the city get more community input and give the council a report in 90 days.
However, Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal asked the council to approve a measure that would immediately designate a Cambodia Town without specifying its boundaries. Like Richardson, she asked the city manager to survey businesses and explore the possibility of creating a business improvement district and for the matter to be sent to the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee, which is staffed by three council members.
Later in the night, after hearing comments from dozens of people, Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga moved to vote on a motion similar to Richardson's.
"It's about the people who live there. We need to be considerate of that point," Uranga said.
Councilwoman Rae Gabelich asked to include in it a possible name change to Cambodian Culture District or something similar of the "highest quality."
The majority of the council voted in favor of the motion. The matter will return to the full council within 90 days.
Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal stressed the importance of the city recognizing a Cambodia Town and assured opponents that their concerns will be addressed.
"I think this designation is terribly, terribly important because that's what gives us official recognition," Lowenthal said.
More than 100 people filled the chamber hall and the council lobby, some waiting several hours to voice their opinions for or against the proposal.
Proponents organized carpools from as far away as Fullerton and Westminster. Donning fluorescent green stickers that read "Cambodia Town," they expressed their support for the designation.
Melinda Ung, a Cal State Fullerton student, gathered about a dozen friends and drove 45 minutes to show their enthusiasm. She said Cambodians throughout the region frequent Anaheim Street for Cambodian food and shops, and an official designation is the natural next step.
"It'll benefit all of us," Ung said.
Him Chhim, executive director of the Cambodian Association of America, said his biggest fear became a reality on Tuesday.
"The worst-case scenario is a delayed action. We've been waiting for many years," he said. "We're very flexible about the size and even the name."
Opponents, however, said designating a Cambodia Town will increase tension and violence between Cambodian and other ethnic or race-specific gangs that will view this designation as a territorial claim.
"This is Long Beach, not L.A. If we have this, it will raise violence," said Hadassa Jackson, who works to curb gang activity as an advisory board member to the nonprofit Anaheim Street CPC.
Maria Lopez said only the people who live in the area really understand the negative impact that Cambodia Town would have on public safety.
"Who's going to be there to pick up the pieces?" said Lopez, also an Anaheim Street CPC board member.
Police officials say a culturally based project like Cambodia Town will have no effect on gang violence or interracial relations.
Proponents say an official designation will increase tourism and private investment while instilling pride for the city's large Cambodian community.
Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278.
1 comment:
It seems that the bad elements such as gang problems and racial tension are wining over the good elements such busness investments and good and safe neighborhood!
Oh well! The Long Beach residents are too pessimistic about their life and their future. These Long Beach resident allowed the gangsters and racial tension to rule and run their life! Why?Why?
I honestly believe that Long Beach residents are giving too much respect to all these gangsters!
Do these gangsters are more powerful than the Long Beach police? You tell me!
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