Cambodia Town
By Mira Jang, Staff writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)
In other news, members of the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee meet today to discuss a proposal to designate a portion of Anaheim Street as Cambodia Town.
Committee Chair Bonnie Lowenthal, Vice Chair Gabelich and member Lerch will consider returning to the council in 90 days with a report on possibly creating a pilot designation and a business improvement district.
The committee is charged with recommending to the council the merits of the designation, its size and location, and its name, all of which the council debated on before its October vote.
The latest meeting comes weeks after the council decided to send the contentious issue to the committee for further review.
Lerch said he has always supported the original proposal, whose backers asked for the stretch between Atlantic and Junipero avenues to be called Cambodia Town. But he added that he "would like to hear what the alternative proposals are."
Richer San, a member of the group pushing for the designation, said he's confident that when the matter comes before the council again, it will be approved.
"What went wrong last time is the politics. We've done our homework, we've talked to people. We do not expect that there will be drastic differences in the approved version," he said.
During the last vote, former Councilwoman Laura Richardson abruptly decreased the proposed designation to about five blocks and changed her request to a pilot program from a permanent one. Stunned supporters, who packed council chambers to show their enthusiasm for the project, left confused and frustrated about the process.
Community leaders backing the proposal say a Cambodia Town will boost tourism, investment and business. Opponents say an ethnic town will create racial tension and fuel more gang violence.
Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278
Committee Chair Bonnie Lowenthal, Vice Chair Gabelich and member Lerch will consider returning to the council in 90 days with a report on possibly creating a pilot designation and a business improvement district.
The committee is charged with recommending to the council the merits of the designation, its size and location, and its name, all of which the council debated on before its October vote.
The latest meeting comes weeks after the council decided to send the contentious issue to the committee for further review.
Lerch said he has always supported the original proposal, whose backers asked for the stretch between Atlantic and Junipero avenues to be called Cambodia Town. But he added that he "would like to hear what the alternative proposals are."
Richer San, a member of the group pushing for the designation, said he's confident that when the matter comes before the council again, it will be approved.
"What went wrong last time is the politics. We've done our homework, we've talked to people. We do not expect that there will be drastic differences in the approved version," he said.
During the last vote, former Councilwoman Laura Richardson abruptly decreased the proposed designation to about five blocks and changed her request to a pilot program from a permanent one. Stunned supporters, who packed council chambers to show their enthusiasm for the project, left confused and frustrated about the process.
Community leaders backing the proposal say a Cambodia Town will boost tourism, investment and business. Opponents say an ethnic town will create racial tension and fuel more gang violence.
Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278
3 comments:
Now,the opportunity is in our hand if we don't take it someone will and be happy with what we have.I am sure uncle Sam won't mind to see the Cambodian town sign on one of his street.
Any way,it's a great land in USA not a gangster in Cambodia.
Dear friends,
Believe it or not there are some "Cambodians" who are very happy "NOT" to see Cambodia Town in Long Beach.
I don't know what are their line of thinking. May be they are afraid to be Cambodians or to be called Cambodians.
I think their parents must make a big mistake to raise them this long to survive and to hate Cambodians or Cambodia.
May be we should say that their parents must make a big mistake procreate them.
Thank You
Yes, there are Cambodians in America that are ashamed to be Khmer. However, the majority of Cambodian Americans are proud of their heritage. Many Cambodian American youths do not hesitate to put up their "Khmer pride" symbol online, or out in public.
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