July 7, 2023
Board of Supervisor County of Los Angeles Attn: Hilda .L Solis
Supervisor First District
Re: 7th Avenue Village (Homekey)
Dear Supervisor Solis,
Respectfully I have to disagree with your written statement regarding the peaceful demonstration and march of Hacienda Heights residents at your San Gabriel Valley Field office. It was shocking to read the first paragraph accusing the protesters of being Anti-Housing and Anti-LGBTQ+, I am unaware of the basis for these allegations. It is rare for a political figure to address their constituents in an antagonistic manner.
Over the past two months, Hacienda Heights residents had organized five peaceful demonstrations, and there had been no instances of Anti-Housing or Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. The demonstration that took place on Wednesday, June 28th, at your San Gabriel Valley Field office from 1:30 to 3:00 PM was well-organized and orderly, and no such remarks were made.
Our demonstrations have been exemplary, and our demands are clear:
1) Community and school safety require increased budget allocation for police cars and personnel,
2) Motel 6’s proximity to the freeway (Freeway 60) poses a danger as it takes less than a minute to reach the freeway, so measures must be taken to prevent fatalities, injuries, and major traffic accidents,
3) Preserving the quality of life for Hacienda Heights residents, and
4) We understand that homelessness is an important issue nationwide and especially in California, and we have compassion for the homeless while also caring for the well-being of Hacienda Heights residents.
The quality of life for Hacienda Heights residents should not be compromised due to the Homekey project (Motel 6). Our four demands have garnered widespread
support and resonance, and it is evident that there have been no Anti-Housing or Anti-LGBTQ+ statements or positions.
Since Governor Newsom’s executive order implementing the Homekey Project in California, there is no requirement for public hearings. It was gratifying to see that, in o r d e r t o c o m m u n i c a t e f u l l y w i t h t h e c o m m u n i t y , y o u c h o s e t o h o l d a Townhall/community meeting. However, your staff and the developer (WORKS) have shown a lack of professionalism in their plans, as they havefailed to address the above-mentioned four concerns of the residents. This is not a contest of arguments but a breach of the elegance and tranquility of the community, compromising the safety of students and the community. The worries and concerns of the residents have not been alleviated through explanations. No one has insulted or threatened your staff members. There were numerous armed police officers present to maintain order, making it impossible for any riot-like situation to occur. Your accusations are completely contrary to the facts.
Respected LA County Supervisor, your response letter was posted on Twitter and Facebook, and many people expressed different opinions. These are public platforms, and it is not necessary to comment on them here. In good faith, we have not hired a lawyer to issue a warning letter or file a lawsuit. We hope to receive yourkind response. As of July 5th, Motel 6 has not obtained a building permit. We hope you will apologize for the aforementioned accusations. The County government should establish a special budget to address safety concerns and maintain the quality of life in Hacienda Heights.
The poll for the residents of Hacienda Heights on June 20, 2023, was 16% ni favor of Motel 6 converting to Permanent Homeless Center; 84% not in favor. The platform for communication is worth encouraging, and there is no need for individual face-to-face meetings where each party can make unsubstantiated claims. We look forward to you taking the initiative to arrange a meeting for thorough communication. We are willing to assist in making the Hacienda Heights Homekey Project a model for California and even for the entire United States, provided it has a comprehensive framework.
Wishing you good health and happiness!
David Fang
President of Hacienda Heights Chinese American Association
Hacienda Heights Constituent
