The Helfeld Exit
As a long-time worker with the poor of Los Angeles’ Skid Row, I am greatly dismayed over the forced exit of Ed Helfeld, director of the Community Redevelopment Agency, (CRA).
Probably no other big city redevelopment agency enjoys the level of support and trust of those who work with the poor and dispossessed to the degree that Los Angeles’ does. This is solely because of Helfeld’s leadership.
The CRA plan for Central City East, developed under Helfeld’s administration, is a forceful and eloquent statement that the politically impotent and economically impoverished of Skid Row are of major concern to the city and the mayor.
That plan calls for making living conditions safe and humane for the single, elderly and handicapped poor who call Skid Row home.
No other big city has ventured such a bold and compassionate solution to its Skid Row problem. Traditionally, redevelopment has deprived Skid Rowers of shelter and services, forcing them to move elsewhere.
Helfeld has struggled to affirm the value of the city’s disenfranchised while encouraging economic growth and development. Indeed, he has has gone to extraordinary lengths to deal with both issues.
There has been no allegation of abuse of power or scandal of any sort toward Helfeld. Letting him go is a grave mistake.
ALICE CALLAGHAN
Los Angeles
Callaghan is director of Las Familia del Pueblo.
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