East Los Angeles : Court Bars County From Evicting Clinic

A Superior Court judge has blocked the county from removing a senior citizens clinic from the space it has occupied for 17 years.

In March, county officials evicted the staff of the East Los Angeles Health Task Force and changed the office locks after clinic officials refused to move into a space half the size of the 3,100-square-foot location at Centro Maravilla, 4716 E. Brooklyn Ave.

The office was closed for four days, but reopened April 8 after Judge Robert O’Brien issued a temporary restraining order against the county. Last week, the judge made that order permanent, meaning the county will have to obtain the permission of the court before taking further action.

Under a contract with the county, the East Los Angeles Health Task Force offers free health screenings and medical care for senior citizens. County officials wanted to reduce the clinic’s space to make way for three other community service organizations--the Asthma Control and Treatment for Children program, the Los Angeles Youth Conservation Corps. and a job-training program.

“That was the ultimatum: ‘Either sign the agreement for half the space, or we’re going to evict you,’ ” said attorney Guy Lochhead, who represents the clinic. “My client was not willing to do that. “

Lynn Bayer, assistant director of the county Department of Community and Senior Citizens Services, said the county has not decided whether to continue its efforts to move the task force.