Blog | Tomas O'Grady

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Updated Results

The city clerk released an updated count of vote by mail ballots. We are 149 votes behind the second place challenger, David Ryu. There are still approximately 1,300 provisional votes left to count, and based on our strong showing on Election Day, it is possible that we make up this difference. I want you to know that if we were behind 250 votes today, I would be conceding this race. We will know so much more by the end of next week.On a negative note, we have asked the LAPD to look into illegal activity in regards to our private emails and some unsettling telephone calls to Justine (Mrs. O’Grady) on Election Day. On a more positive note, I have had some genuine conversations with Teddy Davis, Ross Sarkissian, Steve Veres, David Ryu, Jay Beeber, and Carolyn Ramsey. All of these folks could not have been nicer since the Election ... Read More

The results.

  28952767257320742068188314311093845  28952767257320742068188314311093845  RamsayRyuO'GradyKnoxDavisVeresIraniPelicoBeeberEast Hollywood9000684A19101421211313417Silver Lake9004237A323111117741738126Silver Lake9000866A86371012055132744Silver Lake9000699B3621932147132743Los Feliz9002564A1612881021101204East Hollywood9000263A1988320128517East Hollywood9001194A181676181051427Los Feliz9001824A5838693223152745Area9004239A5117672325122373Silver Lake9002171B41286715541618415Hollywood9000715A15115612122519511Hollywood9000710A2945412879113East Hollywood9000317A181454112141173Los Feliz9000691B24265326365831Cahuenga Pass9000841A2252526225Silver Lake9000694B3420522213131154Cahuenga Pass9000956A3354828202081018Hollywood9000712A6334461554241814Hollywood Hills9005117A3824431983182149Mid Wilshire9005124A23154115617905East Hollywood9002533A2113402222840335East Hollywood9000874A16939398512East Hollywood9001184A523919373802Toluca Lake9000732A191937284916975East Hollywood9000587B2911361514191513Hancock Park9004230A8429351421152566Cahuenga Pass9001180A1663368615222Hollywood Hills9004026A253832267582115Hollywood Flats9001733A17183115534848Mid Wilshire9000326A81129143115742Whitley Heights9001196A17428105163442Silver Lake9000753A1821288812813Cahuenga Pass9001203D1316272117151813Laurel Canyon9001233A1911251512614812Toluca Lake9001157A122624316617709Hollywood9005118A14142081327917Sherman Oaks North9001063A32131913102211198Area9001600A231919710181226Area9005305A32391920231217108Area9001603A1323191178445Area9001207A22418177311514Area9001158A18191721219523Area9000492C208172128101337Area9001113A2212173126199195Area9000215B131716191550112617Area9001121A131115122331710Area9001083A151615217278148Area9001665A111415720187657Area9001421A101515181023926Area9001015C252115198341995Area9000951A161415295232263Area9001931A99142021116247Area9001007A132714376017161617Area9005183B1215141614387226Area9000260A1215142821288627Park Mile9001623A1113414353271804Area9001227A1615131510231878Area9007367A8018132213121413Area9005151B9413142012694Area9005310A185312111951043Area9001541A5414112237121700Area9001126A9512196281079Area9000268A1418121582821184Area9002265A35311226261434Area9003958A4027121420131442Area9005187A25141210172314312Area9001084B1715128121010114Area9001212A251011379181476Area9001428A19121112923644Area9000231A25121117611418168Area9005299A801471171513714Area9005199A1821126626201012Area9000596A810111740277163Hancock Park9000272A23439118020112423Area9001231A2261026121915129Area9001426A10121015410123Area9001702A2146106310520Area9000745B18161019173032711Area9007228B21391022619881Area9001085A1510916513102014Area9001152A413915712837Area9001624A63137916891034Area9000402A71493010145139Area9001628A16102916830553Park Mile9000884B44154913812730Area9000006A64529928101626Area9001693A1313597911464Area9000237A1734812104813Area9002158A229681288810Area9001666A122182011615266Area9000484A282981522812075Area9000544A913877161143Area9001134A12228302220315276Area9001092A1610820231372612Area9001109A1512726234193015Area9001087A15137193171583Area9002250A3320722681642Area9001603B3726736506653Area9001575A1210712214631Area9002883B7146105201112Area9000756A1315627102412245Area9001613B249618414922Area9001096A1985111927154242Area9007230A8957211221Area9000217A1321527634293011Area9001080B136523209181410Area9001120A11115205201383Area9001135C23942451519151Area9001095C16841361781711Area9001235A21224189121024Area9002262A1834425612622Area9001127B25388231243Sherman Oaks South9001103A111931831623319Area9001135A202002000Area9002251B512001010Area9001412A1011006110Coldwater9001412B000001110Area9002251A000300000Area9002858A210000120AreaTotals210000120Area          Areax00  0  1 Areax10  0  1 Areax03  0  1 Read More

More data!

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DATA! In case you are bored. The top precincts to O'Grady. More new follow...

O' Grady %Cahuenga Pass9000841A70%East Hollywood9000684A64%East Hollywood9000263A57%Los Feliz9002564A53%East Hollywood9001194A50%Hollywood9000710A42%East Hollywood9000317A42%East Hollywood9001184A40%East Hollywood9000874A38%Silver Lake9000699B37%Hollywood9000715A34%Silver Lake9004237A34%9001135A33%Los Feliz9000691B33%Silver Lake9000694B32%9004239A31%Silver Lake9000866A30%Mid Wilshire9005124A29%Cahuenga Pass9001180A29%Cahuenga Pass9000956A28%Silver Lake9002171B27%Los Feliz9001824A27%Silver Lake9000753A26% Read More

Meet Lizzy and Jade

If you thought that Tomàs O'Grady's diverse ideas for changing many aspects of Los Angeles for the better are potentially far-reaching, you're right! In fact, two members of Tomàs' growing team of volunteers came all the way from Korea to help get the word out that he is the best candidate of all to represent District 4 on the LA City Council.Speaking as one, but definitely acting as two energetic and engaging volunteers, here is what Lizzy and Jade have to say about their becoming interns to assist in Tomàs' campaign: "My school in Korea had a global internship program, so I applied. There were about 25 companies on a list, each with a short description, and Tomàs O’Grady’s office was also there. I chose Tomàs' office because he looked like a good person when I searched his website. I do many things in his office. I help to manage his supporters ... Read More

We are as frugal in our campaign as we will be in City Hall.

  CAROLYN RAMSAY 2,911 15.32%DAVID RYU 2,776 14.61%TOMAS O'GRADY 2,715 14.29%  M O N E YRamsey 2,911 votes / $402,544 + $0 Independent /        $138.28   per voteRyu          2,776 votes /$425,709 + $22,039 Independent / $161.79 per voteO’Grady 2,715 votes /$135,989 + $0 Independent /          $50.08    per vote Given our very strong showing on Election Day, the O’Grady team is very optimistic that once the new numbers are added, we will be in the runoff.Tomas O’Grady | 323 377 6320 | tomasogrady@tomasogrady.comPaid for by Tomas O'Grady for LA City Council 2015, 2173 Cedarhurst Dr., Los Angeles.Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org. Read More

RELEASE 3/4/2015 - MEMBER OF THE LA CITY COUNCIL - RACE IS TOO CLOSE TO CALL

RELEASE 3/4/2015 - MEMBER OF THE LA CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 4 - Votes / Percent Election Night Results. –UNOFFICIALCAROLYN RAMSAY 2,911 15.32%DAVID RYU 2,776 14.61%TOMAS O'GRADY 2,715 14.29%The City Clerk is due to release the additional new numbers (the amount of drop off VBMs and Provisionals) by e.o.b 3/4/2015.The City Clerk has up to 21 days to count these new numbers and certify the election.Returns indicate that Tomas O’Grady was the clear winner on Election Day itself with 1709 votes followed by Ramsey* and Ryu.**greater VBMsGiven our very strong showing on Election Day, the O’Grady team is very optimistic that once the new numbers are added, we will be in the runoff.Tomas O’Grady | 323 377 6320 | tomasogrady@tomasogrady.comPaid for by Tomas O'Grady for LA City Council 2015, 2173 Cedarhurst Dr., Los Angeles.Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org. Read More

TRANSFORM THIS CITY BY LEADING BY EXAMPLE

TRANSFORM THIS CITY BY LEADING BY EXAMPLE LA has the highest paid Council Members in the nation, whose salaries are $184,000. I will start by halving mine. Only if our leaders are fiscally responsible can they ask our city family to contribute more towards their retirement and to embrace innovative workplace practices.How can I promise you that I will change this city when I am part of the problem?How can I ask a custodian at city hall who makes $45,000 per year to contribute more towards her or his healthcare when I am making 4 times as much? I can’t and I won’t. City Hall must learn to do more with less. That must begin with me.Justine and I + our 4 children live within our means. I suspect you do the same. That is the very least that we should expect of City Hall.Leading by example is the only way ... Read More

Justine Tyler O’Grady

I think my husband would be a breath of fresh air for City Hall. The Daily News has endorsed my husband because of his leadership by example platform. One example is that he has committed to cut his salary in half because at $184,000, it sends the wrong message. How can he ask the city family to do more with less when he is making more than the California governor. We are raising our four children in Los Feliz. We live within our means. We think City Hall should do so too.I am excited to vote for Tomas tomorrow and I ask you to join me.Justine Tyler O’GradyCell 323 252 4155 Read More

“He is testament to the fact that the best ideas do not come from the back rooms of City Hall”

If you think that the City Of Los Angeles is heading in the right direction and City Hall is perfectly fine then there are seven insider candidates for you to choose from.“You have no doubt gotten mailers from all of them telling you that now they are going to fix everything and fight for you. My simple question is this. Why wait until now? The truth is they did not do it then so why would they do it now? I will. ” - Tomas Though last minute smear tactics have now been proven unfounded, they do risk interfering with our momentum.“He's always been a guy who did the hard work while others were standing back complaining about politics and bureaucracy.”Steve Lopez, LA Times.“He is testament to the fact that the best ideas do not come from the back rooms of City Hall”The Daily News endorses O’Grady.Please vote and please ... Read More

A Friend to Cyclists and Pedestrians

I have advocated for bike and pedestrian friendly options for the City of Los Angeles for years. It is silly to believe that future generation of Angelenos will be driving everywhere. We need to start investing now in options that will encourage people to get out of their cars and to explore our communities by walking, cycling, public transportation, etc. SAFETYSafety is most important. We all deserve to feel safe no matter how we choose to travel.CHOICESIt is important that we have choices when it comes to traveling through our city. Traveling by rail, bicycle, and our own two feet must all be viable transportation options if we are going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce traffic and create a sustainable Los Angeles. We can do this smartly.LIVABILITYOur neighborhoods are places where people should feel comfortable jogging, walking, pushing a stroller, traveling in a wheelchair, bicycling and more. ... Read More

Great news from Justine O'Grady

Friends,To say that the last two weeks have been a roller coaster for our family, the non-profit EnrichLA and our campaign would be an understatement!First we were accused by Sheila Irani of being somehow complicit in a lawsuit between her and her neighbor.Second, two former interns and volunteers on our campaign claimed in an LA TIMES article that they were pressured to work on our campaign + that we were stealing from our little non-profit.Finally a group from Windsor Square claimed that the name Thomas became Tomas to appeal to Spanish voters.All is fair in love and war and thank heavens for love!The neighbor has repeatedly denied any coordination with Tomas O’Grady.LA TIMES : Ex Interns defend Tomas O’Grady and dispute allegations. Former enrich la interns have come forward to defend Tomas and set the record straight!HIs name is Tomas. Tomas is gaelic for Thomas. There is supposed to be ... Read More

Supporters

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The Los Angeles Daily news today says O' Grady is best choice

If you want an “outsider,” O’Grady is the best choice, an engaging native of Ireland who has succeeded in the business and nonprofit worlds. If you want a political “insider,” former City Hall and gubernatorial aide Davis.....Sitting out elections is never the way to protest public officials’ performance. The only message this sends to politicians is that you aren’t paying attention and they’re free to do what they want. Better to vote, and choose new leaders where needed.Read more Read More

Billboards

Question 1: More digital billboards for Los Angeles?The revised citywide sign ordinance now being considered by the City Council’s PLUM committee restricts new digital billboards and off-site signs to special sign districts in 22 areas zoned for high-intensity commercial use, such as L.A. Live, parts of Hollywood Blvd., Universal City and others. But the committee wants plans drawn up to allow new digital billboards on commercial streets, freeways, or parcels of public property throughout the city. Do you agree with allowing new digital billboards anywhere, or do you believe they should be restricted to special sign districts in those high-intensity commercial zones? I believe the city should not expand the locations that digital signs are permitted. Digital signs are broadly impactful on communities across the city, even miles from a sign’s location. I can only imagine allowing new digital signage in cases in which it is openly vetted by impacted communities ... Read More

TRANSFORM THIS CITY BY LEADING BY EXAMPLE

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If you think City Hall is perfect then vote insider. I don't and I am an outsider!

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John Strozdas reports on BARHAM STANCE by Tomas

The Keep The Barham Ramp Association Report Card for CD4 CandidatesIt is clear that the very crowded race for the LA City Council District 4 seat will be decided on a small handful of votes.Election Day is Tuesday, March 3rd. Your vote counts!It is critically important to get people elected who will fully address community concerns. More than 2,000 residents, business owners and visitors, in other words voters, have signed a petition to keep the Barham ramp opened. The Barham Ramp is a vital gateway to our community, and is a gateway that Universal Studios and Caltrans plan to close this year – affecting thousands of residents, businesses and visitors who depend on that ramp on a daily basis.After sitting through half a dozen debates wherein this issue has been discussed, the Keep the Barham Ramp Association (KTBRA) has given a report card to the candidates on this issue. Some of ... Read More

Sheila Irani, please issue a public apology to Tomas O'Grady regarding your neighbor's lawsuit!

I am compelled to write to you all about an incident that occurred at the Laurel Canyon Homeowner’s Association debate last week. Though I was present at the beginning of the debate, I had to leave early for another commitment. Shelia Irani, another candidate, was served with a lawsuit in the middle of the debate. She informed everyone that I sued her. She later claimed that I had knowledge of the plan to serve her at the debate. Numerous newspaper articles of course have now reported that not only was the lawsuit filed by her next door neighbor regarding trees that she allegedly cut down but he confirmed that I was in no way involved. I am sorry that I have to take up your time to communicate this to you instead of talking to you about the issues that are important to you. Allison Cohen of the Los Feliz Ledger ... Read More

A message from Tomas and Justine. We worry about the kind of city that our children will inherit.

CITY HALL COULD USE SOME OLD FASHIONED VALUESI was raised on a farm in Ireland, so I’m no stranger to hard work and know the value of being resourceful when “throwing money at a problem” simply isn’t an option. Justine and I are raising our 4 children in Los Feliz with the values given to us by our parents. Put in an honest day’s work, mind your pennies, care for the land, save for a rainy day and look out for your neighbor.I came to the United States with $80 in my pocket and was lucky enough to meet Justine, a California girl and we began our life together restoring old brownstones in Hoboken, New Jersey. We look back with the fondest of memories of those long days of woodworking. We designed and built our family home in Los Feliz with our own hands and we hope that it will ... Read More

ANIMALS and what we can do to make Los Angeles the most humane city in America!

INCREASE USE OF SPAY & NEUTER RESOURCESIn 2014, the LAAS killed 11,600 pets. We can do better. This is a supply issue. We have too many animals and not enough homes for them. The logical first step is to reduce that supply. I will bring an animal protection curriculum to LAUSD to teach students about the responsibility of having domestic animals, and about the importance of spaying and neutering those pets. We will produce signage to display throughout the community, at dog parks and pet stores, which offers important information to pet owners. We need to expand the use of free spay and neuter clinics.   BAN THE USE OF WILD ANIMALS IN CIRCUSESCountries that have banned the use of wild animals in circuses, roadside shows, and private parties include the UK, Brazil, Spain, Canada, Ireland, and Mexico (to name a few). The City of Los Angeles needs to join these countries ... Read More

IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THIS LA CITY HALL, There are seven insider candidates for you to choose from who will proudly continue its traditions. I am not one of them.

IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THIS LA CITY HALL, There are seven insider candidates for you to choose from who will proudly continue its traditions. I am not one of them. Each of the five commissioners at public works is paid $123,317 plus a city car. These political appointees oversee a bureau of street services that spends 43% of its salary costs on administration and pay 50% more than the private sector for asphalt. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's pension is $100,000 per year. LA councilmember salaries are the highest in the nation at $184,610. An Illinois study ranks Los Angeles’s corruption as second only to Chicago. Historic architecture is being destroyed, and our politicians are proposing to “upzone” 100 more properties in Hollywood. Community groups are taking legal action to gallantly fight developments like this one on La Brea and Franklin, but City Hall is now partnering with developers to hire ... Read More

Please leave Tomas O'Grady out these disputes

While I understand that all is fair in love+war+campaigns, for the life of me I do not understand how I am somehow being blamed for multiple incidents between Sheila Irani and her neighbors. As I understand it, her next door neighbor has served her in regards to a long running property dispute and another neighbor is displaying an unflattering banner about her and another candidate. I assume that I have many neighbors in my neck of the woods that are NOT SUPPORTING ME. I have to own that. I have nothing to do with these disputes so please leave me out of it. My name is Tomas O’Grady and I approved this message. Read More

Our Barham off ramp proposal.

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Here is my top ten list for you to get to know me better.

Justine and I are raising our 4 children, aged 5 to 15. I was raised on a farm in Ireland, so I’m no stranger to hard work and know the value of being resourceful when “throwing money at a problem” simply isn’t an option. Los Angeles could be one of the most dynamic cities of the 21st Century. We could be economically and environmentally sustainable, and here's a novelty - we could be fiscally responsible. We are going to need fresh leadership to make that happen.Here is my top ten list for you to get to know me better.JUST IN : Endorsed by the Daily News. “He’s a doer. He is testament to the fact the best ideas don’t come from the back rooms of City Hall.”Read moreSteve Lopez . LA TIMES. “I've known the indefatigable O'Grady since our kids went to preschool together, and he's always been a guy ... Read More

FOUR IDEAS

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My hero. Dorothy Reik. Stonewall Democrat. Talks about Tomas

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SoCal ADA (ENDORSES O'GRADY ) uses its valuable seal of approval carefully to try to ensure the most liberal candidate--whether Democrat or not--wins out in the end.

http://www.adaction.org/pages/campaigns/california.phpHi Tomás, Thanks so much for participating in last night's candidates' forum. We appreciate you leaving your other event to join us. I wanted to let you know that ADA SoCal has endorsed you for your race for CD4 - it's a dual endorsement. We're endorsing one other candidate as well. Keep us posted on your events. And good luck! We know that we'll have a friend in City Hall if you get elected. the very best,Clifford J. TasnerPresidentAmericans for Democratic Action, Southern California(818) 309-6018 Read More

These projects will NOT HAPPEN without a zone change. A zone change will NOT HAPPEN under my (our) watch (leadership).

“When I ran in 2011, my opponents said that they were against huge and ugly developments. Two years ago, CD13 candidates said the same thing. In the race for mayor, candidates said the same. They promised a stop to this. Why, then, all these massive projects? Why, then, is it open season on our neighborhoods? Why are projects being designed as if a zone change has already been promised? I suspect it has. My name is Tomas O’Grady. I am a dad from Los Feliz. I simply want to make (We can make) Los Angeles a better place to live. These projects will make Los Angeles a worse place to live in. I have received no money from developers or unions. I am completely independent. These projects will NOT HAPPEN without a zone change. A zone change will NOT HAPPEN under my (our) watch (leadership). I keep my word.Tomas O’Grady 323 ... Read More

My top ten list

Here is my top ten list for you to get to know me better.JUST IN : Endorsed by the Daily News. “He’s a doer. He is testament to the fact the best ideas don’t come from the back rooms of City Hall.”Read moreSteve Lopez . LA TIMES. “I've known the indefatigable O'Grady since our kids went to preschool together, and he's always been a guy who did the hard work while others were standing back complaining about politics and bureaucracy.” Read moreEndorsed by the Los Angeles Times in 2011. “O'Grady's background in business, devotion to environmental issues and hard work as an activist in L.A. Unified schools make him the most appealing alternative. The Times endorses O'Grady.”Read moreVIDEO A 60 second video from our living room to yoursVIDEO My TEDX talk about adults stepping upVIDEO EnrichLA, a non-profit headed by Tomas. 70 gardens in 3 yearsThe Jewish Journal made an ... Read More

Why reduced political salaries are important

I committed to cutting my salary in half when I ran in 2011. I recommitted to cutting my salary in half at the launch event in September 2014. Los Angeles has the highest paid Council Members in the nation and frankly I think that $90,000 is a decent and fair salary for a public servant. I think the current salary of $180,000 is inappropriate. There is a huge gap between the median income of constituents and the salaries of their elected representatives. I believe the smaller that gap is, the better the decision-making will be. This should not be confused with wealthy people working for a dollar a year. We are not wealthy, we simply live as frugally as we possibly can. I still have my 1997 Honda CR-V. It almost seems impossible for someone to be making $200,000 per year to have any credibility at all in encouraging a ... Read More

The Newspapers

I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Los Angeles Daily news. I will not let you down. 02/04/15, 3:16 PM PST "O’Grady, a 48-year-old native of Ireland, had success in business and then in public service as the founder of the nonprofit Enrich LA and other efforts to improve L.A. public schools. He’s a doer, building 70 gardens and running educational programs at L.A. schools. He is testament to the fact the best ideas don’t come from the back rooms of City Hall. 'Our city government is inefficient, inconsistent and lacks innovation,' O’Grady says, vowing to cut through bureaucracy and push the city to live within its means and pay attention to its infrastructure. The personable O’Grady finished second to LaBonge in the 2011 election. This could be his year." READ MORELos Angeles TimesO'Grady's background in business, devotion to environmental issues and hard work as an activist in L.A. Unified ... Read More

Tomàs O'Grady And Those Who Work For Him

Tomàs O'Grady has a vision for LA. He has posted it on his website: "My vision is simple. We can have an environmentally and economically sustainable city whilst being fiscally responsible."A devoted and growing group of people believe in that vision, and his platform of "leading by example," enough to dedicate large portions of their time to working in his office and elsewhere to help to get his word out to voters. Their time commitments are amazing. Some are volunteers, some are interns, and all are dedicated to helping to achieve Tomàs election.In future posts here we will profile some of them so you can meet the kinds of people who care and who work hard to inform as many voters as possible about Tomàs, his vision, and how he will achieve it as the member of LA City Council representing District 4. Read More

5 Things LA City Council Doesn't Want You to Know

1. The City spent $25,000 on a birthday party for Elvis. We love the King as much as the next guy, but $25,000 seems like a lot of money for someone who is no longer around to even appreciate the party. 2. The City wasted $116,500 painting one school.There was a bid to paint the facade of King Middle School for $13,500. Yet they went with a $130,000 bid, effectively wasting $116,500. On paint. For one school.3. LA City Council Members have not only the highest salary of any city in America, but higher than the United States Congress. City Council Members make $178,789/year. For some comparison, San Francisco, another major CA city, pays their council members $105,723 and San Diego pays $75,386. If an LA Council Member works on average 40 hours/week they are making $85.96/hour. That means they are making nearly 10x more than many of the people they represent who are being paid minimum ... Read More

You shouldn’t be forced to choose a car just to feel safe.

Let’s be honest here, there are many citizens in this city who do not have the luxury or ability to get out of their cars, yet there are many amongst us who would. Ciclavia proves it. Given a connected and safe bike network, people will choose to walk or bike, particularly for short run trip. In fact, I’ve read a statistic that sa ys most car trips are 3 miles or less. So let’s give people choices. You shouldn’t be forced to choose a car just to feel safe. By giving people safe convenient choices we free up space for those who have no choice. My dream for my 15 year old daughter, Eireann O’Grady, is that her generation will have the ability to safely choose between public transportation, walking, and cycling, and to make these choices so convenient that perhaps she even foregoes the ownership of an ... Read More

Tree Trimming During Rush Hour? It's Time to Be Smarter

On Monday Feb 2nd at 10am this is what Franklin looked like. Franklin is clogged almost all the time, and yet the City of Los Angeles chooses to shut down a lane right in front of Cheremoya during rush hour. We need to be smarter about this stuff. Montreal fixes its streets during the night and we are trimming trees on one of the busiest streets in LA during rush hour! I stopped and talked to the tree trimmers and they agreed. They said it is almost impossible for them to do their job in such congested traffic. We need new, innovative work practices at city hall that have our employees doing their job at the most opportune time. There is so much that we can do to improve the quality of life for our citizens with just a little more thought. Read More

Tomàs O'Grady And His Fur-Kids

Even if you haven't met them, you can tell from his website that his family is important to Tomàs O'Grady. That includes his wonderful wife Justine, and his four kids: Eireann, Lauren, Ryan and Dylan. But did you know that their family also includes two dogs whom Tomàs rescued? They are Mae Mae and Luke, a couple of fluffy terrier mixes. One day a volunteer for EnrichLA, Tomàs' nonprofit organization that helps to build edible gardens in local schools, came into the office with a tote bag over her shoulder and a concerned expression on her face. She happened to mention some puppies--and it turned out she'd brought two pups with her in the tote rather than leave them in her car. They were homeless, and she had taken them from a friend who was about to drop them off at a public shelter. She wasn't sure yet what to do ... Read More

"Fixes" for Los Feliz

I was recently asked to identify a few "quick fixes" for the Los Feliz area; things that needed to be done and that could be addressed relatively simply. Here are a few issues I have identified.Do you have suggestions, ideas, or issues that are concerning you or your neighborhood? Email us at control@tomasogrady.com. We want to hear from you!1) Eastbound traffic turning right from Los Feliz to Riverside Drive is constantly being clogged because of stopped buses at the bus stop there. A simple solution here is to cut in and create an indent so that buses are not interfering with traffic in that lane. We can design the indent either around the deodar or, if necessary, we can relocate the tree a few feet to the west. 2) Confusing policies, quick fixes, and a lack of a comprehensive plan for maintenance has now resulted in our $700,000+ “Gateway to Los ... Read More

Save the Mosaic Church. This will have a domino impact on zoning and density throughout the residential areas of our neighborhood.

Dear Neighbors, This is a reminder that the City Planning Commission must receive comments regarding the proposed Hollywood Horizon development at 7107 Hollywood Boulevard no later than January 12, 2015 5 pm. The developer who bought the site wants to demolish the Mosaic Church on Hollywood and La Brea and build a massive commercial/ and residential development including a 256 skyscraper with 10,000 square feet of commercial space as well as a public “plaza” and a commercial parking structure. This will have a domino impact on zoning and density throughout the residential areas of our neighborhood. The developer is requesting the current zoning regulations be permanently changed to accommodate high-density mixed-use development with no height restrictions. There is an Initial Study, which provides information on the scope of the project, and if you have not read it, you can view it below. The City Planner will provide comments to the developer and those ... Read More

OUR INITIAL PROPOSALS FOR THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN

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Please donate to our Dad for his campaign

Two days before Christmas, fourteen tenants of the Villa Carlotta apartment complex received eviction notices. They turned to our dad and he met with the developer to ensure that they were taken care of. When Tanya Ward Goodman wanted to realize her five-year dream of a new school library, she turned to our dad. The students at Franklin Elementary now enjoy a beautiful learning center. When Kevin Mulcahy, an architect wanted to repurpose the last remaining steel truss bridge in the City of Los Angeles into a park, he turned to our dad. Tomas gathered widespread community support for this innovative idea and started a conversation about how to repurpose our historic structures. When Sarah Hunt, of pastoral Fredonia Drive, faced the prospect of a massive development to be built across from her home, she turned to our dad who gathered a coalition that successfully appealed and won. The developer ... Read More

Eireann (15) and Lauren O’Grady (13) talk about DAD. We could not be more proud of our dad. He has dedicated his life to helping others.

Monday, December 29, 2014 Two days before Christmas, fourteen tenants of the Villa Carlotta apartment complex received eviction notices. They turned to our dad and he met with the developer to ensure that they were taken care of. When Tanya Ward Goodman wanted to realize her five-year dream of a new school library, she turned to our dad. The students at Franklin Elementary now enjoy a beautiful learning center. When Kevin Mulcahy, an architect wanted to repurpose the last remaining steel truss bridge in the City of Los Angeles into a park, he turned to our dad. Tomas gathered widespread community support for this innovative idea and started a conversation about how to repurpose our historic structures. When Sarah Hunt, of pastoral Fredonia Drive, faced the prospect of a massive development to be built across from her home, she turned to our dad who gathered a coalition that successfully appealed ... Read More

We can focus on key constituencies like the younger generation and tourists to get them off the road and onto the rails.

What qualifies you to run for City Council? I was raised on a farm in Ireland, so I’m no stranger to hard work and know the value of being resourceful when “throwing money at a problem” simply isn’t an option. Los Angeles could be the most dynamic city of the 21st Century. We can be economically and environmentally sustainable and here’s a novelty - we can be fiscally responsible. We will need fresh leadership to make that happen. I’ve dedicated myself to public service. Through our non-profit EnrichLA, we’ve built over 70 edible school gardens on a shoestring. With parents and teachers, together, we worked with the mother of all bureaucracies, LAUSD, to transform King Middle School into an academic powerhouse. I would like to bring this can-do attitude to City Hall. I ran in 2011 and was endorsed by the Los Angeles Times. What are the key issues affecting ... Read More

Tonight, I could see inspiration and relief growing in people the more he shared his experience

12/09/2014.   Janet Carper. Something very special happened this evening. I had seen it before though. I first had the opportunity to meet, hear, and speak with Tomas O’Grady in Laurel Canyon at a meet and greet hosted by Shawn Silver. I was compelled to invite Tomas to last night's Save Residential Hollywood meeting. Tonight, I could see inspiration and relief growing in people the more he shared his experience and his vision. He is rare: an authentic aliveness in handling issues, spanning from immersing himself in detail-level tackling of concrete matters, to being openly receptive and responsive to ideas and information, to processing complexities and priorities with lucidity and resolve, and conveying goals and plans with an over-arching understanding of and sensitivity toward communities and the city's utmost potential. His sense of leadership is laser focused on the essential and is infused with innovative spirit. I could see the ... Read More

I Support the gross receipts tax decrease and the minimum wage increase but you can’t have one without the other

This levy on businesses accounts for around 10% of the city’s budget. It is a tax on your gross and not on your profit! Most pay $5.07 for every $1,000 in sales. That’s the highest rate in the region, almost 10 times the average of the other 87 cities in Los Angeles County. Eliminating this “mob like off the top tax” would spur new economic activity within city borders, chiefly from companies deciding to relocate to Los Angeles or even deciding to stay. That would translate to more revenue from other fees, such as sales tax, to offset the loss in gross receipts tax proceeds and create new and even better paying jobs. I support the raising of the minimum wage that is tied to the lowering of the gross receipts tax. We can do it. We can do it today. City Hall can raise the minimum wage if it ... Read More

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