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Mayor Villaraigosa Called Out for Not Stepping in on Billboard Controversy
"Why haven't we heard a single word from Mayor Villaraigosa about protecting building tenants and the public from this appropriation of the city's visual landscape for commercial advertising?" That's Dennis Hathaway of BanBillboardBlight.org, an advocacy site that keeps current on the Los Angeles' billboard problems. Hathaway is referring to an LA Times editorial today that calls out Villaraigosa.
"Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has direct authority over city departments, so despite the city attorney's clueless settlements and the City Council's bumbling policies, it's Villaraigosa who has the power to act. He should, without delay," the Times heavily encouraged.
Last week, the paper went inside the buildings that had supergraphics on them. It wasn't a pretty sight. Imagine renting an office with a great view of the mountains, only for that view to be sold so an advertisers could hang a huge sign over your window. A couple of them, including the ING Direct sign, were taken down later in the week.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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