Has Compton Mayor Aja Brown secured enough votes to move the city forward with yesterday’s election results? A timely letter to the editor from a long-time Compton resident asks “will the Compton mayor’s vision come to fruition”?
Compton is affixed on real change.Â
While we can welcome newcomer Michelle Chambers to the council residents have to wonder will her loyalty stand with the residents or with a bloc of council votes. Residents have demanded to have elected officials not stand with a voting block but stand with the citizens desires to solving the cities numerous problems. With so many contributing factors to the downward spiral of the cities finances this partially new body of council members must begin to lead the community with a practical yet innovative approach.
If the two council members who rubber-stamped their loyalty for the outgoing Janna Zurita continue on the same trajectory, or knowing Galvan begets a petty bitter abstaining from his council obligations, like voting no on everything proposed or blatantly decides not to show up, many residents have said they will promote a recall effort. While costly waiting 2 years before the next election to have qualified leaders vetted for office may not work.
The 2nd and 3rd districts are in need of leadership and attention. If this does not presume, immediately, residents will be forced with a major financial implication of paying for a recall but it may be worth it in the long run. Either way, some of the dark cloud hovering over Compton is slowly retreating, but there’s so much more work to do. Aside of politics we are now into June where violent crime and gang activity increases. Many community groups and organized residents were birthed out of this election.
With social challenges like homelessness still an issue, violence, prostitution and community blight. Residents will need to continue the organizing and slowly answer to some of the problems that exist and work with the current council to bring forth solutions. Every problem in the city is not going to be one that has an impact on the budget, Compton will be able to solve infrastructural concerns, street repairs, street lights, code enforcement.
Residents will need to form public private partnerships to bring in organizations and companies who can tie into the city for good. Overall residents spoke loud and clear with a major increase in voter turn out and activism. Who are Comptons rising community stars? We can surely expect a wide range of Comptonites to challenge Galvan, McCoy and Brown in the coming election cycles. Compton is well on its way to a new vision.
Hopeful in Compton
