Marijuana Influence Dominates Compton Elections
Compton District 4 candidate Justin Blakely would be a likely addition to the city council dais. He made a name for himself at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), however, he has made inconsistent statements that give residents pause in fully supporting him over the incumbent Emma Sharif.
Blakely managed to receive more votes than Sharif in the April 16th election and his headed to the run off on June 4th.
Blakely began his polictical career ascending to ASI President at CSUDH, which brought him under the wing of Chancellor Willie Hagan. 2UrbanGirls spoke with people at CSUDH, who refused to be named in this article, but spoke highly of Blakely.
“It was clear Justin Blakely had political aspirations and honed his skills as ASI President”
Anonymous
His campaign strategy seemed to be a play straight out Compton Councilman Isaac Galvan’s playbook.
Missing all candidate forums, and an opportunity to speak with voters, he chose the route taken by Galvan going straight to voters. Blakely also employed the sketchy Angel Gonzalez who made headlines for being fired by the Compton City Manager. Gonzalez’s expertise is sending out vicious campaign mailers about his clients opponents.
Related: Compton fires new Councilman Galvan’s aide, who has a criminal record
Reached by phone Galvan shared with 2UrbanGirls it would be a waste of Blakely’s time to attend the forums as there are too many and the questions are pre-determined in a way to favor the forums host preferred candidates.
Inconsistencies
Blakely has been insistent that his parents gave him the $21,000 to get on the Compton City Council ballot for April 16th. In interviews with HubCityDre and 2UrbanGirls, he reiterated that his parents gave him all of the money.
Via email, he shared the money didn’t come from his parent’s bank account because his father didn’t get back to him until Sunday, February 17th, and with the money due on Tuesday, at 8:30am, he was forced to purchase money orders.
2UrbanGirls requested copies of the money orders and received them. Nearly half of the money orders purchased were done so at a check cashing place on Rodeo Rd. in the 90016 zip code located in Los Angeles Council District 10.
According to Blakely’s campaign filing and the dates on the money orders, they were all purchased on Saturday, February 16th, the day before Blakely alleges his father committed to financially helping him. His statements also claim that $7,000 came from Blakely’s own pocket. A matter he has never discussed in any interview that he assisted with funding his own campaign.
Hi Melissa,
Justin Blakely
I hope this message receives you well.
Thanks for reaching out.
To answer your questions—
Banks are open on Saturday so why weren’t you issued money orders directly from you and your parents bank accounts?
Answer: My father didn’t get back to me until Sunday of that weekend.
Another inconsistency is “where does Blakely really live”? Compton resident Julius Franklin posted in Facebook group Eye Witness News in Compton, that he went to the house listed as Blakely’s residence – 1005 S. Castlegate Ave. The same street Franklin lives at.
Franklin went to the door and asked the occupants if Blakely lived there and they replied “no”. One would assume that if he had ever lived at the address, the occupants would have said he moved.
District 1 candidates are currently embroiled in a legal battle pertaining to a candidate’s residency and claims they don’t live where they say they do.
“I moved out of Castlegate months ago.”
Justin Blakely 5/6/2019
2UrbanGirls reached Blakely by email and confirmed he moved to 1306 Atlantic Dr. According to the Compton City Clerk’s office, Blakely reported the changes as of April 30th, not “months ago” as he claimed today.
Blakely made social media posts two weeks ago which led residents to believe he has not lived at the Castlegate Ave address since being approved to appear on the ballot 2/19/2019. Blakely then took to the above reference Facebook group to address why he moved.
“My girlfriend and I broke up due to her being constantly harassed because of the election.”
Justin Blakely
Cannabis/Marijuana
Finally, there has been MOUNTING speculation of Blakely’s connection to the cannabis/marijuana industry. Most, if not all, cannabis businesses are unable to bank and thus have to operate with money orders. Blakely’s list of endorsements come from many current and former elected officials who are attached to the industry.
In 2018 Compton residents overwhelmingly rejected passing of Measures C and I to allow sales and indoor marijuana cultivation like nearby city of Lynwood passed the year prior.
Related: Compton voters reject marijuana sales in city
Blakely’s most prominent endorsement has come from Sen. Hall whom Compton residents rejected when he ran for Congress. Other elected officials, with ties to the cannabis industry, have endorsed Blakely.
Former Water Replenishment District member Robert Katherman (Cannabis Commercial Real Estate Investors).
A billboard advertising marijuana products near Maywood. Some residents in the small city are against marijuana dispensaries in the city. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Former Maywood Councilman Sergio Calderon who’s city approved marijuana businesses because of their new revenue stream, and former Maywood Mayor Tomas Martin. A Los Angeles Times article revealed that the Maywood Planning Commission approved marijuana and the commissions chairman, Ignacio Flores, now holds a marijuana license under his business Corona Sky Inc.
Weedmaps heavily promoted the industry on various billboards throughout Maywood despite residents not wanting it.
Violeta Alvarez, former Mayor/Councilmember in the nearby city of Bell is also attached to the cannabis industry as a member of Professional Organics, who assists with getting cannabis licenses approved.
In addition to the above, Blakely is also connected to Long Beach Councilman Rex Richardson who spearheaded a social equity program in his city. Richardson has yet to publicly endorse Blakely.
Related: Long Beach’s pioneering marijuana social-equity program aims to tackle racial, economic injustice
Why are Justin Blakely’s endorsements tied to elected officials who want cannabis money to save their cities?
