“As of today, we are announcing a major shift in our city’s operations as we continue to address the #COVID19 health crisis. Starting Monday, many city facilities, including City Hall, libraries, and community centers, will begin closing to the public.”—Mayor Garcia vía Twitter

Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:

1. Do a massive campaign to educate the public that we need to get by this crisis together. The only way to survive a crisis like this is if we help each other, putting the most needy, not the most greedy, at the head of the line.

2. Call on grocery stores and recommend a voluntary rationing program. Many are already doing so with things like toilet paper and water but it needs to be a coordinated effort particularly for basic staples for seniors and disabled people. We can do this, it’s not rocket science.

3. Work with LBUSD and provide free lunches for qualified seniors, the disabled, and others on fixed income. Many schools have fully equipped kitchens. Many restaurants will do the same, give them a promissory note to be paid back in some form when the crisis is over. This will help the restaurant workers and the hungry at the same time. Have your money people figure this out, it’s not rocket science.

4. Work with Meals On Wheels and Neighborhood Associations to assist in the delivery of meals prepared by the restaurants and schools (see item 3). At the same time have the Meals on Wheels volunteers alert authorities of people that are ill and in distress.

5. Work with Meals On Wheels and Neighborhood Associations to assist in the delivery of basic groceries to seniors (see item 2). Ask the same special interests that invest in your campaigns to pony up. If they can spend time canvassing for politicians, they can spend time volunteering with meals on wheels. We can do this. Neighborhood associations are ready to help when you give the word.

6. Work with LBUSD and elementary schools to provide child care for qualified low income families that don’t get PTO. Schools have plenty of space to maintain social distance. Many of the most needy children will be there anyway taking advantage of the free meals.

7. Work with small employers to ensure protections for low income workers, in particular to those who are independent contractors and don’t normally get any benefits. We’ve got a budget that’s bigger than 40 state capitals, we can do this if we all tighten our belt, in particular city officials making six figure salaries. Lead by example!

8. Cut wasteful spending, starting with the $1.5 million for the El Dorado Park soccer field and other such projects. Cut inflated salaries for public officials on a sliding scale, highest cuts for those making close to $400k. Cut all overtime except for essential health services. Many of us do our civic duty with no pay, now join us. Do that now!

9. Think about low-income workers first even if they don’t donate to your campaigns. Suspend tax cuts for wealthy developers (like the $13 million for Molina), they don’t really need it. The “trickle down theory” does not work, but our system guarantees that the inverse works all the time. Take care of the needy first.

10. You may have a hundred thousand dollars left from your Measure A campaign. All of you have slush funds that you can put to good use in the service of the community. If you get in trouble we the people will defend you if you use it wisely and we will think of you in better light. This is an emergency!

Be leaders, it’s your duty to make this happen.

Sincerely,

Carlos Ovalle