ADVERTISMENT
Final council race decided
Incumbent Isaac Galvan wins by single vote
over Andre Spicer; closest vote in City history
By JARRETTE FELLOWS, JR., Editor
COMPTON — In the closest political race in Compton history—perhaps in Los Angeles County and California state history, District 2 council incumbent Isaac Galvan has defeated challenger Andre “Hub City Dre” Spicer by a single vote—855 to 854 (50.03 - 49.97 percent).
Voters in District 2 were divided straight down the middle regarding who they wanted to represent them in the council moving forward. The vote separation was razor thin and could not have been closer.
Council person Galvan, who now assumes his third term, joins a re-tooled City Hall political administration in Compton in Mayor Emma Sharif, Council person Jonathan Bowers in District 3, and City Treasurer Brandon Mims joining the old guard—City Atty. Damon Brown, City Clerk Alita Godwin, and District 1 Council person Michelle Chambers.
The council will be charged with the task of replacing the vacant District 4 seat after June 30, when former councilperson Sharif’s term ends. The council may choose a replacement or leave it to the voters in a special election.
Compton voters were very opinionated as usual following about the results of a Compton ballot. The following are some of their expressions:
“It’s unfortunate that Galvan “won.” Whether it was fraud or people being lead blindly by a crook or just doesn’t care about their district. Nonetheless congratulations to everyone else! Congratulations Emma!” -- Jeffree J Davis
“Congratulations to everyone. While I am not pleased with some of these results, I hope that elected officials who were able to retain their seats realize that this is another opportunity granted to them to do the right thing for the residents of Compton. To the elected officials and newcomers, I hope this new position is perfect for you and that you are able to bring the change that our past elected officials weren’t able to bring to fruition. You have four years to show us that you are there to work and represent us.” -- Maria Esperanza Hechavarría
“Now we need to find someone for an interim councilperson for the 4th district. It appears this may not be over. [Andre] Spicer is going to demand a recount [and] further investigations into voter fraud.” -- Robert Louis Ray
“What sadden me in this election was the racism that many showed specifically on a stubborn idea of voting Black no matter what—such a ignorant stance to take. I hope that we can come together in unity and recognize that first of all Compton is on stolen Native Indigenous land; secondly, we still share many similar struggles after colonization as we are still victims to the system that keep killing [ourselves] through gatekeepers like the corrupt [LA County] sheriffs and their executioner gangs within that are responsible for the death of Andres Guardado amongst others.” -- Heron Carrillo
“I can’t believe Galvan won! He is a criminal! And he won by one vote! The good thing, however is the new mayor. Congratulation Mayor Emma Sharif, you will be a great mayor!” Zeke Vidaurri
“One vote is one vote. Andre Spicer keep pushing for the truth! In terms of the vacancy, I support the possible appointment of Cristian Reynaga to fill [the] District 4 vacancy.” -- Enrique Robles
“Why would the council appoint Reynaga when he lost? He should keep serving his community and run for office again when the opportunity presents itself. Does he even live in district 4? If he doesn’t, he can’t represent that district. Nothing against him.” -- Wilson Ball
“Because four thousand people want his leadership, Wilson Ball. That's more than enough to have his leadership in some form.” -- Heron Carrillo
“It wasn’t enough to win, Heron Carrillo. If he wanted to be a council person he should have run to be one. He lost. If he has the opportunity to run for a spot on the council in the future and wins then we should support him 100 percent. Can’t support losers.” -- Wilson Ball
“To call him a loser, Wilson Ball, seems salty and derogatory towards a well deserved candidate that happened to fall just short of winning. Your comment feels heavy on the first Brown Chicano candidate that almost won. Not the energy of unity.” -- Heron Carrillo
“That's like preparing your opponent for your seat, Heron Carrillo, Not sure I would do that. Our new mayor [had] better pass on that.” -- Del Charigon
“I supported Cristian Reynaga for mayor. But Emma Shariff won. Let’s just move on, I believe the vote was correct and [we don’t] need to muddy her [victory]. She is a decent person, even if she was not my first choice. Give her support and let’s move on.” -- Angela Wood
“She won fair and square, Angela Wood. She will be an excellent mayor. The people spoke and Mayor Sharif will lead our city.” -- Wilson Ball
It’s a Juneteenth Holiday Celebration
Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair. June 18, 2021; 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Magic Johnson Park, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County 2nd District and LACMA present a Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair at Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park. Enjoy music, food trucks, and activities for all ages, free health and legal services.
Long Beach Juneteenth Celebration. June 19, 2021; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Historic Pine Avenue, Long Beach. Entertainment and guest speakers; bring your family and friends to come honor this monumental celebration. Join the City of Long Beach as we build, educate, and celebrate the community in support of, in and around the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is the national commemoration of the ending of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865 per the announcement by Union army Maj. General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and the enslaved were now free. The two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which became official on Jan. 1, 1863.
The Emancipation Proclamation had little effect on Texas due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome Confederate resistance to freedom.
Juneteenth Celebration: Justice For Bruce’s Beach. June 19, 2021, Noon to 3 p.m., Bruce's Beach, 2600 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach. Free/Bring your own blanket, beach chairs, umbrellas and food. This Juneteenth celebration, the Color of Change will demonstrate the power of Black joy as resistance. Justice for Bruce’s Beach Juneteenth Celebration will commemorate the Justice for Bruce’s Beach movement’s one-year anniversary. The momentum is building as the family moves one step closer to justice. This gathering will celebrate the successes already won and to plan actions needed to restore of Bruce’s Beach land to the Bruce Family. During this celebration, organizers will highlight the past, present and future of the park in Manhattan Beach, sharing the story of the birthplace of the Justice for Bruce’s Beach movement.
Leimert Park Rising: Juneteenth 2021. June 19, 2021, 11 a.m to 9 p.m., Leimert Park in the Village, Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles. Save the date, save the village. A two-day celebration of Black liberation built to educate, entertain, and activate while featuring art, ideas, and performances from local talent. Juneteenth 2021, the community is coming together to build a model for cooperative economics in Leimert Park Village. Three stages of live music, live art, storytelling & idea sharing powered by the people. This will be a true celebration of Black liberation through culture, commerce, and cooperative economics.
Prayer, Protest, Peace: Juneteenth Live Concert. June 19, 2021, 3-6 p.m., live online @ https://bit.ly/3wtJ0pZ Coming at you live and online from the WIlliam Grant Still Arts Center, an amazing Juneteenth concert! Band leader and musical director of the William Grant Still Art Center, Marcus L. Miller takes the West Adams community and the world on a live magical musical tour of 12 years of the African American Composer series, a retrospective concert bringing back musicians from the past while inducting new talent. Don’t miss this incredible concert featuring Kamau Daáood, Dwight Tribble, Gregg Wright, Maiya Sykes, Dexter Story, Mark Broyard, Derf Reklaw, Dale Williams, and Sandra Booker.
