South Gate, California

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of South Gate
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
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flag_size =
image_

seal_size = 221
image_shield =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of South Gate in Los Angeles County, California


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = California
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Los Angeles
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Bill De Witt [cite web | url = http://www.sogate.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/nav/navid/31/ | title = Meet the City Council | accessdate = 2007-08-02]
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
established_date3 = 1923-01-20 [cite web | url = http://www.cacities.org/resource_files/20457.IncorpDateLO.doc | title = Incorporation Dates of California Cities | accessdate = 2007-01-18|format=DOC]
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 19.38
area_total_sq_mi = 7.48
area_land_km2 = 19.08
area_land_sq_mi = 7.37
area_water_km2 = 0.30
area_water_sq_mi = 0.12
area_water_percent = 1.57
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2005
population_note =
population_footnotes = [cite web | url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=&_geoContext=&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=South%20Gate&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010 | title = South Gate city, California - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder | accessdate = 2007-01-17]
settlement_type = City
population_total = 103,547
population_density_km2 = 5052.0
population_density_sq_mi = 13084.6
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 33 |latm = 56 |lats = 39 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 11 |longs = 42 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 35
elevation_ft = 115
postal_code_type = ZIP Code
postal_code = 90280 [cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/zcl_1_results.jsp?visited=1&pagenumber=0&state=ca&city=South%20Gate | title = USPS - ZIP Code Lookup - Find a ZIP+ 4 Code By City Results | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
area_code = 323 [cite web | url = http://www.nanpa.com/nas/public/npa_city_query_step2.do?method=displayData&cityToNpaModel.stateAbbr=CA&cityToNpaModel.city=South%20Gate | title = Number Administration System - NPA and City/Town Search Results | accessdate = 2007-01-18]
website = [http://www.sogate.org]
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 06-73080
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1652795
footnotes =

South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is part of the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County. In 2005 the city had an estimated total population of 103,547. [ [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=01000US&_geoContext=01000US&_street=&_county=South+Gate&_cityTown=South+Gate&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=010&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= U.S. Census 2005 estimate] ] The "City of South Gate" was incorporated on 20 January 1923 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors [http://www.cityofsouthgate.org/southgategardens.htm] .

In 1990, South Gate was one of ten U.S. communities to receive the All-America City Award from the National Civic League. [ [http://www.ncl.org/aac/past_winners/past_winners.html All-America City: Past Winners ] ]

The city government has been criticized in 2002 for its corruption and one-sided votes. The city is on a progress calendar after governmental reform and improved accountability. Many new projects are under way as the city paves the way for the Gateway Communities.

Geography

South Gate is located at coor dms|33|56|39|N|118|11|42|W|city (33.944264, -118.194903)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.4 km² (7.5 mi²). 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.60% water.

The Los Angeles River runs through the eastern part of South Gate.

Government

Elected officials (as of August 2006):
*Mayor: Bill De Witt
*Vice Mayor: Gil Hurtado
*Council Member: Henry Gonzalez
*Council Member: Gregory Martinez
*Council Member: Maria Davila
*Treasurer: Rudy Navarro
*Clerk: Carmen Avalos

candal and corruption

From 2001 to 2003 city treasurer Albert Robles accepted bribes and funneled money to friends and relatives via city contracts. He, along with three allies on the city council, formed a majority and had effective control of the five member city council. In 2002 Robles was arrested then acquitted of threatening two other politicians. The city paid for his legal bills, however, amounting to 10% of the city budget. The city council cut the pay of city clerk Carmen Avalos by 90% after she complained about corruption and election fraud in the city to the California State Secretary. cite news
title = South Gate: Mexico Comes to California; How an all-American town became a barrio
url = http://www.amconmag.com/05_19_03/feature.html
format = html
work = 19 May 2003 Issue
publisher = The American Conservative
date = 19 May 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-01 zip]

On 28 January 2003 voters recalled Robles along with former Mayor Xochitl Ruvalcaba, former Vice Mayor Raul Moriel, and former city councilwoman Maria Benavides. [ cite web
title = County of Los Angeles Department of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk JANUARY 28, 2003 - SPECIAL ELECTION Final Official Election Returns (Los Angeles County Only)
url = http://rrcc.co.la.ca.us/elect/03010262/rr0262pa.html-ssi
format = html
publisher = County of Los Angeles Department of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
date = 28 January 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-01 ] cite news
title = South Gate Voters Clean House; Ousted Robles Said He May Seek Office Again
url = http://www.nbc4.tv/news/1942556/detail.html
format = html
publisher = KNBC Los Angeles
date = 29 January 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-01 ]

Robles was convicted of bribery and other charges in July 2005, cite news
author = Rosenzweig, David
title = Ex-South Gate treasurer convicted in bribery case
url = http://www.cityethics.org/southgate
format = html
work = 29 July 2005 Issue
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = 29 July 2005
accessdate = 2006-12-01 ] ordered to pay the city of South Gate $639,000 in restitution, and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. [ cite news
author = Becerra, Hector
title = Robles sentenced to 10 years; The former South Gate treasurer, convicted of stealing millions from the city, is taken into custody. He insists his power was exaggerated.
url = http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-robles29nov29,1,2110069.story?coll=la-news-politics-california
format = html
work = 29 November 2006 Issue
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = 29 November 2006
accessdate = 2006-12-02 ]

In March 2006, Rudy Navarro, who was elected to replace Albert Robles as city treasurer, was caught making a false statement on his biography as posted on the city's official web site. He claimed that he earned a degree from San Diego State University, when he actually had not completed all the requirements. [ cite web
title = SOUTH GATE CITY TREASURER
url = http://www.cityofsouthgate.org/Navarro.htm
format = html
publisher = City of South Gate
accessdate = 2006-12-016
quote = One of three children, Rudy is proud of the fact that he is the first member of his family to earn a college degree. He chose to attend San Diego State University, where he majored in both Finance and Political Science, with a minor in International Conflict Resolution. ] [ cite web
title = Treasurer Elected to Help Clean Up South Gate Admits Resume Fib
url = http://www.vote29.com/blog/archives/archive_2006-m03.php
format = html
publisher = Cactus Thorns; Irreverent Barbs On Desert Politics
accessdate = 2006-12-01
date = 20 March 2006
quote = Rudy Navarro, 26, admitted he did not graduate from San Diego State University as he had claimed on the resume that's posted on the city's Web site, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday. "I don't know what I was thinking. It was stupid," said Navarro, adding that until this week he hadn't even told his parents he had yet to finish college. "Maybe it was the pressure to make myself look better than the previous person. My intention was really to come out and help." ] [ cite news
title = (Unknown article title)
url = http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/14142032.htm]

South Gate's recent political history has been characterized by political observers and editors. An account of the South Gate corruption scandals can be found in journalist Sam Quinones' book "Antonio's Gun and Delfino's Dream: True Tales of Mexican Migration". cite news
author = Bebitch Jeffe, Sherry
url = http://www.capitoljournal.com/news/features/_J.e.f.f.e./?7
title = Southgate
publication = California Journal
work = March 2004 Issue
date = March 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-04
quote = Using a strategy reminiscent of old-style Mexican politics, the besieged incumbents began offering their constituents "freebies," including one-month's free trash service, a plan for free medical care out of a new health clinic, and raffles which awarded a new television set to one newly registered voter and a free, new house, offered by the city, to one lucky non-homeowner. ] cite news
author = Marosi, Richard
url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/280534801.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+25%2C+2003&author=Richard+Marosi&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=THE+NATION
title = The Freebies Pile Up as South Gate Goes to Polls ; Some residents say the city's largess before a recall vote resembles the graft they saw in Mexico
publication = Los Angeles Times
work = 25 Jan 2003 Issue
date = 25 January 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-04
quote = Have Third World politics come to South Gate? As three council members and the treasurer face a closely watched recall election Tuesday, many residents say the answer is yes... If the recall targets prevail, residents and political observers say, South Gate-style politics could spread to other Latino- majority communities, since candidates like to lift pages from other successful politicians' playbooks. ] cite news
author = Anderson, Jeffrey
url = http://www.laweekly.com/general/features/the-town-the-law-forgot/15731/
title = The Town the Law Forgot
publication = L.A. Weekly
date = 2007-02-21
accessdate = 2007-02-28 ]

Finances

South Gate was $150 million in debt in 2005.

On June 5, 2007, the city reported that it is facing a severe financial crisis [http://www.sogate.org/news/index.cfm/fuseaction/story/ID/26/] .

Economy

South Gate's commercial activity is concentrated in the following zones:

*Tweedy Mile (from Long Beach Boulevard to Atlantic Avenue)
*Firestone Boulevard (from Alameda Street to Garfield Avenue)
*Garfield Avenue (at Firestone Boulevard; at Imperial Highway; and from McKinley Avenue to Century Boulevard)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there are 96,375 people, 23,213 households, and 20,056 families residing in the city. The population density is 5,048.9/km² (13,084.6/mi²). There are 24,269 housing units at an average density of 1,271.4/km² (3,294.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 0.78% White, 0.19% African American, 9.93% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 94.69% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 23,213 households out of which 58.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.6% are married couples living together, 18.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 13.6% are non-families. 10.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 4.15 and the average family size is 4.37.

In the city the population is spread out with 35.6% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 14.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,695, and the median income for a family is $35,789. Males have a median income of $25,350 versus $19,978 for females. The per capita income for the city is $10,602. 19.2% of the population and 17.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Demographics history

The South Gate area was inhabited by the Gabrielino/Tongva Indians before development by Spanish ranchers.

South Gate developed during the 1920s and 1930s as an industrial city (primarily in "metal-bashing" industries) and its blue-collar community was predominantly non-Hispanic white. [cite news
author = McGrath, Roger D.
title = South Gate: Mexico Comes to California; How an All-American Town Became a Barrio
url = http://www.amconmag.com/05_19_03/feature.html
format = html
work = 19 May 2003 Issue
publisher = The American Conservative
date = 19 May 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-01
quote = The population was mostly blue collar: many of the new arrivals during the 1930s were Dust Bowl migrants who brought with them "hillbilly" music, Protestant fundamentalism, and rawboned toughness.] During the 1940s and 1950s, South Gate was one of the most fiercely segregationist cities in Southern California; gangs of white youths were known to prowl the streets looking for blacks who dared to cross over from neighboring Watts. One of the most infamous clubs of the area at that time was the Spook Hunters. [cite web
url = http://www.streetgangs.com/history/hist01.html
title = Black Street Gangs in Los Angeles: A History (excerpts from Territoriality Among African American Street Gangs in Los Angeles)
accessdate = 2006-12-01
author = Alonso, Alex
format = html
work = Territoriality Among African American Street Gangs in Los Angeles
quote = In Huntington Park, Bell, and South Gate, towns that were predominately white, teenagers formed some of the early street clubs during the 1940s. One of the most infamous clubs of that time was the Spook Hunters, a group of white teenagers that often attacked black youths. If blacks were seen outside of the black settlement area, which was roughly bounded by Slauson to the South, Alameda Avenue to the east, and Main [5] Street to the west, they were often attacked. The name of this club emphasized their racist attitude towards blacks, as “Spook” is a derogatory term used to identify blacks and “Hunters” highlighted their desire to attack blacks as their method of fighting integration and promoting residential segregation. Their animosity towards blacks was publicly known; the back of their club jackets displayed an animated black face with exaggerated facial features and a noose hanging around the neck. The Spook Hunters would often cross Alameda traveling west to violently attack black youths from the area. In Thrasher’s study of Chicago gangs, he observed a similar white gang in Chicago during the 1920s, the Dirty Dozens, who often attacked black youths with knives, blackjacks, and revolvers because of racial differences (Thrasher 1963:37). Raymond Wright was one of the founders of a black club called the Businessmen, a large East side club based at South Park between Slauson Avenue and Vernon Avenue. He stated that “you couldn’t pass Alameda, because those white boys in South Gate would set you on fire,” [6] and fear of attack among black youths was not, surprisingly, common. In 1941, white students at Fremont High School threatened blacks by burning them in effigy and displaying posters saying, “we want no niggers at this school” (Bunch 1990: 118). There were racial confrontations at Manual Arts High School on Vermont and 42nd Street, and at Adams High School during the 1940s (Davis 1990:293). In 1943, conflicts between blacks and whites occurred at 5th and San Pedro Streets, resulting in a riot on Central Avenue (Bunch 1990:118). white clubs in Inglewood, Gardena, and on the West side engaged in similar acts, but the Spook Hunters were the most violent of all white clubs in Los Angeles. ]

After the Watts Riots in 1965, many young non-Hispanic white families began to flee South Gate for other areas. [cite news
author = McGrath, Roger D.
title = South Gate: Mexico Comes to California; How an All-American Town Became a Barrio
url = http://www.amconmag.com/05_19_03/feature.html
format = html
work = 19 May 2003 Issue
publisher = The American Conservative
date = 19 May 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-01
quote = In August 1965, the Watts riots erupted. Watts was virtually 100 percent black, and South Gate, immediately to the east of Watts, was nearly 100 percent white. ]

Since the 1970s, South Gate has had a large Hispanic community, which became dominant in the 1990s as working-class Hispanics and immigrant Latin American families filled the vacuum left by white flight.

Politics

In the state legislature South Gate is located in the 27th and 30th Senate Districts, represented by Democrats Alan Lowenthal and Ronald S. Calderon respectively, and in the 50th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Hector De La Torre. Federally, South Gate is located in California's 39th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +13 [cite web | title = Will Gerrymandered Districts Stem the Wave of Voter Unrest? | publisher = Campaign Legal Center Blog | url=http://www.clcblog.org/blog_item-85.html | accessdate = 2008-02-10] and is represented by Democrat Linda Sánchez.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Most of South Gate is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District public school system. A small section of South Gate is served by the Paramount Unified School District and Downey Unified School District.cite web | url = http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ca/2764 | title = Hollydale Elementary School - South Gate, CA - school overview | accessdate = 2006-12-27] [ cite web | url = http://www.paramount.k12.ca.us/schools/hollydale.html | title = PUSD: Schools : Hollydale | accessdate = 2006-12-27]

Los Angeles Unified School District

LAUSD primary schools

* [http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Bryson_EL Bryson Avenue Elementary School] (Opened 1931)
*Independence Elementary School (Opened 1997)
* [http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Liberty_EL/ Liberty Boulevard Elementary School] (Opened 1932)
*Madison Elementary School (Opened 2005) [cite web | url = http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=47.08402 | title = LAUSD Facilities Services Division: Project Details: South Gate New ES #6, 47.08402]
*Montara Avenue Elementary School (Opened 1988)
*San Gabriel Avenue Elementary School (Opened 1920)
* [http://san-miguel.lausd.k12.ca.us/ San Miguel Avenue Elementary School] (Opened 1989, partially a math and science magnet school)
* [http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Stanford_EL/ Stanford Avenue Elementary School] (1-5, Opened 1924)
*Stanford New Primary Center (K, Opened 2004) [cite web | url = http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=47.07402 | title = LAUSD Facilities Services Division: Project Details: Stanford New PC, 47.07402]
*State Street Elementary School (Opened 1932)
*Tweedy Elementary School (Opened 2004) [cite web | url = http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=55.98027 | title = LAUSD Facilities Services Division: Project Details: South Gate New ES #7, 55.98027]
* [http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Victoria_EL Victoria Avenue Elementary School] (Opened 1925)

LAUSD middle schools

* [http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/South_Gate_MS/ South Gate Middle School] (Opened 1941)
*South East Middle School (Opened 2004) [cite web | url = http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=55.98028 | title = LAUSD Facilities Services Division: Project Details: Southeast Area New MS #3, 55.98028]

LAUSD high schools

*South Gate High School (Opened 1932)
*South East High School (Opened 2005) [cite web | url = http://www.laschools.org/project-status/one-project?project_number=55.98034 | title = LAUSD Facilities Services Division: Project Details: Southeast Area New HS #2, 55.98034]

LAUSD middle and high schools

*International Studies Learning Center (opened in 2005)

Paramount Unified School District

* [http://www.paramount.k12.ca.us/schools/hollydale.html Hollydale School] (K-8)
*Paramount High School

Part of South Gate is served by Downey Unified School District.

Private schools

Private primary schools

*Lollypop Lane Preschool and Kindergarten
*Redeemer Lutheran School
*Saint Helen Elementary School

Private high schools

*Academia Betel
*Faith Christian Academy

Continuation Schools

*Odyssey Continuation School

Colleges and Universities

*Career College of America
*South Gate Satellite Campus, East Los Angeles College

Future additions to South Gate

* Atlantic Park Plaza
* Firestone Village and Shops
* Gateway Project
* Tierra Del Rey luxurious private town homes

Trivia

* The A.R. Maas Chemical Company began operating in South Gate in 1922.
*Firestone Tire and Rubber Company built its South Gate factory on a former bean field and produced its first tire there on 15 June 1928.http://www.cityofsouthgate.org/thenewcity.htm]
*In 1936 the General Motors plant went into production in South Gate with 1,000 employees.
*South Gate has 4 area codes : 323, 562, 310, and 424 (overlay to 310 area code). [http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Static/telco/reports/area+code+info/ac310pubmtgs/areacodechange-310npa_overlaymap.pdf]
*A dramatic incident occurred at the last city council meeting after the 2003 recall election: The mayor, Xochitl Ruvalcaba, punched then 67 year old councilmember Henry Gonzalez as he reached for a "speaker's card" that she refused to hand-over for review; she later accused him of trying to fondle her breast during the public city council meeting. [ cite news
author = York, Anthony
title = Personal ties lead Dymally into Vernon elections fight
url = http://www.capitolweekly.net/news/article.html?article_id=856
format = html
work = 20 July 2006 Issue
publisher = Capitol Weekly: A Newspaper of California Government and Politicsc
date = 20 July 2006
accessdate = 2006-12-01 ] [ cite news
title = Mayor Punches Councilman At Her Last Meeting; Audience Members: 'Arrest The Mayor'
url = http://www.simpletoremember.com/what/mayorpunch.htm
format = html
publisher = Associated Press
date = 4 February 2003
accessdate = 2006-12-01 ]
* Was officially home to the 16th World Science Fiction Convention, "Solacon", in 1958. Solacon was physically in Los Angeles, but (by mayoral proclamation) technically in South Gate to fulfill their bid slogan of "South Gate in 58." [ [http://www.nesfa.org/data/LL/LongListNotes.html#1958 Notes on the Long List of Worldcons ] ]

ee also

* South Central Los Angeles
* Albert Robles
* Seaborg Home
* South Gate High School

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofsouthgate.org/ CityOfSouthGate.org] - South Gate's official Site
* [http://www.southgatehs.org/ SouthGateHS.org] - South Gate High School's official website.
* [http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/South_East_HS/ SouthEastHS.com] - South East High School's official
* [http://www.southgatechamber.org/ SouthGateChamber.org] - South Gate Chamber of Commerce official website.
* [http://www.samquinones.com/ www.samquinones.com] -- website of journalist Sam Quinones