WWW.BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE Death penalty comes to voters on Sunny with two ballot temps in the measures • p. 7 mid 80s Volume 26 No. 44 Serving the West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities November 3, 2016 2016 ELECTION ISSUE Big Pharma, AHF Los Angeles voters to weigh square off at ballot box mobility against ‘forever tax’ brought in more than $1 billion sell- n ing prescription drugs.” Metro’s plans for Proposition 61 – a measure on In the same light, the proponent’s public transit hinge the Nov. 8 ballot aimed at reducing website for the proposition is drug prices – has become more a named “StopPharmaGreed.com,” on Measure M battle between “Big Pharma” and where they argue that drug compa- the measure’s initiator, Michael nies are making enormous profit Weinstein, president of AIDS “from people’s illness and misery.” Los Angeles County voters on Healthcare Foundation (AHF). After hitting dead ends for more Nov. 8 will be asked whether to Indeed, in the second line of their than a decade trying to push the approve Measure M and accept a ballot argument against the mea- Legislature and U.S. Congress to half-cent sales tax increase to raise sure, opponents call Weinstein out make drug prices more transparent $120 billion over the next 40 years by name as “the controversial pres- to fund transportation projects ident of an organization that See Prop 61 page 35 countywide. Proponents of the measure say it is necessary to complete pro- jects like the second phase of the Purple Line Extension from La Cienega Boulevard to Westwood, photo courtesy of Metro as well as dozens of light rail, Measure M would provide funding for major transportation projects highway and street improvement including the next phase of the Purple Line Extension. Metro plans to projects. Opponents, however, use a massive boring machine to create the subway tunnels. claim it is another tax that will do little to improve heavily-used pub- sure. It will raise funds for 40 pro- Extension, which will create a lic transportation systems such as jects, including a light rail line subway under Wilshire Boulevard bus services. through West Hollywood and a from Western Avenue to La Measure M is supported by the tunnel through the Sepulveda Pass Cienega Boulevard, is already Los Angeles Metropolitan connecting the San Fernando funded and would not be affected Transportation Authority (Metro), Valley and the Westside. The first photo by Gregory Cornfield which helped write the ballot mea- phase of the Purple Line See Measure M page 35 Initiators and supporters of Proposition 61, with Rev. Al Sharpton at left, rallied downtown on Monday. Michael Weinstein, second from right, said he is tired of working to lower drug prices through lawmakers. Park La Brea resident challenges incumbent n they stand for, and that’s been has the complete story. I think you 50th District Assembly great,” he said. have to have the best ideas from race is hyper-local On the down side, he said the both.” Lieu confidentLieu and Wrightin have33rd never met experience confirmed for him that Craffey’s activism started in and never debated the district’s money plays too big of a role in the 2000 when he was the youngest Based on the California issues. Matthew Gene Craffey, a univer- election process. He wanted to board member – and one of only Primary results in the 33rd Wright, an ophthalmologist challenge Bloom because he two republicans – on the Ventura who founded the Wright Center sity development director, has lived District, it appears that believes it is time to bring balance County Rainbow Alliance. Congressman Ted Lieu will soon in L.A. to help reduce blindness at Park La Brea for four years and is to the Legislature, which has been “It was a great experience be re-elected to represent the pre- and eye disorders in children, running as a Republican against dominated by Democrats since because a lot of people that were dominantly democratic con- entered the race because he State Assemblyman Richard 1997, which he said allows for gaps part of that organization had avoid- stituency, after he collected 69 believes citizens should be more Bloom for his seat in the 50th District. in accountability. ed working with the Republican percent of the votes in June. But involved in government. When In his first run for political office, “As much as I am a registered lawmakers in the county,” he said. his opponent – Dr. Kenneth the electorate isn’t active or vigi- Craffey said his faith was restored Republican and that’s the party I “At that time, Ventura County was Wright – expected that from the lant, it leaves the door open for more of a red county than a blue in the nation’s political process. closest align with – I would say this start. representatives to act irresponsi- county, and we had a lot of “I’ve had a lot of people reaching now and I would say this even if we It is unlikely that Nov. 8’s bly, he said. Republican lawmakers that had no out to me with their concerns and had a Republican supermajority – I results will be much different Wright prepared to debate Lieu engagement or relationship with the the issues that matter to them, peo- honestly believe that’s true [that considering there have been no to challenge him on his voting community. And because I was a ple who really pay attention to the there needs to be an even balance],” opportunities for voters to com- record, but the opportunity never candidates who really care what he said. “I don’t think either side pare the two candidates directly – See 33rd page 29 See Craffey page 28 2 November 3, 2016 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press Park Labrea News/Beverly Press 3 November 3, 2016 Family, police hope someone can find missing woman lance camera video that shows Moody said he has considered Paulikas walking on Wilshire different scenarios about what hap- Police, family members and Boulevard west of Fairfax Avenue pened to Paulikas. He surmises she friends are searching for a 55-year- toward McCarthy Vista approxi- was taken in by someone, that she old woman who suffers from mately 15 to 20 minutes after may be in a hospital or assisted liv- Alzheimer’s disease after she Moody last saw her in LACMA’s ing facility, or that she got on a bus walked away from the Los Angeles Ahmanson Building. Moody said and traveled to a different part of County Museum of Art (LACMA) the video shows that Paulikas may the city. Paulikas was carrying a on Oct. 15, and hasn’t been seen have turned south onto McCarthy case for her glasses but had no since. Vista, but it was poor quality and he money or identification. She was The missing woman, Nancy was uncertain. also wearing a watch with a black Paulikas, of Manhattan Beach, was Det. Michael Rosenberger, of the wristband and may have been wear- visiting LACMA with family mem- Manhattan Beach Police ing a medical alert bracelet, but bers when she was separated from Department, confirmed that he had Moody said she had a tendency to her husband, Kirk Moody. Paulikas seen the video and conferred with take the bracelet off. was last seen by Moody at 2:45 LACMA officials about the disap- “There are two high possibilities. p.m. entering a women’s restroom pearance. The detective said One, she is in the system and hasn’t on the second floor of the muse- although it is not unusual for people bubbled up yet. Another possibility um’s Ahmanson Building. Moody suffering from Alzheimer’s disease is she got adopted by someone,” walked to the first floor to use a to wander off, it is uncommon for Moody said. “We have been over restroom and when he returned, his someone to go missing for days. the area so much over the last few wife had disappeared. “It’s unfortunate because she has weeks, it’s unlikely she is on the “When I came back, Nancy was- been gone for so long,” streets. I don’t think she is capable n’t there,” Moody said. “Almost Rosenberger said. “We don’t have of taking care of herself on the immediately, a security guard any reason to believe anything sus- streets, especially for this amount noticed I was looking for someone picious happened. She is pretty of time. We have been calling hos- photo courtesy of Kirk Moody and got other security to look for physically fit and could have cov- pitals and convalescent care facili- her, but we weren’t able to find ered a lot of distance on foot. ties and mental health facilities try- Nancy Paulikas went missing on Oct. 15 after being separated from fam- her.” Hopefully, someone will recognize ing to follow her path. If someone ily members at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She suffers from Paulikas’ family called the Los her and call.” took her in and was hoping to get Alzheimer’s disease, and was last seen walking west on Wilshire Angeles Police Department, and Moody said Paulikas was diag- money, they wouldn’t be able to Boulevard toward McCarthy Vista. officers took a report and searched nosed with the early stages of keep her long without a name.” for the missing woman at the muse- Alzheimer’s disease in 2015 and Moody and his supporters have worked for a financial services jeans and navy blue sandals. um and in the surrounding neigh- was receiving medical treatment.