Fairchild gets a job

Denise Fairchild has been thinking of running against former Speaker Herb Wesson for the open 10th district seat on the City Council. She hired Villaraigosa adviser Parke Skelton to get ready, even though her being in the race would make things politically messy for the mayor and others whose loyalties might be torn. Well, today Villaraigosa announced that Fairchild is going to work for him, as Senior Advisor for South Los Angeles. She will head up his South Los Angeles Investment Initiatives and report directly to the mayor.

The release (corrected by the mayor's office in a second email) follows:

MARKING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WATTS RIOTS MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA NAMES SENIOR ADVISOR FOR SOUTH LOS ANGELES INVESTMENT INITIATIVES
LOS ANGELES - On the 40th Anniversary of the Watts Riots, Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa today named Dr. Denise Fairchild as his Senior Advisor for
South Los Angeles Investment Initiatives. Dr. Fairchild will spearhead
investment initiatives to create a comprehensive and dynamic approach to
bring public and private investment to South Los Angeles with the aim of
creating quality jobs and improving the quality of life in the area.

As a Special Advisor to the Mayor, Dr. Fairchild will mobilize
significant public, private and community resources that will make a
visible difference in the quality of life for the residents of Los
Angeles.

Great cities grow and prosper together, said Mayor Villaraigosa. For
too many decades, South Los Angeles residents have been left behind. It
is my hope and expectation that Dr. Fairchild will lead a comprehensive
effort to coordinate city services and leverage private sector
investment to create jobs, housing opportunities and small business
development.

Her top priorities will include accelerating the pace and increasing
and completing the number of successful inner-city development projects
and identifying neighborhood restoration initiatives that will promote
and attract urban investments resulting in an improved quality of life
for the residents.

Dr. Fairchild's goals will also include improving the availability of
housing through greater collaboration between the Community
Redevelopment Authority, private and public sectors.

Dr. Fairchild will report directly to Mayor Villaraigosa and work
collaboratively with the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic
Development, Bud Ovrom.

Denise Fairchild is the Founder and President of Community Development
Technologies Center (CD Tech), a training, applied research and
technical assistance organization specializing in community development
strategies.

The mission of the CD Tech Center is to build livable and economically
viable neighborhoods. CD Tech strives to strengthen the social, economic
and build environments of low-income neighborhoods by focusing on
community strengths and strategic partnerships. In partnership with L.A.
Trade Tech College, CD Tech has developed the nation's first program in
community development at the community college level. CD Techs work also
includes the creation of an Individual Development Account (IDA) program
for low-wage workers to save for a house, a business, or educational
opportunities. Prior to starting CD Tech in 1994, Dr. Fairchild was the
Director of the Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation
(LISC).