Being Authentically - M.E.
The Candidate that wants to listen to you
Who is
Michael Ebenkamp?
I’m Michael Ebenkamp, and while this name will tell you little of who I am, my upbringing has been quintessentially Los Angeles. I was born to a Single Mother. We didn’t have much to live by as we grew up and moved all the time, from the South Bay to East LA, Watts to the Valley. Those experiences were the first encounters that brought me first-hand access to the beauty and adversity of the city and its people, as well as their resilience.
From my career in hospitality and public service, I’ve learned what it means to lead with a servant’s heart, to listen first and act with concern and resolve. I’ve witnessed how difficult it is for Angelenos to get by, struggling from housing insecurity, skyrocketing cost of living, homelessness and stagnant paychecks.
I have also seen fear instill in our communities, particularly a fear that grows when the family units we’re meant to support are torn apart by ICE raids, and people are pushed into hiding. As these problems increase, many career politicians serve up soundbites rather than solutions, manufacturing fear rather than solving it.
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That’s why I’m running. Because we can do better and I’m prepared to fight for real change through lived experience, community and action. But I can’t do this alone. If you are tired of the same empty platitudes and desire a leader who’s lived the fight myself then I’m appealing to you to join this action. Volunteer, give, tell the world, or just speak to your neighbors about what can be done. Join with me on this campaign of mine to help better LA. For all of us.
So What is CD-7?
CD -7 contains the Upper Left Portion of the City of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. The neighborhoods in question are Sylmar, Mission Hills, Pacoima, Sunland-Tujunga, Lake View Terrace, Shadow Hills, La Tuna Canyon, and the Northern Half of North Hills East.
To me, All of it is beautiful and has the potential to be the starting point to something much greater than it already is. But there is an unfortunate truth to all of this: It's getting unaffordable and more expensive to live in. And I am not just saying the bog-standard thing of "we need more housing". I am saying we need to address the current issues at hand so that it can be more affordable. ​
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Rent has skyrocketed, pricing for housing has gone up exponentially due in part to the fires at the start of the year, and many people have just moved out of the area they called home for places where it is more affordable. And it needs to be addressed. I love this area, I love the community here, and I want to see improvements to it that we all want to see
My Platform
1 / Safety Nets and Affordability
We need to address Housing. I am not just saying more apartments, I am saying that we need to look into ways of providing a more stable Housing Market for Los Angeles. It is incredibly slow to get projects up and running, and it is also incredibly easy for people to become unhoused due to living in a paycheck-to-paycheck environment. It's a cyclical cycle that needs to be addressed. If elected, I would work towards making strides on ensuring housing is stabilized through means of either having more infrastructure fast-tracked to be built, or limiting corporations that are turning housing into a business through capitalizing on short-term-based lodging. Furthermore, working with the rest of the City Council and the Controller on identifying features that need to be addressed and retooled to benefit all Angelenos​
2/ Improved Walkability and Transportation
We have potholes, broken roads that require repair nearly every six months, illegal dumping, non-existent crosswalks, and hazardous terrain on our sidewalks. It shouldn't take over 8 years to resolve these problems. I will work to ensure communication across departments, be it street services, sanitation, or Transportation, is made to address current issues. While also working towards making our city a more walkable and transit-friendly environment. I am in support of endeavors where our Tax Dollars would go more towards public infrastructure, like Metro or LADOT/Dash, to be paid for fare-wise through existing City Taxes/City Budget.
3 / Protecting our most Vulnerable
Let's talk about the Elephant in the room.
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At this moment, we are facing a multitude of crises due to the actions of the current presidential administration. Primarily affecting our immigrant community, people are just trying to exist in the city—buying food, clothing, and looking for work—while living in fear that individuals will jump out of an SUV wearing masks, hiding their identities, and forcibly abducting them off the street. Meanwhile, those who witness or speak out are met with the same unidentified “federal agents,” who point weapons at them or threaten them with arrest.
This must stop. Communication about what is happening needs to improve to protect our communities from these barbaric attacks. I should know, as I have seen it physically. No one should ever have to experience what occurs during an ICE raid. While I can't stop what is happening. I would partner with defense organizations and groups to host Know-Your-Rights meetings; furthermore, inform the populace about what is happening in an effort to put a spotlight on it
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Contact Michael
For inquiries or to learn more about Michael's plans for City Council, feel free to reach out. Your feedback and input are highly valued.