Leadership Under Fire and Praise: Inglewood City Council Faces Petition, Then Celebrates Mayor Butts
City Council meeting held at Inglewood City Hall on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Photo by Gloria Zuurveen/PACE NEWS
Inglewood City Council Members and attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance to open the Tuesday, August 12, 2025 regular meeting. Photo by Gloria Zuurveen
By Gloria Zuurveen | PACE NEWS
A charged crowd gathered outside Inglewood City Hall ahead of Tuesday’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting, signatures in hand, ready to confront City leadership over a controversial issue. The group—petitioners concerned with a proposed billboard enhancement request by Hollywood Park Casino—had come prepared to address the council about their opposition Council approval of the Special Use Permit modification. But in an unexpected turn, moments after the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. announced that the permit request had been withdrawn at the request of the Casino with no indication that they would reapply. The decision seemingly caught some by surprise—especially those who had come prepared for what seemed to be a protest.
One speaker still approached the podium, holding what she described as “thousands of signatures” opposing the Permit approval. But Mayor Butts, for the record, reminded her that since the agenda items were withdrawn by the applicant and no longer before the council, there would be no Public Hearing Records generated or maintained.
A petitioner speaks during Inglewood City Council meeting. Photo by Gloria Zuurveen
Petition sitting next to Inglewood City Clerk, Aisha L. Thompson, which was dropped off by a petitioner during council meeting held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at City Hall. Photo by Gloria Zuurveen
From there, the meeting shifted to other matters. A local business owner voiced concern about individuals—she described as possible gang members—running an underground parking lot for football patrons denying parking for her customers. Mayor Butts assured her the issue would be addressed, noting that he had been informed that the building’s owner had been ill. A councilmember representing the district added more detail, demonstrating how the Mayor and council worked in unison to respond to constituent concerns.
An Inglewood business owner speaks before the City Council on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, describing how suspected gang activity is disrupting her business and pleading for city intervention. (Photo by Gloria Zuurveen)
Other agenda items can be viewed on Spectrum Channel 35, where residents can also see firsthand how Inglewood’s leadership works cohesively to keep the City moving forward.
From Tensions to Tribute: Celebrating Leadership
In the midst of the day’s serious business, a lighter—and heartfelt—moment emerged. City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson announced that Mayor Butts had recently celebrated a birthday. What followed was an outpouring of praise from every councilmember and staff leader present.
Copies of signed petitions shown next to Inglewood City Clerk Aisha L. Thompson during Inglewood City Council meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Photo by Gloria Zuurveen
Chris Jackson, Director of Development Services, gave one of many compelling tributes. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles’ Nickerson Gardens Housing Project, Jackson joined Inglewood in 2008 as a city planner. He recalled arriving during the City’s “stormy days” of near insolvency—a time when his wife and others questioned his decision to stay. But he told her, “I think he’s going to do it—if we stick together.”
Time proved him right. Under Mayor Butts’ leadership, Jackson rose to head the Development Services Department in 2015 and then to Assistant City Manager in 2025. His story, like that of many others (including City Manager Louis Atwell, Sr. Asst. City Mgr. Jose Cortes, Asst. City Mgr. Yakema Decatur, Human Resources Director Sylvia Fernandez and Finance Director Sharon Koehke), reflect the Mayor’s ability to identify and develop leaders from within.
Inglewood City Manager Louis Atwell (left) and Chris Jackson, Director of Development Services (right), join in a tribute to Mayor James T. Butts, Jr. on his birthday. (Photo by Gloria Zuurveen)
Councilman Alex Padilla likened Inglewood under Mayor Butts to a family, saying, “We are a family.” Councilwoman Dionne Faulk added, “We are all following in your footsteps,” crediting the Mayor for elevating women into leadership roles.
The celebration was more than cake and conversation—it was a testament to leadership that inspires loyalty, fosters growth, and delivers results. Mayor Butts was praised not only as a leader with a vision but as a mentor who has empowered others to help carry it out.
From heated public debate to heartfelt recognition, the meeting captured the full spectrum of civic life in Inglewood—a city whose leadership, under Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., continues to navigate challenges while shaping a legacy of service and unity.
City Councilwoman Dionne Faulk. Photo by Gloria Zuurveen/PACE NEWS.
