Dateline Hawthorne – Seventy years ago, when television was a boy and radio was the man in the family, Gabriel Heatter, one of America’s most popular news commentators, opened every nightly report in stentorian tones with the same cheerful words. “There’s good news tonight,” he insisted in the days of World War II.
If Mayor Chris Brown had a microphone that boomed out across the land, he, too, would pledge that “There’s good news tonight.”
Modest Hawthorne is stepping onto the global stage next month and playing a role in the worldwide Special Olympics that USC will be hosting – 7,000 athletes with assorted disabilities from 177 countries.
Hawthorne will be home base to the 100 persons comprising the delegations of Nigeria and Estonia.
When they return home after the July 25-Aug. 2 Special Olympics, “Hawthorne” will be a byword among these Nigerian and Estonian families.
Formerly one of the South Bay’s most easily overlooked communities, Hawthorne has taken on an unusually strong glow at the reins of the ambitious Mr. Brown.
Undeniably, a trail of negative developments has sought to mar the aggressive, and sometimes tartly resisted, leadership of the young (32) and personable Mr. Brown.
Equally undeniable is the mayor’s aggressive vision for Hawthorne, both in infrastructure and reputation/image.
With an emphasis on personal strength and gritty determination, Mr. Brown is elevating the profile of Hawthorne.
He is not shy about pushing back.
The decision to play a hosting role in the international Special Olympics split the City Council, which falls into the business-as-ever category.
In a hurry, Mr. Brown and his Council allies, Olivia Valentine and Angie Reyes-English, hied themselves into the community. They raised the $46,000 necessary to accommodate the Nigerian and Estonian visitors.
Among the first-rank sponsors of Hawthorne and the Special Olympics story, are three powerhouses, SpaceX, South Bay Ford and Coca-Cola.
Among the community’s most committed committee members are Carolina Velarde, Alexander Gurfinkel, Michelle Obeso, Kristin Smith and Rosalina Martinez.
Just like the late afternoon sun, Hawthorne well may be rising.
