GGPNC Update By Jessica Kornberg
The editors of Los Feliz Today asked a couple of members of the GGPNC for an update since the last elections in March. Jessica Kornberg has shared her progress and views with us below. Her words do not represent any offical views or opinions of the GGPNC or LosFelizToday. We do thank her for her time and efforts!
Thank you for your continued support. I’m pleased to have this opportunity to update you and your readers on our progress since I took office in May. Before I begin, please remember I am only sharing my own views, not any official message from the council.
I took office in May with an agenda for reform. I’m happy to share our progress so far:
Leadership:
In the wake of the elections there were significant gaps in the GGPNC’s leadership. The previous Treasurer, Vice President of Administration, and Secretary were not re-elected. The previous President and Vice President of Outreach both declined to continue in their posts. At the same time, the Chair of the Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Committee – one of our most active – also resigned. In short order we filled all these important roles and I’m happy to report it’s been a smooth and successful, though gradual, transition.
Budget & Finance:
When we took office the GGPNC was in the red and behind on our accounting. Thanks to tireless work by our new Treasurer Christina Khanjian and President Ron Ostrow, we now have a balanced budget, a comprehensive accounting, and are proceeding into a new fiscal year with much greater fiscal transparency and accountability.
Governance:
An important plank on our reform platform was changing the previous appointment process, which allowed appointed members to participate in the voting, creating what was called a “self-appointed” board. I’m happy to report this, along with an ethics training, was one of the first items passed by the new board.
All in all it’s been an extremely busy few months. We’ve got plenty more work to come, including getting a better community outreach system in place and filling our recently vacated Parks, River and Open Space Chair and Religious Community Representative positions. In the meantime, we’ve presided over and provided crucial support to a number of extremely gratifying community events, including the Independent Shakespeare Company’s summer series in Griffith Park, the completion of the Big Blue M at Marshall High, and beautification and public safety measures at Hoover walk and on Tracy Street, among others.
Thank you for your continued input and support!
Jessie Kornberg
Secretary & District Representative
