Los Feliz Today

ITS TIME FOR A CHANGE!!! TEN CANDIDATES COMMITTED TO THAT CHANGE!

March 19, 2010 Community

Yesterday, the editors of LosFelizToday.com, met with 2 of the candidates who are running for theLos Feliz community council elections (Great Griffith Park Neighborhood Council- GGPNC), which will be held tomorrow, Saturday,  March 20, 2010.  We engaged in an intimate conversation and discussed issues in depth from all angles.  Here are a few troubling concerns you may want to know….as you do have the power to make the much needed change!Neighborhood Councils were created by the Los Angeles City Charter and offer advice and oversight to the City government.
Currently, there are 90 Neighborhood Councils in Los Angeles.  The Great Griffith Park Neighborhood Council (GGPNC) was officially certified by the City of Los Angeles in June 2002 to represent the areas of Los Feliz, Griffith Park, Franklin Hills, and portions of East Hollywood & Silverlake.  This Council has a strong influence over planning issues that directly affect our homes, our favorite restaurants, our streets, our schools, our parks, and nearly every facet of the quality of life in Los Feliz.
Most city councils have a small number of officials who are appointed (Los Angeles city has 4.5% ) and the remaining is elected.  Here, with the GGPNC, the numbers are actually quite different, 45% are appointed.  That is not a typo you just read, it is an accurate number, 45% of the board is appointed and  only the remaining 55% of the members are elected.  The problem with this is that the members do not represent  an accurate portrait of the community.  Most of the members do not have school age children, and thus may not have strong interests in bettering community schools.  They are not ethnically diverse to represent the many ethnicities who work, live, eat, and play in the Los Feliz community.  The appointed members have been focused on constancy.  They are not open to change, as a matter of fact they hope things remain as they have always been…in their favor.  What may have worked for the area years ago, is not necessarily what is best for our community now.  As the times change, our board members must reflect the times and people of the area.  We were  surprised to find out that board members do  NOT even have to live in the area. Really? ??How would they empathize about problems RESIDENTS living here may face  or the joy and pride each resident feels to say they LIVE in Los FELIZ! 

Now, there is a chance to make a change of who sits on the board.  We can not change the appointed members, but we do have the power to vote for 10 candidates who together are committed to that change….you can read more about each candidate on LosFelizForward.org

District A: Frank Masi, Mio Vukovic

District B: Ron Ostrow, Christina Khanjian

District C: Dr. Harpreet Malhi, Alex DeOcampo

District D: Leslie VanKeuren, Tomas O’Grady

District E: Mark Mauceri, Jessica Kornberg

You are not limited to vote only for your district, but rather if you are a stake holder in the community, meaning you work, eat, own real estate, hike, play, assemble, study, or just hang out in the area, you are then eligible to vote for all 5 districts…and that is exactly  what we ask you to do.  Vote for all districts!  Anyone 13 years or older who cares about Los Feliz and Greater Griffith Park can; you do not need to be registered.  When you sign in at the polling place, you will be asked to declare a stake in the neighborhood.  You should state, for example, I am a student at…, I eat at …, I am a patron of…, I hike or jog …etc.   In the last election, there actually was a tie and the race was decided by just 3 votes, YOUR vote matters.  Teenagers, this is your opportunity to vote before your 18th birthday and make your opinion count!  We do want to hear what you have to say!!!

Come to HOLLYWOOD LUTHERAN on Saturday, March 20, 2010 (tomorrow) between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM

1733 N. New Hampshire Ave.,

Los Angeles, CA 90027

www.LOSFELIZTODAY.com endorses the 10 listed candidates. 

You can get more info on www.LosFelizForward.org as well.

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