NC Change: Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary!

NEIGHBORHOODS LA-Yay! My Neighborhood Council (NC) wish list for Santa Claus  (see CityWatch article December 17) wasn’t entirely ignored. My mantra is: “change is evolutionary…not revolutionary.” However, I am impatient and would love to wave a magic wand and have, like most Americans…instant gratification! It isn’t going to happen, so one of my New Years’ resolutions is to be more patient. Since a recent study showed that only 8% of people stick to their resolutions, chances are good that I will probably end up in the 92%. 

The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) is actually talking about a strategic plan for the rest of the year! They sent out notices to San Fernando Neighborhood Council (NC) “Valleyites” inviting them to the BONC meeting in Sherman Oaks, January 7^th.  Long time Commissioner Linda Lucks resigned as of the end of the year, and the Mayor has yet to announce her replacement. That should happen soon - hopefully before their “retreat” January 27^th.

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There has been no resolution to the union grievance filed by some of the staff at EmpowerLA, the agency, which handles day-to-day operations for the Neighborhood Council system.  I attempted to contact the Union representative but he was on vacation. This needs to be settled because it has cast a pall of suspicion on the entire staff. I’m also concerned about a rift developing between paid staff and NC volunteers. Each group thinks they know the best way to increase the success of the ninety-five NC’s.

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The volunteers at each of the NC’s have made gigantic strides in representing their constituent’s interests to City government. Even the Los Angeles Times has been covering NC events and opinions. Having a taste of success means that the NC volunteers are not going away!  

The real issue is “who is in charge?” EmpowerLA is responsible for day-to-day operations.  What happens when the Neighborhood Empower Associate (NEA) in charge of helping their respective NC’s navigate the complex and rather ridiculous regulations that we volunteers operate under, gives bad information? Apparently nothing!  What happens when there is a “personality conflict” between the staff member and a particular NC? Apparently nothing!

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My suggestion is to hold a “retreat” for representatives from the NC regional alliances; Budget Advocates; volunteer mentor group, Councils for Councils (C4C); the City Attorney’s office; the Funding Department at Empower LA as well as the staff members who have decision-making responsibility; BONC; the Union Representative; and the NC representative to the Mayors’ office.  We may as well add a representative from the City Attorney and Controller’s offices. I’m not talking about a two-hour session where the government representatives tell the NC’s how to accomplish the “common” goals. I’m talking about a two-day session where all sides can map our a strategy where everyone wins. 

Yes, there is a cost with all those government people spending two days. But it is an inexpensive amount when one considers all of the things that may be accomplished by compromise, creativity and identifying common goals. For City employees it means not using the “CYA” and territorial approach. For NC Volunteers it means relinquishing some of the so called power for the good of the citizens of Los Angeles.

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We need EmpowerLA to make sure the NC structure and oversight works.  EmpowerLA needs us, because, without all the volunteers, there is no need for the Agency.  The amount of volunteer hours invested is incalculable.   The City could not afford the brainpower and sweat equity expended by this dynamic force.  According to General Manager Grayce Liu, she gets calls and visits not just from other Cities in the U.S. but other countries, who want to adapt our Neighborhood Council System for their own Cities. So let’s get it together!

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On another subject, but one I think worth mentioning. I was disappointed in the Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Coalition (LANCC) elections held last Saturday.  Ironically they came directly after EmpowerLA Outreach and Communications Director, Stephen Box and Grayce Liu had given a resounding speech on the importance of the up coming NC elections. They will be held throughout the City, March, April and May.  We were advised to get each of our own Board members to recruit two candidates to run for each seat.  It was emphasized that new faces were important and we should encourage competition. There should be multiple candidates running for each vacant seat. 

There were thirty-five Neighborhood Councils represented at the meeting and each NC had one vote.  The only problem- it was a waste of time since each candidate ran virtually unopposed.   There was one other candidate running for both Chair and Vice Chair but she neglected to file a candidate statement until late and couldn’t attend the meeting.  There were no nominations from the floor.  The question is ...people show up for the meetings but why don’t they want to hold office? 

The new Board looked like the prior Board with Terry Gomes  (South Robertson Neighborhoods Council-SORONC), re-elected as President and Fred Mariscal (Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council) and Glenn Bailey (Encino NC) trading the Vice-Chair and Treasurer positions.  Connie Acosta (Greater Echo Park Elysian NC)is the only new face in the crowd and she also ran unopposed for Secretary. 

This is not a criticism of the re-elected team.  Under the guidance of Terry Gomes LANCC has made real inroads in City Government.  Each monthly meeting has at least thirty NC’s in attendance.  The array of speakers addressing the group attests to the importance that City officials regard LANCC. 

It created a “rapid response system (RSS)” with the ninety-five NC’s, which was especially effective in informing the group about the proposed three billion dollar road Bond (SOS-LA).  It allowed the public to weigh in on the issue and get it postponed due to lack of input from LA stakeholders. The Bond issue proponents are now scheduling community meetings and getting suggestions.  They hope to have it on the ballot in the next election. 

The LANCC leadership needs to encourage new faces and ideas.  Whether it is through committee participation or an expanded agenda that would allow for more public comment and exchange of ideas, it needs to increase its “Outreach”... if it is going to fulfill its promise. 

There was an interesting suggestion put forth in newly elected Treasurer Glenn Bailey’s candidate statement.  Since LANCC doesn’t have any funding and can’t raise money-Glenn’s job seems irrelevant.  He suggested that in order to get more participation in LANCC from the other related groups in the City, LANCC re-activate its steering committee, which included representatives from the various other regional alliances, Budget Advocates, Plan Check NC, Congress of Neighborhoods, Department of Water and Power Advocates and MOU Committee, City Watch and EmpowerLA so that there is diverse participation in its leadership.

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In the last few articles, as well as this one, I have suggested that the regional alliances form a  “Grand Alliance” or a Commission and undertake some of the policy issues they have in common.  My suggestion for a “Retreat”, so we can avoid damage to the relationship between EmpowerLA and its army of volunteers, seems to echo Glenn Bailey’s suggestion for more inclusion. 

To get back to my change mantra… it is better to make changes within the system than starting fresh. As always…interested in your comments.  This should be an interesting year for all of us.

 

 

(Denyse Selesnick is a Board Member of the Tarzana Neighborhood Council, Vice Chair Outreach Committee, and 2014 Election  Chair.  She is a contributor to CityWatch covering activities and issues in NC Land.  She can be reached at [email protected].) 

-cw

 

 

CityWatch

Vol 12 Issue 2

Pub: Jan 7, 2014