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LETTER TO THE PUBLIC –
For me, public service has always been about giving back to my community. When I joined my Neighborhood Council in November 2023, I did so with the hope of advocating for resources and policies that would improve the lives of the people in my neighborhood. During my time as a board member, I consistently pushed for progressive, community‑focused initiatives. However, serving on a predominantly conservative‑leaning board made it extremely difficult to advance the issues I believed were important. I often felt like I was advocating alone.
Despite these challenges, I continued to put in the work. I spent countless hours researching, preparing, and speaking on pressing issues because I believed the Neighborhood Council could be a meaningful voice for our community. But instead of collaboration, I witnessed frequent arguments, partisan conflicts, and personal divisions that overshadowed the work we were supposed to do. Neighborhood Councils are meant to advocate for their communities—not serve as platforms for political agendas—and the constant infighting was disheartening. I prefer collaboration and problem‑solving, not confrontation for its own sake.
The lack of unity across all 99 Neighborhood Councils is a major structural weakness. Without a strong, collective voice, NCs struggle to influence the City Council and Mayor on policies that directly affect our neighborhoods. During my service, I often felt unheard, ignored, and overwhelmed by internal dysfunction.
Even so, I continued advocating as an individual. I attended City Council and Commission meetings to speak on issues that matter to me and my community. Through this work, I learned an important lesson: without transparency and accountability in city government, meaningful progress is nearly impossible.
My efforts to encourage unity among the 99 Neighborhood Councils repeatedly fell short, and that experience made something clear—the system itself needs reform. A city charter should clearly define the powers of the Executive, Legislative, and elected officials, and it must guard against overreach that can lead to abuses of power. Real change requires compromise, collaboration, and a structure that supports both.
After several years of service, I have made the difficult decision to resign from the Neighborhood Council. I no longer believe the current system is capable of the change our communities need. My commitment to public service remains strong, and I will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform in city government.
(Lionel Mares is a good Government Advocate formerly with the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council.)
