By Ellen Vukovich
Sherman Oaks activist
One thing I have learned is that City Hall underestimates a rule I call "The Power of One."
It only takes one person to effectively and consistently stand-up for a neighborhood when demanding action from the City.
An effective powerful "one" is one who has a computer, loves nothing better than to write emails, track emails, make telephone calls, send letters, circulate petitions and never let up the pressure on City officials, departments, etc., when seeking to resolve a problem.
Case in point is a fellow activist who recently wrote me about something dear to our mayor's heart -- potholes.
Apparently, my friend's street has not been slurred or paved for nearly 28 years thus earning the dubious distinction by the Department of Street Services as a "failure."
He stated that "we have about 14-16 potholes each month which the city fills." However, there is one slight problem -- many of the new ones fail thus causing a vicious cycle.
So what keeps him from being discouraged? His neighbors understand and apply the power of one theory. According to my friend, these neighbors do "love to mix it up, complain, and boast how they are going to do this and that, but in the end...they do push me to lead and get those holes filled for them."
While it takes a three-man crew to fill potholes, it's still a patch job. Yet, seeing any job through only takes "one" strong leader.
Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests.
Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to
carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner,
Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers
in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the Naitonal Enquirer.
No truer words were ever spoken!
Did Antonio fill any of those potholes?