Two politically active groups in Council Districts 2 (Wendy Greuel) and 5 (Jack Weiss) have formed coalitions, uniting members from homeowners groups, neighborhood councils, and businesses.
Lastly, the inner online communication between groups, coalitions, etc. facilitates the one thing we all lack - time. Instead of having to schedule meetings and teleconferences, we can meet online.
As an example, "email trees" recently branched out discussing the city's recent passage of the Density Bonus Ordinance, which led participants to file not one, but two separate lawsuits in an attempt to overturn the new pro-development law.
Valley activists have been mobilized for many years.
Yet, I don't think I am off the mark in saying that our work has just begun whether as coalition members or laborers planted in front of our computers pounding away at our keyboards. The challenges we face are indicative of a government that could some new landscaping.
(Ellen Vukovich is a Sherman Oaks activist and columnist for Sun Community Newspapers)
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.
I live in CD5 and I don't want this Vukovich woman, or the hateful people she boasts about in CD5 as starting the ill-advised recall against Weiss, claiming to represent me or any "majority" in the district. Other than a handful of malcontents I could name here, who are active on the NC's/HOA's (same people, different roles) and made it their life's work to go around and organize a few other old people who also "lead" by default other HOA's and spread lies and misinformation, NO ONE KNOWS OR CARES WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE. IF these people had their way, there would be no Expo Phase II, just like they killed the Red Line west, the Pico- Olympic Plan (while somehow giving a total pass to the guy who came up with the initial, drastic and totally unthought-out idea for one way streets, Zev, and who can be blamed for the lack of mass transit we have now -- although personally, I like the guy), and everything that comes along, with the deadening negativity inherent in these people. Those who have genuinely tried to work with Weiss and know him, and can see what he's done in terms of forging coalitions to advance the interests of the community, can see this group for what they are. Personally, I don't know him, but have friends and members of my temple who do, and whose opinions I respect. Change, density and population growth ARE scary things to many people, but attacking those trying to deal with it in the best possible way isn't the answer.
They tried to kill Century City, preferring it remain a bankrupt Shubert Theatre and dark cinemas, falling into decay, just so there would be NO traffic of any kind. The guy they love to hate, meanwhile, is being lauded by planners and architects around the country for his foresight with high-end, "green," mixed-used "smart growth" (with planning/transportation "joined at the hip" as they say) planned while everyone else was just thinking in terms of the single-use office buildings of the past. Those who actually live and work there, love the new developments.
But the people Vukovich praises are SO misinformed about how any level of government works, so smug and self-important, that if this is the best you can do, Ron, for your "revolution," no wonder there will be legislation coming from Sacramento and elsewhere designed to do end-runs around this bunch, hurting us ALL. These people exude misinformation, mean- spiritedness and backward thinking, instead of any positive energy for the future. By trying to hijack communities when they're "elected" by the few people who show up at their meetings and know about them, they're taking democracy away from the rest of us.
"Hateful people", "malcontents", "spread lies and misinformation", "deadening negativity", "scary things to many people", "SO misinformed", "so smug and self-important", "people exude misinformation, mean- spiritedness and backward thinking" are the labels used by public relations people to discredit something. Anonymous' above post has given a perfect example of this stategy.
Enjoy yourself, anonymous. We know better than to listen to you. BTW, it is too bad that Weiss wasn't recalled.
what's very funny about the first anonymous comment, is that whomever wrote it went out their way to sound like a "regular" person - "Personally, I don't know him, but have friends and members of my temple who do, and whose opinions I respect" - but couldn't resist the insider detail and jargon. i guess this site is getting some attention.
Ellen and your little clique of anonymous, animous friends: If you're going to use your column to make the mean spirited, ignorant comments that you have, you're going to have to expect the responses you get. You do NOT "represent" anyone but your own little group, and the "We know better than to listen to you" perfectly reflects the comment about your arrogance and belief that you can dictate to the rest of the community and voters. Take that comment and turn it back on yourself: "We know better than to listen to you," no, we're not "worried," you've become a joke. Good grief, do you think it takes an "insider" to see that the last group we'd want representing us, is "yours?"
I should have added (at 11:24) that I couldn't go to an HOA or NC meeting without being bombarded by those flyers, promoted by the same few people, calling attention to the websites that just were SO childishly slanted and obviously, reflecting the personal agenda of a few people who hadn't gotten their way. Basically this group was trying to hijack each group for their own gripes, rather than informing the public accurately. Those who didn't agree with their bias or challenged them, were dismissed with the kinds of bitter comments of 7:40/8:14, and the whole process just spread division, making it unpleasant and uncomfortable for many people to attend their "own" HOA and NC meetings.
I'm told there are a number of other parts of town and NC's where this is common (just look at CityWatch, the comments of outgoing Diana Middleton and the blogs) and it's NOT what most people want to experience when they show up. Most people don't show up to share the hostility and bias, but to address their own personal grievances (planning, streets, etc.) or find out what's being done for the community of a positive nature, what they can do that's positive energy. Just something to keep in mind if we want to mobilize a broader base of people.
The politicians and developers' paid PR cronies will say anything to deflect the people's protest. It is only since Mayor Villa-raigo's terrible, 4 year reign that L.A. has undergone this disastrous turn. Admit it. Your biggest lies, deceit, and deceptions have yet to come.
You can turn a blind eye to it if you wish. People see only what they truly wish to see. But it'll only get worse without seeing it as it is. So, it must be exposed.
Have fun laughing and telling jokes among your crony pals, PR boys. But know that many citizens in L.A. aren't happy about what your pals are doing to the City we love. We see through you and expose you with the truth.