(This article was written for Nina Royal's North Valley Reporter and published in the current issue distributed this weekend.)
All across Los Angeles, thousands of people -- many of whom I've gotten to know over the years -- have been fighting City Hall to preserve, protect or improve their neighborhoods.
These are often long, drawn-out struggles that test their endurance, their ability to organize and mobilize their neighbors whether it's to get a streetlight or crosswalk, stop or modify a development, crack down on criminals and nuisances or the hundreds of other issues that come up from time to time.
Often, they are treated with arrogance bordering on contempt, drowned in meaningless lip service, beset with bureaucratic obstacles or overwhelmed by the clout of insiders -- the developers, contractors or the influence peddlers who posture as lobbyists, lawyers, p.r. types or consultants of one type of another. And, of course, there's the unions.
I don't honestly know how so many never
give up and stay true to their cause.
I've been fighting City Hall too out of my own sense of right and wrong but I was also paid for it as an editor at the Daily News. Now that I'm retired from that role and blogging and involved as a community activist I can speak openly about my motivation and personal beliefs.
Like most of the people who don't get involved, I could go on just fine and look the other way and pretend not to see the giant flashing billboard around the corner, the megastore down the street, the McMansion at the corner or the failure of my neighborhood schools.
In fact, I do that in a lot of ways but what I can't stomach is what has happened to L.A. during the last 30 years, an era in which city government has become owned and paid for by special interests who have no sense of purpose beyond their own greed.
The result is L.A. is at the tipping point.
All across Los Angeles, thousands of people -- many of whom I've gotten to know over the years -- have been fighting City Hall to preserve, protect or improve their neighborhoods.
These are often long, drawn-out struggles that test their endurance, their ability to organize and mobilize their neighbors whether it's to get a streetlight or crosswalk, stop or modify a development, crack down on criminals and nuisances or the hundreds of other issues that come up from time to time.
Often, they are treated with arrogance bordering on contempt, drowned in meaningless lip service, beset with bureaucratic obstacles or overwhelmed by the clout of insiders -- the developers, contractors or the influence peddlers who posture as lobbyists, lawyers, p.r. types or consultants of one type of another. And, of course, there's the unions.
I don't honestly know how so many never
give up and stay true to their cause. I've been fighting City Hall too out of my own sense of right and wrong but I was also paid for it as an editor at the Daily News. Now that I'm retired from that role and blogging and involved as a community activist I can speak openly about my motivation and personal beliefs.
Like most of the people who don't get involved, I could go on just fine and look the other way and pretend not to see the giant flashing billboard around the corner, the megastore down the street, the McMansion at the corner or the failure of my neighborhood schools.
In fact, I do that in a lot of ways but what I can't stomach is what has happened to L.A. during the last 30 years, an era in which city government has become owned and paid for by special interests who have no sense of purpose beyond their own greed.
The result is L.A. is at the tipping point.
Decades
of being under siege because of destructive policies has sent tens of
thousands of decent-paying jobs out to the suburbs or even out of state
and with those jobs have gone the middle-class people who held them and
the opportunity for others to reach the middle class.
The result is a city that is increasingly rich and poor with a middle class population that is shrinking. And with the exodus dies the hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
Most of those who stand up to City Hall are put down by the ruling elites as NIMBYs, gadflies, cranks, small-minded little people who stand in the way of progress. That isn't my experience, my perception, my belief.
What I see, the people I meet, who are active in their communities as volunteers, members of service clubs, political groups, neighborhood organizations and the local business community are actually people who have a larger sense of themselves and a vision of L.A. that is greater -- greater by far -- than most of the people with money, power and access.
L.A. is a city of light and dark, good and evil, a place where the dreams of absolute freedom to be oneself, to be a star, to reinvent and transform oneself brings people from all over the world in pursuit of something great. Only fools would endure the hardship and temptations of L.A. without some kind of dream.
Sharing in greatness is my dream of L.A.. being part of something greater than myself.
I feel I'm the luckiest guy in the world in having found that to a degree that's more than I had hope for when I arrived in 1980.
Too often those whose dreams come alive -- the stars, the wealthy, the powerful, the enormously successful -- look down from high on all the ordinary joes and janes.
But the dream that made this country is all I believe in today, all I ever believed, even when I lost all other faith: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That's what being an American means to me, and I've met people all over the world that believe in that, that live that, whatever their race, religion, nationality or cicumstance. That's my religion, my nation, my faith.
I settled here, raised my son, found happiness , because L.A. was the one place on earth where that dream is ready to come true, the dream of people living freely and equally, and achieving a measure of harmony that leaves no one out.
The moment is ripe to make dramatic changes in the way we live, in the way we treat each other. A wonderful group of committed people is coming together to help organize the Saving L.A. Protest at noon on July 14, Monday,, at City Hall. And they're ready to follow up by creating the Saving L.A. Project, a permanent organization of concern citizens.
There is no simple agenda beyond wanting a seat at the table of power for the people. There is no simple demand. There is no set of conditions.
I can only speak for myself and all I want is to live in a great city, a green city, a city that is a beacon to the world of what free people can achieve when they love the place they live in and work together to make it better, with love and respect for all.
In the face of global warming, and endless war and strife, is it too much to ask that we would act like civilized human beings?
Probably. But I've reached a point in life where I'm either going to help make the world I believe in come to life, or I"m going to find a quet corner of the planet where I can live out my days in peace and happiness.
The result is a city that is increasingly rich and poor with a middle class population that is shrinking. And with the exodus dies the hope that tomorrow will be a better day.
Most of those who stand up to City Hall are put down by the ruling elites as NIMBYs, gadflies, cranks, small-minded little people who stand in the way of progress. That isn't my experience, my perception, my belief.
What I see, the people I meet, who are active in their communities as volunteers, members of service clubs, political groups, neighborhood organizations and the local business community are actually people who have a larger sense of themselves and a vision of L.A. that is greater -- greater by far -- than most of the people with money, power and access.
L.A. is a city of light and dark, good and evil, a place where the dreams of absolute freedom to be oneself, to be a star, to reinvent and transform oneself brings people from all over the world in pursuit of something great. Only fools would endure the hardship and temptations of L.A. without some kind of dream.
Sharing in greatness is my dream of L.A.. being part of something greater than myself.
I feel I'm the luckiest guy in the world in having found that to a degree that's more than I had hope for when I arrived in 1980.
Too often those whose dreams come alive -- the stars, the wealthy, the powerful, the enormously successful -- look down from high on all the ordinary joes and janes.
But the dream that made this country is all I believe in today, all I ever believed, even when I lost all other faith: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That's what being an American means to me, and I've met people all over the world that believe in that, that live that, whatever their race, religion, nationality or cicumstance. That's my religion, my nation, my faith.
I settled here, raised my son, found happiness , because L.A. was the one place on earth where that dream is ready to come true, the dream of people living freely and equally, and achieving a measure of harmony that leaves no one out.
The moment is ripe to make dramatic changes in the way we live, in the way we treat each other. A wonderful group of committed people is coming together to help organize the Saving L.A. Protest at noon on July 14, Monday,, at City Hall. And they're ready to follow up by creating the Saving L.A. Project, a permanent organization of concern citizens.
There is no simple agenda beyond wanting a seat at the table of power for the people. There is no simple demand. There is no set of conditions.
I can only speak for myself and all I want is to live in a great city, a green city, a city that is a beacon to the world of what free people can achieve when they love the place they live in and work together to make it better, with love and respect for all.
In the face of global warming, and endless war and strife, is it too much to ask that we would act like civilized human beings?
Probably. But I've reached a point in life where I'm either going to help make the world I believe in come to life, or I"m going to find a quet corner of the planet where I can live out my days in peace and happiness.
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 National Enquirer.
Run, Ron, Run!
I am one of those that Ron described - an activist that doesn't give up and stays true to "her" cause. Perhaps, it would help if I told how I got hooked into this community activism thing.
I couldn't find a parking space in front of my own house. Nearby business and restaurant patrons and employees were parking the equivalent of 24/7 on my street. Thanks to being a member of Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, I soon learned that my neighbors were also fed-up. They were tired of wall to wall cars, trash littering their yards, urine and condoms on their lawns, and witnessing a few x-rated sights too. As a result, we contacted our then council members, Zev Yaroslavsky and Michael Woo, who helped our efforts to establish a preferential parking district. (Bad title, by the way).
It took about two long years, and it got pretty dirty too. The restaurants and businesses claimed we would put them out of business because residential street parking would be eliminated or restricted. (That never happened). They said there was no available parking (we did a survey with then council deputies, and found there was plenty of parking available nearby). But, it was worth fighting for - besides having support of both council offices before the City Council. There was a good compromise in the end for all. No parking in the evenings, but 2 hours in the daytime.
As a result of that experience, I realized that if you just hang on long enough, you can get protections and improvements for your neighborhood. Of course, you do have to master city doublespeak and understand how bureaucrats make city policies and procedure!
Since those almost 20 years ago (sound of screaming accompanying text), I have participated in many community and city based issues. I have also taken time away mostly because development and traffic problems weren't the priorities they now are.
In fact, development slowed down sufficiently that there was no need to keep minding City Hall. (Talk about the good ol' days!).
However, in the last 5 years (no matter the economy) it has become apparent to me that the only way I will be able to keep living in Los Angeles is to stay the course by spending lots of precious time and energy inspiring and enlightening others. None of this work is easy, that's for sure. And, like Ron, I know that I can always pack it in. However, before those bags come out, there remains some unfinished business...the city hired an expert to evaluate preferential parking districts...some are now poised for changes thanks to the findings. Yes, "it" never ends....
"Of course, you do have to master city doublespeak and understand how bureaucrats make city policies and procedure!"
Ellen, when are you going to offer another one of your afternoon crash courses at Valley College on 'How to become a community activist'?
Ellen,
Please consider joining the community of writers at opednews.com.
The most frequent question I hear asked of talk radio hosts and in comments to columns is "what can I do to change things?
I know your advice on being an activist would warmly welcomed.
Run, Ellen, Run!
Ellen you are fantastic! Thank you for pointing out one of the most important factors for a livable L.A. and that is citizen commitment.
Our neighborhood watch created a phone list so we have quick access to the telephone numbers of the agencies we need to commuicate with most often. It might help your neighborhood organization as well. Here it is:
PUBLIC SAFETY Emergencies only call 911
LAPD CITYWIDE NON EMERGENCY & from cell phones 877.275.5273
North Hollywood Div. Senior Lead Office 755.7679
Basic Car 15A33 Senior Lead Officer Christopher Rowland CELL 634.0809
North Hollywood Station Desk 623.4016
Narcotics 623.4104 Vice (alcohol, adult business complaints) 623.4100
Special Enforcement (anti-gang) Unit TEL 623.4051
Tagger Task Force TEL 623.4071 Det. Subia
Van Nuys Div. Senior Lead Office TEL 374.1995 Fax (and for Capt. Miller) 374.9610
Basic Car 9A49 Senior Lead Officer (Interim) cell 731.2558
Basic Car 9A59 Senior Lead Officer Anthony Cabunoc cell 731.2560
Basic Car 9A65 Senior Lead Officer Lucas Hamilton cell 731.2562 35852@lapd.lacity.org
Van Nuys Division Station Desk 374.9500
Narcotics Det. Burns 374.1903 Det. Herschcowitz 374.1907
Vice (alcohol, adult business complaints). 756.8385
Special Enforcement (anti-gang) Unit TEL 374.0070
Tagger Task Force Officer Jason Armendariz, TEL 374.0073 email 30868@lapd.lacity.org
Anti Terrorism hotline 877.284.7328
Valley Traffic Div. for speeding, rolling stops, etc. 756.8381 fax 756.9329
City Atty’s Neighborhood Prosecutors Tamar Galatzan (Van Nuys Div.) and
Brian Sottile (North Hollywood Div.) TEL 374.6837
We Turn In Pushers anonymous tipline 800.473.7847 reward available
SPECIAL JURISDICTION POLICE CALL 911 IN EMERGENCIES
California Highway Patrol NON-EMERGENCY 800.835.5247
L.A. Unified Schools Police 213.625.6631
Los Angeles Valley College (Sheriff) 947.2911
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Rangers (Tujunga Wash Park between Oxnard St and Vanowen St.) EMERGENCY TEL 310.456.7049
Supervising Ranger Fernando Gomez TEL 310.858.7272 ext. 141 Fernando.Gomez@mrca.ca.gov
Orange Line (MTA) Sheriff, routine calls 323.563.5000
Park Rangers & General Services Dept. Police Los Angeles City TEL 323.913.7390
ABANDONED CARS, ANIMAL SVCS., BUILDING & SAFETY, PARKING ENFORCEMENT
ABANDONED VEHICLES 800.222.6366 Operator needs license #, make and model, color and address with cross street & ZIP code.
Animal Shelter and abuse citywide 888.452.7381 all animal problems. www.laanimalservices.com
Barking dog complaints, write to East Valley Shelter, 14409 Vanowen Street, Van Nuys 91405
Building & Safety Call 311 to report violations.
Housing Dept. Toll Free 866.557.7368
PARKING ENFORCEMENT 752-5100 Questions for Parking Enforcement 756.8408
FIRE STATIONS NON EMERGENCY
Station 39: (from Greenbush Av. West) 756.8639 Station 102: (East of Greenbush) 756.8602
FREEWAY ROAD SERVICE LOS ANGELES COUNTY From Cell Phones #399
UTILITIES AND SERVICES call 311 (or 818.756.8121 outside of L.A.)
COUNCILMEMBERS, VALLEY DEPUTY MAYOR, V.G.N.A. City website www.lacity.org
Wendy Greuel 2nd District TEL 755.7676 FAX 755.7862
6350 Laurel Cyn. Bl. #201 North Hollywood, 91606 www.lacity.org/council/cd2
Valley Glen Deputy Laura Davidson TEL 755.7676 laura.davidson@lacity.org
Mayor Antonio Villarigosa S F Valley OffIce TEL 778.4990 FAX 778.4995
County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsly Valley Office TEL 901.3831 FAX 997.8196
Deputy Lori Wheeler and Deputy Benita Trujillo btrujillo@bos.lacounty.gov
Valley Glen Neighborhood Assoc. www.valleyglen.org
L.A. County Services Call 211
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH DEPT. County Health Svcs. 902.4460 After Hrs. Call 211
Complaints involving single or multifamily residences 902.4470
Smoking vehicles 800.288.7664
Watershed Protection Division, Hazardous Materials on Public Property 800.974.9794
GAS COMPANY 800.427.2200
GRAFFITI REMOVAL Use the automated system at www.lacity.org/bpw/OCS/grsr.htm or CALL 311
New Directions for Youth 375.1000 FAX 787.4389
CBS/Viacom Outdoor TEL 323.276.7313
Clear Channel Outdoor TEL 323.731.5111
L. A. Valley College Plant Operations 947.2457
SPARC mural Tujunga Wash TEL 310.822.9560
ORANGE LINE Marta Mack Community Relations Manager 213.922.2844 (email preferred) MackM@metro.net www.metro.net
RECREATION AND PARKS Maintenance 756.8192 Emergencies call Park Rangers
SANITATION, RECYCLING, DEAD ANIMALS 800.773.2489
LARGE ITEMS AFTER HOURS CALL 311
Motor oil and Haz Waste information. 800.988-6942
SEWERS & STORM DRAINS 800.974.9794 OR 213.485.7575
SHOPPING CARTS 800.252.4613
SOCIAL SERVICES Call 911 for emergencies. 211 for Social Services
Los Angeles City Homeless Authority 213.683.3333 “Response Team”
STREET LIGHT REPAIRS www.lacity.org/BSL/serv_req.htm Concrete or steel poles Call 311
Follow up with Bureau of Street Lighting TEL 213.978.3231 On wood poles DWP 800.821.5279
STREET SERVICES Weekdays 800.996.2489 Call 311 for after hours emergency
email boss.bss@lacity.org. Service request form: www.cityofla.org/boss/request.htm
CalTrans 24 hour dispatch 213.897.0383
TRAFFIC SIGNALS & SIGNS (VALLEY ONLY) 752.5100 No answer or outside the Valley call 311
TUJUNGA WASH County Public Works 800.675.4357
WATER & POWER & STREET LIGHTS ON WOOD POLES 800.821.5279
You can dial 311 for any of the city services list above.
You can dial 211 for any of the county services
It is much faster because they connect you and they also keep track of the calls.