Local Control and Support for local community groups.

By Frank Sheftel

As a Candidate for City Council during the San Fernando Valley's Independence movement, I supported and endorsed the idea of local control.

As a Candidate for Los Angeles City Council today, I believe I must commit to more than just a pledge of support.

As a Candidate for Los Angeles City Council today, I believe I must commit to more than just a pledge of support.

As Neighborhood Councils began their journey of offering Local Control though a system of Advisory groups throughout the city, many obstacles were encountered simply by the nature of the new and all volunteer make up.

Working through the development of By Laws and determining just who constituted a Stake Holder, the process was long and often filled with conflict.

Those challenges have for the most part been resolved with a few minor exceptions. In addition we have witnessed the unification of communities via the formation of Neighborhood Council Alliances. City wide challenges once believed to be experienced in individual communities are now seen as City wide issues.

With the advancement of technology in the communication arena and the unification of the different NC groups, a new wave of grassroots activism emerged. From Land use issues to the DWP, neighborhoods and communities were communicating with each other. Not only was there an exchange of ideas and information, but the ability to mobilize against Special Interest Groups was enhanced.

It was this organization and ability to disseminate information, which enabled communities to mobilize and in the end, defeat well funded and once believe as unbeatable political machines.

This realization did not go unnoticed by the Special Interest in Los Angeles. No longer could they dismiss this ragtag group of community do gooders as NIMBY extremist.

Other civic and business organizations also began to see just how much of a threat to "Business as Usual" these Neighborhood Council folks were becoming.

This came to a head when the Neighborhood Councils began to call for the ability to request a council file number be assigned to issues they were dealing with; a File number which would enable them to tract the progress or lack of progress being taken on the issue by our elected representatives.

Transparency and Accountability using the tools now at hand to enable those dedicated to their community to take action on an issue.

After finding allies on the City council, the issue was moved forward to be voted upon by the council.

STOP, here my friend begins the issue of Financial Disclosure Statements on the part of Neighborhood Council Board members. Up until the ability to have the Neighborhood Council request the City Clerk assign a File Number to an issue was there any mention for the need of Financial Disclosure by the Neighborhood Councils.

Those who were in attendance at the City Council meeting during the discussions know full well what transpired next.

In what appeared as a deliberate attempt to thwart the issue, one council member added an amendment to require Neighborhood Councils who want to request File Numbers be required to complete Financial Disclosure Statements.

In addition, the NC would also be required to have a second NC request the file number on the issue and that NC Board would like wise be required to complete the Financial Disclosure form.

This condition has for the most part ended the drive to empower the NC to request Council file numbers by themselves.

As the Council Member for District 2, I commit to the following:

Any Neighborhood Council within the bounds of District 2, having fully vetted an issue though their appropriate committees and after receiving a majority vote of the Council Board members will have the opportunity to request that I as their Council member have a Council file number assigned to the item.

This process may already be in place, however I commit to following through and having that number assigned with out exception.

Frank Sheftel Candidate Los Angeles City Council District 2 http://www.sheftel2009.com