Neighborhood Councils Called Key to Reform
The creation of neighborhood councils will be the key to consensus and cooperation on local issues, city officials told a summit of San Fernando Valley civic leaders Thursday.
The neighborhood councils, to be created under the new City Charter approved by voters this year, should help resolve disputes before they cause lasting rifts, said council members and appointees to the new Neighborhood Empowerment Commission.
“In Los Angeles, all of us are struggling to revitalize a civic culture . . . to energize people in neighborhoods to participate in government,” said Councilman Mike Feuer.
Neighborhood councils can involve people in making “tangible quality-of-life changes,” Feuer told the 100 Valley activists gathered for the summit on “community building” at Cal State Northridge.
Some voiced skepticism about whether the neighborhood councils will be effective. Homeowner leaders from Valley Glen to Encino said City Hall might handicap the councils by providing minimal resources and ignoring the councils’ advice.
Feuer and Councilwoman Laura Chick promised to fight for sufficient financial resources to allow the neighborhood councils to organize residents and be effective.
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