Politics & Government

Englander E-News: Motion Would Ban Felons From City, Neighborhood Council Positions

Officials would have to declare under penalty of perjury that they have never been convicted of a violent felony or sexual offense.

COUNCILMEMBER ENGLANDER'S E-NEWS

Aug. 17, 2012

Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/Mitch_Englander

Banning Convicted Felons and Sex Offenders from Running for Public Office...

Currently, the City Charter prohibits any person from serving in elected or appointed office in Los Angeles for five years after having been convicted of a felony. We introduced a motion today that would further tighten those restrictions.

Our motion would require all elected officials, appointed Commissioners, Neighborhood Council Members, and General Managers of City Departments to declare under penalty of perjury that they have never been convicted of a violent felony or sexual offense. Our motion would also require a sitting appointed or elected official found to have such a conviction in their past, to immediately step down.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Community Meeting with the Ratepayer Advocate...

We are holding a public meeting on Aug. 23 in Northridge to offer the community an opportunity to meet the Ratepayer Advocate, Dr. Fred Pickel.

The Rate Payer Advocate will explain his roles and responsibilities, and how his process of review works, and the public will have an opportunity to share their ideas, concerns and feedback. The Ratepayer Advocate is holding a series of community outreach meetings in advance of the proposed DWP rate increases.

Thursday, Aug. 23
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
Grand Ballroom
9501 Balboa Blvd.
Northridge


I have been a strong and consistent advocate for reform of the Department of Water and Power (DWP). The creation of the independent Rate Payer Advocate and Office of Public Accountability, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2011, was the most significant step toward restoring the public's confidence in the utility and bringing transparency and accountability to the DWP. I have voted NO and will continue to do so on any proposed DWP rate  increases until they have been reviewed by the Rate Payer Advocate and found to be justified and necessary.

- Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Twelfth District

Brush Clearance at Chatsworth Park South Completed...

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Brush clearance at Chatsworth Park South was completed last week to help protect surrounding neighborhoods from the threat of wildfires.

The park was closed in February 2008 after lead and other contaminants were discovered at the park. The contamination resulted from clay pigeons used for skeet shooting on the land, which was a shooting range more than 50 years ago before it became a City park.

Because of the closure, large amounts of brush and dry grass had built up, raising concerns among nearby residents about the possibilty of a brush fire that could threaten the surrounding neighborhoods.

We worked to ensure the brush clearance would be done as fast as possible. Because of the contamination, special crews with protective equipment had to be brought in to clear the brush.

We continue to work closely with the State Department of Toxic Substance Control and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks on the contaminant Removal Action Plan, which is necessray to get the park cleaned up and safe for use once again. We are closely monitoring the situation and will announce any progress.

Keep Los Angeles Beautiful Grants...

Submissions are now being accepted for Keep Los Angeles Beautiful (KLAB) Grants, competitive matching grants that are awarded to community groups for neighborhood beautification projects. The deadline for project submissions is Sept. 21.

KLAB has $30,000 in total, and each project can be awarded a maximum of $5,000. KLAB is run by the Department of Public Works and its aim is to engage residents, businesses and community organizations in a collective effort to prevent litter, promote the reduction of waste and beautify neighborhoods.

For more information call Salyna Cun at (213) 978-1041 or email Salyna.Cun@lacity.org. To apply for a KLAB grant, visit http://bpw.lacity.org/ocb/KLABGrant.html.

Exhibition at CSUN Art Galleries About Chinese Aartist Liu Bolinat ...

CSUN Art Galleries is holding a special exhibition highlighting the work of Chinese artist Liu Bolin Aug. 27 through Sept. 15 with a public reception on Sept. 8.

Exhibition
Aug. 27 to September 15
CSUN Art Galleries, West Gallery
Public Reception
Saturday, Sept. 8
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

This exhibition features photographs of the performance work and sculpture of the internationally acclaimed Chinese artist Liu Bolin. It explores the interaction of art and society in contemporary China, as well as Liu's commentary on the political, economic and social environment that has shaped contemporary Chinese society.

Get a Free Pocket Constitution During Constitution Week...

In observance of Constitution Week, Sept. 17 through 23, the Fernanda Maria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is offering free pocket editions of the United States Constitution.

Constitution Week was officially enacted on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is meant to promote the study of and education about the U.S. Constitution which was originally adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787.

To receive your free Pocket Constitution, send a self-addressed stamped envelope with $.65 postage to the National Center for Constitutional Studies at 37777 W. Juniper Rd., Malta, ID 83342, or visit http://www.nccs.net/us_constitution.html.

For more information, call Lynn Neill at (818) 360-9792 or visit http://www.dar.org/

Be Ready for Summer Heat Waves ...

The summer heat waves are here, so be ready!

During extreme heat, the City opens up hundreds of facilities to be utilized as cooling centers, including Senior Citizen Centers, most Recreation and Parks facilities, and City Libraries. The air-conditioned facilities offer residents cold water, and a place to rest indoors. For more information on where all the cooling centers are located, call 3-1-1 or click here.

Senior Centers: (213) 202-2700 or visit http://www.laparks.org/dos/senior/senior.htm .
Libraries: (213) 228-7000 or visit http://www.lapl.org/branches/ .
Recreation & Parks Facilities: (213) 202-2700 or visit www.laparks.org.

Tips to Beat the Heat
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. If you plan to be outdoors, take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and heat. Avoid the sun from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm when the sun's burning rays are most intense. Reduce physical activity. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and light- colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid hot, heavy meals and alcohol. Drink Gatorade or other non-caffeinated drinks with electrolytes. Take a cool shower or bath. If you do not have air-conditioning, visit one of the City's public pools, go to a public park to sit in the shade, or go to an air-conditioned shopping mall, where there are plenty of places to sit.

Be Aware of Symptoms of Dehydration and Heat Stroke
Symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst. To learn more, click here.

Never Leave Pets or Kids Unattended in a Vehicle
Leaving a child or a pet in a closed vehicle on a hot or sunny day, even with the windows cracked, can be fatal. On hot or sunny days, the temperature inside a car can be 50 degrees hotter than outside.

Heat Wave and Other Emergency Information:
UpdateLA : http://www.updatela.com/
ReadyLA: http://www.readyla.org/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/readyla
Emergency Management Department: http://www.emergency.lacity.org/

Online Calculator to See How DWP Proposed Rate Increases Would Affect You...

The Department of Water & Power (DWP) has launched an online tool that allows customers to calculate how DWP's proposed rate increases will impact their water and power bill. To use the tool and for more information, visit ezweb.ladwp.com/Customer.aspx

DWP says it needs to raise rates to allow it to ramp up investment in developing local water supplies to reduce the City’s reliance on more expensive imported water purchases from the Metropolitan Water District, replace aging infrastructure, and meet state and federal water quality regulations.

The power and water rate proposals are currently being reviewed by the LADWP Ratepayer Advocate. They are expected to be considered by the Board of Water and Power Commissioners in August, and thereafter by the City Council.

Public Pools in Los Angeles Open Through Labor Day...

The summer swimming season is here and L.A.'s 48 public pools are open now and will remain open through Labor Day. (Department of Recreation and Parks extended the pool season due to the heat wave.)
 
Admission is free for kids under 17, seniors and people with disabilities. The pools are open 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on weekends, and are open 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays.

Our public pools are a wonderful resource, offering kids and adults in the community a great, economical way to cool off, get exercise and have fun!

The City’s Aquatics facilities include regular public swimming pools with a wide variety of amenities, programs, sports and classes for children, adults and people with disabilities and competitive athletes in training. The City also offers a Junior Lifeguard Training Program designed to prepare young people who are interested in pursuing a career as a Lifeguard.

L.A. Public Pools in the West San Fernando Valley
GRANADA HILLS POOL
16730 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills
Click here for a map.

NORTHRIDGE POOL
(818 ) 709 – 7475
10058 Reseda Blvd., Northridge
Click here for a map.

CANOGA PARK - LANARK PARK
(818) 756-9364
21817 Strathern St., Canoga Park
Click here for a map.

VAN NUYS/SHERMAN OAKS WAR MEMORIAL PARK
(818) 783-6721
14201 Huston St., Van Nuys
Click here for a map.

To learn more about all of the City’s Aquatics facilities click here.

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council's "Clean Sweep" Weekly Clean-Up and Help Make Northridge Shine!

Join Northridge West Neighborhood Council's Clean Sweep community beautification project every Thursday!

Thursday, Aug. 23
East side of Corbin Ave. between Superior St. and Plummer St., Northridge

At 8:00 am the crew will review the game plan with free refreshments provided by Northridge West Neighborhood Council. Bring gloves if you have them, sunscreen, a sunhat and appropriate shoes for outdoor work. Northridge West Neighborhood Council provides the refreshments and tools.

For more information contact Jo Ann Phillips at (818) 304-4989 or japhillips1@yahoo.com or visit www.NorthridgeWest.org.

Auditions for San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus...

The San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus is holding auditions Aug. 19 and 26 for its 21st year of singing.

The Chorus is made up of 3rd to 12th graders. Auditions and rehearsals for the fall season are at the Canoga Park Methodist Church, located at 22700 Sherman Way.

Under the leadership of Musical Director Yohan Partan, the SFV Youth Chorus participates in various performances and community events throughout the year. The enrollment fee is $150 per semester. An audition appointment is required. To make an appointment or for more information, call (818) 212-9356 or email audition@valleyyouthchorus.org.

For more information on the SFV Youth Chorus visit www.valleyyouthchorus.org.

Learn How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft at LAPD Community Meeting...

Don't miss the LAPD Basic Car Community Meeting focusing on Internet, credit, and identity security, coming up on Thursday, Aug. 23.

Thursday, Aug. 23
6:45 pm
St. John Eudes Church
9901 Mason Ave.


Guest speaker Robert Rebhan is an internationally recognized expert on financial crimes, is a former LAPD Detective, and was Director of the American Express Fraud Prevention Program. He will discuss how to protect yourself from Internet fraud, identity theft, bank and credit fraud, financial scams and more.

For more information, call Carol Jensen at (818) 341-3327 or email cei2@mail.com.

Rim of the Valley Meeting...

L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation will be holding a public meeting to give information and gain input from the community and trail users about the proposed Northwest San Fernando Valley Area Trail Plan including the Rim of the Valley Trail.

The intent is to develop a trail plan to guide future trail development in the Northwest San Fernando Valley. Currently, the study area consists of unincorporated areas of L.A. County bounded by the Ventura County line on the west, the Santa Susana Mountains (Johnson Motorway Trail, Rim of the Valley Trail, Oat Mountain Motorway Trail, and Weldon Canyon Trail) to the north, the Interstate 5 Highway to the east, and Roscoe Blvd. to the south. The County is in the early stages of developing the proposed project. 

Thursday, Aug. 30
6:00 pm
Knollwood Country Club
Granada Room
12024 Balboa Blvd.
Granada Hills

To learn more about the Rim of the Valley, visit http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rimofthevalley .
For more information email Lorrie Bradley at LBradley@parks.lacounty.gov or call (213) 738-2812.

The Shops at West End in Chatsworth Present a Summer Art Walk...

Shops and restaurants on Devonshire St. near Topanga Canyon Blvd. and local artists have come together to host the West End Chatsworth Summer Art Walk. They have already organized Art Walk events in June and July, and the final event of the summer is on Friday, Aug. 31.

Friday, Aug. 31
5:30 pm to 9:00 pm 
At businesses, restaurants and shops on Devonshire St. between Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Owensmouth Ave.
Chatsworth

Come support our local businesses and artists, and explore the hidden artistic talents right here in our backyard. Enjoy refreshments, door prizes including tickets to the Hollywood Bowl, see a variety of original artwork by local artists, and meet your neighbors.

For more information on the artists, a map of the Art Walk and more, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/447724788580791/.

Get Involved in Your Community! Participate in the Upcoming Neighborhood Council Elections...

Looking for a chance to get more involved in your community? Participate in the upcoming election for Neighborhood Council Board Positions in the Northwest San Fernando Valley on Sept. 8 and Sept. 29.

Joining your local Neighborhood Council is a great way to make a meaningful, positive contribution to your community, meet others who are engaged in the community, and get involved in rewarding community projects and events. If you're interested in running for a neighborhood council board position, the Candidate Filing Form is available here.

Each neighborhood council will conduct their own election with various processes. For more information about the Neighborhood Council you're interested in, see links below and contact them directly.

Sept. 6, 2012 Town Hall Selections for:
Northridge South Neighborhood Council
http://www.northridgesouth.org/2012-nsnc-election/

Sept. 8, 2012 elections for:
Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/ghsnc/granada-hills-south-nc-elections/

Northridge East Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nenc/northridge-east-nc-elections/

Northridge West Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nwnc/northridge-west-nc-elections/

North Hills West Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/nhwnc/north-hills-west-nc-elections/

Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/prnc/porter-ranch-nc-elections/

Sept. 29, 2012 elections for:
West Hills Neighborhood Council
http://empowerla.org/whnc/west-hills-nc-elections/

Reseda Neighborhood Council elections
http://empowerla.org/rnc/reseda-nc-elections/

For complete rules and guidelines, information about acceptable forms of ID, candidate guidelines and frequently asked questions, visit the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment's website at http://empowerla.org/elections or call (818) 293-8683.

"Asphalt Orchestra" - Free Concert at CSUN's Valley Performing Arts Center...

The Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN is holding a free concert featuring a performance by "Asphalt Orchestra" on Thursday, Sept. 13.

The New York City-based Asphalt Orchestra is a wild collective that boldly fuses western classical, rock, jazz and pop into a coherent sound. The twelve-member ensemble group includes a jazz drummer, an Indian dhol virtuoso, a Japanese-born classical percussionist and various other talented musicians playing trombone, sousaphone, over-the-shoulder drums and other assorted instruments—all while marching and dancing on stage. 

Thursday, Sept. 13
8:00 pm
Valley Performing Arts Center
CSUN campus
18111 Nordhoff St. (at Lindley Ave.)
Northridge

All are welcome, but the free tickets are only available by calling the Performing Arts Center's Ticket Office at (818) 677-3000. For more information, click here.

West Hills 25th Anniversary Community Picnic and Elections...

We are proud to co-sponsor the West Hills 25th Anniversary Picnic and Neighborhood Council Elections at Shadow Ranch Park in West Hills.

West Hills 25th
Anniversary Picnic
Saturday, Sept. 29
1:00 pm to 6:30 pm
West Hills Neighborhood Council Elections
2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Shadow Ranch Recreation Center
22633 Vanowen St., West Hills


The event is hosted by the West Hills Neighborhood Council and co-sponsored by West Hills Hospital, Grossman Burn Center, Fairwinds West Hills Retirement Center, The Boeing Co., Foundation for Arts and Community Events (FaCE)/Cinema Heritage Project and the Department of Recreation and Parks.

There will be live rock and roll bands, picnic games, a community resource fair, petting zoo, bouncers, health screenings, and gourmet food trucks. At 7:00 pm, there will be a free outdoor screening of the classic film The Wizard of Oz.

For information or to reserve a booth, please call Ed Young at (818) 704-1505 or email Ed19357@Yahoo.com.

Support the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation Blood Drive...

Give the gift of life! Give blood! The Granada Hills Rotary Foundation is holding a blood drive in two locations in Granada Hills on Saturday, September 29 in an effort to raise at least 500 pints of blood. Free lunch will be provided to all donors. 
 
Saturday, Sept. 29
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Granada Hills Recreation Center
16730 Chatsworth St.,  Granada Hills
North Valley Youth Sports Complex
13100 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills


An appointment is required. To make an appointment visit www.rotarygivesblood.org
 
For sponsorships opportunities and additional information email John Weitkamp at jweitkamp@aol.com

A Year of Emergency Preparedness...

On January 17, the 18th anniversary of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, we kicked off our Year of Emergency Preparedness in Los Angeles.

Throughout 2012, we will be working on legislation, programs and public awareness efforts to help the residents of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley be prepared for natural or man-made disasters.

Every week, our newsletter will feature a new item in an Emergency Preparedness Checklist. These are simple steps that everyone in Los Angeles should take in order to be prepared for any disaster. If you follow each item on this checklist, you will be highly prepared at the end of the year.

Week 29: Mechanical Can Opener...
Make sure you have a mechanical can opener in your emergency supply kit. If a major earthquake hits, you could lose power for an extended period of time, and you will need a mechanical can opener to open canned foods.

To see our printable Emergency Preparedness Checklist, with every week's entry, click here or visit our website at www.CD12.org.

Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce Family Festival...

Our District Director Megan Cottier works with a wide range of community-based organizations including Chambers of Commerce. She reports this week on a great family event you won't want to miss. 

We are proud to be co-sponsoring the Family Festival on Saturday, Sept. 15. 

Saturday, Sept. 15
10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Northwest Corner of Rinaldi St. & Porter Ranch Dr.
Porter Ranch

Admission is free to this fun family event, which will feature live music, food vendors, balloon animals, face painting, and more. All-day tickets for special activities including pony rides, bungee jumping, rock climbing wall, kid's train rides, carnival rides, bouncers, a slide and more are available for $30. 
Purchase your all-day ticket before Sept. 10 and save $5. 

Half of all ticket proceeds will be donated to S.O.L.I.D. (Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire), which offers non-City supplied materials and equipment that are needed by our Police Officers at Devonshire Division. Co-sponsors include Facey Medical Group and Egremont School.

For more information, call (818) 357-5373.


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