Category Archives: Neighborhood Council/Town Council
Where’s the Transparency? – L.A. Confidential
By Jim Smith When City Controller Candidate Cary Brazeman expressed shock that the city of Los Angeles was corrupt, I was reminded of the scene in the film, Casablanca, when Inspector Renault discovers gambling at Rick’s as he is handed … Continue reading
Unfortunate Times For La Fortuna Market
By Anne Alvarez The Venice Neighborhood Council voted unanimously, Jan. 17, to recommend that L.A. City Council revoke the liquor license of La Fortuna Market located at 824 Lincoln Blvd., adjacent to Cafe 50s. Proprietor Margarita Romo and her brother, Emilio, have been serving Venice’s Latino community … Continue reading
Hard Times in Venice for Mayoral Candidate Jan Perry
By Anne Alvarez Jan Perry, 9th District councilperson and mayoral candidate, caused a stir when she attended the November 15 Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) meeting. She was greeted by local residents, who had come to voice their grievances and disapproval … Continue reading
Filed under Anne Alvarez, Neighborhood Council/Town Council
City May Be Growing Tired of Neighborhood Council Experiment
By Jim Smith Could this be the beginning of the end of “grassroots” democracy. First, the city threatened to cut off the money it doles out to its 95 certified neighborhood councils. During the last two years annual funding has … Continue reading
Filed under Neighborhood Council/Town Council, Politics
Are we doomed to have a second-rate bicycle network?
By Jim Smith The Neighborhood Council’s grudging approval, in concept, of the proposed Main Street bike lanes, Sept. 20, came only after city officials said it was their way or the (car) highway. It would take months, even years, to … Continue reading
Money Available for Worthy Causes
The Venice Neighborhood Council is pleased to announce that due to a change in the funding guidelines imposed by the City, we have additional money to spend this year for Community Improvement Projects. We are therefore inviting community organizations and individuals … Continue reading
Filed under Neighborhood Council/Town Council
Tisha Bedrosian, First President of the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council
By Jim Smith No one worked harder than Tisha Bedrosian to create a neighborhood council in Venice. And no one had a more controversial term, or resigned before it was over. The 50-year-old Bedrosian died July 19 of cancer. She … Continue reading
Filed under Jim Smith, Neighborhood Council/Town Council, Obituary
VNC goes on a shopping spree
Not to be outdone by the Pentagon, the Venice Neighborhood Council at its May 24 meeting voted to spend money like it was going out of style. President Linda Lucks explained that the funds would have to be returned to … Continue reading
Filed under Neighborhood Council/Town Council
Save The Venice Post Office
By Jim Smith Why would anyone want to sell our 72-year-old historic post office? The officials at the US Postal Service claim that it is because the quasi-public organization is in deep financial trouble. The USPS currently is $8 billion … Continue reading
Filed under History, Jim Smith, Neighborhood Council/Town Council, Post Office
