Mr. Butka, I understand this has been hard on you, it has been on all of us. And anyone who watched the recent election with any kind of interest knows the candidate you worked against, and continue to rail about, won in a landslide, while you dropped out from running before the heat even got turned on. So I understand you want to villify Mr. Huizar and other elected officials, but in this time of need and community concern, please refrain from using people's misfortunes to try and further a tired political point (oh where oh where are our elected officials when we need them) which, at least in this case, is simply not valid.

Mr. Huizar and his staff have been working around the clock ever since the winds to try and help people and get information to those who needed it. I know because I have seen them, I have spoken to them, and I have heard from them. Their office was not open 9 to 5 as you say, but was open far beyond that and open all weekend, too. If there was a hold when someone called, it's because staff are not all-knowing - they probably needed to check on the specific address being given, and that takes time, because they way they "check" is to call DWP for the person who called the council office, which the resident could have done for themselves in the first place.

CONTINUED

At least council staff were there to check and provide some handholding and guidance. I personally called on Saturday to see if DWP took text messages of power outages because I didn't want to hold on the phone with them to get an update. CD14 answered the phone and gave me the info - on a Saturday.

With a limited communications infrastructure, Huizar's CD14 put together a community cleanup for this weekend to help dig people out of streets which were blocked and clear roads and sidewalks that had been cluttered with debris. How do I know this? Because, contrary to your assertion that email was the only way anyone communicated during this crisis, someone called me - a good old fashioned phone chain was started to help rally volunteers.

On another note, DWP also called me after I texted a power outage so they could make sure power had been restored, so again, your assumption that email was the only way communications were being handled is misinformed and inaccurate.

Whether you like any specific elected official, or wish they had not been elected is irrelevant. Whether or not the rest of the city did what it should have (I agree about shelters, and the need to be more ready to respond, etc.) Mr Huizar and his staff answered the call of duty in this crisis and your demonization of him based on your ongoing bitter dislike is neither productive nor appreciated.

Patch's printing of your ill-informed and misguided rant is equally so.

I have no beef with Huizar in particular--I vote for him because I'm a Democrat and he seems as good as most of our LA officials---which is not saying much. But I thought the response to this crazy weather day was not as bad as I expected from the city. I live in HP right south of the ER border. Our area was in the dark for what seemed like eternity---long enough for my food to spoil in the fridge, but with that kind of wind and damage I didn't expect instant help. I have plenty of complaints about how W&Power is used as a bank account for city officials and our rates keep climbing, but for the ordinary DWP guys who were going block by block climbing up the transmitters and restoring power slowly, but steadily, I have nothing but thanks and admiration. I was surprised that they could get to all the damage as fast as they did---and they were pleasant as could be. Remember, if you don't like city government, don't vote for the incumbents---if every voter didn't vote for them in one election cycle they would listen to us more. But even I can't hold them responsible for Mother Nature's wrath.

Political motivation aside, the author is correct in getting emergency information -- along with the cable and internet my phone was out. I used a portable tv to try to get news on what was happening and radio was useless too.

It would have been nice to have someplace open with a generator that could provide heat, laptop/phone charging stations, and hot coffee. We didn't get power restored until yesterday at noon. Luckily even though our phone lines were hanging over the street, it still worked. I called DWP several times. Hold times were less than 15 minutes (even the morning after the storm). Didn't even think about calling Huizar. Even though I voted for him, I don't consider him a "go to" guy.

Hope someone in charge of Disaster Preparedness is noting this down from Hulga: "It would have been nice to have someplace open with a generator that could provide heat, laptop/phone charging stations, and hot coffee."

Folks - we live in a massive city and geo area and this response to the wind storms was above average. It appears that none here have ever been through a real serious disaster. Also, it is well documented that you should have your own disaster plan and supplies for at least 3 days for you, your children and pets. TERA and the ERNC held a disaster planning event about six months ago with representatives from the Red Cross and Wendy Gruel who covered the city's city. Visit the American Red Cross www.arcla.org for information on how to be prepared. Red Cross is charged with opening shelters in diasters and they were openned. And BTW that beeping sound from your smoke detector would not happen if you tested it as instructed and changed the batteries as needed - that annoying little thing could save your life one day. I was in touch with all my neighbors and family and we all pitched in to take care of each other.

Hulga, I am sure that Ajay did not mean it that way, even though I understand how the way he said it could have been misinterpeted. I agree with you that would have been nice.

It really is a great idea to have community center's and park's open with electricity and a phone (for those that still only have landlines). Were was the Red Cross? Councilmembers were not around to offer any help or service to those that really needed it.

This neighborhood councilmember was one who was without phone battery or internet and only had a portable radio. Sadly, in all the fray, many used facebook and texting as a form of communication. I have personally posed a challenge to the neighborhood council to work on non-electronic forms or alternative forms of communicating with our neighbors and the council. I think it's also extremely important that we N.C. members also have information at the ready for our neighbors and community in regards to evacuation and communication (go to) centers.

From your lips to God's ears, Clvngoddess! Too much money is spent on events that have no lasting value, but are only there to entertain and amuse. The meager funds doled out should go to help HP be an exemplary community with projects that are lasting. God knows, the city has shown what it's capable of, and that's scary.

I agree with ChickenBoyFan. Too much money is spent on special events that are only there for a day and then gone. Just like the "Cindo de Mayo" Cypress Park parade that costs $10,000 and lasts only a few hours. Money is better spent on beautification, helping others, security for the neighborhood, or anything else that is long lasting and not just for a day.

This is why neighborhood councils should NOT get a penny. Their intent was to be a voice to city hall. That has been lost.

Neighborhood councils need at least a prudent reserve for operations, but it is true that when all of the money is gone, no one shows up for meetings except for the die-hards in the community. God Bless em all.