Meet the Candidates for the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Elections (Part II)

Click here to read the first installment of the Q&A with candidates for the Oct. 13 elections to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. A Meet the Candidates forum is scheduled today, Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, located at 2222 Laverna Ave.

Robert Guevara: President

What do you think accounts for the unprecedented interest in the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections this year?

There was generally a more concerted effort this year than in the 2010 NC elections to promote the opportunity for stakeholders to file as candidates for the elections among the 95 certified neighborhood councils this year, with the administration of these elections in the hands of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. The City Clerk’s office handled the 2010 elections for the neighborhood council system.  The contrast in the numbers filing for offices in the ERNC’s election had a lot to do with the local impact of the matter of Medical Marijuana Dispensary issues, the changing approaches to regulation, as well as the laws and state court decisions that were made over recent time.  Add to that the assorted views held by persons and groups within the local community and the resulting strong polarization produced, and the ERNC election appeared as an appropriate opportunity for influencing the situation accordingly by office seekers.

What, in your view, is the purpose of a Neighborhood Council?

The Los Angeles City Charter, at Section 900, recites the purpose of the neighborhood council system very succinctly, “To promote more citizen participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs, a citywide system of neighborhood councils, and a Department of Neighborhood Empowerment is created.”

Over time, I think that the purpose of the NC system has evolved to something that ranges from a loose adherence to these terms, to a condition where an NC, both board and stakeholders alike, consider the funding activity, the higher-visibility component of operations, to be its main function. The original purpose of NCs thereby is not being accomplished and stakeholders’ interaction with the mayor and city council has not been advanced as the plan for NCs intended. 

What kind of changes would you like to introduce in Eagle Rock if you’re elected to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

We would benefit as a community by turning to the purpose of the NC system for a goal, for working to get views of stakeholders become the basis for decisions of the NC board where now those decisions are more strongly based on the views of the individual board member. Our actual contact with stakeholders is nowhere near to where it should and could be with better use of our web site, more activity of board members in the events ERNC sponsors where we can meet the public.

I would like to start with some approaches that have not been regularly used over the three years I have been on the board, and these are in furtherance of the items I stated above and they are not complicated, controversial or involving any significant expense. The President has the role of motivating the board to achieve its duties, and there are duties involved, even as “volunteers,” and working to implement committees now dormant and getting stakeholders working on committees as the significant “involvement” that other NCs experience.

There are a lot more specific items but, in brief, the ERNC board has to work to serve the stakeholders of Eagle Rock as its connection to city government for the benefit of the stakeholders. Better representation at City Hall was a motivation for the creation of the system and that still remains as a need, even after many NCs have celebrated 10 years in operation.

Eagle Rock has some tremendous resources many other neighborhoods lack—two broad boulevards, two sprawling public parks, good schools, to name a few. Which of Eagle Rock’s major assets do you think are well utilized? Which do you think are underused—and what would you do to utilize their full potential as a member of the ERNC?

The stakeholder population in Eagle Rock includes business owners and their employees. That  is sizeable in comparison to other NCs that have a less significant presence of a business population.  As mentioned in the question, the noted resource features that we have in Eagle Rock are recognized as part of the reasons for living in Eagle Rock. 

In order to answer your question more appropriately, we, the ERNC, should be taking in comments from the stakeholders, as individuals and groups or organizations, on their concerns and then we can move forward with that information as a basis.  The ERNC is not any single organization to be a ruling factor in the area, nor should we be, but we area a part of the whole. 

The ERNC is the only local group as the City Charter authorizes, to be directly connected to the city government and that aspect should be our focal point in acting. We should be coordinating activities and cooperating with the community individuals and groups to determine what areas need attention and apply a priority for attention as appropriate to the ERNC’s ability and authority.

We should be representative in affecting ordinances, city services and other municipal functions as our advisory jurisdiction so extends. The early notification provision for the city to inform NCs in order for responses to be made to the city on behalf of stakeholders is still not established, although part of the plan for NCs. There is a coalition of NCs, LANCC, working on better interaction. The LA NC Budget Advocates is one accomplishment, with its function and importance in budget considerations rising each year.

Do you think corporate businesses such as Target and Starbucks are good for the community—or do you think they harm the interests of small businesses? Do you think Eagle Rock needs a judicious mix of mom-and-pop shops and corporate-owned stores?

Corporate entities are not good or bad, per se. They can be large and influential—and that may threaten what residents and existing businesses believe is good for the area. There can be a balance and some planning applied to come to the best result for both the establishment of large stores and the small businesses. An awareness of the community and involvement by the large corporate style businesses helps to benefit the area. The setting of the Eagle Rock Plaza has followed the format of many malls, with large stores being the anchors and smaller enterprises occupying smaller spaces, and many of the tenants being a mix of corporate small store franchises as well as independent stores.

A blanket judgment would be a flawed way to approach the local situation. The case-by-case consideration would be a better way to evaluate what impact a particular business type would create here and then consider what would be needed if problems appear.

What’s your view about land use issues in Eagle Rock? Do you think Eagle Rock’s community leaders are too tough on businesses looking to open in the neighborhood?

In the context of the ERNC, our Land Use committee is very useful to bring out the concerns of the community and the businesspersons. It may not be perfect condition but it is a component that allows early examination of proposed changes, both small and large. There is a specific plan, the Colorado Specific Plan, which applies to the area, one of many “specific plans” that exist among communities in the city.  I am not involved in that committee and as a committee purpose, its members have developed their own level of expertise to produce recommendations on business changes in Eagle Rock.

If there is a matter of being “too tough” on potential openings of businesses here, I think there’s a lot of responsibility for that coming from the way the City of L.A. handles businesses across the city, with the idea of being “business friendly” as some on the city council like to say, not by any means a universally accepted condition. That may be what could be a larger reason for problems, with the included “red tape” not being any source of enjoyment for anyone, either.

How would you use the Neighborhood Council’s limited funds for projects in the community? Which areas—neighborhood beautification, public safety, youth programs, for example—would you like to prioritize?

I think our representative function would have to inquire with various stakeholders for their views on priorities. All of the mentioned areas have value, and how this should be determined is the question.

We, as NC members would or should be responsive to input and priorities expressed by stakeholders and take that into account in establishing priorities for action.  That still is not to say the NC should be acting only on what surveys or polls dictate, but what we do now is not based on fully exploring the stakeholders’ concerns as much as it is based on what we personally believe should be their concerns.

A leadership role should include responsiveness to what the constituency voices, but consider, too, that there should be an expectation of conflicts arising among the views presented. A one-size-fits-all solution is probably not going to be the answer. That is where further discussions are needed in seeking solutions.

Do you think a Neighborhood Council should spend its funds in ways that benefit every community member? Or do you think a Neighborhood Council with limited funds has to necessarily be selective about backing certain projects at the expense of others?

Funding as part of the establishment of the NC system, was conceived to be there for achieving the purposes of the NCs. Ours, like many among the 95 certified NCs in the system, spend a lot of time in meetings on funding requests, the function and the amounts as variables among them. We have had successive funding reductions for the past three fiscal years, 10 percent, 10 percent and 8-plus percent, or coming down from the initial $50,000 annual funding, to $45,000, to $40,500, and now at a $37,000 level. 

Funding caps have been made in some NCs, as a few have set a $2,000 maximums, while ERNC has none. Our 2012 Eagle Rock Music Festival was granted $7,500, and an equal amount was granted for 2011’s Music Festival when our budget was $3,500 higher. The choices were between making the expenditure for a one-time event by the ERNC vs. having the Event make its own efforts seeking private donations over the preceding year in lieu of the ERNC funding. This was discussed over 2 years ago at the time the 2010 Music Festival funding request was made and I was in the minority in trying to conserve funds.

From the budget funding allotted by the City Council each year, an NC should cover some overhead expenses and work on “outreach” to the stakeholders so that the “representation” part of the system happens. Stakeholders of many but not all NCs, are in the majority of those who are not aware of what an NC is supposed to do or sometimes are not aware of the NC at all. That is the responsibility of each NC to address, but since it’s not any exciting part of the job, little attention goes to that end as I observe.

There was a July article in Highland Park-Mt. Washington Patch by David Fonseca about Neighborhood Councils’ effectiveness, showing some good points on the funding situations as well as a few problem other NCs have encountered. A few parts had me identify with the presented scenarios where the funding requestors were a big part of the typically small audiences at meetings. ERNC has not had some of the problems other NCs have had, fortunately, and we do run well in that regard.

However, as an area for attention, we have never had a “Budget & Finance Committee” in the three years I have been on the board to vet funding requests. Instead, we evaluate at the time the request is made and decide most requests at that same meeting, spending a lot of meeting time on funding issues. 

The B&F committee, one of many in the Bylaws, would help produce a more complete evaluation of the funding requests. It also would have stakeholder involvement expanded in producing recommendations, as committee membership is open to stakeholders. We could apply some comparative merit for competing request for available funds instead of the “fund until the money runs out” approach. 

Actual outreach is not being accomplished now in the best way by these approaches. Funding is not, in my opinion, done in the most fair and effective manner. The will to change this has not risen to a level among the board to change things to this date.  My experiences at other NC coalition meetings have shown me other ways that would improve our performance and impact with City Hall.

Let me just say that providing funding to any particular group, while useful for achieving the individual purposes, does not produce another stakeholder with any more understanding of what our council members or mayor happen to do that affects us all—and that could happen with just following the City Charter’s descriptions. That, to me, is our current failing in expending funds that should be for that purpose of being a conduit between the stakeholders and the city hall, including our CD-14 representative there.

Again, there should be a balance between true outreach and funding action in the community. By saying we have accomplished outreach by some “funding action” is either a rationalization or truly misunderstanding the operation of outreach that the City Charter and neighborhood council plans intended.

Would you be willing to tap private and nonprofit organizations to raise funds for community projects? What expertise, if any—in grant writing, for example—do you have for fundraising?

While we are not specifically grant writers, nor do we have that duty as board members, the assistance envisioned in your question where we can direct to other sources of funding is not new. Personally, I “write” but I am not a grant writer. We did fund TERA at the last meeting for the employing the services of a grant writer for pursuit of greater funding for more of the goals of “Take Back The Boulevard.”

I mentioned the “alternate source” of funding as a suggestion during a meeting back about 6 months or more when the principal of Rockdale Elementary made a funding request that would be useful for them but not absolutely essential- in my own opinion- at the time. A discussion began about developing some manner of finding alternate sources of funding and working more as a board to use that as an alternative to direct funding. Dan Law, Youth Director at that time, had some suggestions for that style of assistance. As I recall, some funding, possibly in full, was approved that night, and alternate funding sources remains as an area for consideration.

If elected, what would you like to see as your biggest success as a member of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

I would like to see a cooperative board, open to suggestions from each other and the stakeholders so that this organization can reach a level of contact by actual “outreach” so people understand what the ERNC does and can do for them, and that they make use of this organization.

I want to accomplish the joining other NCs in the local region, a move away from our current posture as an isolationist board, evidenced by low participation in even minimal NC actions.

I already know many board members from other NCs, as well as city officials and staff, as well as many department heads, and I am meeting more all the time as I continue to attend events and meetings related to city issues.  Some meetings are part of the NC service and many are from my personal interest in gaining more information. I am not an expert in a lot of things about the city, but I have become friends with many who are experts or at least very well versed in particular topics to teach me more.

By grouping together a number of NCs, our voice in City Hall will be less likely to be ignored as our numbers grow. That would be better representation for our stakeholders and their concerns.

Jennifer Nutting: Education Director

What do you think accounts for the unprecedented interest in the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections this year?

I think it being an election year, people are paying more attention to politics in general. Our current political system is so polarized, to the point of gridlock, most people are frustrated at the inability of our political leaders to move past their fundamental differences and work for the good of the people. Neighborhood Council is a small way people can participate in problem solving rather than just frustrated complaining.

What, in your view, is the purpose of a Neighborhood Council?

I think the number one purpose of neighborhood council is to connect residents with services they need. In addition the council should advocate for our neighborhood with City Hall to promote the needs of our community.

What kind of changes would you like to introduce in Eagle Rock if you’re elected to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

My dream response to this question would be new sidewalks, bike lanes, full storefronts, top schools etc, but I’ve learned if you set too many unrealistic goals, you achieve none of them. In reality one achievable change I could introduce would be to work more in conjunction with the North East Neighborhood Councils so that we can be a powerful voice in City Hall and maybe gain the power to tackle some of those dream projects.

Eagle Rock has some tremendous resources many other neighborhoods lack—two broad boulevards, two sprawling public parks, good schools, to name a few. Which of Eagle Rock’s major assets do you think are well utilized? Which do you think are underused—and what would you do to utilize their full potential as a member of the ERNC?

The boulevards are why I moved to this neighborhood. Eagle Rock is one of the few pockets of Los Angeles that is walkable, but I think our local businesses could definitely benefit from initiatives like Take Back the Boulevard, and by looking at what other pockets of the city have done (Art Walk, Open House etc.) to make their thoroughfares more conducive to residents and businesses alike.

Do you think corporate businesses such as Target and Starbucks are good for the community—or do you think they harm the interests of small businesses? Do you think Eagle Rock needs a judicious mix of mom-and-pop shops and corporate-owned stores?

We need larger businesses to draw people to the area, but we need to plan in a way that this draw can benefit the local small businesses. For example, a store like Trader Joe’s should have its doors facing the side walk, as opposed to the parking lot to encourage foot traffic.

What’s your view about land use issues in Eagle Rock? Do you think Eagle Rock’s community leaders are too tough on businesses looking to open in the neighborhood?

I could fake a good answer here, but honestly, I do not know enough about what has taken place in the past to make a judgment about our community leaders. At one NC meeting, I witnessed the members’ concerned response to a small business owner who was having trouble opening their doors due to regulation.

How would you use the Neighborhood Council’s limited funds for projects in the community? Which areas—neighborhood beautification, public safety, youth programs, for example—would you like to prioritize?

I would like to prioritize things like Take back the Boulevard and community events. I think these types of expenditures benefit residents and businesses.

Do you think a Neighborhood Council should spend its funds in ways that benefit every community member? Or do you think a Neighborhood Council with limited funds has to necessarily be selective about backing certain projects at the expense of others?

Limited funds make for limited expenditures. For every grant request I would question whether it is equitable for the community over all other requests.

Would you be willing to tap private and nonprofit organizations to raise funds for community projects? What expertise, if any—in grant writing, for example—do you have for fundraising?

I would be willing to increase funding in anyway possible. Being a teacher, I have fundraising experience on a small scale; I wrote a grant funded by the state for laptops for my classroom, I’ve received grants from Donors Choose, and I’ve held benefits at the Moonlight Roller Way for my after school running club.

If elected, what would you like to see as your biggest success as a member of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

Success for me would be police, DOT, Huizar’s office, local schools and other municipal services functioning the way they should for Eagle Rock residents. This way our community can move forward.

David Greene: Director Sub-District 8

What do you think accounts for the unprecedented interest in the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections this year?

There's a feeling among Eagle Rockers that our town is at a crossroads. When a group of us heard that the marijuana dispensaries were putting up a slate of candidates to take over the ERNC, it shocked us – and frankly, embarrassed us. Here we were, most of us homeowners with kids in our local schools and businesses in our community, and we'd never gotten fully involved in our local government. The result has been the Eagle Rock Neighbors slate, a group of truly solid Eagle Rock citizens, from all walks of life, who care deeply about our town's future. We may have banded together because of the pot issue, but now it's become something bigger: This is a group of incredible people, with the brains and resources to take Eagle Rock far into the future, and with no agenda other than getting great things done, right now.

What, in your view, is the purpose of a Neighborhood Council?

I lived in a few other big cities before moving to Los Angeles to stay. I've seen ineffective local government and incredibly motivated, effective local groups that have pushed their city and state representatives to get amazing things done, and quickly. I was in Manhattan when the new Hudson River Park was being planned—it was all grassroots-level neighborhood groups that got that beautiful development implemented and completed. It’s no different with L.A.’s Neighborhood Council system. In one sense, the NC’s were designed to fail, so that they devolve into squabbling and tail-chasing; but the flip side is that if an NC is staffed with wise adults who don't have agendas or grudges, they can speak as one voice and push their way through the molasses at City Hall and beyond, to get big things done that can totally revitalize their community.

One thing that characterizes all effective civic groups is institutional memory: That's why it’s so great that Michael Larsen, the outgoing ERNC president, is sticking around. Half the facts I spew in my statements may be totally off-base; but when it comes time to discuss issues for real on the ERNC, Michael will be there to set us all straight.

What kind of changes would you like to introduce in Eagle Rock if you’re elected to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

I can't make changes as one member of the ERNC. But a unified ERNC can get great things done, and that's what the Eagle Rock Neighbors slate is all about. One thing that does need to change in Eagle Rock is that everyone needs to talk to each other, and to the ERNC—not just the cranks and gadflies. For example: There are shopkeepers on Colorado Boulevard who hate the Friday night Farmers Market. They think it's trashy, and it steals their business. They grumble about it, privately, all the time. When pressed, they also admit that while their regular customers can't find parking on one of their big money-making nights, they also get increased walk-in traffic. But instead of getting together and presenting their specific complaints (and proposed solutions), they seethe. They think that the ERNC is ineffective, and staffed with cronies, so they won't be able to have a voice. But that's absolutely not true. Hey guess what? Michael Nogueira, who runs the Farmers Market, is running for president on the Neighbors' slate. We all like and respect him; he's a pillar of the community, and has lived here longer than anyone. But he’s also a smart, pragmatic person like the rest of us. He doesn't want to see businesses fail. He also wants to see Eagle Rock get better. If everyone just got together to talk like adults, we could boost everyone's bottom line, and improve Eagle Rock’s image.

Eagle Rock has some tremendous resources many other neighborhoods lack—two broad boulevards, two sprawling public parks, good schools, to name a few. Which of Eagle Rock’s major assets do you think are well utilized? Which do you think are underused—and what would you do to utilize their full potential as a member of the ERNC?

The big problem is that all those wonderful assets aren't tied together in any human way. The people who use the Eagle Rock Park up in my neighborhood aren't the same ones who use Yosemite Park. The families who go to Eagle Rock Montessori and then send their kids to charters don't mingle with the ones who send their kids to Dahlia or Rockdale. But that's changing – whether it's the economy or something more, Eagle Rock is becoming a more blended community. Our family sees this in our own lives every day, and if you look at the members of the Eagle Rock Neighbors slate, you'll see that we've got "old" Eagle Rock and "new" Eagle Rock equally represented. This is really exciting, and again, getting everyone together to talk about what's good for all of us is crucial: You may live down near Fresh & Easy, but if Colorado Boulevard becomes a more walkable, friendlier place to shop and eat, then your property values increase, too. The same goes for safety improvements at Yosemite Park, and a reduction in the number of illegal pot stores and massage parlors. The way real estate works—and the way popular imagination works, vis-à-vis a town's reputation—is when one part of Eagle Rock benefits, we all benefit.

The reason for Eagle Rock's lack of a "town square," real or imagined, is complex and deep; my own unofficial opinion is that it's rooted in Eagle Rock's history as a drive-through town. Our hub should be Colorado Boulevard, but it's still considered a 134 freeway alternative, and it looks the part, which is actually something left over from the time when it was the freeway. The motels and car-repair shops, and the decrepit billboards up and down Colorado are a symbol of this. The billboards were installed to catch the eye of people speeding through our little burg; but real people live here now, and we should stand up to the visual pollution that reinforces our lack of identity as a "real" town. You'd be shocked to hear how little the owners of the properties those billboards stand on make every month. If I was the only voting member of the ERNC, I'd declare a moratorium: pay each landlord the same 40 bucks every month, and tear the things down tomorrow.

Do you think corporate businesses such as Target and Starbucks are good for the community—or do you think they harm the interests of small businesses? Do you think Eagle Rock needs a judicious mix of mom-and-pop shops and corporate-owned stores?

Of course we need a mix. I hate to compare Eagle Rock to any other town, because we’ve got our own unique topography and demographics, but if you look at any area around here with similar raw materials (good schools, vintage storefronts, lots of single-family homes), you see a comfortable mix of big business and small. But you also see smart development, informed by citizens motivated to keep their towns small, safe, and beautiful. We don’t have that yet, but it's changing—and with a unified ERNC staffed by wise people with similar values, we can push Eagle Rock forward into the 21st century.

Look at South Pas. Look at Atwater, Mt. Washington, and yes, old town Pasadena. We’re nothing like them, but we've got similar resources. We've got three solid elementary schools with great test scores just like South Pas, but they have more motivated parents than we do, and they communicate better because they’re under one district. Like Atwater, we have a main commercial drag with single-family homes right behind it. But they don't have the parking or speed issues we do. And look at Old Town. Think about how they calm traffic through their stretch of Colorado, and how they provide the golden park-and-walk ratio to their shoppers and diners, so that every inch of that commercial strip is utilized. We can learn a lot from other places without becoming them; we just have to be smart about it, and not have preconceived notions about what "copying" others means.

What’s your view about land use issues in Eagle Rock? Do you think Eagle Rock’s community leaders are too tough on businesses looking to open in the neighborhood?

Eagle Rock's "community leaders" can't prevent a business from opening in town. (If they could, there wouldn't be so many illegal pot shops paying landlords in cash every month.) And while I haven't heard of any powerful individual or group in Eagle Rock scaring a good business away, I’d be interested to know if this has occurred. All I hear is unfocused bile against the Colorado Boulevard Specific plan—mostly by people who haven't read it.

The Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan is a modest but important document; anyone who says otherwise hasn't lived here very long. When my wife and I bought our house in late 2001, it seemed like the only open consumer businesses on Colorado were Swork, Colombo's, and Trader Joe’s—the rest of the Boulevard was awash in boarded up storefronts and car repair or fast food places. No CoWineCo, no Bloom School, no Peekaboo, no Coffee Table, no Fatty's, no Black Boar, no Cardio Barre, no Starbucks or Yogurt Haven, either. Anyone who thinks the Specific Plan had nothing to do with these new businesses settling and staying is either ignorant or misinformed.

The only business I know of that the Specific Plan prevented from settling in town was the Fat Dog sports bar/brewpub that wanted to open where Cardio Barre is now. And while that started as an issue of parking and operating hours, from my recollection (and I wasn't involved in it at the time), it seemed like every time the Specific Plan threw up a roadblock, the owners admitted something else about their business plan we didn't know before. The Specific Plan forced them to tell the truth, and when neighbors and city leaders heard what they really wanted to do, the Fat Dog folks realized the jig was up and they bailed out. I hear they're doing great in Montrose now, which is super—but their new location doesn’t have families with kids living two doors down from a place that's open till 2 a.m. (instead, they have a huge parking lot).

That said, everyone knows the Specific Plan is violated daily by existing businesses, especially the operating hours requirement. Should the Specific Plan be looked at, with community input, to try and modernize some of its provisions? Absolutely. But not by people who have an agenda, such as those who mischaracterize it as draconian, or who are paid by, or sympathize with businesses that operate afoul of local and City land-use regulations, like the marijuana dispensaries and massage parlors. Do you want someone in the pocket of the pot shops tinkering with your town's last line of defense against bad development? Me neither.

How would you use the Neighborhood Council’s limited funds for projects in the community? Which areas—neighborhood beautification, public safety, youth programs, for example—would you like to prioritize?

I think very few individuals and groups in town even know that the ERNC has a budget to spend in the first place. We need to let everyone know this money is available, and see what comes in. However, in this age of decreased revenues to states and municipalities, it may also be time to think outside the box. What’s one thing Eagle Rock desperately needs from the City or State, but we can’t get? Crossing guards outside our schools? A new dog park? A traffic cop outside of Trader Joe’s, to prevent the inevitable bad accident that's going to happen? One way to get something done in this world is to do it—or pay for it—yourself. And there's an argument to be made that by providing something privately, right now, it demonstrates an urgent need, and may goose City Hall to get it paid for by the taxpayers. Priming the pump is how venture capital works, and I don't see why it shouldn't work when it comes to local government.

Do you think a Neighborhood Council should spend its funds in ways that benefit every community member? Or do you think a Neighborhood Council with limited funds has to necessarily be selective about backing certain projects at the expense of others?

Of course any funding agency has to be selective; that's the definition of a limited budget. And funding one project doesn't mean it comes at the expense of another; if you’re denied funding, you don't lose anything—and claiming that you do is the kind of petty small-town politics that Eagle Rock can ill afford. This is why we need sane, rational, adults on the ERNC. If you've got people with critical thinking skills, no agendas, and calm personalities, you can weigh the benefits of funding decisions efficiently and for the benefit of all, by taking the long view. But if you've got an agenda, or longstanding grudges, you're part of the problem.

An example: There are folks running right now for the ERNC who publicly trash Michael Larsen and denigrate his accomplishments at every opportunity; I don’t think they even realize that as past president, he’s a voting member of the next ERNC. Eagle Rockers need to kick that kind of hick b.s. to the curb if they ever want to improve this town. Here’s why I know: I grew up in a small city in Connecticut that was very similar in size and demographics to Eagle Rock. There were people there who held grudges dating back to the Revolutionary War; and as a result, nothing was ever improved, often out of pure spite. Sure, people talked about it; but there was always a constituency who liked things status quo, and vetoed any real and permanent change.

Would you be willing to tap private and nonprofit organizations to raise funds for community projects? What expertise, if any—in grant writing, for example—do you have for fundraising?

Yes, we should seek out funding anywhere we can find it; we need to see what other towns in similar situations have done, and steal their best ideas. As for me, I've been on the boards of several nonprofits and art museums/organizations, and I've written many, many grant proposals (some of them successful). And while it’s a time-consuming job, the most important part of any grant is identifying a granting agency that's right for you, and has funded similar requests before; if you pick the right one to apply for, you've halfway there.

If elected, what would you like to see as your biggest success as a member of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

If I'm elected along with the rest of the Eagle Rock Neighbors slate, our biggest accomplishment will be getting a group of solid, reasonable Eagle Rockers on the ERNC who want only to do good for our community. We’ve got some amazing people on our slate, from Dr. Posada for Public Safety director, to bright lawyers like Greg Luke, and inspired parents like Kerry Tribe and Michael Blanchard. These are the kind of rock-solid, super-smart people you'd want on your team, no matter what you do. Eagle Rock should snatch these people up.

As for the ERNC getting one big thing done, it’s got to be Colorado Boulevard. How many design charrettes and presentations have we had over the years about Colorado, either in part or as a whole? And how much has actually been accomplished? We need to think about Colorado as an ecosystem, from Figueroa to the 2 Freeway. We need a Specific Plan that's actually a specific plan—a plan that spells out measures to calm traffic while maintaining volume, that accounts for abandoned properties like the DHM lofts and Sightwaves corner, and that includes concrete goals that need to be funded and completed, not just regulations that need to be adhered to.

Look at the "No on 710" movement in the San Rafael area. When was the last time you saw Eagle Rockers come together for one, big, thing? If we have a great plan for Colorado, and get everyone on board, I want to see those same stupid signs on everyone's lawn. I want 200 people at the Land Use meetings, pressing the City Council and Mayor for cash money and other resources. I want to see something done right now, so my kid can enjoy the cleaner air, so my property values can rise, so my local school benefits from the tax revenue, and our local businesses make money from the increased foot traffic and open wallets. Not too much to ask, right?

Michael Blanchard: Director Sub-District 7

What do you think accounts for the unprecedented interest in the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections this year?

Whatever your view of medical marijuana, the proliferation of dispensaries in Eagle Rock is difficult to ignore, and it has mobilized a lot of residents to get more involved. Additionally, issues championed by groups like TERA and Take Back the Boulevard have a lot of people wanting to have a voice in the future of our neighborhood.

What, in your view, is the purpose of a Neighborhood Council?

To provide a forum and a voice for residents to participate directly in guiding the growth of the neighborhood, including safety, culture, and quality of life.

What kind of changes would you like to introduce in Eagle Rock if you’re elected to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

I would love to see changes on Colorado Boulevard to make it more pedestrian and bicycle friendly, to improve parking, and enhance safety. I would also revisit the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan to find ways to support and encourage local businesses while at the same time sustaining the character of Eagle Rock.

Eagle Rock has some tremendous resources many other neighborhoods lack—two broad boulevards, two sprawling public parks, good schools, to name a few. Which of Eagle Rock’s major assets do you think are well utilized? Which do you think are underused—and what would you do to utilize their full potential as a member of the ERNC?

Besides a few high-profile events such as the Eagle Rock Music Festival, I would love to see more neighborhood activities happening on Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. Creating partnerships between residents and local businesses to bring out local folks as well as people from surrounding areas. Some of the proposals championed by Take Back the Boulevard, like expanding parking and enhancing some of the median areas, could make such events even more enjoyable. 

Do you think corporate businesses such as Target and Starbucks are good for the community—or do you think they harm the interests of small businesses? Do you think Eagle Rock needs a judicious mix of mom-and-pop shops and corporate-owned stores?

Some corporate businesses are a great resource for the community. I am a regular customer at Target and Starbucks, and value their presence here. At the same time, I do not wish to see large chains replace local establishments, and I believe we as a community need to work to ensure that local businesses are supported and encouraged to come and stay in Eagle Rock. 

What’s your view about land use issues in Eagle Rock? Do you think Eagle Rock’s community leaders are too tough on businesses looking to open in the neighborhood?

I have heard from local business owners that some things which should be straightforward are made much more arduous and complex by elements of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan. To that end, I think the plan should be revisited to find ways to smooth the way for businesses that are working to support the values and interests of the community. At the same time, I believe giving residents and community leaders a measure of control over the nature of business growth in our area is vital to sustaining the character of the neighborhood. 

How would you use the Neighborhood Council’s limited funds for projects in the community? Which areas—neighborhood beautification, public safety, youth programs, for example—would you like to prioritize?

Which specific programs to prioritize over others is something that needs a good deal of study and discussion, so I don’t come into the council with a particular agenda for types of programs. That said, I think an emphasis on achievable goals with visible impact for the maximum number of residents is a good yardstick.

Do you think a Neighborhood Council should spend its funds in ways that benefit every community member? Or do you think a Neighborhood Council with limited funds has to necessarily be selective about backing certain projects at the expense of others?

Any budgeting process is necessarily selective. My hope would be to have a positive effect on our neighborhood for the maximum number of people, but it is rarely possible to please everyone at all times. Programs supported by the council should be broad based and inclusive, but also need to be focused and achievable. 

Would you be willing to tap private and nonprofit organizations to raise funds for community projects? What expertise, if any—in grant writing, for example—do you have for fundraising?

Collaboration with local organizations can be an important part of moving projects forward, and I am certainly supportive of this. I have recently started helping with some grant writing for my son's public school, and others in my family have extensive experience with grant writing and fundraising.

If elected, what would you like to see as your biggest success as a member of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

Safer, more beautiful streets and a stronger sense of community involvement and pride of place for Eagle Rock residents.

Michelle Frier: Director Sub-District 4

What do you think accounts for the unprecedented interest in the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council elections this year?

I can’t answer for the other candidates, but I have to say that my personal interest in becoming a part of the ERNC stems directly from the multiple community efforts that have been popping up all over the City in the last couple of years. From the bike-lane improvements downtown, to Take Back the Boulevard, to the new “Parklets” and other efforts to improve our streets and open space, I can’t help but want to get more involved in what’s happening within my own city blocks.

What, in your view, is the purpose of a Neighborhood Council?

The purpose of a Neighborhood Council is to encourage stakeholders and community participation in local government to help improve our neighborhoods.

What kind of changes would you like to introduce in Eagle Rock if you’re elected to the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

Instead of focus on “changes” in Eagle Rock I would rather focus on improving what is already in place in this unique and flourishing neighborhood.  I would like to improve our community by promoting safe and easy walkability in our neighborhoods, supporting the arts wherever we can, increasing and preserving open space and parks and supporting intelligent growth.

Eagle Rock has some tremendous resources many other neighborhoods lack—two broad boulevards, two sprawling public parks, good schools, to name a few. Which of Eagle Rock’s major assets do you think are well utilized? Which do you think are underused—and what would you do to utilize their full potential as a member of the ERNC?

The schools parks are well utilized and I think they have an even greater potential to be improved and promoted in other parts of the neighborhood. The Boulevards are a major asset to this community and could serve a greater service to us by improving pedestrian and bicycle access and circulation, maintaining storm water with sustainable solutions, improving the aesthetic nature of the boulevards and providing a better gateway into our community.

Do you think corporate businesses such as Target and Starbucks are good for the community—or do you think they harm the interests of small businesses? Do you think Eagle Rock needs a judicious mix of mom-and-pop shops and corporate-owned stores?

I would always support the “mom + pops” over the big guys, these small businesses make places like Eagle Rock unique. However, I must say that yes I also shop at Target. I think there is a good balance between the two that we need to strive towards. I believe one way to create this balance is to maintain that the storefronts along the Boulevards should remain as small businesses that serve our local needs as well as attract others from around the city to check out what’s going on in Eagle Rock.

What’s your view about land use issues in Eagle Rock? Do you think Eagle Rock’s community leaders are too tough on businesses looking to open in the neighborhood?

This is not my area of expertise. I am not a business owner so this is one of the topics where in which I hope to learn more about while serving on the Neighborhood Council.

How would you use the Neighborhood Council’s limited funds for projects in the community? Which areas—neighborhood beautification, public safety, youth programs, for example—would you like to prioritize?

Public safety and neighborhood beautification achieved thru smart and sustainable design strategies are my two main priorities.

Do you think a Neighborhood Council should spend its funds in ways that benefit every community member? Or do you think a Neighborhood Council with limited funds has to necessarily be selective about backing certain projects at the expense of others?

The ERNC should strive to allocate funds in ways that benefit every community member.

Would you be willing to tap private and nonprofit organizations to raise funds for community projects? What expertise, if any—in grant writing, for example—do you have for fundraising?

Yes. For 10 years, I have worked for a local landscape architecture and urban design firm where we have built and lead many community projects that have been supported by non-profit organization and grants. These projects include the development and improvement of passive and recreational parks, school gardens, creating more livable and green streets, and supporting public art programs and exhibits. I personally have helped in grant writing and documentation for many of these projects and I am very interested in bringing my experience to the Neighborhood Council to help gain funds that support community projects.

If elected, what would you like to see as your biggest success as a member of the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council?

This will be my first time to serve on a Neighborhood Council and my biggest success as member of the ERNC would simply be that I did my best to serve this community and helped to make Eagle Rock a little bit brighter for my kids, my neighbors and the entire community.

Click here to read the personal statements of the candidates on the EmpowerLA website.