ASSET DISCLOSURE DROPPED.Byline: Staff and Wire Services Addressing a key complaint of Los Angeles' neighborhood councils Neighborhood councils are governmental or non-governmental bodies composed of local people who handle neighborhood problems. They can be found in many cities throughout the world. , the City Council gave initial approval Tuesday to an ordinance exempting the volunteer groups' members from disclosing their financial assets Financial assets Claims on real assets. . The council voted 13-1 to lift a requirement that neighborhood council members fill out the same detailed financial disclosure forms required of elected and government officials. Councilwoman Janice Hahn Janice Hahn is a member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 15th district. Hahn was elected in 2001 and reelected in 2005, running unopposed. The 15th District encompasses the Los Angeles communities of Watts, Wilmington, Harbor Gateway, Harbor City, Athens on the said the rule has discouraged residents from participating on the advisory panels. ``We never really intended for some of this bureaucratic bu·reau·crat n. 1. An official of a bureaucracy. 2. An official who is rigidly devoted to the details of administrative procedure. bu red tape to be imposed on volunteers who at the end of the day just want to improve their neighborhood,'' Hahn said. But Councilwoman Jan Perry Jan Perry (circa. 1954 —) currently represents the 9th district of the Los Angeles City Council. External links
Preceded by Rita Walters Los Angeles City Councilwoman , who cast the dissenting vote, said she was uncomfortable with freeing neighborhood council members of financial disclosure because they vote and advise the City Council on financial issues. Neighborhood councils, which were created under a 1999 charter reform effort, do not have decision-making authority. But the City Council voted Tuesday to reinstate To restore to a condition that has terminated or been lost; to reestablish. To reinstate a case, for example, means to restore it to the same position it had before dismissal. the requirement of detailed financial disclosure if the neighborhood panels were granted more than advisory powers. Charles Gremer, president of the West Hills Neighborhood Council, said many neighborhood council members would rather resign than be forced to publicly disclose their business relationships. Since the proposed ordinance failed to receive unanimous support, the council will vote on it again next week. |
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