BUSINESS DISTRICT HITS SNAG; OWNERS IN RESEDA QUESTION METHODS, TARGETS OF ENHANCEMENTS.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer A nearly two-year effort to create a business improvement district in Reseda ran into serious opposition Wednesday from some business owners who questioned the need for the program. A groundswell ground·swell n. 1. A sudden gathering of force, as of public opinion: a groundswell of antiwar sentiment. 2. of opposition has been growing in the business community within the Reseda district's boundaries over complaints of poor communication from the city and confusing con·fuse v. con·fused, con·fus·ing, con·fus·es v.tr. 1. a. To cause to be unable to think with clarity or act with intelligence or understanding; throw off. b. notices. Councilwoman Laura Chick chick abbreviation for chicken (1). , whose district includes Reseda, said she believed the opposition was limited and that the program will benefit the community. ``We are seeing that businesses recognize the benefit when they join together to improve their area,'' Chick said. ``They are realizing it is in their own self-interest to band together to make sure their businesses are clean, safe and attractive. This is just one piece in the whole picture of making Reseda a vibrant shopping community once again.'' Business owner Susan Holthaus said if other businesses would take care of the areas around their firms, there wouldn't be a need for the improvement district and its cost - $23.94 a year per 20 feet of street frontage, which averages out to $478 a year for each business. ``We already pay a lot in taxes and assessments and don't need one more,'' said Holthaus, who with her husband owns an auto racing parts firm. Lois Fishman, who said she has had a warehouse operation in Reseda for 35 years, complained about the confusion surrounding sur·round tr.v. sur·round·ed, sur·round·ing, sur·rounds 1. To extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle. 2. To enclose or confine on all sides so as to bar escape or outside communication. n. the project. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. which part (of the cost) is my part and what (services) we will get for this,'' Fishman said. The consultant hired by the city to coordinate the project said more than 30 community meetings were held on the plans and notices were sent out to all affected businesses. ``We are going to go back to make sure everyone does know what this will do before the next hearing on April 27,'' consultant Cathy Ann ANN, Scotch law. Half a year's stipend over and above what is owing for the incumbency due to a minister's relict, or child, or next of kin, after his decease. Wishaw. Also, an abbreviation of annus, year; also of annates. In the old law French writers, ann or rather an, signifies a year. Connelly said. The main goal of the Reseda business improvement district is to clean up the area, improve security and work with merchants to market their businesses. The project runs along Reseda Boulevard, between Sherman Way and Saticoy Street, as well as on neighboring neigh·bor n. 1. One who lives near or next to another. 2. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. 3. A fellow human. 4. Used as a form of familiar address. v. streets, including Gault n. 1. (Geol.) A series of beds of clay and marl in the South of England, between the upper and lower greensand of the Cretaceous period. Street, Hart Street, Canby Street and Etiwanda Avenue. Earlier complaints focused on information from the city being only in English, making it difficult for the many Vietnamese- and Iranian-American business owners. ``This stinks to high heaven,'' said Jerry Burg of Allied Reports. ``It's very confusing and it should be in other languages. If the city really is small-business-friendly, this is a spot where the rubber meets the road. ``This is Reseda and this assessment is more than a lot of people can afford.'' Mike Vitkievicz, who heads the Special Assessments Division in the City Clerk's Office, said only a few protests had been received to the district, which would be the 18th created in the city. Also, he said, there is time for those who protest to vote against it. Connelly, however, was optimistic op·ti·mist n. 1. One who usually expects a favorable outcome. 2. A believer in philosophical optimism. op the proposal would pass. ``This is controlled by the people in the (business improvement district),'' Connelly said. ``They are the ones who determine how the money is spent.'' |
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