CITY COUNCIL TO BEAM US IN PUBLIC TO BE SEEN, HEARD DOWNTOWN FROM VAN NUYS.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer For years, a frequent complaint about City Council meetings, held downtown, is that they are just too far from the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and most other neighborhoods for residents to participate. That complaint could be a thing of the past, with teleconferencing from Van Nuys City Hall to downtown City Hall for council meetings starting today. ``The time for the Valley to have its voice heard during council meetings has arrived,'' said Councilman Greig Smith Greig Smith is a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 12th District, which includes Granada Hills, Northridge and other parts of the Western San Fernando Valley. Smith is also a reserve officer for the Los Angeles Police Department. , who proposed the plan. ``We can make certain your collective voice reverberates throughout City Hall and the entire city of Los Angeles
Smith aide Mitch Englander said officials hope there is wide public use of the system, so it can be expanded to other areas. ``Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. is the first city to even try something like this on a regular basis,'' Englander said. ``If it is successful here, the councilman hopes to see it expanded to other areas of the city where people want to have a say on how the city is functioning.'' Under a six-month pilot program, residents can go to Van Nuys City Hall, fill out a speaker card and address the council on any item on the council agenda, as well as during the public-comment period. Smith and other Valley-area council members have been trying to build momentum for the program by notifying community groups about its availability. Joe Vitti of Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment is urging his members to take advantage of the program. ``Are you frustrated frus·trate tr.v. frus·trat·ed, frus·trat·ing, frus·trates 1. a. To prevent from accomplishing a purpose or fulfilling a desire; thwart: by the time and traffic to get to downtown Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles is the central business district of Los Angeles, California, located close to the geographic center of the metropolitan area. The sprawling, multi-centered megacity is such that its downtown core is often considered just another district like Hollywood or to testify?'' Vitti asked in a mailing to Valley VOTE members. ``Los Angeles is the first city in the country to offer this opportunity - (but) it will be canceled if the citizens do not participate.'' Vitti said he hopes residents will use the system as a way to be heard on local matters. Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO --Teleconferencing will be held at Van Nuys City Hall, Second Floor, 14410 Sylvan sylvan emanating from or pertaining to woods. See also sylvatic. St. The City Council meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. However, this Friday's meeting has been canceled because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. CAPTION(S): box Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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