EDITORIAL : POWER OF THE PEOPLE; POLITICIANS ARE STARTING TO LISTEN TO WILL AND VOICE OF CITIZENRY.MAKE no mistake about it: The San Fernando Valley and its neighboring suburbs are no longer wallflowers Wallflower A stock that has fallen out of favor with investors and, consequently, tends to trade at a low P/E. Also called orphan stock.Notes: In general terms, a wallflower is somebody who remains on the sidelines of a social activity. The financial sense of the word is very similar. This type of stock is often neglected by research analysts and, as a result, doesn't get much attention from investors. at the political dance. A groundswell of activism has made the Valley an attractive partner. That activism began three years ago when then-Assemblywoman Paula Boland of Granada Hills challenged the reigning power elite by demanding restoration of the Valley's right to self-determination. Since then, politicians at the local, county, state and federal levels have begun listening to the needs of the community. A lot of that attention has been little more than a bow to the newcomers on the political floor, without much consequence. But newly formed organizations such as Valley VOTE, which is fighting for a study of secession, and the broad-based Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, which is providing leadership for the area's five cities, have helped to spark a renaissance in community activism. Politicians have begun addressing the rising voice of the community and its concerns. Consider just a few of the issues now on the radar screen: Airport noise and safety - the Federal Aviation Administration is focusing on bringing resolution of the nasty fight over expansion of Burbank Airport's terminal. LAX expansion is no longer a foregone conclusion. Palmdale has real opportunities as a major regional hub. The 101-405 interchange is now being studied by state and local agencies, and may soon catch the attention of federal officials. Charter reform, to address inequities in city government, could mean real power for local communities. A Valley secession study, which was pronounced DOA DOA - Dead On Arrival DOA - Date Of Accident (insurance term) DOA - Date of Applicability DOA - Date of Appointment DOA - Date Of Availability DOA - Date of Award DOA - Daughters of America DOA - Dawn of Aces (game) DOA - Days of Ammunition DOA - Dead Or Alive DOA - Dedicated Otaku Anime (Japanese Animation club; University of Calgary) DOA - Defective On Arrival DOA - Degenerate Overclockers Anonymous DOA - Degree of Angle by the downtown power elite, is close to happening. Everyone's talking about a potential breakup of the Los Angeles Unified School District as a way to restore competence, accountability and a quality education. Brakes are being applied on the MTA's runaway money train. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's November ballot initiative enjoys broad support to stop the transit agency from using sales tax revenue to build new subways. These are just a few of the critical issues that are now being addressed, studied, debated or at least talked about. Now that we have their attention, it's time to kick it up a notch. Register to vote. Write your congressman and your state lawmaker each a letter. Call your council member and let him or her know how you feel about the job they're doing and the needs in your community. Vote, participate, get involved in the process. Raise your voice. Raise a racket. Make a difference! Now that you have their attention, make the politicians dance to your tune. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion