MAYOR ASKS COUNCILS FOR HELP ANTONIO ASKS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS' INPUT ON RESHAPING THE CITY.Byline: Rick Orlov Orlov (Орлóв) is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, diplomatists and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the person of four Orlov brothers, of whom the senior was Catherine the Great's Staff Writer Outlining a broad agenda for 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. even while it faces a $345 million budget shortfall Shortfall The amount by which the capital required to fulfill a financial obligation exceeds available capital. Notes: Shortfall risk is often combated with an efficient hedging strategy created by a fund, group, institution, or individual. , Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. called on Neighborhood Council leaders Saturday to join in his effort to reshape the city. ``In the end, this budget will come from me and my office,'' Villaraigosa told a group of more than 400 citizen activists gathered at City Hall for a community budget meeting. ``But I want to hear from you on your priorities. ``Your participation is not perfunctory per·func·to·ry adj. 1. Done routinely and with little interest or care: The operator answered the phone with a perfunctory greeting. 2. Acting with indifference; showing little interest or care. . I really do want you to get a better sense of what you feel are the priorities we have for the city.'' At the same time he cautioned, however, that the city - which has a budget of $5.4 billion this year - is facing a projected shortfall. ``Just like you budget for your home or your business, we can't spend more than we have,'' Villaraigosa said. The mayor, continuing to emphasize election-campaign themes, said his broad priorities continue to be dealing with public safety, transportation, education and environmental issues. Within those, he said, are specific issues affecting neighborhoods, such as filling potholes, trimming trees and maintaining services. The meeting for the 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. follows efforts by former Mayor James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California to include the groups in developing budget priorities for the city. Under Hahn, this meant boosting spending for quality-of-life issues such as potholes and street repairs. Villaraigosa said he is trying to accelerate Neighborhood Councils' involvement by bringing them into the process earlier. The mayor is not required to release his budget until April. The mayor said he wanted the Neighborhood Councils to think broadly about the budget process and the needs of the city as they give input on city priorities. For instance, Villaraigosa said there are the issues of major transportation efforts and improving education. ``I did not run to be superintendent of schools,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I know the mayor doesn't have the authority over schools, but I want you to know I am still committed to the idea that the mayor should have the responsibility. ``But, to get there, you have to build consensus and trust. That's what I'm trying to do now. But eventually, I believe, the only way to improve schools is to have one person in charge.'' Villaraigosa has formed his own education panel to make recommendations to him. A separate group, appointed by City Council President Alex Padilla Alex Padilla is a politician in California. He was elected as the State Senator for the 20th District of California in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. In order to enter the Senate he had to resign as Councilman for the 7th District on the Los Angeles City and school board member Jose Huizar, is also examining possible changes to the school system. The mayor's remarks struck a chord chord, in geometry chord (kôrd), in geometry, straight line segment both end points of which lie on the circumference of a circle or other curve; it is a segment of a secant. A chord passing through the center of a circle is a diameter. with Daniel Villegas of the North Hills West Neighborhood Council. ``I think he hit exactly what we are concerned with - schools, transportation and public safety,'' Villegas said. ``And I think he showed that he wants to hear from us. I think the mayor and the City Council are starting to take us seriously.'' Judy Levin lev·in n. Archaic Lightning. [Middle English levene, levin; see leuk- in Indo-European roots.] , who serves on two Neighborhood Councils in the Northridge area, agreed. ``A lot of people were concerned about whether the mayor would listen to us,'' Levin said. ``I think he showed he will. What's important about a day like this is it does give the Neighborhood Councils access to the mayor and the city officials.'' Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com Beginning Monday, the mayor's Web site will have a special section devoted to taking comments on budget priorities. Visit www.lacity.org. |
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