MAYOR FIELDS CIVIC COMPLAINTS HAHN OPENS DOOR, DEALS DIRECT WITH RESIDENTS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

VAN NUYS - Valerie Law has lived in Tujunga for five years - and for 4 1/2 of those she has been complaining about the rocks and debris that make an alley near her home impassable.

For Gilbert Montaverda of Wilmington, the problem is crumbling sidewalks torn apart by tree roots that lead to a situation where a wheelchair-using neighbor became trapped and unable to move.

Both their problems - along with the complaints and suggestions of 18 others - were dealt with on Wednesday by Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn in his first Meet the Mayor session held in his office in the Van Nuys Municipal Building.

``It's been so frustrating,'' a nervous Law said before meeting with the mayor. ``You call and call and call and nothing ever seems to happen.''

She had even tried calling the Mayor's Office but couldn't get through. Then she saw a notice about the Meet the Mayor session and sent an e-mail to apply.

``I couldn't believe it when I got the call,'' Law said. ``It was so exciting.''

Law was one of the 20 people randomly selected from among 130 applicants who had submitted requests for the chance to meet with Hahn.

And, for some, in just doing so, they got a response.

Beginning on Tuesday night, crews from the Bureau of Street Services had begun work to clear the alley behind Law's house.

William Robertson, assistant director of the agency, said when he saw the complaint - in a neighborhood near where he lives - he immediately called in crews to work on it.

The same for Montaverda. After seeing his complaint, Robertson went out and examined the sidewalk and moved it up on the city's priority list for repairs.

``It shouldn't have to take a meeting with the mayor for this to happen,'' Montaverda said. ``We called our council office, and they kept telling us it wasn't their responsibility.''

Hahn agreed with Montaverda.

``It should have been handled,'' Hahn said. ``People pay their tax dollars, and they expect service.''

The Van Nuys session was the first in what Hahn said will be monthly efforts to meet with citizens.

In addition to those two complaints, Hahn talked with people who had suggestions on oil additives, concerns about the Los Angeles Zoo and others.

Russ Swanson of Reseda hoped to add Hahn's voice to calls for expanding Proposition 35, which allows for treatment for first-time drug offenders, to juveniles. Swanson said he has a 15-year-old son serving time in a juvenile camp.

``They don't get any help in a camp,'' Swanson said. ``I know the mayor can't do anything about state law, but at least he's someone who will listen and maybe he can help campaign for a change.''

Hahn said the meetings are important to allow him to get out of City Hall and deal firsthand with problems, adding it was the type of service provided by his late father, former Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn.

``He would come home at night with a pocketful of notes and call people at home to make sure they had received their services,'' Hahn said. ``This is like that.''

And, he said, Van Nuys was purposely selected for the first session because of the secession drive.

``I want people to know the city does care about the Valley, that they aren't left hanging out here alone and they are getting services,'' Hahn said.

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Photo:

Ed Fitzgerald of Lake View Terrace, left, and Valerie Law of Tujunga discuss their concerns Thursday with Mayor James Hahn, who met with 20 L.A. residents in his Van Nuys office.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer