SPIRIT GROWS ALONG WITH AREA'S TREES.

Byline: Don Schultz Local View

THE Aug. 3 editorial in the Daily News, ``Trees grow in Van Nuys,'' just barely touched on the real story behind the ongoing revitalization of downtown Van Nuys.

Based on my involvement, I feel that the Targeted Neighborhood Initiative - TNI - for the downtown Van Nuys area actually got started way back on May 6, 1996, although somewhat unofficially.

On that date, Cindy Miscikowski the citizen, not yet the councilwoman, met with several board members of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association to discuss our wish list for the Van Nuys area within the 11th Council District. As one of the candidates for the 11th Council District, Cindy promised to make Van Nuys her primary focus during her term in office. As of today, we can state honestly and unequivocally that she has not disappointed us.

Everyone knows politicians make pre- and post-campaign promises, but how many elected officials actually keep their promises once they are elected? We know that Cindy does. Not only has she kept her campaign promise about Van Nuys, but she continues to influence City Hall to maintain the funding and staffing necessary for the ongoing work that is needed in our community.

When the TNI first unfolded, 11 neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles were targeted for federal funds. These 11 neighborhoods were handpicked by City Council committees - none of whose members represent the Valley.

Van Nuys was not one of those chosen neighborhoods - at least not until Miscikowski and Mayor Richard Riordan put up a great fight and won the war for Van Nuys. Had it not been for the commitment and leadership of both Cindy and the mayor, Van Nuys would not have received the funding, and we would have seen nothing but continued deterioration within our downtown area.

Our Van Nuys TNI continues to draw the interest and very active involvement of many residents, as well as business interests. We have also had support and guidance from loyal city employees who attend each of the many committee meetings each month.

We're proud to say that because our TNI effort has proved to be so successful, it became the inspiration for a new program known as Community Courts, conceived by Councilman Mike Feuer and, of course, Councilwoman Miscikowski. This is a pilot program that will be implemented within the boundaries of the Van Nuys TNI.

Could we use more funding and more help in Van Nuys? Of course we could. But it's important to note that, for once, Van Nuys is getting more positive attention than I can recall in the 35 years I have lived here, and it's all because of Cindy's determination to keep her campaign promise to make Van Nuys her primary focus.

Sure trees grow in Van Nuys, and a spirit that had been absent in the hearts of Van Nuys residents for many years is also now alive and growing.