VIEWS MIXED OVER SUCCESS OF COUNCILS.Byline: RICK COCA Staff Writer VAN NUYS -- Dozens of community members gathered Tuesday to address a blue-ribbon panel Blue-Ribbon Panel (sometimes called a Blue Ribbon Commission) is an informal term generally used to describe a group of exceptional persons appointed to investigate or study a given question. put together to improve the operation of 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. , which have come under criticism for being too ineffective. Neighborhood council leaders from across 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. aired concerns that the local bodies lacked authority over building and planning issues, did not have sufficient support from the city, and were stymied by internal grievances. ``Neighborhood councils are wasting time with squabbles and infighting in·fight·ing n. 1. Contentious rivalry or disagreement among members of a group or organization: infighting on the President's staff. 2. Fighting or boxing at close range. instead of trying to make them better,'' said Cile Borman, president of the Foothill Trails Neighborhood Council. Still, others said the seven-year experiment in citizen democracy was progressing as it should. ``When provided nurture and support, the neighborhood council can develop and grow out of infancy and adolescence and become a strong, healthy, well adjusted and vital contributor to a better 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. ,'' said Cliff Jacobs, Van Nuys Neighborhood Council. The 29-member blue-ribbon review commission is required by City Charter and was established in 1999 after voters approved the formation of the councils. Since their formation, the councils have been praised by some council members and constituents and virtually ignored as unnecessary and ineffective by others. Eighty-six neighborhood councils exist today with an annual budget of $50,000 a year for each council, totaling $4.3 million. The councils are overseen by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, which some neighborhood council members complain overburdens them with bureaucratic bu·reau·crat n. 1. An official of a bureaucracy. 2. An official who is rigidly devoted to the details of administrative procedure. bu requirements. rick.coca(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3329 |
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