Quality of Life

By Frank Sheftel

All Politics are local.

Our communities have just experienced the results of parking solutions being implemented without the consultation or inclusion of community organizations. The results of ill advised parking policies added to the negative impact on small businesses and the residents of the community. Whether it is the installation of extended hour parking meters with no regard to the nature of the location, or the placement of meters on residential street without regard to the residents, we must be inclusive and open in moving forward.

Traffic:

Los Angelenos are on the road day in and day out. Millions of dollars have already been spent on study after study, with no end in sight. Schemes meant to force individuals onto public transportation and out of their vehicles have met with little success. As we move forward, we must include all members of the community in developing traffic solutions.

Sidewalk Repair:

The City of Los Angeles has over 4,620 miles of damaged sidewalks. This is not only a quality of life issue, but a public safety issue. Seniors and children alike are in danger of life changing injuries while walking or playing on their very own streets. In spite of budget constraints, this public safety issue must be addressed. The use of Federal and State Grants to fund sidewalk repair must be used for and in the communities which were used to apply for them.

Street Lights:

A well lit street is a safer street. A dark street, combined with a broken sidewalk, is a lethal combination. Depending on the community and the consensus of its residents, adequate street lighting is not a luxury - it is a vital component of a safe neighborhood.

On the Federal level, all Federal Grants obtained to improve street lighting in a community MUST be used in that community. We must END the practice of diverting the funds obtained from Federal Grants to Special Interests Developments.

All Grants obtained from the Safe routes to schools and the Community Redevelopment Agency must be used in a like manner.

Small Businesses The Small Business Owners in District 2 are engaged in a struggle for their very existence. Many do not succeed, succumbing to the challenges that face the small community.

One only has to walk along Ventura Boulevard to witness the devastation taking place in our small business community. While we may not have the ability to address all issues facing the operation and sustainability of these businesses, we do have a responsibility to prevent the pursuit of policy or an environment that creates adverse consequences.

As such, we are developing a Small Business Roundtable comprised of those businesses and organizations currently being impacted.

Contact us for more information or to join.

Graffiti:

Graffiti is a stain on the soul of the city. Like the "Broken Window Theory," it is the beginning of a community's demise. For many, the explosion in the number of these acts of vandalism is hard to comprehend. The dollar costs and the amount of time lost to businesses, private property and government agencies is astonishing.

For the most part, the response has been reactive, with graffiti cleanup programs and ordinances directed at forcing small businesses to remove the graffiti within a certain time period or face a fine.

Given the millions of dollars spent each and every year in reactive policies, we must take a more proactive position.

Small Business:

The Small Business Owners in District 2 are engaged in a struggle for their very existence. Many do not succeed, succumbing to the challenges that face the small community.

One only has to walk along Ventura Boulevard to witness the devastation taking place in our small business community. While we may not have the ability to address all issues facing the operation and sustainability of these businesses, we do have a responsibility to prevent the pursuit of policy or an environment that creates adverse consequences.

As such, we are developing a Small Business Roundtable comprised of those businesses and organizations currently being impacted