How Was Toluca Lake Able to Get What They Wanted at the Expense of Other Communities?
Studio City activist Lisa Sarkin lays out the issue. She issues a call to action!
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The redistricting debate is continuing to heat up after the committee drawing up the lines came up with one new district putting Studio City in one Council District 2, but then Toluca Lake residents asked to be put back in Council District 4. There is one last chance to have input on Wednesday. Check out the arguments below, the links at the bottom, the poll and the meeting schedule.)
First: The President of the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council is the Executive Director for the Redistricting Commission, a fact that he did not disclose to the City Council.
Second:The Toluca Lake stakeholders do not believe they are part of the Valley. Even Bob Hope knew that Toluca Lake is in the San Fernando Valley. He lived there for about 75 years.
Third: Those vocal stakeholders did not want to be in the same district as North Hollywood or Studio City because, as they declared, it will bring down their property values! They also made public comments that were derogatory towards others, which I will not repeat here.
Fourth: The draft map had Studio City, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, and Valley Glen Neighborhood Councils whole; with most of Valley Village and just a very small area of Sherman Oaks and Sun Valley in CD2. Now, the small pieces of Sherman Oaks and Valley Village have been switched, so Valley Village is whole in CD2, but Studio City and North Hollywood continue to be split (now for over 15 years) east of the 101 freeway, including the Campo de Cahuenga, Metro Station and the parks and homes. North Hollywood has lost part of the NOHO Arts District to CD4.
Basically, the smallest area of the southeast valley has been able to sway the majority of Redistricting Commissioners to allow the splintering of seven whole Neighborhood Council areas first proposed by the draft maps. One of the goals adopted by the Redistricting Commission was to create districts by Neighborhood Council areas, keeping as many as possible whole, not create the spectacle of clear political favoritism!
Although the original draft map of CD4 appeared to be convoluted, much of the district consists of Forest Lawn, Mount Sinai, Griffith Park, Balboa Park and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, areas with little or no population. One of the goals adopted by the Redistricting Commission was to have only one district coming over the hill. Currently, two districts are on both sides of the hill, CD4 and CD5.
Redistricting requires the following when creating districts: Communities of Interest, Compactness, Diversity and Contiguousness. Please view the maps by linking to: http://ens.lacity.org/cla/importdocument/claimportdocument322175834_02172012.pdf
The new map of CD4 is simply gerrymandering, mixing many communities with no common interests. This is made even worse by the inclusion of Toluca Lake and parts of Studio City and North Hollywood.
Please send an email now to: redistrictinglacity@lacity.org and copy lsarkin@studiocitync.org.
The commissioners have not been receiving our emails, even though public input has been requested all along.
Please try to attend the next Redistricting Commission meeting on
Feb. 22, 2012 4 p.m. at City Hall, 200 Spring Street, Los Angeles.
TO KEEP STUDIO CITY WHOLE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE GET INVOLVED NOW. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
See all the maps here. http://www.redrawla.org
Also see:
* Studio City to Be Split Up? Here's What You Can Do to Prevent It
* Toluca Lake Leader: The Community Wants to Stay in CD4 and Should
* Irene DeBlasio Writes 'Keep Studio City One!'
* New Redistricting Draft Map Puts Toluca Lake Back in CD4
* Why It Doesn't Make Sense for Toluca Lake to Leave the New District 2
* City Council Redistricting Plan Puts Neighborhood Groups at Odds
* Redistricting Commission to Discuss Potential Changes to Draft Map
Irene DeBlasio
10:40 am on Monday, February 20, 2012
Lisa, Did you say the Toluca Lake Stakeholders don't believe they're part of the San Fernando Valley? OMG, where do they think they live and work? Did they ever hear of Bob Hope or Bing Crosby ('Gonna make the San Fernando Valley my home')? I'm sorry they don't want Studio City downgrading their property values. Tell them to please write their comments in an email to redistricting@lacity.org right away! I'd also suggest they buy some ruby slippers so they can put 'em on, click their heels and wish they weren't in the Valley anymore (right, Toto?).
Marjorie Marks-Fond
11:39 am on Monday, February 20, 2012
Your link to the redistricting map leads to a page that says it is not valid.
Mike Szymanski
11:53 am on Monday, February 20, 2012
The link for the PDF was fixed, thanks, but this is the better link to show all the maps, past and present... http://www.redrawla.org/?q=gallery
John Galt
12:12 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
As usual, Studio City "activist" Lisa Sarkin again is attempting to impose her will over those of the people. If Toluca Lake wants out ... they have that right. Your continuous meddling in other people's business is deplorable. Butt out Lisa! In my opinion, you've caused enough damage to Studio City stakeholders already!
Lisa Sarkin
4:03 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Mr. Galt, the problem, at the present time, with Toluca Lake wanting out of CD2 is it affects Studio City by split us into more than one district.
As for my meddling, I am an elected board member of the Studio City Neighborhood Council representing the At-Large Stakeholders, which gives me every right to voice my opinion at any time.
Richard Niederberg
7:18 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Just like your right to swing your arms ends where another person's nose begins, Toluca Lake's right to be in a particular City Council District ends where Studio City's right to be in one City Council District begins. You can accomplish your goals without splitting Studio City into two or more City Council Districts; I wish you would do so.
Craig Clough
12:14 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
For the counter argument, please see this letter to Patch from Toluca Lake resident and community leader Richard Bogey - http://patch.com/A-qYt9
Mike Szymanski
4:15 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Thank you Lisa and John for your comments and thoughtful discussion, but I want to emphasize that you don't need to be on ANY board or even have the label of ACTIVIST upon you to comment on Patch (or even to the Redistricting Committee). You just need to sign in and write it up! Tell us what you think! This is important!
Lisa Sarkin
4:24 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
This is my reply to Richard:
The President of the GTLNC wrote in an email to me "It is the general belief of our community that we are not part of, and do not identify with, the San Fernando Valley and feel more affinity and spend more time in the Hollywood Hills, Hollywood, Griffith Park, Los Feliz, and Burbank than we do in Studio City or North Hollywood. Our biggest concerns are what occurs at Universal City, Griffith Park, Hollywood, and Burbank ... and of course, traffic."
"I would also state that regardless of Neighborhood Council lines, our community does not believe that Studio City is east of the 101 Freeway...To the best of my knowledge, Tolucans are the stewards of Weddington Park and Campo de Caheunga, not Studio City residents."
On the current redistricting map, Studio City is split up to allow Toluca Lake to be in CD4. Splitting up Studio City is just plain wrong, since it has been split up for the last 15 years.
Further, Councilmember LaBonge is termed out and will probably not be the CD4 Councilman when the next round of Universal proposals come to our communities.
The affects will still be the same because Metro/Universal is in Studio City and Universal Studios is right across the street from Studio City. The Studio City Neighborhood Council handled our assessment of the Metro/Universal and the Evolution Plan DEIRs protecting Studio City. Most of the affects of those two projects are in Studio City.
Andrew Westall
12:33 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Just for the record, my position as President of the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council was on my resume when I applied for the position as Executive Director of the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission. It was also a topic of discussion during my interview with the Commission. I'd also like to point out, for the record, that I was not involved in the organizing of Toluca Lake residents during the redistricting process and in fact have been too busy to attend to my duties as President of the Neighborhood Council since December. Much appreciation to my Vice President Ryan Altoon and the rest of the Board for their understanding during the last few months. Looking forward to being back in the saddle next month!
Michael Higby
8:29 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Andrew, since you're reading this, I personally (I don't represent anyone) think that if Toluca Lake wants to be in CD4, that's fine. I would humbly suggest that the maps be tweaked to put the smidgens of the NoHo District back into CD2 (and I mean actual parts of NoHo such as the reader posted about Magnolia and Vineland not necessarily "disputed" territories such as West Toluca, Toluca Terrace and Toluca Woods. Also get the pieces of Studio City and Valley Village back into CD2 including Universal City. Universal City is NOT and never has been part of Studio City, it's part of North Hollywood. However, since North Hollywood and Studio City are going to be back into CD2 as a whole (after more than 20 years) Universal CIty should be in CD2 as well.
And while you're at it, try to do right by the very good folks in the Foothill communities and put rural Sun Valley back into the same council district as Sunland-Tujunga and Shadow Hills.
Craig Clough
8:45 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Michael, Universal City is on county land and patrolled by the sheriff's dept. It is not part of the city of L.A. and not part of any council district. Small portions of land leading into Universal such as 10 Universal City Plaza are in the city, but that's about it. The rest is county land.
David Rivers
4:08 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
To make Toluca Lake happy, the new map now shoves parts of NoHo into CD4 unnecessarily. I happen to live in the part of NoHo that is being affected which is just south of Magnolia and East of Vineland. I can't believe they put the Ralphs at Magnolia in the CD4. This is absurd. This Ralphs is apart of the Arts District. Quit splitting us up.
Irene DeBlasio
5:53 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
SCNC President John Walker says they are not reading our emails. We need to get to the Public Redistricting meeting on Wednesday, Feb 22 at 4 PM at City Hall.
Craig Clough
7:06 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Lisa, one thing seems to be missing from the focal points of your arguments here, I would say. People from Toluca Lake were organized. They showed up in great numbers, made their voices heard, and even wore matching T-shirts. It seems the entire point of the public meetings is to get input from the public to make potential changes to the maps. There are many factors at play here clearly, but the point I am trying to make is that this should be a lesson to other neighborhoods and neighborhood councils about the benefits of activism and working in an organized group. I don't take sides as editor of North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch and I'm not pro/anti CD2 or CD4 draft maps. My question is: What was the point of the Walter Reed public meeting if not for the commission to take feedback from the public and react to it? And who gave louder, more organized feedback than the pro-CD4 Tolucans? You point out Westall's dual hats he is trying to wear, but why then, if you say his GTLNC influence is at play here, wouldn't the original draft map of CD4 have included Toluca Lake from the start? What part of this result is the simple fact that Tolucans got what they wanted because they actually showed up in numbers and asked for it? Other neighborhood councils could perhaps take a lesson from this.
John Galt
11:04 pm on Monday, February 20, 2012
Ms. Sarkin,
Like most activists you seem to think your opinion as an "elected official" should hold more weight than those whose rights you may be imposing on. (I seem to remember Richard Nixon feeling that way too -- I wonder how that worked out?)
Hasn't your cosistant meddling resulted in official investigations into your political practices and petitions for you to be replaced on the council?
Or is it that that you seem to think that you "know better" than the citizens most affected by some of the policies you support ... that seems pretty arrogant and patronizing to me. Especially from an "elected official".
As Mr. Clough said, the people from Toluca Lake were" organized ... showed up in great numbers... and made their voices heard".
Seems to me that's what democratic process is all about... even if it differs from your "elected" opinion.
Yes, Ms. Sarkin, you certainly have the right to voice your "opinion at any time" ... but so do the citizens who live and work in Studio City and Toluca Lake.
And their voices are equally or more valid than yours when it comes to their own immediate rights ... and how new laws will directly affect them.
Lisa Sarkin
7:43 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The representatives of 140,000 or so stakeholders of Studio City, North Hollywood, Valley Village and Valley Glen were present and represented those stateholders at numerous redistricting commission meetings asking the commissioners to support the draft map of CD2. We heard nothing from Toluca Lake until the February 9 meeting. About 50 stood up to support the draft CD2 map.
Those stakeholders were organized and made official motions, noticed by agendas posted all over the NC areas supporting the compact, communities of interest, diverse and contigousness of CD2. Notifications of the redistricting has been in the newspapers, eblasts from NCs and Associations.
The redistricting commission set up goals which we asked them to follow that included keeping NCs areas wholly in one district. The poll on this page gives you a small look at what the people of Studio City want.
If Toluca Lake is not in the Valley, has no common interest with the other communities in CD2 or the southeast valley fine. Do not split North Hollywood and Studio City to do it. It is as simple as that!
Michael Higby
8:25 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
With all due respect to the many fine folks who give a lot of time to volunteer on neighborhood councils, to claim they represent thousands of people is a misnomer. Most of these people have either been appointed by the existing board due to a lack of seats filled or they were elected with less than ten voters showing up to the polls. In a few cases, where the politics are hot, they do get a couple hundred people voting but those cases are rare.
I know this because I served for almost three years on the North Hollywood Neighborhood Council, was originally appointed with several other people and then at the next election ran outright and won with eight votes in an uncontested race.
Mike Szymanski
9:48 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I wasn't going to get involved in this, but I just have to correct something here! While I know that may of the neighboring Neighborhood Councils have more people on the panel than in the audience, that has NEVER been my experience in Studio City. In fact, having an audience of 50 is pretty much the norm there, and their past election was rather robust in turnout. I also know that these "volunteers" on the committees get THOUSANDS of emails from the people they represent, some more than others. In all of those instances, it is safe to say that they DO represent voices in their communities. That's not just the Neighborhood Council reps, but it's also people like Alan Dymond of the Studio City Residents Association, the Business Improvement District, Alan Taylor of the Watch2 Newsletter, and others.
John Galt
11:06 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
As usual, Sarkin's thinking is myopic and completely invalidates the voices of the people of Toluca Lake.
In a true democracy, if the majority of Tolucans peacefully demonstrate that they wish to be governed within their own district - that is their right.
If that splits Studio City and North Hollywood ... so be it.
Luckily, our forefathers, understood that the will of the people is more important than the whims of the "elected officials" - who they knew normally have political agendas.
So whether Toluca Lake is "in the Valley, or has no common interest with the other communities in CD2 or the southeast valley" ... is NOT the point.
The point is that Toluca Lake citizens have the right to representation which they feel is best for them! Period.
And as far as "The representatives of 140,000 or so stakeholders of Studio City, North Hollywood, Valley Village and Valley Glen were present and represented those stakeholders" is laughable. It implies ALL of the stakeholders feel as Ms. Larkin - which is blatantly incorrect.
As was demonstrated with the massive opposition to the RFA which Larkin hailed and "shoved down our throats".
Furthermore, the "poll on this page" fully states that "This is NOT a scientific poll". Polls such as these are easily manipulated and ONLY represent those who are even aware of the article.
I say - Let freedom and free will be the rule in Studio City and Toluca Lake!
Ms. Sarkin -- "It is as simple as that!"
Jean Jeunet
11:47 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Tolucan activists are deluding themselves if they think they are not apart of North Hollywood or Studio City. These activists are not the voice of the majority of Tolucans. Toluca Lake uses North Hollywood High as its high school. Toluca Lake uses the North Hollywood Police department. It shares the same zip codes as North Hollywood (91602, 91601). Stop dividing communities and make us strong and whole again!
Irene DeBlasio
11:48 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
To all concerned: Does it work to place ALLl of Studio City in CD2 and ALL of Toluca Lake into CD4 -- is this an oversimplification, if not, can this work? Everyone is making a valiant effort to resolve this mess. John is right -- we in a Constitutional Republic are protected as individuals against intimidation by government. The only reason to stay in a CD is the services and transportation. If anybody knows whether this is viable -- please comment here. Studio City (the whole enchilada) into CD2 and Toluca Lake (the one and only - all together) into CD4
Richard Niederberg
12:10 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
There appears to be a lack of skilled Cartographers working on this project, if there is no way for them to appease Toluca Lake and still keep Studio City in one district.
Irene DeBlasio
12:57 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Ptolemy himself would be confused.
Richard Niederberg
5:49 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
If there was ever a reason to leave the relative comfort of your home or office and go Downtown Wednesday at 4PM, this is the time to be 'Mad as Hell, and not willing to take it anymore'. Speak now, or forever hold your peace. Help your neighbors out, even if you would not normally be moved to action by this kind of uncivil eventuality.
Irene DeBlasio
6:45 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
We are MAD as HELL. Studio City is not going to take it anymore! Viva La Huelga!
Joanna
9:11 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
What exactly does this mean for brand new homeowners? I've lived in NoHo for 15 years and just bought a house in what I thought was NoHo. Now I'm in Toluca Lake?
Jean Jeunet
9:38 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Joanna, it actually doesn't change your neighborhood. The neighborhood council lines are not changing, so you will still he NoHo. This is why many are angry. Toluca is pulling slivers of other communities with it and this will risk underrepresentation for you since you are not apart of Toluca.
Laura
11:53 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
CD 2 and proud of it!
Michael Higby
12:40 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Craig, you are correct that the majority of the Universal Studios land is unincorporated LA County (a historical quirk) though, part of Universal's land is within the City of LA. However, the surrounding community of Universal City - i.e. all the businesses, homes, etc. along Lankershim and Ventura/Cahuenga is within the City of LA.
EVELYN DEVERAUX
9:51 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
This is all a land grab benefitting Universal City and its plans to build more offices and condiminiums. First they must destroy the little hamlets. concerned citizen
Lisa Sarkin
9:18 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Michael - The east side of Lankershim is in Universal City 91608. All if that zip code is Universal City and there are no current residents. The west side of Lankershim is in Studio City 91604.
robert
6:41 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012
All of this stuff is ridiculous and just plain class warfare in my eyes. North Hollywood continue to be insulted with all of these retarded artificial boundaries like Toluca lake, west Toluca lake, Valley Village, Valley Glen, parts swallowed by Studio City.....WTF? Look at what the city council has done. Now everyone is fighting for the most silliest reasons. An d for what? Because you dont like the name of the place you reside? Give me a break. Stop dividing and lets all come together. Enough with these fake boundaries. I'm tired of having to explain to people where I live when they say "Where is Valley village?" I just use NOHIO now and im proud of it.