There's a new Neighborhood Council in town!

Three years is a long time to be in labor, but the birth (a.k.a. Certification) in January was worth it! Over two hundred friends and neighbors - known as stakeholders - attended the event, and we've been busy ever since.

Maybe I should start not at the beginning, but I'll introduce us. I'm Cara Alson, and I've been working with a core group of stakeholders to reach that birth I mentioned. We're the North Hollywood West Neighborhood Council with the snazzy acronym of "NoHoWest NC." I've been acting as the unofficial outreach chair, and later on you'll meet some of the others who worked to get us where we are. We were the last area in the San Fernando Valley without a neighborhood council to represent us.

What's a neighborhood council? Well, our boundaries are Roscoe on the north, Vanowen on the south, the Tujunga Wash on the west and Whitsett on the east. We live here, work here, own business or property here, are connected to or served by the schools, houses of  worship and non-profits or declare a stake in the neighborhood and affirm the factual basis for it. We receive funding from the city and the stakeholders decide how to use the money to improve our neighborhoods. We'll have advance notice of changes going to the City Council, such as businesses that plan to move here, and our combined voices will be heard. We'll give our opinions in favor or against plans that go in front of the city.

Last week we held our Town Hall Selection - think old-time grass roots election - and chose thirteen of our fifteen-member Board of Directors. Even though none of the seats in the six categories representing the stakeholders were contested, it was an exciting night.

At our next meet meeting the new Board of Directors will fill the two remaining seats - one each in the categories of "youth" (minimum age sixteen) and "Community-Based Organizations" (schools, etc. mentioned above). The board will also elect the officers - president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary - from within the board. The meeting will take place in the James Madison Middle School auditorium (located at Hart Street and Ethel Avenue) on Wednesday, May 25, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   All meetings are open to the public.

For additional information, feel free to respond here, check out our website at www.NHWNC.wordpress.com or call me at 818-512-6600. If I can't help you I'll connect you with someone who can.

I hope you didn't nod off while reading. I enjoyed this visit, and I hope you'll come meet some of our other neighbors.

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