South Central Neighborhood Council holds election Saturday
Emily Henry | 6-25-2010 | Comments |
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Elections for the South Central Neighborhood Council will take place on Saturday, although voter turnout is expected to be low. "There were 100 people last time," said Martha Sanchez, who is running for a position on the 9-member board for the first time. "There are thousands of people living here. We are trying to double the number of voters to 200."
Neighborhood Councils were established in Los Angeles in the 1990s to provide more community integration with city-level politics. Although board members are unpaid, each council receives an annual stipend to put toward programs and activities that respond to current issues. Previously, the amount was $45,000. This year, however, the budget has been reduced to around $25,000, owing to the city's financial problems. Still, Ron Gochez, a teacher at Santee Education Complex who has also been a community activist in the area for the last decade, says he believes the right council can make a significant impact even with less cash. Gochez was invited to be a member of the board a year ago and is running for re-election on Saturday.
The South Central Neighborhood Council covers southwest Los Angeles from the 10 freeway to Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, between the 110 freeway and Alameda Street.
Attaining a seat on the council is much less competitive here than it is in more affluent areas, according to Gochez. But this year two groups are pitting themselves against one another for the positions. On one side, advertising that they "are not politicians," Gochez and his allies hold a spectrum of positions in the community. Sanchez is a community activist with a passion for environmental and education issues. Jose Lara, along with Gochez, is a teacher at Santee. Cliff Smith is a roofer. Julia Wallace led the Los Angeles March 4th Committee to protest school budget cuts. The group also includes a local attorney. On the other side are residents with more established ties, such as members of non-profit organizations.
Business owner Jorge Nuño writes in his nomination statement that his "direct relationship" with local police and city government has allowed him to resolve concerns in the community. Nuño has worked with the Newton Community Police Station to help organize events such as "National Night Out" — an annual campaign to take back the streets from criminals.
For Gochez, however, connections to the powers that be are what differentiates the two sides.
"We have no ties to the establishment," said Gochez. "And we don't represent a political party."
The independence leaves them free, said Gochez, to tackle issues such as police brutality and immigration without pressure from politicians or city entities.
While Gochez may hold strong positions on certain issues, to the point of provoking a flurry of online campaigns against him, Sanchez says that the diversity of personalities within the group will only make for a more effective council. "We address different issues in different ways," said Sanchez. "We need aggressive people to push the passive people."
Sanchez says she is focused on bringing more affordable housing to the area — an effort she has been working on for the past five years. Other group members are intent on immigration reform and making community members aware of their legal rights.
"That’s the beauty of community," said Sanchez. "I represent a group of people and they represent another."
New council members. once elected, will be educated on aspects of community leadership through workshops conducted by Empower L.A. The council will be assigned a city official to oversee meetings and offer advice on city protocol. Seats in office usually last two years, although the City of Los Angeles established a moratorium on Neighborhood Council elections in January 2009, extending the terms to three years.
Current candidates are hopeful that the South Central Neighborhood Council can make a tangible difference in the community. However, neighborhood councils in the South L.A. area have faced an uphill climb compared to other councils in the city. Most recently, a member of the Empowerment Congress Southwest Area Neighborhood Development Council was indicted for misappropriating $152,000 in public funds. According to Gochez, the former South Central Neighborhood Council also mishandled public money by making little use of their financial assets and having to return thousands of unused dollars to the city.
"It could have been a lot stronger," said Gochez. "In years prior, the council did nothing, even though our community needs resources."
Current council members could not be contacted due to the phone numbers listed with the city clerk's office being disconnected. Council President Pedro Santos is a monolingual Spanish speaker and was unable to speak with our reporter. Events organized by the former council have included a health fair, beautification projects and providing the city with information about repairs and maintenance, such as street repairs and tree trimming.
The area of South Los Angeles covered by the South Central Neighborhood Council is one of swiftly changing demographics. In the 1980s, Southwest Los Angeles was a majority African American area. In the 1990s, the area began a transformation that quickly shifted Southwest L.A. to a majority Latino population. The two and a half mile area comprises around 50,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated areas in the nation, with Latinos making up 87.2 percent, blacks 10.1 percent, Asians 1.0 percent and whites 1.2 percent. Education levels and income are low for the city and county of Los Angeles, and the population is particularly young, with a median age of 23.
Reflecting the history and current interests of the community requires diversity in the make up of the council, according to both Sanchez and Gochez. Both groups are running with a racially mixed team of candidates.
"Every community member has the right to run for office," said Sanchez. "We have to show people that we can work together no matter your beliefs or your strengths. We can make it."
Voting takes place on Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 10am to 4pm at All People's Christian Center: 822 E. 20th Street (San Pedro and Stanford)
For information on voting policies and procedures, visit the South Central division website of the Office of the City Clerk. For more information visit the South Central Neighborhood Council Facebook page created by Ron Gochez for the campaign, or see the candidate statements from Nuño's group below:
Q&A
*Azusena: You come from a line of family owned small businesses, how would you transfer that value into the neighborhood council?
*Nuño: My parents taught me that you have to work hard and work together to build a strong foundation. I plan to create a similar culture with community residents. I am also interested in sharing my experience and insight as an entrepreneur by providing workshops on marketing and strategic planning.
*Azusena: Why did you relocate your marketing and advertising business into this community?
*Nuño: I grew up in this community and wanted to bring a business that would expose local youth to technology, marketing and advertising professions. Moving here has kept me grounded and forced me to see that you can run a business and have an impact in the community.
*Azusena: You’ve opened up your office space to local youth, why?
*Nuño: I created a space for the youth to experience our line of work as art directors. They have carved out space in my office for themselves; so much so that I created Nuevo South, a non-profit focused on education and technology training.
*Azusena: What’s up with the video game controller?
*Nuño: I’m a gamer. I’ve learned that if you work hard, you can also play hard.
Q&A
*Nuño: Were you involved in any after school programs at Carver?
*Azu: I had the opportunity to work with Clean & Green cleaning the streets, removing graffiti, recycling and planting trees every vacation break and on Saturdays for 5 years. This is one of the things that kept me focused and introduced me to service
because of it I learned to appreciate my community.
*Nuño: You have worked in the non- profit industry for more the 10 years, what keeps you committed?
*Azu: My dedication to the non-profit industry comes from my ability to interact with the people I serve. My reward is witnessing their transfor- mation as they work towards and accomplish their financial goal.
*Nuño: Why do you teach financial education?
*Azu: I believe education is a tool to access information. I teach financial education because I have the oppor- tunity to break down terms and show people how to navigate complicated systems.
Nuño: You have completed 2 full and 3-1⁄2 marathons, why do you do it?
*Azu: I run because my health condi- tion was supposed to inhibit my ability to do it. It’s also a chance for me to be one with myself.
Q&A
*Nuño: You grew up on 25th and Maple, what was that like?
*Carlos: Growing up on 25th was interesting because economic conditions
dictated the class of people living in the neighborhood. As a teen, I remember the area was diverse; as the economic conditions changed so did the ethnic make-up in the neighborhood.
*Nuño: What immediate changes do you see needed in the community?
*Carlos: The immediate changes I see needed are improvements in technological resources, access to computers at home and/or computer labs and after school activities for youth.
*Nuño: Why are you looking to reinvest in this community?
*Carlos: I am looking to reinvest in this community because this community
is what I have called home for so long and I believe it’s the heart of the City.
*Nuño: How will your experience in sales and telecommunications contribute
to the Council?
*Carlos: By utilizing my negotiating and networking skills I will help members of our community see the value and worth of our community. I would also use my communication abilities to open dialogue and help organize the community.
Q&A
*Nuño: How did you get involved with the Central Avenue Business Association?
*Johnny: I became involved with CABA through my work at the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD). After many meetings with CPAB, local businesses & CRCD, we saw there was a need for small businesses to organize. We wanted to bring the busi- nesses around the table to discuss their concerns and vision for the community. *Nuño: What do you think is a major need of the business community?
*Johnny: From my work with CABA, I believe the businesses need is access to capital and tools to remain competitive in today’s market.
*Nuño: How have you been effective in organizing the small business community?
*Johnny: I feel that I have been effective through a grassroots approach. I grew up in the area and have always patronized the businesses. I’ve built relationships by connecting with them directly and taking the time to listen to their needs.
*Nuño: So, why the Lakers?
*Johnny: I remember becoming a full-fledge Lakers fan when my grandma’ who can’t read, write or speak any English would sit and cheer on “El Magic,” with her Lakers jacket on. I try not to miss a single dribble and I am definitely hoping for another championship ring.
Q&A
*Nuño: You have mentioned that you value investing in our community, how can the Council promote this?
*Lynda: First, the Council can help people realize their value, and then the people will look at their community as being valuable. Second, the Council can create mechanisms whereby the people can share their ideas on how they want the community to grow and prosper. Third, the Council can encourage the businesses in the community to give back to schools, organizations or local causes.
*Nuño: What would you like to accomplish in this community?
*Lynda: I would like to establish viable business ownership by community residents. A business owned by com munity residents solidifies ownership in the community where you live, work and play.
*Nuño: What other groups are you involved with and why?
*Lynda: I am President of “The Wise Ones” a L.A. Parks and Recreation Senior Center. As I enter the next phase of my life as a senior, I want to make sure seniors have access to the resources they need. I am also the Organizer of Westside Women’s Mastermind Group where I meet other like-minded business women to strategize on business development.
Q&A
*Nuño: Your business has been in the community for 60 years, why has it remained here?
*Vivian: When asked why, I ask, why not? My family stayed because we care about the people in our community. As jobs vanished and conditions worsened many businesses and residents left. My family felt a commitment and a responsibility to stay.
*Nuño: How do you feel about being the first façade improvement project to be completed?
*Vivian: First, I must say, our new look is fabulous and fills me with pride. It’s an awesome feeling to know we’ve set the pace for what I know is the beginning of a series of “face lifts” on Central Avenue!
*Nuño: What does it take to run a sucessful business like the Bowers & Sons Cleaners? *Vivian: My basic principles of business are: passion, perseverance, planning, patience, partnerships and lots of prayer.
*Nuño: Why giraffes?
*Vivian: I fell in love with giraffes at the age of 7 while visiting the LA Zoo. Their height and splendor fascinated me. I’ve been a collector ever since. My brother suggested that I tie my love for giraffes and my commitment to being the best, together, thus, the giraffe logo with slogan “Heads Above the Rest.”
Q&A
*Nuño: What does it mean to you to work in the community in which you live?
*Maritza: I am very passionate about my community. I want to help the community residents to thrive and achieve their personal goals.
*Nuño: What role do you play at All People’s Christian Center?
*Maritza: I am a College Coordinator- Case Manager at the All People’s. As a College Coordinator, my work consists of planning, organizing, instructing and ensuring participation of recreation and college activities. As a Case Manager, I try to empower the clients by helping them find solutions to their problems.
*Nuño: What is the best part of working with young people?
*Maritza: I love working with young people because they have so much energy, ideas and a very creative way of thinking. Our youth will be the future of tomorrow and we need to believe in the beauty of their dreams!
*Nuño: Why does photography excite you?
*Maritza: I find photography to be liberating. I just feel something magical happens when you are behind the camera.
Q&A
*Nuño: Why did you decide to run for the neighborhood council?
*Diane: I think it would be a good experience for me because I am not really into being in groups so this will help me develop this skill.
*Nuño: What is one issue you believe youth are most concerned about? What can you do about it through the SCNC?
*Diane: A big issue with teens is drugs. I would like to create a space for youth where we can talk about the danger of drugs and figure out how to help them if they want to stop.
*Nuño: How do you believe your participation in the SCNC will influence other young people? *Diane: I think my friends will see me participating in meetings and doing things and hopefully be interested in getting involved.
*Nuño: What do you like to do when you are not in school?
*Diane: I like to skate and explore new places. I also like to draw anything that comes to mind like Hello Kitty and other characters. I am really into fashion, so I like to mix and match clothes. I dye my hair every month and use the rainbow as a guide.
*Nuño: What do you like to do when you are not in school?
*Diane: I would like be a make-up artist and hair stylist. I am really into it because I see it in magazines and think I can have my own style.
Tags: jorge nuno jose lara martha sanchez ron gochez south central neighborhood council south los angeles