Pacoima today march 2015

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Volume 2, Issue 2 March 2015

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IMPROVEMENT IN PACOIMA

When I settle down to write an article for PACOIMA TODAY, it seems that the negative rise to the top. This month I made a conscience decision to use my words to express what is positive. Nothing is all wrong or all good. I would like to recognize the good.

Don’t want to ignore the major issues we currently face or the issues we will face tomorrow. These statements are not being made to imply that the job is complete. There are still many individuals in this community who are not yet knowledgeable about proper procedures of discarding trash and rubbish.

The editors encourage all to spread the word on how to use the black/blue/green trash cans. If each reader makes an effort to communicate with his neighbors on the value of clean communities on health, value of property, and the quality of life, we can have a clean, healthy community.

Improvement in Pacoima 1

New Swap-Meet? 1

Eye Sores 2

Shopping Carts 2

Electronic Waste 3

Community Nuisance 3

Tips for Safe Walking 3

Neighborhood Council 4

New In Pacoima 4

$1.3 Billion River Project 4

Is this the new Pacoima Swap-Meet?

With all the "Yard Sales" everywhere and almost everyday in Pacoima; Do we

really need this? or is this just a black market outlet where people can buy

and/sell without paying sales taxes? Who is allowing this and why?

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Pacoima Today March 2015 Volume 2 Issue 2

Shopping Carts in Every Block

Shopping carts are provided by the merchants to ac-commodate their customers when utilizing their facility to make purchases. Each cart cost in the neighborhood of $280.00 to $300.00. Each time a customer removes a cart from the store, a large expense is placed on the merchant. Stores are required to generate a profit of 15 to 25 percent for the products they sell. Every time a store has to replace carts, which are considered overhead, they must raise the cost of their product directly to the customers. It is not a joke when we watch persons taking a shop-ping carts away from the store. We all pay higher prices to cover the increase in overhead and expenses. The individuals most affected by the increase in cost are the very people who can not get to other communities to make their purchases.

COST: $280.00 PLUS

It is the responsibility of all resi-dents of PACOIMA to make an effort to the improvement of our community. It will take only a few minutes.

Call 311

Call 311

Eye sores, nuisances and

community blight issues

should be reported to the

City of Los Angeles at 311.

Don’t hesitate to contact the

Office of City Council District

7 at (818) 485-0600.

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Co-Editors & Publishers: Morris Pichon [email protected] Edwin Ramirez [email protected]

FROM: Cyber Support Officer LAPD 30 pedestrians were killed in the Valley in 2014. 15 of the fatal collisions were caused by the pedestrians not the driver. TIPS FOR WALKING SAFELY: CROSS AT MARKED CROSSWALKS. WHEN WAITING TO CROSS, STAND BACK FROM THE

CURB. WHEN LIGHT CHANGES: WAIT, LOOK, AND THEN

CROSS. MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH DRIVERS BEFORE STEP-

PING IN FRONT OF THEIR CAR. DON’T ASSUME DRIVERS SEE YOU. TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WALKING SAFETY AND

LEAD BY EXAMPLE. REMEMBER: YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT

OF WAY AND ASSUMING THAT YOU DO CAN COST YOU YOUR LIFE.

EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, STOP AND LOOK BEFORE CROSSING.

DON’T TEXT AND WALK (ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSS-ING THE STREET).

Email Officer Michelle Smith at [email protected]

The Pacoima Neighborhood Council The Pacoima Neighborhood Council (PNC) is provided with the opportunity to represent the resi-dent's best interest and to advise City Government with regards to projects, codes and policies that could have a negative effect on the residents; yet they are constantly used by most groups and organizations as a funding source for their projects, events and even their own benefits. The PNC is more willing to pass a resolution supporting a boycott driven by a labor union on a busi-ness located in Arleta (with a one sided information) and a motion (failed) to write a community impact statement regarding the inconveniences of having an LAUSD school (in Pacoima) share space with a charter school claiming that it was too divisive for the community; but, with the High Speed Rail being proposed and could potentially divide the community with a 20ft wall along San Fernando Rd. and also displace residents and business, they have not been able to put a motion for a community impact statement opposing it, why is that? It appears that their tunnel vision works under the first come first serve motto. Sadly their one meeting a month does not provide the opportunity to hear both sides on any topic, it is questionable if the "Standing Committees" are posting their meetings (as required), not mentioning that "No minutes" are required of them. How do they document their recommendations to the council? Their budget is just over 37K per year, for the most part the City keeps track of where the money is spent but the council has done so bad in keeping records that most times there is "no record" of how they reach to that point. Voting records are a must for spending money and most likely that will be the only record kept by the city. Agendas may help in these cases but the minutes are also needed on their rec-ords! Good luck under the new leadership!

Electronic Waste Electronic waste is loaded with toxic substances: lead, arsenic, mercury, cadllium and beryllium. Insure proper disposing.

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New in Pacoima!

Bradley Plaza - A community project developed by Pacoima Beautiful and funded by the Mayor's office, LADOT, Public Works, City Planning, LA Metro and designed by the urban planning group Alta Planning & Design. This project is expected to improve the quality of life by providing an open space to hang out and/or exercise since it will feature exercise equipment , seating areas, coffee tables, canopies, Wi-Fi and even some entertainment. Pacoima Beautiful is currently raising money to furnish the plaza and is off to a great start; the Council Member provided 10K from his CD7 funds, the Neighborhood Council 5K from their funds and other individuals and groups are donating so that their names be part of the plaza decor. We congrat-ulate the group on their initiative, their efforts and the vision for this project but also caution that it might simply become a headache if no adequate supervision and/or safety measures are provided. Will the furni-ture be bolted in place? Gang's markings and graffiti will be handled by Graffiti Busters (maybe), but what about damaged furniture? who will be doing the repairs? and with regards to Wi-Fi, who will be paying for the service? Will there be food sold or any type of vending? With a liquor store across the Street, will there be drinking allowed or how will this be prevented? Hours of operation or open? it is a public place after all, so what will happen after dark?

JR's Bar - Do we really need another bar in Pacoima? There is no parking after 10:00PM on Van Nuys Blvd. and not enough parking in back of the bar; so, where do you suppose customers will be parking? Was the Neighborhood Council informed and they neglected to notify the residents or was this another closed door deal? ABC has to re-activate a liquor license, the City has to issue an occupancy Permit, the Fire and Police departments usually participate in this process, yet, if the Council Member "opposes it" the project dies in concept. Since it is open! would this be considered Job Creation in Pacoima, entrepreneurship develop-ment or revitalizing the business community? Your call!

Coming soon!

$1.3 Billion River Project?

The City of Los Angeles has been crying about deficits for the past 10 years. Officials moan of shortage of funds to pay the city employees. Frequently we hear of underfunded medical and retire-ment reserve for city employees. The city streets are loaded with potholes in every community, sidewalks are buckling in every neighbor-hood. City elected authorities are always talking of raising taxes to repair streets and sidewalks; increas-ing fees for every basic function of city services (police, fire services, trash collection, street cleaning, maintaining parks and public properties, etc.). " What do the citizens pay taxes for? Finance the projects of campaign donor?”

Why do we need a High Speed Rail (HSR) for who and what: Governor Brown and his legacy? Have you been to San Francisco lately? I haven’t. Have you noticed that the cost has doubled since the HSR was on the ballot? Recent debates in the communities have voice opposition because the HSR will destroy our Pacoima community, along with others.

Who is promoting the $1.3 billion River Project? We have 4 million people in the city of Los Ange-les, how many Kayakers do we have? Wouldn’t $1.3 billion be better used to repair the streets of Los Angeles on which 4 million people utilize nearly daily?

Each person in this city needs to communicate with the city officials on how they feel about these city services as opposed these wild eye projects.

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Government & Nonprofit

Pacoima today march 2015