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Excerpts from the book: Los Angeles's THE PALMS NEIGHBORHOOD
Contrary to its own bylaws, the Westside Neighborhood Council has attempted to backtrack on its decision to adjust the northeast Palms border. For the story, go here.

Our diversity is our strength

The Palms–Village Sun
News, opinion and features about Historic Palms,
including Westside Village
www.PalmsVillageSun.info
This site is not affiliated with any group. Opinions are those of the writers.
Opinion Page / July 16–31, 2008
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'How to I.D. a Suspect' is on tap at Neighborhood Watch meeting
Click here or scroll down
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FINELY TUNED MACHINE NEEDS OIL
By George Garrigues

When Len Nguyen, Rod Rodriguez, Asad Safari, Alejandro Soschin and I sat down in spring 2003 to draft the bylaws for the Palms Neighborhood Council, we were determined that Palms would not fall on its face the same way we had seen other councils do in previous months.

We were particularly leery of the danger that arises when one person or group in the governing body attempts to seize power and hold on to it.

But we believed that somebody should be in charge — that there should be an executive officer, elected by the stakeholders, who would guide the organization — not control it, but guide it.

So we made it clear in the completed bylaws that the Palms governing body would truly represent the public — we named it the Representative Assembly instead of the Board of Directors.

Second, we provided for a President with limited but strong powers:

"1. Provides leadership for the Council and coordinates the development of an action program and draft budget for consideration and action by the Representative Assembly.

"2. Represents the organization to the public and explains the policies adopted by the Representative Assembly. The President may assign partial responsibility for doing so to other people.

"3. In cooperation with the Secretary and the Facilitator, sets the agenda for Assembly meetings.

"4. Appoints and replaces members of standing and ad hoc Committees.

"5. Refers problems, complaints and suggestions to the proper Committee.

"6. Signs or co-signs letters and documents as necessary on behalf of the Council."

Third, we limited these powers by assuring that the President would not necessarily chair the meetings — so we provided for a Facilitator serving at the pleasure of the Assembly — somebody who could help everybody get along and make sure that the Assembly meetings run smoothly.

Of course we had to have a Vice President who:

"1. Assumes the duties of the President in case of absence or illness and becomes president on the death, resignation or permanent incapacity of the President for the remainder of the President's term.

"2. Assists the President and assumes special duties and responsibilities as necessary."

The Palms Bylaws, approved with some changes by the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners in 2005, is an admirable document — like a finely tuned machine.

But like any machine, it needs constant care. Recently there was a well-meaning attempt to strip its gears:

The Representative Assembly was asked to "appoint" a new President at its meeting on July 9.

When I saw the agenda for the July 9 meeting, I knew this could not stand.

I sent an e-mail of complaint to Deanna Stevenson, the city official in charge of our council, and she immediately took action which forestalled that unwise idea (see the Front Page).

If there is to be a change in leadership, it will now be done strictly "by the book." We are all better off for that.
MARISA
STEWART

The author is organizer of the Evening of Community Neighborhood Watch.

Hi, Neighbor!
 
What a wonderful group we are becoming; watching out for one another and our community.  Just after forcibly stealing another woman's purse last week, two criminals were surrounded by five police cars and both have been arrested and charged with robbery … You caught the bad guys!
 
We have arranged a very special "must attend" meeting for you, next Thursday, July 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the LAPD station, Culver Blvd. at Centinela Ave.
 
This meeting is special because Officer Ceja and LAPD's Pacific Division Police Station have opened their doors to us and our next meeting is being held in the Police Station's Roll Call Room!!!
 
This meeting is also extra special because it is an interactive meeting.  Plus, Officer Ceja will have additional Police Officers joining us for our evening's special topic, "HOW TO I.D. A SUSPECT." 
 
Please know that this is an extremely important topic to learn about, discuss, and to draw from.  You will learn to see and think about things differently throughout this meeting and be better equipped to evaluate your surroundings. 
 
As always, all are welcome and I suggest, if possible, that you challenge yourself to bring at least one person/neighbor with you to this meeting for the content, experience, and to meet their neighbors!  Although not mandatory, your RSVP is greatly appreciated so we know how many to expect, and have enough materials for everyone.
 
New Evening of Community Neighborhood Watch flyers are available so please let me know how many you need for your street, building, friends, guests and neighbors, and I will get them to you.
 
Our time together is always productive and fun.  I truly look forward to seeing you and your guests next Thursday and thank you for being such a great neighbor!!!
 
In safety and good health,
 
Marisa Stewart
Evening of CommunitY
Neighborhood Watch
(E-mail here.)
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