|
News, opinion and good humor
about the Mar Vista, Westdale and North Westdale neighborhoods
of Los Angeles, California
The Westmar Sun
|
 |
| Excerpts from the discontinued Web site |
|
|
•
|
|
Seven candidates vied for seven vacancies in the March 15 election for Board members of the Mar Vista Community Council.
Naturally, they all won.
The polls were open from 5 to 9 p.m. in Mar Vista Elementary School, 3330 Granville. A candidates' forum was held at 6 p.m.
In contrast to last year's election, when only 152 Stakeholders voted, the election this year drew 355 voters, apparently attracted by the opportunity to take part in a non-binding survey about some pressing community issues.
Incumbents who won re-election were Ken Alpern (280 votes), Rob Kadota (280), Tom Ponton (275) and Bill Scheding (255).
The new people on the board will be Claudia Border (255 votes), Renee Marcus (242) and Matthew Vodnoy (213).
As an outreach device, the election was sweetened by a series of 'straw vote' questions presented to the voters in a separate survey (below).
The answers will be considered as advisory only and will not be binding on the MVCC Board.
The highest number of votes (280) went to "Yes" on the question "Should the Expo light rail line be expanded into Santa Monica by way of the existing right-of-way as soon as possible?" Only 27 people said "No."
The question that drew the least response (the highest number of abstentions, 127) was the question "Has the neighborhood council system in L.A. been successful to date?"
Outgoing incumbents who will leave the Board after the election is certified are Treasurer Tony Navarro, Urban Planning Committee Chair Maritza Przekop and Secretary Amy Lawrence.
Lawrence, however, may stay on the Board for another year as a result of an interim appointment by Chair Tom Ponton to a vacant position in the south-of-Venice area (story below).
|
RESULTS OF 'STRAW VOTE' QUESTIONS ON THE MARCH 15 BALLOT
(1) Should there be a 6 month moratorium on all new construction in order to reassess planning for traffic and other impacts of new construction on our community?
YES 233, no 70, no opinion 22
(2) Should the reconfiguration of LAX be stopped?
YES 176, no 100, no opinion 46
(3) Should the MVCC oppose the use of jet airplanes at Santa Monica Airport?
YES 252, no 60, no opinion 18
(4) Should public recreation facilities at North Venice Little League's site be expanded?
YES 154, no 88, no opinion 76
(5) Should LAUSD be broken up?
YES 183, no 93, no opinion 47
(6) Should all of our major intersections be updated with left-turn arrows?
YES 270, no 47, no opinion 11
(7) Should the Expo light rail line be expanded into Santa Monica by way of the existing right-of-way as soon as possible?
YES 280, no 28, no opinion 17
(8) Should Westside Village (Zone 1) be part of Palms Neighborhood Council instead of Mar Vista Community Council?
YES 124, no 116, no opinion 91
See The Sun's editorial opinion as this issue, here
(9) Should the Stewart Avenue Gate at the Santa Monica Airport be permanently closed except to emergency vehicles?
YES 153, no 83, no opinion 88
(10) Should the Westdale Courtyard apartments on National be allowed to be converted to condos?
Yes 91, NO 174, no opinion 61
(11) Has the neighborhood council system in LA been successful to date?
YES 157, no 33, no opinion 127
(12) Should the Pledge of Allegiance be recited at the start of the Board meetings?
YES 156, no 112, no opinion 64
See The Sun's editorial opinion as this issue, here
(13) Should a DASH bus route go through the Mar Vista Community Council area?
YES 219, no 44, no opinion 61
|
|
|