Heading into summer and improving our communities
Our communities have been very active over the past month. From addressing public safety concerns to participating in clean ups and celebrating our youngest leaders, residents of the Sixth District are dedicated to the present and future of our home.
In our Neighborhoods
Our neighborhoods are addressing challenges within their very unique communities street by street. Read more about our collaboration to make the Sixth District and our nation better.
Van Nuys
Nearly 150 community members joined in a respectful dialogue for my first Public Safety Town Hall in Van Nuys. Residents spoke directly with LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and the newest members of the Valley team including new Valley Bureau Deputy Chief Bob Green and our new Van Nuys Division Captain Lillian Carranza.
This is only the first public safety townhall I plan to host in our communities. Click above to learn more about the conversation.
Sun Valley
Over 50 local Sun Valley residents gathered to hear from the High Speed Rail (HSR) Authority to learn about how HSR will impact our communities. I have seen how poor land use decisions have impacted our families. Instead of green grass and fresh air, our residents deal with obstacles created by years of land use decisions that did not take the community’s input into consideration.
The latest route options either avoid our District or are entirely underground in it but I will keep you updated of any changes. Click above and learn more.
Arleta
Over 200 people joined the Arleta Neighborhood Council, Arleta “Looky Loo’s” Neighborhood Watch and I for our first movie night this summer! Families had a wonderful time watching Big Hero 6 at Branford Recreation Center.
These events bring neighbors together and are a chance for our families to connect with neighbors. This summer, I will be partnering with local groups to host movie nights in communities throughout the Sixth. Stay tuned to my website and Facebook for updates!
Panorama City
As our City changes, my office and I are always ready for new challenges that may arise and are constantly finding new solutions to preserve and improve our quality of life.
To ensure that all residents know about City resources, my Panorama City team held an Apartment Manager Meeting to introduce over 50 tenants and property managers to city services and offer safety tips to improve their experience living in our neighborhoods. Click above to get involved for the next manager’s meeting in your community.
North Hollywood
Residents of North Hollywood have raised concerns about the intersection where Webb Ave., Lankershim Blvd. and Strathern St. meet. Working with the Department of Transportation, we were able to make an immediate change and repaint the traffic lines to improve safety. By improving the signage surrounding the area will help, we will continue to increase pedestrian awareness and find better solutions to ensure the safety of our communities.
North Hills East
While I only represent a small portion of North Hills, I’m proud of the residents that have worked with my office and I to make our area better.
As May came to an end, over 30 North Hills residents came together with Assemblymember Nazarian’s and my office to sweep, rake and clean up Rayen St. and Noble Ave. It was wonderful to see residents of all ages contribute to make North Hills brighter than before!
Lake Balboa
I was proud to join over 625 voluteers that came together for Operation Gratitude . This event annually sends 150,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment, hygiene and hand-made items, plus personal letters of appreciation, to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas.
Improvements street by street
I believe that we can make our District cleaner and more livable by increasing awareness of City resources. Through our managers meetings and community clean ups, we are improving awareness of City resources and empowering residents to make our District cleaner and better.
But we still have a long way to go. Last month alone, my Strike Team collected over 160 tons of trash left on our streets. Since the beginning of 2015, we have collected over 800 tons of trash. This is unacceptable. Let’s all work together to remind our neighbors and friends to use 311 to schedule bulky item pickups and work with the Department of Sanitation to crackdown on chronic dumping sites.
Below you can see the pictures and click to read the story of residents working together to create a Sixth District that they are proud to call home.
Throughout our neighborhoods and District
Remembering the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
I joined over 130,000 residents of Los Angeles to remember and recognize the Armenian Genocide. Over a 6 mile walk, residents showed our solidarity with our Armenian friends to keep the Armenian culture, language and memory of loved ones alive on the 100th anniversary of this tragedy. In addition, I started reading the heroic stories of survivors that rebuilt their lives in the United States and continuing to keep their ancestors’ legacy alive.
Recognizing the future leaders of the Sixth District
Across the District, our children and young adults are taking a leading role in making District better for the next generation. This month, I was proud to honor Upward Bound students at Polytechnic High School who have participated in clean ups across Sun Valley. These students are an example of success right in our District.
Similarly I was proud to welcome St. Genevieve’s students from Panorama City in Council and praise them for their very mature demeanor as they represented the Sixth District in front of Council. Finally my staff and I joined Día Del Niño celebrations across our communities as we recognized the important role of children in our society. In Lake Balboa, students learned about cyber bullying and enjoyed fun activities like fishing. At Cardenas Elementary School in Van Nuys, 700 books were donated to the school! These have been wonderful experiences appreciating some of the youngest residents in our community!
Sanitation Department in our Neighborhoods
The Department of Sanitation has increased their participation in our District by meeting residents one on one in our communities. In the beginning of May, the Department hosted Discover Recycling Open House! Here, community members learned about the Department’s free services and visited the East Valley yard where my Strike Team has sent over 800 tons of bulky items this year.
Similarly, Sanitation leaders are hosting meeting regarding bulky items and homelessness across the District monthly. These events give our residents a chance to identify chronic dumping sites. Click here to learn more about the services provided by Sanitation.
Leading the Sixth District in City Hall
Creating a Budget & Addressing the needs of our City
Last month, I joined my Council colleagues as we passed a budget that addresses the needs of all residents in our City. From increased resources for public safety to trimmed trees and sidewalk the repairs, the budget continues to rebuild our City following the recession.
This budget, in particular funds monthly clean ups for the gateway to Lake Balboa, the Sherman Way Tunnel. Additionally, this month, the lighting crews will begin replacing the old lighting fixture as well. Soon the Tunnel will return to its former glory.
Additionally, while the budget funds sidewalk repairs and streets, I was able to secure $700,000 so our residents don’t have to wait. My offices are working with local residents to identify the sidewalks most in need. Please reach out to my Sun Valley or Van Nuys office for more details or to join the conversation.
Creating a Fair Minimum Wage
It’s taken us 9 months, 8 Economic Development Committee meetings that included 4 hearings across the City, 3 studies and 1 peer review to fully review an increase to the minimum wage. We have done our due diligence and have heard from both sides.
I know this is a difficult and emotional discussion but the City has passed a minimum wage that considers the needs of small businesses while creating a minimum wage that works for the families of Los Angeles. To learn more about my support for this motion, please click here.
Shutting down Massage Parlors
May also marked the month that Councilmember Mitch Englander and I led the City Council as we passed a motion to give the City more control and power over the abundance of massage parlors in our Districts.
Too often gangs use massage parlors as locations to conduct their sex trafficking business. This new ordinance allows the City to enact zoning and land use regulatory controls for these businesses. This is just another tool to assist our VICE teams helping sex trafficking victims.
Denim Day
It is estimated that as many as 1 out of 4 young women will experience rape or attempted rape between the ages of 16 and 24. Many victims will never report the incident to police much less their campus. That’s why Councilman Mike Bonin and I recognized Denim Day this year by introducing supporting legislation to educate young adults about the importance of consent and positive healthy relationships. This movement reinforces healthy relationships and stops victim blaming through awareness and it makes it clear that there is no excuse for sexual violence.
Announcements
School may be out but Summer Night Lights are in! Be sure to join the fun at some of our favorite parks including Delano, Sepulveda Rec and Sun Valley. Click on the flyer to find out more information regarding the programs, dates and other locations of this popular summer activity that helps keeps kids out of trouble.
Last week, Pacoima Beautiful, Urban Semillas, LA Conservation Corps and Save the Drop L.A. joined me as we cut the ribbon and welcomed the newest season of Paddle the River! I hope you’ll take sometime this year to learn more about this wonderful natural resource and enjoy the outdoor water activities that are drought friendly and local! Come out to the Sepulveda Basin, where the LA River begins, and enjoy our beautiful outdoors. Click here to learn more.
WEBSITE
FOLLOW NURY AT:
How else can I help? Contact my office:
Sun Valley:
(818)771-0236
9300 Laurel Canyon Blvd., 2nd Floor
Sun Valley, CA 91331
Van Nuys:
(818)778-4999
14410 Sylvan St., ste. 215
Van Nuys, CA 91401
City Hall:
(213)473-7006
200 N. Spring St. rm. 425
Los Angeles, CA 90012
