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Sunday, Mar 29, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Announces Remote Access to City Council from San Pedro
By - Posted on 23 March 2009
Councilwoman Janice Hahn this week announced the launch of a new videoconferencing pilot program at San Pedro City Hall. The program will enable Harbor area residents and surrounding communities to give live testimony to City Council without having to travel to downtown Los Angeles. The program is similar to one that City Council has offered from Van Nuys for the past four years.
“We understand that distance and traffic can make it difficult for Harbor area residents to express their comments and concerns before City Council,” said Councilwoman Hahn. This is an effort to ensure that their concerns are represented fairly.”
The six-month video conferencing pilot program will launch on March 25, 2009. It will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at 10:00am at San Pedro City Hall, 638 S. Beacon Street in San Pedro.
To help launch the program, Councilwoman Hahn’s San Pedro office will be hosting an opening day gathering on March 25th at 9:30am at the remote access facility in San Pedro City Hall. Identification is required to enter the building. For more information, please contact Councilwoman Hahn’s San Pedro office, at 310-732-4515.
Read more on KPCC's website.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Saturday, Mar 14, 2009
Decision-Making Power in the Hands of the People
Last year, the City Council approved a two-year pilot program to allow Neighborhood Councils to introduce up to three motions per year, as long as the motion is seconded by another Neighborhood Council. I was an early supporter of this program.
On January 13, 2009, the majority of my colleagues in the City Council voted to require Neighborhood Councils to disclose their personal assets in order to be allowed to participate in the legislative process. In response to that, I introduced a motion that would remove this requirement. I stand with the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC) in strongly opposing the City Council's decision. The BONC believes - as I do - that requiring this financial disclosure document of Neighborhood Council members will seriously hinder the process of neighborhood empowerment. One of my guiding principals as an elected official has always been that it is of the utmost importance to involve the community in local governance, which is why I have been a leader in the growth of the Neighborhood Council system. The system gives local residents a stronger voice in city government, and helps put more decision-making power in the hands of the people. I spearheaded the new system of early notification of council actions that would potentially affect Neighborhood Councils, and I am always fighting to ease the red tape that Neighborhood Councils face in keeping and spending their funds.
I always have -- and will continue to -- advocate for more efficient, transparent, direct communication between the city and our Neighborhood Councils. I don’t believe that financial disclosure requirements are in keeping with the spirit of that process - nor do I believe that they are a necessary requirement for private citizens who wish to participate in government.
I want to encourage Neighborhood Council members throughout the City to make their voices heard, and to fight for their fundamental right to interface with and participate in City government - a government whose leaders they themselves elected.
(Councilwoman Hahn's op-ed can be found in the March 12, 2009 edition of Los Angeles CityWatch)
Posted at 12:00 AM
Monday, Mar 09, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Stands With Truck Drivers For Safer Working Conditions
Councilwoman Hahn joined with Harbor truck drivers on Monday to protest the firing of 4 local drivers who demanded safer working conditions. The workers allege that they were fired after submitting complaints about working extended hours and being forced to drive freights that exceeded safe weight limits.
"To say I'm merely disappointed in this kind of alleged intimidation and exploitation would be an understatement," said the Councilwoman. "These drivers deserve better than to be laid off or fired for exercising their right to speak up."
Read the Daily Breeze article here.
Posted at 12:00 AM
Saturday, Mar 07, 2009
Councilwoman Janice Hahn Ramps Up Plans For Jordan Downs
By Janice Hahn - Posted on 07 March 2009
Councilwoman Janice Hahn today instructed the City Planning Department to work with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to initiate a Specific Plan for the proposed Jordan Downs public housing redevelopment. Jordan Downs is one of the largest public housing project in the City of Los Angeles, featuring 700 bunker style public housing units which were originally built as temporary housing for war workers during World War II, and have long been in need of redevelopment.
The plan will include a demolition of the development’s 700 units, to be replaced with 2,100 new units which will include a mix of public, affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. The plan will contribute to the City’s goals of increasing affordable housing, while creating jobs and tax revenue in Watts and potentially serving as a model for new community developments throughout the country.
“This is a new day for the people of Watts. This plan will not only revitalize Jordan Downs, it will add much-needed housing, community resources and commercial retail that will give a major economic boost to the Watts community that is long overdue. I am very optimistic that this redevelopment will serve as a major economic and social stimulus package, reducing crime and poverty while improving the quality of life for the Watts community,” said Councilwoman Hahn.
The Councilwoman has stipulated that the Specific Plan address appropriate land uses, development standards, design, and community amenities. She emphasized that those involved must take care to ensure that the future use of the development is of the highest quality, and responds to opportunities, and that future uses are compatible with the surrounding community.
Councilwoman Hahn is working closely with the Watts community to ensure that their needs and concerns are taken into consideration. Last Saturday, the Councilwoman attended a Master Plan meeting of approximately 50 neighborhood residents to facilitate an exchange of ideas. The next Master Plan meeting will be held on April 16th at 11am at the Jordan Downs Recreation Center.
Posted at 3:42 PM