North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council celebrated 15 years of service to our community this October. One of our favorite community events is the Martin Luther King Jr. Clean Up day. This last year we had about 100 students and staff from Upward Bound NoHo join community members and board members to fan out from Fire Station 89 and clean up the community. We are planning to do this again on Monday, January 15, and invite you to join us this year. It’s a get time to connect with your community, meet your neighbors, and do good! So, plan to meet us at 8am at LAFD 89. Supplies and refreshments provided.
In 2017 we also partnered with the LDS Church and Councilmember Krekorian to do a big clean up in July, helping our community to sparkle! And we were one of the sponsors of the Emergency Preparedness Summit in October, helping stakeholders understand how to prepare and what to do in a disaster.
With the increase in homelessness in 2017, NHNENC stepped up by supporting the efforts of the Village Family Services with a grant for their walk in clinic for homeless youth, which provides support and social services for those in need under 25 years of age. We sponsored their Take on the Streets Run/Walk and Family Festival in October which increased awareness and raised funds for their efforts.
We also supported several fun community events where neighbors could meet each other and get involved with the Council. We sponsored four movies in the park last summer with Councilmember Krekorian and partnered to put on a Senior Cotillion in June.
We not only sponsor community events, but we consider proposed developments in our community and weigh in on what we think would be important for community safety, traffic flow and to enhance our sense of place. In May and June, we carefully reviewed a proposal for 99 small lot homes and 64 apartments to be built at 7660 Lankershim. The primary concern we voiced on this project was traffic flow. The project is moving through the city approval process.
In other land use news, the new Costco Business Center opened in August on a site formerly housing an underused warehouse and vacant office building. Our Land Use Committee weighed in on this proposal early on helping to create a beneficial project for the community. The Great Streets Lankershim proposal changed course due to stakeholder input, requesting that the City not remove lanes of traffic. And New Directions for Youth will build a Health & Recreation Center in our boundaries.
We are proud to share that our President, Ernie Moscoso was honored by Councilmember Krekorian for serving in uniform and for continuing to be a pillar of strength and service in our community today. A former Army officer, Ernie served during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1973. As the Commission Officer 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Field Artillery, Ernie trained incoming service members as the Firing Range and Basic Rifle Marksmanship Instructor Officer in Charge. “Whether it’s cleanups, traffic issues, opening a new playground or improving our parks or infrastructure, our partnership has helped make our community a better place to live,” shared Councilmember Krekorian.
Our plan for 2018 not only includes encouraging community involvement through our upcoming clean up, but seeks to engage and empower youth across the community. Our Youth and Minority Empowerment Committee is gearing up to do just that with a Community Silent Dance Party. Stay tuned to find out more.
We recently moved our Council meetings to the fourth Thursday, from the third Thursday in order not to conflict with other community meetings. So we hope that you will join us at a Board Meeting, on a committee, at an event or even by becoming a Board Member in 2018.
