Visit our updated website! www.northvalleyreporter.com SPECIAL NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS ELECTIONS EDITION Free Community Newspaper March 2010 Vol 4 Number 2 A Wild Ride for the City’s Neighborhood Councils…and its not over yet July, there would be 16 funded positions for DONE when approved. Councilmember Greig Smith’s motion to immedi- ately remove the City Clerk from the election process and put election funds into the general fund sent shockwaves throughout Neighborhood Councils whose elections would fall within the month of March 2010. Smith said, “"This was a question of simple Councilman Paul Krekorian and Councilman Dennis Zine hold money. If doing this would help keep Neighborhood the City's Education & Neighborhoods Committee meeting in Councils funded and put some money back in the gen- City Hall Chambers on Feb. 17, 2010. eral fund, then it would be a winner." Subsequently, Councilman Paul Krekorian, Chair Neighborhood Council leaders from across the city packed the By Katharine Russ of the City’s Education and Neighborhoods Commit- meeting of the Education and Neighborhoods Committee Meeting on Thursday, February 25. They pleaded their case to Committee During the week of February 22, three incidences tee, recommended the City Council oppose the Chair Paul Krekorian and Councilmember Dennis Zine regarding arose that had Neighborhood Councils concerned Smith/Rosendahl motion until more discussion could Councilmember Greig Smith's proposal to discontinue Neighbor- take place. Smith agreed. The next day, the City hood Council elections by the City Clerk for this year. They re- about the financial status and future of Neighbor- ceived a hearty applause at the conclusion of the meeting when the hood Councils in the City of Los Angeles. Mayor Council vote on the motion was unanimous as Smith committee voted to deny the recommendation. Villaraigosa’s press release signaled the merge of the graciously voted with others to reject it. Department of Neighborhood Empowerment Questions about the legalities of such a consolida- serve to take the bureaucracy out of community em- (DONE) with the Community Development Depart- tion of the two departments also emerged, causing powerment”. But City Charter Sec. 913 prohibits ment (CDD). The Mayor said the consolidation ef- more anxiety within the neighborhood councils. In his Transfer of Powers of DONE to any other department fort would potentially eliminate 27 positions and press release, Mayor Villaraigosa said, “The consoli- during the first five years pursuant to Section 905. save an estimated $2 million dollars annually. By dation effort will not only create cost savings, but will Continued on Page 2 California’s Traffic Ticket Fines Increased By Nina Royal have requested it. Upon completion of the course, you olation date, not class attendance date. didn’t have to pay the fine, you received your certificate, To attend traffic school, both the citation bail Beware! If you are a driver who has a “lead foot,” who is which would erase the infraction, and your insurance in- amount and a non-refundable administrative fee must be a notorious speeder, who talks on your cell phone that is surance carrier was never notified. paid before you can enroll. The traffic school will charge not “hands free”, who texts while driving, who runs stop However, times have changed. The Court can still you an additional fee to attend their program. signs and red lights, or violates other California Motor recommend that you attend Traffic School, (or, again, Based on statistics, drivers have become more im- Vehicle Codes, you are in for “Ticket Shock” after being you may request it), If you decline, your insurance car- patient, inconsiderate, and reckless about following “the “written up” by a diligent Traffic Officer. Effective Jan- rier will be notified, which will, of course, have a nega- rules”. Whether the increase in traffic violation fees will uary 6, 2010, motor vehicle fines increased by approxi- tive impact on your insurance rates, and there will be have a positive affect on the public’s driving habits re- mately 30 percent. Non-moving infractions that used to points against your driving record. Either way, there will mains to be seen. However, payment of their tickets will be dismissed, like after showing proof of a valid driver’s be a hefty fine. However, once you pay the fine and suc- certainly help to decrease the State’s budget woes. license or insurance coverage, for instance, now have a cessfully complete traffic school, your citation will be Editor’s Note: I too suffered from “Ticket Shock”. The “reduced” cost (see chart below). erased from your record and your insurance company week before Christmas, when I received my first ticket in There was a time when violators were allowed to at- will be none-the-wiser. According to California Vehicle 20 years from the Burbank PD, I knew I was dead wrong tend traffic school. Traffic school is a program that al- Code Section 1808.7, only one citation in an eighteen for talking on my cell phone “hands-on” as I approached lows certain moving violators to receive instruction in (18) month period can be masked from your driving a signal. But, it was a shock and an expensive lesson driving and traffic safety. At one time, the court could record through driving school participation. The eight- learned as I painfully paid $140 for that infraction. refer you to a Traffic Violators Program, or you could een (18) month period is calculated from the citation/vi- Violation Fine & Punishment Violation Fine & Punishment Violation Fine & Punishment Violation Fine & Punishment VC 12814.6 $214 VC 22450 $214 VC 22507.8 $1876 VC 27803 $178 Failure to obey license provisions. Failure to stop at a stop sign. Violation of disabled parking provisions second of- (A through C) fense. Violation of motorcycle safety helmet require- VC 14600(A) $214 VC 22454(A) $616 ments. Failure to notify DMV of address change within Passing a school bus with flashing red signals. VC 26708(A) $178 10 days Unlawful material on vehicle windows. VC 34506.3 $616 Note: The fine may be only reduced with valid VC 23123(A) $148 Commercial Driver - Log book violation proof of correction. Drive using “hands ON” phone, not hands free, VC 27150 $178 first offense (A and B) VC 4000(A) $256 VC 16028(A) $796 Inadequate muffler. No evidence of current registration. Failure to provide evidence of financial responsi- VC 23123(A) $256 Note: The fine may be only reduced with valid bility (insurance) Drive using “hands ON” phone, not hands free, for VC 27315 $148 proof of correction. Note: This fine may be only reduced with proof of each subsequent offense. (D and E) insurance on or after the violation date. Violation of mandatory seat belt law. VC 4159 $178 VC 23123.5(A) $148 Notify DMV of change of address within 10 days. VC 21453(A) $436 Drive using “hands ON” device to send, read, or VC 27360 $436 Note: The fine may be only reduced with valid Failure to stop at a red signal. write text. (A and B) proof of correction. Violation of mandatory use of child passenger re- VC 22350 $214 VC 23124(B) $148 straints. VC 5200 $178 VC 22349 Minor drive using “hands ON” phone. Note: This fine may be only reduced, by complet- No display of license plates. Unsafe Speed, 1 to 15 miles over the limit. ing a court authorized child seat diversion program. Note: The fine may be only reduced with valid VC 22500(I) $976 proof of correction. VC 22350 $328 Parking in a bus loading area. VC 27400 $178 VC 22349 Having Headsets/Earplugs over both ears. VC 9400 $178 Unsafe Speed, 16 to 25 miles over the limit. VC 22507.8 $976 (A through C) (A through C) Violation of disabled parking provi- Violation of vehicle weight requirements sions, first offense. VOTE What’s Inside: Why Voting Bill to The Never Ending Neighborhood Council Elections • Region A is Important Protect Teens Budget Tuesday, March 2 Pg. 2 Pg. 4 Pg. 8 Region B Saturday, March 27 VOTE Page 2 NORTH VALLEY REPORTER March 2010 NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL ELECTIONS SPECIAL EDITION NC Elections - Region B Neighborhood Council Elections: Neighborhood Council Elections - Region B - Saturday, March 27 Why Voting is Important Arleta - Branford Rec Center 13310 Branford, 10 am - 4 pm By Dan McManus sitions: presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, Candidates Representing treasurers, regional representatives, and group Lamar Shelby At –Large I have had a front row seat for much of the representatives according to each Neighbor- Guy M. Dionne Business Owners good work accomplished by neighborhood hood Council’s election rules. Then you go to Al Piantanida Community Based Organizations councils across the City of Los Angeles. Robert A. Rouge Home/Condo Owners the polls and elect those you believe are the Saul Perez “ Things haven’t been the same since the City best qualified. The winners serve on those Louisa A. Chajon Renters Charter was amended to create a citywide sys- Council Boards until the next election. James R. Kallas Seniors tem of neighborhood councils to serve as ad- Henry NG “ That brings me to my main point: Neigh- visory boards to the City Council. Their duty ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ borhood council elections are taking place in is to engage the public to participate in city Foothills Trails District - Shadow Hills Presby. Church, 10158 Johanna 1 - 7 pm regions across the city this year. In order for Candidates Representing government and serve as the eyes, ears, and the system to function properly, we need you Kevin J. Davis Area 1 mouth for citizens of their communities. Our to get out there and vote.