All politics is local

Re "Neighborhood councils' success limited," Dec. 17

Los Angeles neighborhood councils have been criticized for mudslinging and infighting at meetings. But democracy is messy. Conflicts often represent a sincere effort to communicate with each other and build a foundation for the future. 

Establishing dispute resolution commissions in every planning area to arbitrate neighborhood council-related disputes, however, would reduce the time the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and the city attorney spend sorting out conflicts. The commissions would provide an impartial body to hear complaints so that valuable neighborhood council meeting time could be reserved for important issues, rather than personality disputes. The councils are improving their communities and empowering stakeholders. They should not be faulted for getting a little muddy in the process.

BY: CHARLOTTE LAWS