CHARLOTTE LAWS - DREAM AND ACHIEVE TOGETHER
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CHARLOTTE LAWS - DREAM AND ACHIEVE TOGETHER |
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GVGC Minutes for Feb 6, 2006 |
| Greater Valley Glen Council Valley College, Faculty Room Minutes Feb. 6, 2006 Sign in sheet, roll call for outgoing board, pledge of allegiance. All former Council members are present except Carlos Ferreyra and Rena Shepgal. Prayers are with Carlos – serious accident. We will skip item number two on the agenda – election monitor’s report. Agenda Item Number 3: Caucus election violation. Motion: Based on Section 13, which is entitled “remedies for election violations,” not election challenges, Sharon Anton is making the following motion: I move to establish an ad hoc committee on election violations consisting of Martin Donabedian, Sharon Anton and Victor Viereck to immediately refer the matter of election violations and all of the supporting evidence to the City Attorney for an investigation into the actions of the following persons and the organizations they represent: Terry Anderson, Dixie Hendrickson, Peer Ghent, Judy Price. Finally, the ad-hoc committee will simultaneously request that the City Attorney issue an official opinion outlining our opinions, legal and otherwise, to protect the integrity of this council and its election process. Terry Anderson – There is a letter from DONE saying that item number three should not be on the agenda. Let’s have a vote on this. Diana Lipari – I was concerned about election violations. There was collusion in the caucus. Mt. Anderson traded his votes. He was willing to blackmail the VGNA. Mr. Terry was willing to blackmail his own organization when they were not willing to give him the VGNA seat on the board. I filed the complaint because it violated the GVGC election procedures. If I had not complained, I would be party to a cover up. My complaint was always just a complaint; it was not a challenge. Whatever the outcome of this, this board and the next one will need to deal with this. Richard Hilton – I agree with Diana Lipari. When I saw evidence of the emails from Terry Anderson, I said to myself, this is so wrong. I don’t think Mr. Anderson should be on the new board. Terry: How do I know you? Richard: I live two doors down from you Terry: Oh, you’re Diana’s husband, I didn’t recognize you., sorry. Terry Anderson – I did not spend hardly any time on the phone with DONE today. I stand by my conduct. I am certain that the city attorney will uphold my conduct. What I did was appropriate. For those of you who were at the caucus that night, you saw a bunch of charades. Mario was over at the religious table. He had to wrap his caucus up. We were all supposed to go at the same time. Community Organizations had to be the last one to go because Mario was at the religious caucus but he had to run over, a man who does not have children at school, he does not, I believe have children at home at all. He had to run over to the school caucus where he was representing a school, St. James Chantal school. Now we’re at the community organizations caucus, Laurie held us up because she also, who I also do not believe has children, she had to run over to the schools caucus to vote. Both Mario and her are running over there. So we had all these caucuses being held up while these two people are playing musical chairs, floating around the room. I do not consider this solid conduct, but, you know, it’s not illegal. And I am not going to file charges against them. The powers that be know this is a grand charade to badmouth me and trash my reputation. Laurie and Mario are all running around the caucus room one table to another, holding up caucuses. Do I think the system needs to be changed? You better believe it. Do I think the caucus system needs to be changed? You bet. Do you consider that good conduct? I don’t consider it solid conduct, but it is not illegal. Sharon Anton – We should have board comments prior to public comments. Mr. Anderson frames all of this in terms of his behavior at the caucus. I have witnessed the neighborhood association bring this council to a halt, the Neighborhood Association and act more like children than adults. Please vote. Do not abstain. It is too late to remain neutral. Martin Donabedian – The new council should be wrestling with this problem, not the old council. We should be sworn in. Abby Tetenbaum – I want to thank Diana for bringing all of this to my attention. The actions and emails speak for themselves. I urge the people on the new counsel to take them into account when they decide on whom they want as officers. I was at the caucus. It was not the chaotic scene that has been depicted. At the caucus, there was one candid and open conversation about whether organization could appoint a person or whether the person seated was the one you were voting for, and this was clarified that the person seated had the power to appoint as I recall. As a person who participated, this wasn’t the kind of caucus I had hoped to participate in. I am disappointed in what read. The motion is one that should be supported because it ought to be investigated. Shawn Panahandeh – We are not paid politicians. Let’s keep it all together. Charlotte Laws- Want to set the record straight. Terry did call me before the caucus and wanted to trade votes, I did not say I would trade votes. I had made a personal commitment to vote for Laurie’s organization. I could have changed my mind at any time. Of course, it is a secret ballot. Terry Anderson – Recall conversation with Charlotte differently. Lloyd heard what went on at the caucus. It was a very open and honest discussion. I accept the motion. I say let’s vote on this issue. Call the question. Sharon Anton – The ad hoc committee will turn the matter over to the city attorney and monitor the progress. We turn it over for an investigation and an opinion. Judy Price- Sharon, that was one of the most very vicious speeches I’ve heard. You have no authority. You are here simply to turn over the keys tonight. You can’t prevent anyone finalized by the FDM from being here tonight. This is an effort to smear Terry because we’re voting for officers tonight. You can file all the complaints you want, and believe me, there’ll be more complaints too because the behavior and this issue with regards to violations. You’re taking things totally out of context, things that you don’t know about. And if you’re going to open an investigation, you have to open it to all the people that had an involvement. And Terry, you left out who else was on the education caucus: Valerie. Valerie lost the night before. And so they had the votes there to make sure Valerie got on. The school with the legitimate representative did not get on. Valerie, what school do you represent? Valerie, what is your association with that school? Valerie-I am the designated representative for the school and I was legitimately… (Judy Interrupts) Judy - My point is, what is your association? Valerie - I was… (Judy interrupts) Larry - Judy you’re out of order. Judy - It’s my turn to be out of order. You want to open this can of worms, we’ll open this can of worms….. Terry - I do not mind having my conduct referred for review to the City Attorney. Please let’s do it quickly. Gary - Terry asked and I think we should call the question. Terry Anderson – This is a charade to trash my reputation. Laurie Lavine - If there is any collusion by me in my representation of Summit School, then bring it forward. Charlotte, Abby, Laurel Grove and I should have stayed home from the Community Caucus that night because it was a done deal between Terry and those he conspired with. Valerie: To Chair: In what capacity os Mr. Poster present Chair: Have a letter here from Dixie Hendrickson appointing him as new representative for ARC. Vote on motion for item number 3 passes. There are four “no” votes: Terry, Martin, Mickey, Linda. There are 10 “yes” votes: Sharon, Max, Charlotte, Lloyd, Valerie, Kiavesh, Shawn, Mario, Abby, Victor. Outgoing President Hanna opens Nominations for president of the Greater Valley Glen Council: Shawn P. – Nominate Laurie Lavine and it is seconded. Judy Price – Nominate Terry Anderson and seconded. Speech by Laurie Lavine. Peer Ghent interrupted the speech, swore at the Chair, was asked to leave, argued with Chair, and was escorted from the Faculty Room by LAPD visiting SLO. Speech by Terry Anderson. Roll call for new councilmembers – everyone is present. Motion to vote for president: Eleven votes for Laurie and eleven votes for Terry. We voted three times and the vote is the same each time. Police Officer- New SLO – Crime has increased a little lately. Increase in property crimes. Too many people leaving things on the front seat of their cars. People walk down the street and smash the windows. Get rid of mid-1980’s Toyota Corrola or Camry – they get stolen. (818) 634-0809 to call him. Interested in complaints or concerns. Lots of homeless are coming to Valley Glen via the red line and due to redevelopment downtown. Chair granted 10 minute recess. Meeting reconvened. Nominations reopened. Terry withdraws his nomination and replaces it with the nomination of Judy Price. Seconded. Speech by Judy Price. Now vote by the board for president between Judy and Laurie. Judy is the new council president. She wins by one vote. Judy takes the role now as president. People who voted for Judy are Terry, Martin, Matthew, Bettina, David, Mickey, Gary, Judy, Matt, Arline, Chris, Linda. People who voted for Laurie are Neal, Sharon, Laurie, Charlotte, Lloyd, Valerie, Kiavesh, Shawn, Mario, Vic. Nominations for Vice president: Terry Anderson and Valerie Olive. Speeches by both candidates. Vote for vice president: Terry is the new vice-president. 11 votes for Terry (including the president's vote) and 10 votes for Valerie. One abstain by Neal Adler. Votes for Terry are Terry, Martin, Matthew, Bettina, David, Mickey, Gary, Judy, Matt, Arline, Chris. Votes for Valerie are Sharon, Laurie, Charlotte, Valerie, Kiavesh, Shawn, Mario, Vic and Linda. Nominations for treasurer; Vic Viereck and Chris Ueland. Speeches by both candidates. Votes for Chris are Terry, Martin, Matthew, Bettina, David, Mickey, Gary, Matt, Arline, Chris, Linda. Votes for Vic are Neal, Sharon, Laurie, Charlotte, Lloyd, Valerie, Kiavesh, Shawn, Mario, Vic. Vote for treasurer. Chris is the new treasurer. 11 votes for Chris and 10 votes for Vic. Nominations for Secretary: Arline Simon and Laurie Lavine. Charlotte is nominated but rejects the nomination. Speeches by the candidates for secretary. Laurie is the new secretary 12 votes for Laurie and 10 votes for Arline. Votes for Laurie are Neal, Sharon, Bettina, Laurie, Charlotte, Lloyd, Valerie, Kiavesh, Shawn, Mario, Vic, Linda. Votes for Arline are Terry, Martin, Matthew S., David, Mickey, Gary, Judy, Matt, Arline, Chris. Judy Price - Meeting sooner than a month from now. “We should have a general meeting next Monday.” Treasurer’s Report - Handout for the council. All items paid except Lucky’s two way radio. Not paid because they don’t have a city business license tax. Balance of $61,847.95 at the end of the year. Chris has to take the course for Treasurer training. Motion to adopt the treasurer’s report passes unanimously. Telephone bill needs to be paid. Motion for Vic to pay this. Passes unanimously. Laurie – Discussion about the “Valley Glen” signs. Transcription for the Council meetings – Laurie – To research what the cost of transcription services cost and what the cost of minute taker is. Some sort of secretarial assistance is necessary. Laurie will research. Office Space at the Braude Center – Laurie – There is a space available. Main room and office space available. Keys available to each neighborhood council. Plus is a place to meet before commission meetings, etc. Motion for us to use the space for our council. Passes unanimously. Laurie has the ok to set it up at the Braude Center. Transition team for Documents – Motion. Laurie and Linda to take care of this. Passes unanimously. Mayor’s Budget Proposal – Deanna to speak on this item. Council was supposed to have two budget reps and choose regional reps. Council was unable to meet due to election situation. Mickey and Arline attended. Mickey talks about mayor budget day and he was only asked why the valley is different from L.A. There was low participation of surveys Valley-wide. Dan Wiseman is the regional budget rep for South Valley councils. Discussion of cell tower and possible motion – Triangle area - Sprint wants to put a tower there and improve the area. Mickey will need some help on the sign recommendation. Graffiti proof vs. not graffiti proof. There is also a bench to be installed per agreement. Mayor’s Day of Service - Great opportunity for beautification. Judy says there will be a day of service on May 7th. Work together on targeting areas. They will have a planning committee. The idea is to identify places where we need to have things done. Deanna says the city will bring tools out for us to use for planting, etc. Lots of median work needs to be done. Victory blvd needs work. Arline volunteers her husband to help – he is a landscape architect. Arline mentions doing a project at Laurel Grove Park. Valerie – KMPC is ripe for a project. This is her second request. Bougainvillea along the fence. Mickey – Beautification Committee needs lots of attendees. Difficult to do with only a few people. Judy – planting brings people together. Gary – we need to do sustainable projects. We can’t trust the city. We have to be more self-reliant. Grant High School student – presentation by Matt Shapiro. $250 to help a student who is part of the baseball team. Deanna says we cannot make a direct donation to a student in this way. She will investigate it further. No public comments. Charlotte Laws – we need to discuss and vote on joining the LA Neighborhood Council Congress. I am happy to go to the meetings regularly, maybe with one other person from the council (alternating). Mickey – We should consider the vacancies for the business seats. Mickey thanks outgoing members for their service. Judy Price – Need folders for all board members. We have 22 boardmembers right now. Shawn – Let’s set aside our differences. Next meeting is next Monday night Feb. 13 at 7 PM. Meeting adjourned. |
