Eagle Rock Plaza You spoke and they listened. Thanks to the many readers who took the time to send an email to Eagle Rock Plaza Management, you made a difference. Recently Bryan Paul - Plaza Manager, Albert Huerta - Operations Manager and I walked around the perimeter of the mall, discussing the places where some improvement is needed. I suggested to Bryan that the criteria for perimeter improvement should be to look at the perimeter fence as if he were viewing it from the window of his home. If it is a view he would not want, then something needs to be done. The plaza maintenance budget must address many issues, not just the mall perimeter. Other improvements are in progress. New lighting is being installed on the upper parking area and the parking lot is being restriped. The perimeter goal we agreed upon, for the highest visibility areas, is for the chain-link fence to be covered with properly trimmed green ivy. Follow up steps to be taken are as follows:
- Around the entire property, repair the fence wherever it is bowed, sagging, or otherwise not in good repair.
- Take steps to encourage the growth of ivy in all high visibility areas. Ensuring that the irrigation system is functioning properly will be key.
- Instruct the gardeners to trim ivy less stringently, so that it covers the chain-link fence rather than exposing it.
Remove the residue of dead plants on the fence.
- Repair or remove all damaged stanchions, sagging gates, etc.
The steps described above represent a budget-sensitive and practical approach to modestly improving the street-presence of the Plaza. I encouraged the manager to consider going beyond the minimum improvement by including "Welcome to Eagle Rock Plaza" signage at plaza entrances. My gut feeling was that he liked the idea but it will depend on the cost and whatever standards may be imposed by the owners, Centro Properties.
Bryan Paul expects the improvements described above to take approximately three months. Work will begin in July. We will monitor the progress and look forward to posting before and after pictures once the project is complete.
Thanks to all who made your voice heard. Show your appreciation to Eagle Rock Plaza Management by shopping there.
Public Meeting TERA held its summer Public Meeting on June 9 at Occidental College. We had a strong line-up of speakers.
The evening began with a presentation by Wendy Gruel. Part of my introduction for Wendy was to reflect on the fact that anyone who had a job description that included both "government" and "control" had to be a very brave and optimistic person. Wendy's message validated that she embodies those qualities. Certainly not a newcomer to government, Wendy's journey to Los Angeles City Controller began in Tom Bradley's office. The difference between cash flow and expenses (budgeted or not) was clarified. Duties of the Controllers Office and the ways in which the office attempts to influence city government to function in a way that is prudent and respects taxpayer funding was stressed. Without revealing the outcome of the audit, Wendy described the examination of the DWP, in order to determine if the reasoning the DWP provided for not making the recently requested major transfer of funds to the City was justified. The next day the LA Times reported that the audit had concluded that DWP misrepresented the facts. Wendy then responded to a myriad of questions from the audience. The opportunity to meet LA City Leadership in-person is invaluable. Thanks to Wendy for being part of our meeting.
Representatives of Eagle Rock Junior - Senior High School were next on the meeting agenda. In five years, the number of students graduating from Eagle Rock High School has jumped 25%, from 67% to a 92% graduation rate. 98% of graduates go on to continuing education, with 45% of those students entering 4-year colleges or universities. In the fall, Eagle Rock High Schools students will begin studies at Harvard, Yale, Vassar, Occidental, all of the Universities of California, and many other equally prestigious schools. These impressive numbers defeat the notion that the accomplishments of teaching professionals cannot be measured. By any measure, these are impressive outcomes; leadership and staff at our high school are clearly doing something right!
Salvador Velasco, Principal, and Stephen Williams, College Counselor, explained how Eagle Rock High School has achieved such incredible success. Williams described the effort that has been made to optimize the opportunities that would be available to the strongest performing students at the school. Velasco detailed a symbiotic approach that focused on improving overall student performance so that the population higher performing students would grow. The two strategies fostered a higher rate of graduates overall as well as many more students continuing their education beyond high school
As impressive as the stats are today, it's no surprise that they are not done. Working with Stephen and other members of the faculty, Salvador is introducing a study environment that will more closely resemble the environment students will encounter at colleges and universities. This initiative will require extra effort of both the faculty and the students. However, the potential rewards are huge.
Eagle Rock Junior High School is another of the gems that grace our community. Bring your hands together for Salvador, Stephen and all the rest of the staff and faculty at the school. We are fortunate to have individuals of such skill and dedication making a difference in tomorrow by preparing the students of today.
And finally, a big thanks to Occidental College. Did you know that Occidental College provides a full scholarship to a student from Eagle Rock High School every year? This year the scholarship was valued at $225,000. Occidental's generosity to Eagle Rock High School is tangible and irrefutable evidence of the college's dedication to the Eagle Rock Community. Kudos to Occidental!
We also want to thank Occidental for the Public Meeting use of the auditorium at Johnson Hall. Not only was it a beautiful venue, but they provided drinks and sweets.
If you are a member of TERA you will be receiving a request to renew your membership. If you are not a member of TERA - I hope you will consider becoming one. It is as easy as clicking here.
