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Two or three years ago a prominent Eagle Rock resident asked me to explain exactly what TERA does. I responded with generalities but struggled to offer specifics. After 1 ˝ years as president I am much more prepared to offer specifics. I hope the individual who asked the question will read this letter.
As a preface to the reflection on TERA's activities for 2010 I would like to share highlights of TERA's goals as defined in the association's bylaws.
Since the bylaws were written twenty five years ago, Eagle Rock has grown, mostly in positive ways. The challenges and opportunities to Eagle Rock have changed dramatically in that time period. Over time, TERA has stayed true to those goals while shifting the primary emphasis to the areas of greatest needs or opportunities. Our thanks to the founding members, who established a foundation for TERA that remains as relevant today as it was 25 years ago.
Turning to the question what does TERA do, or more specifically what did TERA do in 2010, it was a busy year, a year in which we touched upon virtually every goal outlined in our bylaws.
Preservation of green space motivated TERA to strongly protest the potential commercial development of Eagle Rock Ridge. We voiced our concerns to the council representative who ultimately promised to oppose development of this open area. Although not located in Eagle Rock, TERA assisted the efforts to preserve the Southwest Museum.
Historic preservation was on our agenda as well. TERA accepted invitations to work with Occidental College to foster development, while retaining the historic treasures found on campus and sensitivity to the surrounding neighborhood. TERA was one of the first to formally respond to the Swan Hall EIR (Environmental Impact Report), documenting our concerns with the Swan Hall rehabilitation proposal. The original plan would have significantly diminished the historic aspect of this very important Myron Hunt structure. Ultimately, Occidental refined their plan, significantly improving the dedication to accepted historic preservation standards.
Marijuana was definitely an issue in 2010 and will continue to be in 2011. TERA took a leadership role in campaigning for a stronger response to the proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries in our community. This issue was the most concerning issue in 2010. TERA spoke very loudly and clearly about the need for something to be done, not to eliminate the dispensaries, but to reduce the number to a reasonable number of locations. Collaborating with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, we stressed the need for government action. The Council Office responded by conducting a well attended public meeting at which city officials committed to stronger enforcement. We went away with hope. Tragically, we now know that the relevant ordinance(s) were poorly crafted and found to be unenforceable by a court. Sadly, the situation is worse today, rather than better. We will continue to speak to this critical issue.
Land Use has always been a significant part of TERA's mission. The number of development projects was reduced in the last year due to the weak economy. Projects on Yosemite, at Colorado and Hartwick, a project in the planning phase for Ellenwood, the proposed extension of the Von's complex at Figueroa and La Loma, and the on-going dialogues with Occidental college represent some of the land use issues that caught TERA's attention. The potential for a new marijuana dispensary at a location allegedly being redeveloped for other uses has been very much on our radar. We are currently assessing the proposed addition to the Colorado Terrace complex. Land use will always be a key component of our activities. However, other issues such as the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries, may from time to time, present the greatest threat to the quality of life in Eagle Rock at this time.
TERA continued the tradition of sponsoring public meetings including the annual State of the Town meeting, and a meeting conducted at Occidental College that featured City Controller, Wendy Gruel, and Eagle Rock High School leadership. The meeting provided a rare and personal insight into the challenges of running the City of Los Angeles. Salvador Velasco - Principal, and Stephen Williams - College Counselor explained the strategies they have employed, and the actions they have taken to so greatly distinguish this school. Eagle Rock is very fortunate to have capable leadership and a dedicated teaching staff at Eagle Rock High School.
In 2010 the TERA Home Tour was replaced with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? The event, which brought members of the community together for an evening of fun, food and community, was very well received. It also assisted TERA in raising funds to support our efforts. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - 2011 is in the planning stages now.
At one point last year, the medians on Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards looked like the Wild West, with weeds, shrubs and grass out of control. Trees died from a lack of irrigation. Eagle Rockers started asking, "What's going on?" and offered to get involved. TERA sought community support and strongly encouraged the Council Office to take corrective action including a response to those who wanted to get involved. The medians are now under control and the Council Office routinely conducts Median Advisory Committee meetings with the participation of interested residents.
Positive and supportive working relationships with other Eagle Rock Community organizations were a key part of TERA's approach in 2010. TERA was a sponsor at the 2010 Music Festival. A financial commitment to the Eagle Rock Community Preservation and Revitalization Corp. was renewed. Very positive and collaborative relationships between the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, Eagle Rock Beautiful, the Highland Park Improvement Association and other local organizations were enjoyed in the last year. The eLetter has regularly highlighted activities sponsored by other neighborhood organizations including the Women's' Twentieth Century Club of Eagle Rock, the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, local art galleries and merchant initiatives, etc. Advocating for the arts in Eagle Rock has been a theme through the year.
Eagle Rock celebrates its 100 year anniversary next year and TERA has participated in the planning process for this celebration since day one. TERA has taken a leadership role in securing street banners to celebrate this special anniversary and has made a financial commitment to this effort. In addition, TERA has formed a partnership with the Urban Forest Collaborative to create a legacy of the celebration by planting trees throughout our community.
Many other activities do not fit a specific category, but they are important actions taken by TERA, adding to the quality of life in our community. TERA coordinated local participation in the MLK Day of Service and the LA River Cleanup. The organization continues to provide administrative support to the local Community Garden. As a direct result of the community's support of TERA's efforts, the fencing perimeter at Eagle Rock Plaza has been rehabilitated. eLetter readers were made aware of the potential cuts to ambulance and rescue responses and childcare services. We have campaigned for more bike corrals.
This is our report for 2010 - probably more than you wanted to know. The TERA board feels good about what we accomplished in 2010 but we are now focused on 2011. The best prediction of the future is the experience of the past. TERA contributed in 2010 and we will continue to do so in 2011. The challenges are changing as I write this letter, and TERA will respond to those challenges appropriately.
On behalf of the entire TERA board, best wishes to you for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.
If You Do But You're Not:
If you do appreciate the work TERA is doing on behalf of this great community, but you are not a member, join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm. Memberships begin at only $15.
Membership Has Benefits - New Merchant:
Welcome to our newest merchant, La Fuente Restaurant Bar & Grill located at 2256 Colorado Boulevard. A major remodel transformed this long-time neighborhood Mexican Restaurant to a full service bar and grill. Show your valid TERA Membership card for 10% off the food portion of your bill.
Please patronize these merchants, save a little money, and show them that you appreciate their support of the community.
 Bob Gotham, President
By now it's old news that Judge Moran found significant flaws in the ordinance meant to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries. As a result of his findings, the City of Los Angeles is left with few, if any tools to regulate this very controversial business. If history can be relied upon, until new or revised ordinances are in place, which pass the litmus test of the Courts, we can only expect to see a greater proliferation of dispensaries. This represents a huge setback.
On December 10, Council members Jose Huizar and Paul Koretz co-sponsored a motion, requesting that the City Attorney prepare and present an Interim Control Ordinance for the City Council's consideration. It is critical that some degree of control be restored as quickly as possible! We can only hope there is a rapid and effective response to this request.
As an aside, one does wonder what the vetting process was that allowed such flawed ordinances to be established. Has the city learned to do it better the second time around? We can only hope.
Meet the Candidates Meeting TERA and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council are jointly hosting the Meet the Candidates meeting in February. The candidates will be asked to respond to a small number of pre-defined questions. If you have a question that would be logical to ask all the candidates (the incumbent as well those opposing the incumbent) submit your question to president@TERA90041.org. We will choose the four best questions to be included in the agenda for the meeting.
Remember, February 8 - Save the date and send your question.
American Tire - 1916 Colorado Boulevard:
It appears that the owner of this property reported a second time to the Design Review Board. Kaye Beckham, president of the Design Review Board, assured me that the owner stated very directly that no marijuana related enterprise is contemplated for this location. Kaye was not aware of the prior application for a dispensary at this location until TERA brought it to her attention. Kaye felt that the depictions of the planned rehabilitation of the structure were very attractive. It is TERA's hope that our concerns regarding the ultimate use of this location are not well founded.
Occidental College - Swan Hall Rehabilitation:
TERA was one of the first stakeholders to respond to the Draft Environmental Impact Report regarding the rehabilitation and renovation of Swan Hall, one of the historic buildings on the campus that was designed by Myron Hunt. Recently we received the Final Environmental Impact Report.
Kudos to Occidental College for hearing and responding to the community's concerns. The Final Environmental Impact Report reflects several changes that bring the rehabilitation and renovation plan for Swan Hall into compliance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation, therefore retaining Swan Hall's historic status.
A friendly reminder that you can purchase a commemorative Eagle Rock Centennial Calendar, celebrating the last 100 years of Eagle Rock history. These calendars are available for sale for $5 at the following merchant locations:
Visit the Centennial Website at http://www.eaglerockcentennial.com to find our more about this celebration and how you can get involved.
Jane Tsong writes:
We are now partnering with TreePeople to coordinate the 2011 street tree plantings. In the coming year, we'll be holding several tree planting days (two in March, two in December). These volunteer work days will be organized by Yuliana Parada and Marcos Trinidad. There will also be a series of tree care events, starting on Jan 8.
If you are interested in becoming qualified as Tree Care Coordinators or Planting Supervisors (leadership roles), as part of our local team, you may want to consider participating in a Treepeople workshop. The workshop will teach you a lot about trees. You will also learn a lot about working with people. Note that it is not necessary to take the workshop if you simply want to volunteer in a support role at upcoming events.
January 8 - Welcoming in the new Century Tree Care event. We will be helping native Coast Live Oaks fare better in the urban environment.
Register at
http://www.treepeople.org/street-tree-care-15
Register at:
http://www.treepeople.org/calendar/2011-01-22
More updates on the Centennial plantings on Colorado and York:
http://urbanforestcollaborative.wordpress.com/
Other information: Contact Jane Tsong at nothing301@gmail.com
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