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It's that Time Again:
The Christmas season does not usually come gently to us. Each year we take a trip beginning around Thanksgiving Day and return about 10 days later. In prior years returning home, as we left the holiday-neutral space of the aircraft cocoon, and entered the LAX terminal we were surrounded by holiday decorations and the blaring holiday music with the clear message "You are way behind in holiday preparations, get to work!" This year there were only occasional indications of the impending holiday and no holiday sounds in the air at the American Airlines terminal. We were more gently moved into the holiday spirit during the 30 minute commute, which culminated in a profusion of beautifully decorated homes as we ascended the hill to our home. It does seem that more and more of our neighbors are joining the Christmas lights group every year which is wonderful. A week later our lights and the tree were up. The house was decorated and ready, as it had to be, for TERA's holiday mixer. Of course, there was the annual and very predictable decorating drama and disagreement. Garland placement was the sensitive topic for 2012. In prior years the technique for hanging lights on the gutters was especially challenging and controversial. Problem solved - we no longer hang lights on the gutters. I hope for all readers that your holiday preparation efforts are pure pleasure. Greetings for the Holiday:
From our homes to yours, TERA extends heartfelt wishes to you for a great Christmas and wonderful 2013.
 Bob Gotham, President
Included in the board photo (clockwise from front right) are Greg Merideth, Marina Rimer, Jay Platt, Bob Gotham, Maura Duval Griffin, Heather Klinger and Sharon Kroner. Not pictured - Michelle Coulter and Maria Nazario Recently the TERA Board came together for our annual holiday potluck / celebration. Our board is composed of people who not only care about Eagle Rock, but also includes several accomplished cooks. After an excellent dinner many lingered around the dining room table for friendly conversation. Describing the conversation as "friendly" is a carefully chosen word. That evening, around the table I reflected on how many at our home that evening have become more than fellow board members; they have become valued friends. If you are not already involved in actively supporting the Eagle Rock Community, I urge you to consider doing so in 2013. Please include TERA as an alternative as you consider how you could be more involved. Not only will our community benefit from your efforts, but you will receive the gift of new friendships.
Support TERA - Become a Member Join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm . Memberships begin at only $15.
Membership Has Benefits! Discounts are available for TERA Members at participating merchants (see list above.) Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/benefits.htm to see the member benefits offered by each merchant.
If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the eLetter, please email president@tera90041.org.
TERA supported the Twentieth Century Women's Club by participating in their annual Festival of Trees fundraiser. Many thanks to board members Michelle Coulter and Sharon Kroner who decorated TERA's tree, creating ornaments with pictures of the mosaic artworks that comprise the trash receptacles that were distributed throughout Eagle Rock as the Make Art Not Trash project four years ago.
A vibrant commercial community is a key ingredient in any community. When you patronize a local merchant, not only do you supported a business owner who has invested in Eagle Rock. You have also promote the health of our community. Tis the season to shop. Please make patronizing local merchants an important part of your shopping strategy this year. TERA members, don't forget to show your membership card when visiting a merchant that participates in the Membership Benefit program.
Funding:
Last fall a funding request for $4,900 was approved by the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council. However, the request was denied by City Hall because of an administrative concern. Since Maria Nazario was a member of the ERNC and she is also on the board of TERA, she did not vote on the funding request. However, since she did not leave the meeting room during the discussion, it was determined that this violated conflict of interest concerns and the request was denied. I returned to ERNC at their December meeting to repeat the request for funding. The experience was quite different from the initial request to council members who were quite informed regarding the initiative. It is clear that the new Council will exert the greatest due diligence in making decisions regarding all future funding requests. I applaud them for that care and concern. Most of the funding provided to the community through the Neighborhoods Council grants supports current events and short term needs. Take Back the Boulevard is distinctive in that it is an investment, in the long-term future of Eagle Rock.
During the candidate forum before the ERNC election, many candidates spoke strongly in favor of Take Back the Boulevard. That support was evident at the December meeting. I thank the members of the "new" Neighborhood Council for their appreciation of the importance of this initiative and for once again approving the funding request. I do not anticipate there will be any issues with the request being challenged at City Hall. I also thank all the members for their service to the community.
METRO Call for Projects:
As reported in the last eLetter, Take Back the Boulevard responded the METRO's (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation) every other year "Call for Projects." This call gives communities the opportunity to request funds for transportation-related projects in their area, including bicycle and pedestrian projects. Unfortunately, our submission, which was ranked #17 out of 39, just a few points short of the cutoff, and was not approved. It appears that nearly all of the recommended projects are near existing/proposed light rail or Orange Line stops and/or extensions/later phases of projects funded in earlier Call for Projects projects. Given that this was our first attempt to seek funding, and did not have the added credibility of our Master Vision Document that is in progress, to be ranked 17 out of 39 submissions is respectable. Bike Lane Update:
A key milestone in finalizing the plans for a bike lane on Colorado Boulevard is completing an Environmental Impact Report. A draft version of the report, which has been in progress for some time, is due to be completed this month. An important aspect of the report will be an assessment of the impact of the elimination of one lane of traffic in each direction on Colorado Boulevard. Recently Gov. Brown signed AB2245, which, as of January 1, 2013, exempts bike lane projects from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including a formal Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The new law does require an analysis of traffic and safety impacts, and public hearings (although less formal than required by CEQA), so most of the work being done under the on-going EIR will be necessary. The opportunity for challenges and resulting litigation appear more limited under the new law. The City of Los Angeles has scheduled several public hearings regarding the plan. The hearing that will include a discussion of bike lanes on Colorado Boulevard is scheduled as follows: Following the hearings, a written report, which will incorporate and respond to comments and input received at the public hearings, will be prepared by Department of City Planning for consideration by the General Manager of LADOT, and shall be available to the general public and interested parties. Due to the new procedures the City will not be certifying the EIR or preparing a Final EIR, and instead shall file a Notice of Exemption pursuant to Section 15062 of the CEQA Guidelines. All are strongly encouraged to participate in the meeting on February 13. This is an important step forward!
Mobile Homes - Not So Mobile:
Based on the few responses to this item in the last eLetter (long-term parking of vans, mobile homes, etc. on city streets) this does not seem to be a chronic problem in Eagle Rock. Surprisingly, the most mentioned concern was related to issues between neighbors who park their vans or RV's in closer proximity to their neighbor's homes than their own. The 72 hour rule, as detailed below, frequently does not provide the desired relief since every three days vehicle owners simply move the vehicle just a few feet to reach compliance. The second Municipal Code requires specific posting to preclude the parking of oversize vehicles. Logically, wouldn't it make more sense to post those areas where oversize parking is permitted and by definition establish it is otherwise not permitted? For those who are plagued by this unwanted parking, it might be wise to measure the offending vehicle. If it meets the criteria request that "no parking for oversize vehicles" signage be installed. Selected Los Angeles Municipal Codes: SEC. 80.73.2. USE OF STREET FOR STORAGE OF VEHICLES - GENERALLY - WHEN PROHIBITED.
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or who has possession, custody or control of any vehicle to park that vehicle or leave it standing upon any highway, street or alley for 72 or more consecutive hours. SEC. 80.69.4. PARKING OF OVERSIZE VEHICLES.
(a) No person shall stop, stand or park, when authorized signs are in place giving notice of the restriction, any oversize vehicle, defined as a motor vehicle in excess of 22 feet in length or over 84 inches in height, between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. The registered owner of the oversize vehicle or other person having control of the oversize vehicle shall also be in violation of this section if he or she has knowledge that the oversize vehicle had been so parked and the person parking had the express or implied permission to operate the oversize vehicle. I am neither an attorney nor am I well versed in our Municipal Codes. There may be other aspects of the Code that play a role that I did not identify. The LAPD can only enforce parking according to Municipal Codes. My personal opinion is that the codes should be amended to provide more adequate tools to LAPD for addressing this city-wide problem. However, that is not likely to happen until and unless a significant number of citizens unite to work for this change. Based on the few responses I received to the last eLetter, for the few living with this issue, it is a real problem. However, at this time we don't appear to have adequate support in Eagle Rock to lead the charge on this topic.
It has now been over two months since the federal government delivered warning letters to all dispensaries telling them to shut down within two weeks or face further costly federal enforcement. In addition, three dispensaries are confronted with asset forfeiture lawsuits and three others were raided. I have an outstanding request to LAPD and the Council Office to confirm Eagle Rock dispensary status. However, I have been told by "non-official" sources that all the dispensaries in our community are now closed. The reality is that with the closing of the dispensaries, the marijuana industry is not gone; it will once again go underground. Let's hope for the day when this industry can be reasonably regulated, allowed to exist for the benefit of those who have true medical needs, and do so without an inordinate presence in Eagle Rock.
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