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A mechanical failure is the reason for the tardiness of this eLetter. I have entered the phase of my life requiring parts replacement. On February 15 I had my right hip (ball and socket) removed and replaced with artificial parts. I chose the "salsa" replacement model rather than the "rock and roll" thinking it was more age appropriate. My physician said my old hip appeared to have been doused with battery acid - it certainly felt that way. Just over two weeks after the surgery and the pain in my hip is minimal, I am getting around with a cane, and almost back to my usual independence. However, the hoped-for newly acquired salsa moves remain elusive.
Yesterday a friend called and offered the observation that almost all life challenges include something good. That certainly applies to this surgery. My partner Mike has been an incredible care-giver. My greatest feeling of guilt was when I needed to wake him several times a night for a trip to the bathroom. His response was "I raised three kids - this is nothing!" I am now happier than ever that he had children. I also feel very fortunate to have had an excellent medical team to help me through the process. My surgeon, Robert Klapper, M.D., is the Co-Director of the Joint Replacement Program at Cedars Sinai. He definitely knows his way around a hip. Finally, Cedars has established an incredible pre-op process, not only addressing the myriad of tests needed to minimize risk during surgery, but also requiring patient and care-giver attendance at a very informative hip / knee surgery overview. The prediction is that patients return to a normal routine from four weeks to four months after surgery. My goal is to be out and about in the community on the earlier end of that timeline. Wish me luck. For the final time, I am including an invitation to submit nominations for the TERA Board.
Also, thanks to Maria Nazario, my good friend, and immediate TERA past president for providing the following information regarding recent community events. Board of Director Nominations: In the near future TERA Members will be asked to vote on individuals to serve on the TERA Board. If you would like to be considered for a board position, or would like to nominate another candidate, or have any questions regarding the process, please contact the Nominating Committee Chair - Maria Nazario at maria.nazario@calcpa.org. Regarding the submission, please ensure that the nominee meets the qualifications for the board (see below) and that they are willing to serve.
Board of Director Qualifications:
Directors shall have been current members of TERA for at least one (1) year prior to nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors. No member may be elected or appointed as a director who holds a Federal, State, County, City, or other public office representing Eagle Rock nor be a salaried employee of an elected official representing Eagle Rock. No member may be elected Director whose business consists primarily of land development, representation of land developers, or activity in zoning or planning or land-use matters, which would conflict with TERA's mission and purposes.
Candidate Submission:
Please submit the following information for yourself or any recommended candidate. Don't talk about wanting to get involved in your community; this is your chance to do it now!  Bob Gotham, President
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/tera_membership_merchants_benefits0.aspx 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 State of the Town Address TERA Board member Greg Meredith warmly welcomed the packed room and re-affirmed to all in attendance TERA's unwavering mission of quality of life, preservation and proper planning, beautification and business growth. He then introduced Councilman Huizar. Councilman Huizar thanked attendees for their community involvement, the Center for the Arts for the venue, TERA and the ERNC for their efforts in caring for the community and Bob Gotham as TERA president who was unable to be at the event.
Next on the agenda was a report from the Take Back the Boulevard Initiative. The presentation was made by Mott Smith and Jeff Jacobberger. The podium returned to Councilmember Huizar who thanked Mott and Jeff for their report and continued with his remarks.
He applauded Eagle Rock for their grassroots work. He shared that while the York Blvd and Bringing Back Broadway Vision Plans are working, they were initiated by CD 14. In contrast, the community initiated the TBTB vision plan, a testament to the engaged citizenry of Eagle Rock
Huizar went on to say that heis working with state legislators on how to best handle illegal massage parlors. The laws need to change so the city can have them abide by existing land use rules. The city attorney and LAPD continue to monitor them in the meantime.
Medical marijuana dispensaries are down to zero, a huge improvement over having nearly 35 dispensaries in Eagle Rock. There are 3 proposals on the March ballot. He voted against the measures because he believes that dispensaries are not the intent of the law. The law allowed for collectives. The sale of marijuana is the same from a store front or a street corner -- both are illegal.
Councilmember Huizar introduced Officer Craig Orange to cover the crime report.
Officer Craig Orange first began by thanking every one for how engaging and warm they've been to him. Holding back his emotions he talked about how the Eagle Rock community/police partnership has worked so great in lowering crime and making the community safer. He acknowledged that he will miss the friendships he has made in Eagle Rock [and we wish him the best in his new position in East Hollywood].
Officer Orange discussed how to deter burglaries at your property. He said to make sure there is lighting around the perimeter of the house and landscaping lights. He said that having a dog that will bark at intruders also helps. Know your neighbors - building relationships with your neighbors not only enriches your life, but it has the added bonus of watching out for each other's property. His best advice came when he said "If you can get into your house in the dark, so can a burglar". Check your house at night for potentially vulnerable areas. 1. Vons: Audience members wanted to know what was being done, the problem of currently exiting the parking lot and no signals to ease left turns from the parking lot. Huizar's Response: He explained that the construction that is being done is an expansion of the store and addition store front space for businesses and that Vons can do this "by right". This means they don't have to come before community groups for input or approval. Huizar suggested to them that they engage the community about the perimeter aesthetics and ingress/egress. 2. ½% sales tax increase on March Ballot: Inquiry as to exactly what this tax increase will be used for. Huizar's Response: It is estimated that if the measure passes it will raise $200M more for the general fund and will help cut the city's deficit. 3. Parklets and Crosswalks: Inquiry as to when Eagle Rock will get parklets and crosswalks. Huizar's Response: Thanks to the Take Back The Boulevard initiative, this is a priority in the vision plan and will work with TBTB to make it happen. 4. Seat on Metro Board: Inquiry as to how he plans to leverage his seat on the Metro Board to improve rail system in Los Angeles. Huizar's Response: There are no plans for more rail systems in the area, but to improve public transportation they may look at the Dash bus system. It already comes up to Highland Park and there is no reason it should not be extended to Eagle Rock. He would like street cars in Los Angeles again and the Broadway portion is 50% funded so far. 5. Public/Private Partnerships: Asked if he supported the public/private partner concept for places such as the LA Zoo. Huizar's Response: He supports the concept and the Los Angeles Convention has plans for this concept in conjunction with the football stadium. It all hinges on getting a team for Los Angeles, but if so, the old portion of the convention center would be torn down and rebuilt to better suit convention goers. 6. Homelessness: With the downturn in the economy there seem to be more homeless people on Colorado and a congregation of them around Mt. Royal. What is being done about the issue? Huizar's Response: The first step is to contact social services staff and ask that they go speak with them and offer them shelter for the night and other services. However, if the person refuses services then police is called if they are blocking the right of way. Up until now the city did not have a place to store the homeless' belongings. This should help with the removal of shopping carts full of belongings. 7. Licensed vs. Unlicensed Massage Therapists: A licensed massage therapist asked that there be a differentiation in how they are viewed and treated. Asked Huizar if he would meet with the licensed group. Huizar's Response: He'd be happy to meet with them. 8. Eagle Rock Mall: Complaint about the issue of exiting the mall on Sierra Villa. The street gets back up to the exit driveway and people are driving in front of traffic. It's dangerous and the mall owners have done nothing to mitigate the issue, such as requesting a stop signal. Huizar's Response: The Mall is working with DOT to improve the flow on that section of Sierra Villa. The left turn signal time has been increased so that the traffic does not back up to the driveway. A turn signal is not likely to be installed.
Open House for Assembly member Gomez I had the opportunity to attend the open house for our Assembly member Jimmy Gomez Thursday, February 28. His new office is located in the Citibank building that is in the process of being re-furbished. He shared with the audience that moving to this location will save the state $15,000 a year in lease payments. He also wanted to site the office centrally in his district so that all constituents would have access to him and his staff. In the packed room I ran into several other Eagle Rockers in attendance including Stephan Early, ERHS Teacher and Jim Tranquada, Oxy Director of Public Relations. There were many community groups and neighborhood council representatives and all were excited to meet the assembly member and district staff. The district staff is the main link to constituents in the district and keep the assembly member informed on local issues and activities. In his short remarks, Assembly member Gomez talked about his early efforts to work across party lines and across the aisle. He has approached Senator Kevin De Leon who is only a block from the new office to discuss how they can best work together for the constituents of Los Angeles. Gomez recently introduced a bill to make it easier to serve someone with court documents for such things as restraining orders. The bill passed and through the use of technology the papers will be served and if they can't find the person, they will now be accessible electronically by other officer and police in the field that can print them and serve the person if they are making a routine traffic stop. He is concerned about gun control and introduced a recommendation to the California legislature to support Senator Feinstein in her gun control efforts in Washington. I had already met with Assembly member Gomez in Sacramento in January as part of my company's legislative work and discussed accounting and tax issues. At the district visit I was pleased to hear that he intends to approach his position in a collegial and collaborative manner and with input from his constituents. I then met with Field Representative Stephanie Romero who will be serving the Eagle Rock area and encouraged her to attend the ERNC meetings and Eagle Rock events so she can engage with the community. Whether you supported his candidacy or that of another candidate, I encourage you to get to know him and provide him with your support. Together we can have a stronger impact on our community. His office is located at 1910 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 810 [corner of Glendale Blvd], Los Angeles, CA 90026-3350 and the phone is (213) 483-5151. Maria Nazario is a past TERA president and current board member. She is the Strategic Relations Director with the California Society of CPAs.
Colorado / Eagle Vista:
This property has been purchased by another developer. Activity has already been noted on the property. There is no clarity on what type of structure may be built by the new developer. However, there is some chance that it will be a commercial structure, which is permitted at this location. TERA has reached out to the new developer for more information.
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