Los Angeles Visionaries Association

The following comes from Laura Meyers of WAHA

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Dear Friend of West Adams:

This Saturday, June 26, is the election for Board members to serve on the "UNNC" neighborhood council, and I urge you to participate. It is a contested election that may affect the future of historic preservation in a large part of the Historic West Adams District. The election is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CD10 Field Office, 1819 S. Western (entrance at the rear, on Manhattan Place.)

"UNNC" is the United Neighborhoods of the Historic Arlington Heights, West Adams and Jefferson Park Communities Neighborhood Council. WAHA (West Adams Heritage Association) is a longtime stakeholder partner with UNNC. 

It is imperative that we elect UNNC Board members who encourage revitalzation, support neighborhood groups and, importantly, work to protect our historic and cultural resources.

I am one of the people running for the board, and I am a part of a slate of stakeholders who support community-based activities, development and economic revitalization that is compatible with the character of the West Adams District, and a platform that includes historic preservation. The slate (attached for your review) recommends 23 people who are your neighbors and/or fellow historic preservation advocates (one person slated for each available seat), many of whom are affiliated with WAHA.

Every neighborhood council has different rules for voting. For UNNC, there are six regions where residents vote for their own representatives. In addition, UNNC has a category called "Non-Resident Stakeholder" which includes anyone who works, worships, owns property, goes to school, is the parent of a student who goes to school, is affiliated with an organization that is a part of UNNC, or otherwise considers themselves as having a stake in the community.

West Adams Heritage is one such stakeholder organization, and you are affiliated with WAHA, and therefore may vote as a Non-Resident Stakeholder.

I really hope you will take a few minutes on Saturday to go to the polling place and vote. You will be asked for your home address (no ID required) and if it is outside the geographic boundaries of UNNC you will be asked to state your stakeholder affiliation. 

If it is WAHA, then you write that:  "I am affiliated with West Adams Heritage Association (as a volunteer and/or member and/or participant in historic preservation advocacy), and I work to preserve historic neighborhoods in the UNNC area." 

You may be further asked to provide a "location" for WAHA. If you are, you may say: "WAHA has many varied activities and provides many services within UNNC's boundaries.   For example, WAHA's Board meets at Norton & Washington (Eureka Cafe), its archives and other materials are at 7th and Washington, and it also has a presence at the community space at 4th and Washington (only intersections are required.) WAHA has in recent years nominated Historic Cultural Monuments within UNNC's borders, including the Lukens/Soriano House in Jefferson Park, the Starr Dairy Farmhouse, also in Jefferson Park, the Statton and the Cline Residences in Angelus Vista, and has currently nominated the Lucy Wheeler/Greene & Greene Residence in Harvard Heights. WAHA's recent June tour included many venues within UNNC, its annual Preservation Brunch was at Vintage Hollywood, its 4th of July event is within UNNC's boundaries," and so on. 

[YES, this is convoluted, but that is what happens when the city clerk runs an election! The description has been approved by the clerk of the election.]

BACKGROUND

WAHA and UNNC collaborate on numerous activities, whether it is Halloween or Holiday festivities at our local park, support for the South Seas House, or historic preservation issues/activities that affect us all. 

WAHA and UNNC both have been engaged in the effort to protect historic interiors as the City considers revising the Cultural Heritage Ordinance. WAHA and UNNC also are currently supporting Jefferson Park neighbors and advocating on behalf of finalizing the Jefferson Park HPOZ. 

In addition, both WAHA and UNNC helmed efforts to comment upon (and hopefully revise) the proposed large-scale development at 10th and Washington that would have a serious detrimental effect upon the historic St. Paul's Catholic Church and would result in the demolition of the Vintage Hollywood/Stan Kite restaurant (the Googie building).

WAHA has participated with UNNC in the development of a vision and proposed plan to revitalize Washington Boulevard in a way that is compatible with the character neighborhoods it travels through.

And, WAHA is partnering with UNNC to do the historic building permit research for all of Arlington Heights and Angelus Vista in conjunction with Survey LA.

This is not the complete list, but as you can see WAHA and UNNC have enjoyed a long partnership.

THE SLATE -- www.YourVoiceYourVote.org

As mentioned, I am running as part of a slate and supporting that slate. We are running against a group of people who do not share our vision for the future of Historic West Adams, especially in regard to protecting the character of our neighborhoods. I, for one, do not want their voice to be the voice representing my community in City Hall for the next few years, when the future of historic preservation in West Adams and all throughout Los Angeles is at risk.

THE CANDIDATES:

You will see my name printed on the ballot, but many of my fellow slate candidates are Write-In Candidates. Please consider bringing this list with you and writing their names in.

Non-Resident Representative, Group A

(vote for six)

Jess E. Bravo 

>> And these Write-In Candidates:

Allen C. Lulu

Ruth T. Jones-Sawyer

Joyce M. Smith

Stephen R. Wallis

Gus Harris, Jr.

Non-Resident Representative, Group B

Stevie Stern

Laura S. Meyers

>> And these Write-In Candidates:

Roy S. Amemiya

Betty L. Phillips

Jose A. Rauda

Resident Representative Area 1, Seat 1

If you live in Arlington Heights/Angelus Vista or the Nevins Tract, please  WRITE IN: Betty Walton for Seat #1. 

Resident Representative Area 4, Seat 1 and 2

If you live in Western Heights please vote for Andrea Dunlop for Seat #1 and Chris Carlson for Seat #2

Resident Representative Area 5, Seat 1 and Seat 2

If you live in Jefferson Park west of Arlington and starting at the south side of Adams, please vote for Norman Gilmore (UNNC's Secretary) for Seat #1 and Wesley Todd (UNNC's Treasurer) for Seat #2.

Resident Representative Area 6, Seat 1

If you live in Jefferson Park east of Arlington, please vote for John Arnold for Seat #1.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me, or telephone YourVoiceYourVote at 323-446-2628.

And, as always, thank you very much for your ongoing support of preservation in the Historic West Adams District.

Laura Meyers