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Dear Friend:
By now you’re no doubt aware that the City is facing a budget crisis with many painful decisions ahead. Over the past few weeks, the Budget and Finance Committee has been holding hearings and reviewing the Mayor’s proposed budget and considering changes to help fill critical gaps and adjust priorities. My goal during this process is to do everything possible to mitigate the worst of the proposed cuts, including finding revenue, squeezing every possible dollar out of special funds, finding efficiencies and–where necessary–making difficult decisions about eliminating departments, commissions, jobs or functions.
And because almost all of our budget is spent on the actual people who pave our streets, trim our trees, keep us safe, maintain our buildings and parks, and repair the vehicles used to do all those things – deep budget cuts inevitably mean laying off some employees. Staffing cuts have a negative cascading impact because our civil service rules enable “bumping”. This means that a City worker who is laid off is given the opportunity to take the jobs of a less senior city worker within certain parameters of job classifications. This can have a cascading effect whereby many workers get displaced and assigned a different job until ultimately a worker is laid off. This process causes chaos, frustrated workers, and inefficiency. Conversely, every job saved has an exponential positive effect.
We will continue to get through this, but we need to be creative, compassionate, and prudent.
As always, if you have any questions for me or my staff, or would like to get in touch, please do not hesitate to write to us at c03.foryou@lacity.org or call my office at 818-774-4330.
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Celebrating One Year of Unarmed Model of Crisis Response |
Councilmembers Blumenfield and Hernandez, Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Committee on Unarmed Crisis Prevention, Intervention and Community Services, honored Unarmed Model of Crisis Response (UMCR) Teams for their one year of service to help Angelenos in need. UMCR continues to positively impact communities in the City of Los Angeles by deploying trained behavioral health teams to 911 calls for service. UMCR teams have responded to over 8,000 calls for service and provide support to Angelenos in crisis without the presence of armed law enforcement officers. This continues to be a win-win as people in crises get an appropriate response and our police officers are freed up to focus on fighting crime in our neighborhoods. |
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Installing Safety Measures in Tarzana
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Recently, “No Stopping” signs were installed in Tarzana along Reseda Blvd between Country Club Place and St. Moritz Drive between the hours of 9PM-6AM, in response to safety concerns in the area. After hearing from many community members about the crimes being initiated by people parking in this location late at night, Councilmember Blumenfield requested the installation of these safety measures to help protect residents. Blumenfield remains committed to community safety and continues to pursue effective solutions to improve the quality of life for all residents. |
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Share Your Thoughts on the Warner Center Active Transportation Hub Project |
The City of Los Angeles, in partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments, is working on the Warner Center Active Transportation Hub, a project to reimagine Warner Center as an active transportation hub for jobs and housing. Your input is needed to make Warner Center a safer, more connected and vibrant place to live, work, and visit. Share your ideas on May 20th at Goldwater Community Center at Westfield-Topanga Mall from 5:30-7PM or on June 21st at the Woodland Hills Farmers Market from 9AM-2PM. If you can't make it, a virtual survey can be found here. |
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Cleaning and Greening the West Valley |
Councilmember Blumenfield’s partnership with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC) continues to deliver results for the West Valley. Young Corpsmembers work hard each day to keep our communities clean. A few years ago, Blumenfield provided office space for the LACC within his district office building, and he regularly allocates district specific funds to LACC to specifically address needs in the local communities and he's always grateful to see their continued progress. He views this local team as a potent local clean-up strike force to help remove weeds, trash and other nuisances.
If you see bulky items, excess trash, graffiti, etc, call 818.774.4330 or email c03.foryou@lacity.org and we'll send a team out. |
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Councilmember Blumenfield joined City Librarian John Szabo, former Councilmember Joy Picus, and community members to celebrate Platt Library’s 30th Anniversary. Platt continues to be a welcoming community hub where people of all ages can learn, get creative, and connect. |
On Denim Day, Team Blumenfield wore denim with a purpose to support survivors and educate others about sexual violence. There is no excuse for sexual assault and we must continue to fight against violence and harassment in all forms. |
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This week's photo, taken in 1958 from the Valley Times Collection, shows Honorary Mayor of Tarzana Paul Pierce signing the safety scroll of the Tarzana Business and Professional Women's Club, which promotes automobile safety. Learn more about the photo here.
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Councilmember Bob Blumenfield 200 N Spring Street, Room 465, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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