Now that the seven-member Board of Neighborhood Commissioners has voted unanimously to certify the creation of the first Westwood Neighborhood Council, this board believes that the nascent council should have some very specific objectives at the top of the docket.
Though the council is still waiting on an election to be held by the Los Angeles City Clerk, once approved, it will have a $45,000 annual budget, which this board believes should first be committed toward making improvements that will benefit a large percentage of Westwood residents.
Students comprise a large portion of Westwood’s demographic, and the council’s attention toward student needs should be concordant with this fact.
The Neighborhood Council has yet to release the specifics of its agenda, but here are a few objectives, with student concerns in mind, we hope to see included.
1. Fix the streets in Westwood. Students must drive on North Village roads daily, and the residents would benefit as well. The streets in Westwood are in shambles, ridden with cracks, crevices and potholes. It’s not just an inconvenience ““ it’s a safety hazard. The poor quality of roads can ruin the alignments and suspensions of cars and cause accidents and flat tires.
2. Clean up the sidewalks. We students walk to classes every day, sometimes several times a day. The sidewalks are as uneven as the roads, if not worse, and are a genuine safety hazard to pedestrians and bicyclists.
3. Bring some light to the Village. Westwood streets are typically very dark, and students usually stay up late. A few more lights would make Westwood a more hospitable place at night, which is not only a matter of safety, but of economics. A more vibrant nightlife could attract more business and bring more money into the area.
The board is confident that the council is aware of these problems and that it is currently drafting its own list of goals. However, we students should be part of the process.
Although most of us are only here for four years, some 40,000 students will always be living in Westwood. A dialogue between our Undergraduate Students Association Council representatives and the Neighborhood Council is essential, and this board urges student representatives to advocate students’ interests to the council.
Residents of Westwood have long clamored for the formation of a neighborhood council, and rightfully so. This is an opportunity to solve some of Westwood’s persistent problems, and we eagerly await to hear the specifics of the council’s plan.