Blumenfield Buzz - Week of March 22nd

Note From Councilmember Blumenfield- After Terrorist Attack in New Zealand, Increased LAPD Patrols and Opportunities to Improve Security

On the night of March 14, a domestic terrorist fueled by a hateful ideology stormed into two mosques to murder innocent worshipers in New Zealand. The death toll has increased to 50 victims, a devastating loss for the Muslim community. I offer my sincerest condolences to the families and survivors of this terrible attack and my solidarity to all those who feel targeted by the message of terror that the cowardly shooter was attempting to spread.

We must not ignore the terrible resurgence of hate crimes and vile rhetoric against religions and minorities that we are seeing around the world. While we all call out for tolerance, it is too low of a bar. We must come together, embrace one another, unify and stand up to bigots, racists and hatred.

The morning after the New Zealand shooting, LAPD stationed extra patrols in front of our local mosques to deter any copycat attackers. Officers regularly checked in with the mosque’s clergy to make sure attendants felt safe and had whatever they needed.

If your faith based organization is in need of resources to improve security, my office is eager to provide help. For any staff concerned about the security of their religious organizations, schools, and houses of worship, we will be hosting a Public Safety Grants Writing Workshop on March 27 from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Lyn Shaw Hilfenhaus Community Room located at my district office, 19040 Vanowen St, Reseda, CA. The goal of this event is to educate faith-based institutions about how to apply for security grants for up to $80,000 a year.

Later that evening, the West Hills Neighborhood Council will be hosting an active shooter safety forum from 6:30-8:00pm at El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills. They will be joined by LAPD officers and other knowledgeable individuals who can provide crucial life-saving strategies for any future attack. To learn more please visit their website here.

Our friends from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) are ready to lend a hand during this difficult time. They are offering advice and information to parents, families, and educators on how to explain hate crimes and mass shootings to children. Please visit their page here to view their comprehensive guide

Lastly, I am proud to know our federal partners are standing right beside us. The Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, and the FBI have prepared a series of documents to help religious organizations and worshippers become better prepared for an attack. Our partners from FEMA have excellent webinars and online training guides for anyone looking to be better prepared in case of a potential attack. To learn more, please visit their page here.

If you are in need of a security assessment for your house of worship, the LAPD and the secret service offer free consultations. Please contact the LAPD at 877-ASK-LAPD or your local secret service office, which may be reached at 951-276-6781. If my staff or I can be of help, please call my office at 818-774-4330.

SIG_BB_TR_PNG.png


Blumenfield Joins the LA Delegation for the Nations League of Cities in Washington D.C.

DC1.JPG

Recently Blumenfield joined more than 2,000 local leaders from around the country for the National League of Cities conference in Washington D.C. From addressing homelessness, to tackling infrastructure problems, to building stronger partnerships between the federal and local governments, this conference provides a unique opportunity to share ideas, strategies, and solutions.

“I was thrilled to meet with my counterparts from around the nation to connect, empower and engage to help our city,” said Blumenfield. “So many of the problems cities face cross party, geographic and other lines, and these conferences help create and foster important relationships that can help fix our shared problems.”

As the newly appointed Chair of the California Chapter of Democratic Municipal Officials (DMO), Blumenfield also used his time to meet with DMO counterparts from around the country. In addition, he sat down with many friends from across the country including members of the Los Angeles and California delegation such as House Speaker Nancy PelosiU.S. Senator Kamala Harris, Representatives Adam Schiff,  Jimmy Gomez Katie Hill Gil CisnerosHarley Rouda Jared Huffman, and many others. He also joined the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Access DC delegation for several meetings to help better connect local businesses with the federal government.

DC2.JPG


Leading Effort to Ensure a Healthy Urban Tree Canopy

Blumenfield_Tree_Crew.JPG

Blumenfield with Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager of the Bureau of Street Services (BSS); as well as Assistant Directors Keith Mozee and Greg Spotts; and BSS tree trimming crews on Winnetka Ave.

Since Blumenfield became Chair of the City’s Public Works Committee about a year and a half ago, his goals have included getting Public Works back to pre-recession levels of resources and staffing and focusing on proactive measures to create and sustain a healthy urban tree canopy. On March 20, Councilmember Blumenfield led the City Council’s Public Works Committee to approve several new measures to increase tree service efficiency. This includes conducting a thorough tree inventory; increasing tree trimming, dead tree removal and root pruning to ensure safe sidewalks; and creating jobs for more Targeted Local Hire workers instead of contracting out work which is often less cost effective.

In last year’s budget, Blumenfield was able to secure a dramatic increase in funding to LA’s Urban Forestry Division that was decimated during the Great Recession. His committee directed the Bureau of Street Services to pursue a state grant to conduct a much needed street tree inventory which will help assess the needs of each tree. The committee also approved to moving forward with many of Controller Ron Galperin’s recommendations in his recent audit of the City’s tree trimming and maintenance program.


Team Blumenfield Hosts Latest "Reimagine Ventura" Focus Group

Reimagine_Ventura_1.jpg

On March 13, Team Blumenfield and the City Planning Department hosted a focus group session at the Woodland Hills Branch Library for “Reimagine Ventura,” an initiative aimed at improving the section of the Boulevard between Royer and Sale Ave. During its initial phase, Councilmember Blumenfield’s office hosted several sessions to gather community input on how the city could improve parking, pedestrian walkways, and many other street amenities. The second phase of Reimagine Ventura addresses beautification including planting trees, installing benches that incorporate new design elements, and many other amenities to make Ventura a more attractive destination for residents, business owners, and visitors.

Thanks to community input, Ventura Blvd. will soon better reflect the collective identity of Woodland Hills. Ventura Blvd is the main street of the West Valley, there will be more opportunities for people to join the conversation. Stay on the lookout for two more community workshops planned for Spring and Summer 2019.


LAPD Chief Michel Moore Joins Blumenfield at Reseda High School

Moore.JPG

On March 20, Councilmember Blumenfield joined LAPD Chief Michel Moore at Reseda High School to talk with students about the importance of civic engagement.

Blumenfield said, “We are fortunate to have a police chief who not only really listens to our youth, but who actually know about and cares about the San Fernando Valley.

Chief Moore took questions from students from all over the West Valley who are in the LAPD Cadet program.


Local Business Sportlight: Cowe Consulting

Local_Business_Cowe_Consulting.jpg

Cowe Consulting is a Woodland Hills-based firm that streamlines business and marketing solutions for local, mid-sized companies and nonprofits. When Miri Rossito and her partner Nicola Staples started their consulting firm, their primary goal was to help businesses in the West Valley grow. By supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship programs, social media management, branding and marketing, Cowe Consulting has helped empower other local communities via smart business growth. To learn more about their firm and team, please visit their website here.


West Valley Animal Shelter Pets of the Week

dog.jpg

"Buboy"  ID# A1291281- Buboy is a big boy, at about 85 pounds.  At 7, he sadly just lost his home when his former owners became homeless and gave their beloved companion to the shelter. He is housebroken and he knows how to "shake" and "sit."  According to his former owner, Buboy is great with kids and friendly with other dogs too. He has a lot of energy, so you will want to train him to your house rules.  If you love a big and energetic dog who is also a champion cuddler, then Buboy is a great dog for you!

Cat.jpg

"Midnight" ID# A0928646- Midnight is 12 and her personality is all gentle sweetness.  She will be a great companion in any less active home, although we recommend a home where she is the only cat -- she seems afraid of other cats.  Come adopt this serene and very loving beauty today!  Please, Midnight must stay indoors only, so she will stay safe to purr with you always!

Bring home forever love, smiles, purrs and wags -- come adopt a shelter pet today!  Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, bunnies, all sizes, types and fur lengths, from playful youngsters to gentle, loving seniors -- they are waiting for you at your local CD 3 Animal Shelter!  Come fall in love at the West Valley (L.A. city) Animal Shelter at 20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth, (818) 756-9325.  See all  the L.A. City Shelter animals at http://www.laanimalservices.com/.


Around Town

Vallarta.jpg

Blumenfield congratulated Vallarta Supermarkets on opening their new store in Canoga Park on Topanga and Roscoe. As the largest Vallarta in the City of LA, this new grocery store offers a wide variety of fresh foods including made to order guacamole, delicious juices, and incredible meats. We welcome this new market to the West Valley it is a catalytic investment that will positively impact the whole neighborhood.

St_Patty.JPG

Blumenfield helped lead the 16th annual Canoga Park St. Patricks Day Parade! Thanks to John Parker, the CP Business Improvement District, Canoga Park Neighborhood Council, Greater West Valley Lions Club and all the participants for another fantastic year.

Encino_Little_League.jpg

As winter becomes spring that can only mean one thing- it's finally time for baseball! Recently. Blumenfield joined the players and parents of Encino Little League, many of whom live in Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Reseda, to help kick off the 2019 season. In addition to serving as his Deputy Chief of Staff, John Popoch is also a proud coach and his kids have played here for the past three seasons.

Blumenfield wanted to thank his colleague Councilmember Paul Koretz for helping fix their parking lot.  He said, “Many of the folks who use the facilities are our constituents and I am proud to serve with friends like Paul who work hard to ensure that our parks get needed repairs and upkeep.”

signup