CAROL BAKER THARP (of DONE) SPEAKS TO ZD ON NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL

Thanks for Carol Baker Tharp, head of DONE, for taking some time to speak to Zuma Dogg about Neighborhood Council.

Carol Baker Tharp: Process and procedure has absorbed the energy of the department and NCs. [ZD: She's right: In other words, after five years, too many NCs are still trying to figure out how to run a meeting in an orderly process.]

CBT: Regarding "reform eductation programs" and outreach: We don't believe YOU (local NCs) should be doing that yourself. We (DONE) want to assist you in outreach.

Tharp went on to say she wants to "re-brand" NC, address the wide range of needs; commented that the typical NC participant/stakeholder is fifty years old (and up), since that's the age of people who have "stake" (property); and mentioned she wants to implement a "youth engagement" component. [I don't think the Venice NC is an environment kids should be exposed to.]

She also noted that, "40 percent of LA's population has lived here less than five years; and DONE has to make it easier to participate -- by spending LESS time on process and MORE time on activism."

THANKS CAROL. IT TRULY IS AN UPHILL BATTLE. YOU GOT VILLAGROSA INFILTRATING THE LOCAL NCs WITH HIS PEOPLE...AND YOU HAVE NCs SPENDING MORE MONEY ON OFFICE SUPPLIES THAN ANYTHING ELSE, OR ALL YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET ON TREES, PLANTS AND LANDSCAPE (THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DONE ON CERTAIN PEOPLE'S PRIVATE PROPERTY...AND THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM ZD FEELS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BASED ON PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH CAROL, COUNCIL, AND NC CRITICS: YOU NEED WAY MORE PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO THE MEETINGS. NOT ONLY TO COMABT ANTONIO'S INFILTRATION, BUT TO BE TAKEN MORE SERIOUSLY AND TO BE MORE CREDIBLE, AS A WHOLE.

contact: zumadogg@gmail.com