A "Do as I Say, Don't Do as I Do Moment" via a "Disempowerment LA" NEA

As we near the end of the first full week of "Disempowerment LA's" Occupation/Exhaustive Measures against the LA-32 Neighborhood Council, we bring you this "Do as I Say, Don't Do as I Do Moment" from "Disempowerment LA's" NEA/Overlord Lisette Covarrubias. 

"The current Marie Antoinette of the LA-32 NC"

Meet "Disempowerment LA" NEA/De Facto LA-32 NC Overlord, Lisette Covarrubias. A native of South Los Angeles, Lisette received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at the University of California Berkeley and her Masters Degree in Latin American Studies and Urban Planning at the University of California Los Angeles.  Before joining the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, Lisette worked as a Project Assistant for the Center for Human Rights and as a Graduate Student Researcher at the UCLA Labor Center, and as a Political Analyst at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.

** Blogger's Note: On this end of the first full week of "Disempowerment LA's Occupation/ Exhaustive Measure we bring you a glimpse of NC life under "Disempowerment LA NEA/Overlord" Lisette Covarrubias and judging from her actions as a well-paid Neighborhood (Dis)Empowerment Advocate (NEA), she is most definitely a "Do as I Say, Don't Do as I Do" type of employee. First, as the email below illustrates, her "Do as I Say Persona" (when in the office), is all too apparent to those who read what was sent to the Joint Budget & Finance and Elections Committee Members, five minutes after their meeting began last evening. But what most NC members don't know about Ms. Covarrubias is her "Don't Do as I Do" work place persona. In recent weeks, it had been reported that a number of "Disempowerment LA" NEAs have filed a work place grievances over the efforts of "Council for Councils" to act as non-paid, "NC First Responders", that would work with NCs on the verge of being placed on Exhaustive Measures. Further, sources within the Greater NC Community state that it was Ms. Covarrubias who "allegedly" testify against the proposed role of "Council for Councils". One can surmise, based upon the previous information, that the current LA 32 NC NEA/Overlord's time at the UCLA Labor Center, were very formative in developing her thought process about the role of paid, city staff in overseeing NCs and that the right of workers to grieve perceived work place slights, should be paramount over common sense solutions to complex NC issues, a right to grievance, not accorded NCs placed on punitive Exhausive Measures---Scott Johnson in Disempowerment LA-Occupied LA-32. 

** BTW, from the First Amendment of the United States of America Constitution ........

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, ** and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (obviously a right not accorded NCs on subjective, Exhaustive Measures by "Disempowerment LA").

      

A "Do as I Say Email" from the current LA-32 NC "Disempowerment LA NEA/ Overlord" 

To LA32NC@empowerla.orgjay@empowerla.orgpatricia.alarcon@lacity.org and 4 More... 

Feb 20 at 5:05 PM (five minutes after meeting begun). 

Good Afternoon Board Members,

I hope this email finds you well

Thank you for sending us the information regarding the upcoming Joint Elections and Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.

While we appreciate the Neighborhood Council's proactive approach in addressing pending matters, please be reminded that while in Exhaustive Efforts, the Board is to focus on Elections 2014 and Elections Outreach. To the extent possible, the Department will work and consult with the LA 32 Board on crafting the agenda for items to be considered and reviewed by the NC.     

Please be reminded that per the Letter that was sent to LA 32 NC on February 13th, the Neighborhood Council is to focus on the following two issues: Elections 2014 and Elections Outreach. We understand that during tonight's meeting, the committees will be addressing Election related items, which comply with the requirements set in the letter, however, after reviewing the content of the agenda, we noticed that the committees will also be discussing policies and procedures and funding matters.  Please understand that at this time, those recommendations that come from the committees will not be considered by the Board.  Funds for the LA 32 Board have been frozen since September 2013 and the LA 32 NC has been asked not to address funding matters, given their status.  There is also a moratorium on bylaws, which means that at this time, recommendations on changes for Neighborhood Council bylaws will not be considered either.

Per the email that was sent to the LA 32 Board on February 14th, we have asked that the NC call a Special Meeting.  The Department will craft the agenda for that meeting to deal with upcoming elections.  We have been informed that the Special Meeting is set to be held on Wednesday, February 26th at 6PM.  Please be sure to confirm your attendance and the location.  The Department will send out the agenda for the Special Meeting by end of business day, Monday, Feb. 24th.  The Neighborhood Council is responsible for assuring that the agenda is posted, per the Brown Act.

If you have further questions, please contact me at 213.978.1156.

Best,

** If you would like to comment regarding the above email directive, consider this .........

From: "Lisette Covarrubias" <lisette.covarrubias@lacity.org>
Date: February 21, 2014 at 7:06:33 AM PST
To: angeladNCLA32@yahoo.com
Subject: Out of the Office Re: Model Neighborhood Council
Thank you for your email.
I will be out of the office and returning on Monday, February 24, 2014.  If you need assistance, please call our Help Line at 213.978.1551.
Best

......, sadly too common and not good for a community without a collective voice.

Your thoughts ..............

Scott Johnson in LA-32