No longer waiting! Improvements are noticeable but so are the neglected needs! What is next?

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PACOIMATODAY
Volume 2, Issue 2
March 2015
March2015
IMPROVEMENT IN PACOIMA
When I settle down to write an article for PACOIMA TODAY, it seems that
the negative rise to the top. This month I made a conscience decision to use my
words to express what is positive. Nothing is all wrong or all good. I would like to
recognize the good.
Don’t want to ignore the major issues we currently face or the issues we
will face tomorrow. These statements are not being made to imply that the job
is complete. There are still many individuals in this community who are not yet
knowledgeable about proper procedures of discarding trash and rubbish.
The editors encourage all to spread the word on how to use the black/
blue/green trash cans. If each reader makes an effort to communicate with his
neighbors on the value of clean communities on health, value of property, and
the quality of life, we can have a clean, healthy community.
Improvement in Pacoima 1
New Swap-Meet? 1
Eye Sores 2
Shopping Carts 2
Electronic Waste 3
Community Nuisance 3
Tips for Safe Walking 3
Neighborhood Council 4
New In Pacoima 4
$1.3 Billion River Project 4
Is this the new Pacoima Swap-Meet?
With all the "Yard Sales" everywhere and almost everyday in Pacoima; Do we
really need this? or is this just a black market outlet where people can buy
and/sell without paying sales taxes? Who is allowing this and why?

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Pacoima Today March 2015
Volume 2 Issue 2
Shopping Carts in Every Block
Shopping carts are provided by the merchants to ac-
commodate their customers when utilizing their facility to
make purchases.
Each cart cost in the neighborhood of $280.00 to
$300.00. Each time a customer removes a cart from the store,
a large expense is placed on the merchant.
Stores are required to generate a profit of 15 to 25
percent for the products they sell. Every time a store has to
replace carts, which are considered overhead, they must raise
the cost of their product directly to the customers.
It is not a joke when we watch persons taking a shop-
ping carts away from the store. We all pay higher prices to
cover the increase in overhead and expenses.
The individuals most affected by the increase in cost
are the very people who can not get to other communities to
make their purchases.
COST: $280.00 PLUS
It is the responsibility of all resi-
dents of PACOIMA to make an
effort to the improvement of our
community. It will take only a few
minutes.
Call 311
Call 311
Eye sores, nuisances and
community blight issues
should be reported to the
City of Los Angeles at 311.
Don’t hesitate to contact the
Office of City Council District
7 at (818) 485-0600.

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Pacoima Today March 2015
Volume 2 Issue 2
Co-Editors & Publishers:
Morris Pichon
moepichon@aol.com
Edwin Ramirez
ramediv@yahoo.com
FROM: Cyber Support Officer LAPD
30 pedestrians were killed in the Valley in 2014. 15 of the
fatal collisions were caused by the pedestrians not the
driver.
TIPS FOR WALKING SAFELY:
 CROSS AT MARKED CROSSWALKS.
 WHEN WAITING TO CROSS, STAND BACK FROM THE
CURB.
 WHEN LIGHT CHANGES: WAIT, LOOK, AND THEN
CROSS.
 MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH DRIVERS BEFORE STEP-
PING IN FRONT OF THEIR CAR.
 DON’T ASSUME DRIVERS SEE YOU.
 TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WALKING SAFETY AND
LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
 REMEMBER: YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT
OF WAY AND ASSUMING THAT YOU DO CAN COST
YOU YOUR LIFE.
 EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY, STOP AND
LOOK BEFORE CROSSING.
 DON’T TEXT AND WALK (ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSS-
ING THE STREET).
Email Officer Michelle Smith at 38603@lapd.lacity.org
The Pacoima Neighborhood Council
The Pacoima Neighborhood Council (PNC) is provided with the opportunity to represent the resi-
dent's best interest and to advise City Government with regards to projects, codes and policies
that could have a negative effect on the residents; yet they are constantly used by most groups
and organizations as a funding source for their projects, events and even their own benefits. The
PNC is more willing to pass a resolution supporting a boycott driven by a labor union on a busi-
ness located in Arleta (with a one sided information) and a motion (failed) to write a community
impact statement regarding the inconveniences of having an LAUSD school (in Pacoima) share
space with a charter school claiming that it was too divisive for the community; but, with the High
Speed Rail being proposed and could potentially divide the community with a 20ft wall along San
Fernando Rd. and also displace residents and business, they have not been able to put a motion
for a community impact statement opposing it, why is that? It appears that their tunnel vision
works under the first come first serve motto. Sadly their one meeting a month does not provide
the opportunity to hear both sides on any topic, it is questionable if the "Standing Committees"
are posting their meetings (as required), not mentioning that "No minutes" are required of
them. How do they document their recommendations to the council? Their budget is just over
37K per year, for the most part the City keeps track of where the money is spent but the council
has done so bad in keeping records that most times there is "no record" of how they reach to that
point. Voting records are a must for spending money and most likely that will be the only record
kept by the city. Agendas may help in these cases but the minutes are also needed on their rec-
ords! Good luck under the new leadership!
Electronic Waste
Electronic waste is loaded with toxic substances: lead,
arsenic, mercury, cadllium and beryllium. Insure proper
disposing.

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Pacoima Today March 2015
Volume 2 Issue 2
New in Pacoima!
Bradley Plaza - A community project developed by Pacoima Beautiful and funded by the Mayor's office,
LADOT, Public Works, City Planning, LA Metro and designed by the urban planning group Alta Planning &
Design. This project is expected to improve the quality of life by providing an open space to hang out and/
or exercise since it will feature exercise equipment , seating areas, coffee tables, canopies, Wi-Fi and even
some entertainment. Pacoima Beautiful is currently raising money to furnish the plaza and is off to a great
start; the Council Member provided 10K from his CD7 funds, the Neighborhood Council 5K from their funds
and other individuals and groups are donating so that their names be part of the plaza decor. We congrat-
ulate the group on their initiative, their efforts and the vision for this project but also caution that it might
simply become a headache if no adequate supervision and/or safety measures are provided. Will the furni-
ture be bolted in place? Gang's markings and graffiti will be handled by Graffiti Busters (maybe), but what
about damaged furniture? who will be doing the repairs? and with regards to Wi-Fi, who will be paying for
the service? Will there be food sold or any type of vending? With a liquor store across the Street, will
there be drinking allowed or how will this be prevented? Hours of operation or open? it is a public place
after all, so what will happen after dark?
JR's Bar - Do we really need another bar in Pacoima? There is no parking after 10:00PM on Van Nuys Blvd.
and not enough parking in back of the bar; so, where do you suppose customers will be parking? Was the
Neighborhood Council informed and they neglected to notify the residents or was this another closed door
deal? ABC has to re-activate a liquor license, the City has to issue an occupancy Permit, the Fire and Police
departments usually participate in this process, yet, if the Council Member "opposes it" the project dies in
concept. Since it is open! would this be considered Job Creation in Pacoima, entrepreneurship develop-
ment or revitalizing the business community? Your call!
Coming soon!
$1.3 Billion River Project?
The City of Los Angeles has been crying about deficits for the past 10 years. Officials moan of
shortage of funds to pay the city employees. Frequently we hear of underfunded medical and retire-
ment reserve for city employees.
The city streets are loaded with potholes in every community, sidewalks are buckling in every neighbor-
hood. City elected authorities are always talking of raising taxes to repair streets and sidewalks; increas-
ing fees for every basic function of city services (police, fire services, trash collection, street cleaning,
maintaining parks and public properties, etc.). " What do the citizens pay taxes for? Finance the projects
of campaign donor?”
Why do we need a High Speed Rail (HSR) for who and what: Governor Brown and his legacy?
Have you been to San Francisco lately? I haven’t. Have you noticed that the cost has doubled since the
HSR was on the ballot? Recent debates in the communities have voice opposition because the HSR will
destroy our Pacoima community, along with others.
Who is promoting the $1.3 billion River Project? We have 4 million people in the city of Los Ange-
les, how many Kayakers do we have? Wouldn’t $1.3 billion be better used to repair the streets of Los
Angeles on which 4 million people utilize nearly daily?
Each person in this city needs to communicate with the city officials on how they feel about
these city services as opposed these wild eye projects.

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