Neighborhood Council Meeting #2

Juliette and Sigrid and I attended the Pacoima Neighborhood Council Meeting on April 21 – 6:30 – 8pm in the Community Room at the Community Center. At the beginning of the meeting there were about 9 people on the council and 6 “stakeholders” in attendance in addition to us from Cornerstone.

Here’s the Pacoima Neighborhood Council: Elizabeth W, Rebecca L, Richard M, Edward J, Ruben Garcia (Pres.), Ms. Pringle, R Rubio, Rosetta S, Alana L. (vice pres was absent.)

The council did not have quorum and so could not vote on any new business. Instead they began with announcements and public comments, which usually happen at the end of the meeting. I was late to the meeting so I was surprised but happy when I walked in to find that Juliette was addressing the board about our project. The board asked a lot of questions and expressed full support (though not voted and official support) of our project. We shared our flyers and newsletters with everyone. We expressed our need for rehearsal and performance venue though no one had specific suggestions. We told them that we are seeking more people to talk with to help inform the story. A number of board members said they would do an interview with Sigrid. Others were excited to audition for the play. We talked longer about the project with the council than I ever imaged we would! One board member commented that the board chair seemed to be auditioning right now.

Here’s who else was there: Mrs. Long, Councilmember Long’s mother who attends every meeting; 2 people from Pacoima Beautiful to share an announcement and invitation to an Earth Day event; Elena and Martin Lopez, who were present to get appointed and formally join the council; two newly elected council people—Grizelda O and Reggie K who is our contact person at United Methodist Church.

After the long discussion about Cornerstone’s community play and the Earth Day Event announcement, the council went through a complicated procedures to instate the 2 elected and 2 appointed new board members, and to elect new council positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. There were two candidates for president and each got 5 votes so the outgoing president had to make the decision! Very exciting. He made his choice was based on meeting presence over the past year and the losing candidate was elected vice president. Ed Johnson is new President. Rosy is now Vice President. Grizelda is Treasurer. Robert is Secretary.

Another exciting element of this meeting was what was happening outside! In the courtyard a women’s dance for exercise class was going on but it sounded like raucous teenagers. Totally rockin and joyful and loud. Sig and Juliette met some of them & exchanged information. And on the other side of the community room a crowd was gathering for an NA meeting which swooped into the space as soon as the council meeting ended, and that was a really eclectic crowd!

Meetings are 3rd Wednesday of each month. Next one is May 16.

--pd