It was nicely symbolic that there was no microphone for the presenter.

There she was, standing outdoors in front of a crowd of a couple of hundred people, sitting on folding chairs set up for the occasion, and she had no microphone.

Speak louder! I can't hear you! The natives were restless. And confused.

And who could blame them? We'd been summoned here by a terse "ELECTION NOTICE" that fit on a postcard and showed a confusing, unlabelled map, gave the time and date of the meeting, and a one paragraph description that raised more questions than it answered.

An attempt was made to get us in a more confined space, but since we could not fit, it petered out. Like herding cats, I felt.

And in the end, she just spoke as loudly as she dared (so as to not lose her voice entirely), and we muddled through.

Which is a nice summary of the whole process. Except that when the school administrators finally got her a microphone - in fact, two microphones almost simutaneously appeared - there was the first real applause of the evening.

*

South Central South Central soaks up our money ... but somehow, living there still lacks appeal

The City of Los Angeles has often been called too big to run. It has been conspicuously obvious that the LA basin's small cities, ranging from Compton at the low end to plush Beverly Hills at the high, have been much better run and presented far more effective services than LA proper.

Woodland Hills View from a circa $500k hillside home

Woodland Hills is part of the City of Los Angeles, even though most residents will tell you they live in Woodland Hills, not LA. Its population broadly runs from merely affluent to wealthy; its single-family housing ranges from cheap $199,000 homes in the shabbier areas of the North (where no civilized person would admit to living) to $1.5 million up on the top of a hill in a brand new ritzy subdivision with 24-hour gate guarded security and all the snob appeal that implies. Multi-family housing includes $1,100 a month and up apartments, normally of huge modern complexes with the personality and quality of giant anthills.

"The Valley" has been trying to secede from the city because the big city offers lousy services, and because the relatively rich Valley subsidizes the grittier parts of the city and in return gets little back. Not even respect; the LA Weekly's Best of LA contains darn little from the Valley, even though there are many world-class stores and restaurants here. There has always been the feeling that the Valley is the affluent but un-chic stepsister, that life in Woodland Hills could never approach the wonderful amenities (and lousy traffic) of, say, Santa Monica or West Hollywood.

Malibu Be honest, you'd rather live here than the Valley, no?

And, in reality, most people would probably admit this is true. How many of us would not rather live in Malibu or Pacific Palisades, with cooling ocean breezes and panoramic ocean views? How many of us would not cheerfully give up Valley chain stores for the richness of the unique shops and delightful restaurants in Santa Monica or West Hollywood?

That's a lot of hands.

Now, okay, how many of you want to double your mortgage payment to do it?

Exactly.

How many people, though, would like to be part of a city that shows at least a little bit of respect for its denizens?

Exactly.

And so neighborhood councils were introduced, as a bit of a compromise. "Okay, you troublesome Valley types, do what Pacific Palisades has done and create a Council that our City Council will receive advice and input from Become your own lobby group and learn to game the system, just like the pros do. But leave our structure alone and keep the city together." Why the city should be together is not considered; it simply is.

*

Back to our presenter, as she tries her darndest to yell into a non-existant microphone.

The system for electing neighborhood councils, she said, was really quite simple, in a tone implying that it really wasn't, but it was the best we could do.

Woodland Hills High up on the hills a circa $1 million home

Woodland Hills, a community of maybe 100,000 souls, was divided into seven districts, as thought a realtor had been in charge. The first districts were the less affluent areas, in the Evil Places North of the Boulevard. (Actually north of the 101 freeway, but that's only about a block from Ventura Blvd, the classic "Snobland versus non-Snobland" divide). District six was one of the richest districts in what is already a very rich city. To give outsiders an idea, the cheapest, humblest homes in District six are around $265,000. The most expensive top $1.5 million.

I must admit that I am pathetically proud to live in Snobland, even though I'm in one of the humblest homes there. There are many homes in the Northern section of Woodland Hills that are much more expensive than my Snobland abode, but with twisty streets, growing trees and winding roads, Snobland is just so much nicer than the North, and since I got a great deal on the rent, I really don't pay much more. If you have to live in the Valley instead of the cooler, sleeker, and way more expensive Westside, Woodland Hills' District Six is about as good as it gets.

There was a very strange system to elect people, which I had actually read about before the election. Each district sent three representatives. One was said to represent the interests of residents; the second businesspeople, and the third community organizations. I was expecting to see a clear-cut leftist bias, as the community organizations would no doubt be environmental groups and Naderite pressure groups.

For a change, I was too pessimistic. The candidates actually seemed to be campaigning not as a representative of an interest, but as an overall representative. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

So we all filed into our rooms, sorted by area. I was amused at a patriotic outburst from one of the people: "Area Six is the Best!"

Chris The Steering Comittee's dapper rep answered even my toughest questions with aplomb

In the room, there was a representative of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment available to answer questions, but in practice most of them were answered by Chris, a personable chap in a crisp suit jacket, who was apparently on the Steering Committee, charged with the overall process of setting up the Councils. I was impressed by his aplomb and candor; he failed to stress even when I asked him the toughest questions I could muster, and he was quick to admit the many flaws I noticed in the plan. He must have had some serious training in public relations.

The meeting was slow to start, and in fact I asked the first few questions all on my own. The first one was effectively a complaint, about the lack of available information, even on the Council's web site. He responded by admitting that it was a very ad-hoc process that could have been better managed. "It's better than nothing, and the process will only get better," he claimed.

The normal term of councilmembers is two years, but if you live in an even-numbered district (as district six is, of course), the first term would be one year. This is so that there would be an election every year, in every second district.

"It's a little complicated but we wanted to make sure every other area was elected every year."

The councils were set up to get information from stakeholders, to empower them to have a more participatory relationship with their government. Of course this is bureaucratic jargon that could mean practically anything. A stakeholder is simply anyone who might have a stake in the performance of the Woodland Hills government, regardless of exactly what that might mean. So in a stakeholder system, local business owners and community organizations are given the same voice as residents.

Any distinct part of the city that wants a council gets one, but the initative to form it has to be from the grass roots. "We're fortunate here" - we have a high participation rate in Woodland Hills. (He didn't say it, but there's little question that community participation is much higher in the high-income areas, where people feel they have a lot more to lose, and a greater commitment to their region.)

So, I asked, what are the duties of councilmembers?

They have to attend monthly meetings, and can't miss more than two in a row, or they lose their seat to the person who had the next greatest number of votes.

But there's a lot of homework, with a massive pile of stuff to read. You are basically given pretty much everything the City Council considers to review and consult with them about.

"Planning related issues, development related issues, fire service police service, potholes, parks, garbage, you name it. The world is your oyster. It's a beautiful thing since it's a new entity. Long hours are involved."

And, of course, meetings. A lot of meetings, at the highest levels of city government.

It all sounded interesting, a bit intimidating, and a giant time sink and obligation. This is what made me decide against running; I felt it would definitely be interesting, but it would consume a boatload of time, at the same time I have business opportunities to pursue, a beautiful woman to woo, and all sorts of other things going on.

They have a web site, with lots of pretty pictures but no meaningful information. The meetings are "Brown Act Meetings", meaing all decisions have to be made in public. Generally, there will be advance meetings where things are discussed, but the final decisions are made through public votes.

"Why the cumbersome election and voting system?" I asked. It struck me as very odd.

His reply went something like this. The concern on the neighborhood councils was overrepresentation of homeowners or business; we might not have inclusive representation. At large stakeholder is church, school, community groups: a catch-all for something not easily defined.

"We are really and truly trying to be as inclusive as possible."

Another person asked if there a process where the Council gets city council attention?

Instead of answering this directly, Chris pointed out the early notification system. This is being set up to basically dump a giant pile of paper at the door of every Councilmember. Every item coming before the Council is identified, together with a Fiscal Impact Report and a neighborhood impact analysis. "This will give people awareness of the railroad track in the back yard before it comes."

In return for all this information, the Council is duty-bound to inform residents of what's coming up through the notification system.

Of course that doesn't really answer the question of power, does it? But then, Chris went further. "My understanding when talking to councilpeople - is that they're going to be looking to the councils in terms of feedback on projects. They will be proactive and outreach to the council. It's coming into existance as very powerful entity, and it will be interesting to see how they develop."

Developers will be required to meet with the Neighborhood Council first to work out the specifics of their projects. Then the projects will be presented to the city council, but a project is unlikely to be approved unless the Neighborhood Council likes it.

At this point, the floor was opened to self-nominations. There was one in each group. Sy Feest, who had obviously prepared for the event, nominated himself as the second candidate for business rep. Melissa Deval shrewdly nominated herself in the at large category for her church, there being only one other candidate there. Lialla Hashem nominated herself as a residential rep, joining a crowded field of three other candidates.

We were told that you can vote before you have heard candidate speeches, but only when all ballots are handed out. As far as I know, nobody did; the candidate speeches were the crux of the election.

The one-minute deadline was serious; "At one minute, we're cutting you off." And he exercised this frequently during the speeches; the less organized among them had a tremendous disadvantage.

Since I'm running out of time (I want to put this up while it's still pretty fresh), here are my raw notes on the candidate speeches:

Pat - in oringal steering committee - get as much participation and voices as possible. Want to continue his previous work. "What do they want - not just run and scream and holler"

Sheila Stephens - not here. Don't hold that against her but take it into consideration.

Elizabeth Crosby - teacher at WH elementary - chairman of faculty committee. Represented to school committee council many many times. Lived in WH for 44 years. Seen many many changes in the valley. From an agricultural area to a largely commercial and industrial and residentail community. Population pressures in socal, growth is inevitable. But what will it look like? More urban sprawl? More lack of services? Make sure WH remains a good place to live.

Joan Woodlock She looks like she wants to punch someone out ... which may well be an asset in dealing with the City Council

Joan Woodlock. Sister big proponent of saving hills; Mom been in many of the councils. The number one reason I'm here and running - because I'm tired and II think you all are too of hearing this: "I'm sorry, mam, that's not my department. I'm sorry sir you'll have to callback tomorrow, so and so's here." How many times can we do that before we're tired and want to change. Here to get it done.

Lilla Hashemi - Marriage and family counciler. Dotorate degree. Practice in valley and hills. Love living here. Environmentalist. Want to do something, anything I can to beautify the area. The beatification of the hills. Candidated myself. Thank you. (I thought she was charming, but that she also wasn't even near ready for the buzz-saw that is politics in this day and age).

Joan got my vote because I felt she would really push like crazy to serve the interests of the community. In a normally toothless group like this, you have to be really aggressive to make your mark; she was.

Business

Mike Miller - I believe Woodland Hills and the Valley. Vietnam vet. Fought, in hospital, got degree. Past president in WH when earthquake. Got FEMA and blue cross - meetings 24 hours a day - got permits one location - American legion member - pres Fernando awards. Helped start neighborhood beautifications. Helped valley cultural center. Got 13 computers. I believe Woodland Hills. Thank you.

Sy Feerst - I promise we won't have elections during NBA playoff times. Live in area, operate modest printing brokers out of house. I won't tell you what we will do. All stepping into uncharted waters. Great big experiment in small d democracy. Give it a chance. Former economist, can take abstract problem and deal with it rationally.

This was the hardest decision of the whole election. Clearly Mike was the best qualified in terms of experience, but I liked Sy's sense of humour, which I think was obviously needed for a group like this. More to the point, he had obviously thought a lot about the future, as opposed to dwelling on his past experience. So he got my vote, but this one was really close.

At large rep

Mark Jones - manage fire station in WH, in fact in whole valley. Managed 7 stations in WV to protedct you for last 3 years. Emergency service and quality of life. Attend and participate in chamber, homeowners' groups. Make sure of participation - have good relationship with Zein.

Melissa Duval - Moved here in 1998 - relatively new homeowner. Exciting to be living here in CA, WH. Looking forward to seeing new innovations in working with city. Mother of two. Have a lot at stake going forward seeing future. Interested in seeing Valley get fair share of services; important that we maintain what we have in fire, electrical, gas representation and people who listen to us. Like to rep WH Community Church, on the board of Children Youth Ministries. Thnak you.

While I liked both candidates, I decided to go for experience here and selected Mark.

Thank you for the patience. Time to cast ballot. Ballot box up to front right. When you leave, please leave. Can congregate in front, welcome to watch vote tally.

Which I didn't; I had a wonderful woman to call before she forgot about me entirely.

I think the people I met at the meeting are trying their best, in good faith, to make this Council idea a success, despite many obstacles.

I was also impressed by the calibre of people who were willing to give up their nights and weekends in the vague hope that they might be able to help their community, in some way or another.

Whether the mandarins in the City Council will actually follow the local people's advice is, well, rather unclear at best. But we do indeed live in interesting times.

At the end of the meeting, both of the business representatives, Sy and Mike, came up to me and asked me why I didn't run. The pressure of time, I said; with my toner cartridge movie to make, who has time for politics? They told me that I'd asked some excellent questions, and the implication is that they were pretty impressed. I was very flattered; maybe next time, after I've gotten to see how this works out in practice.

But I think the full truth is that I like to play reporter. And perhaps that's just as important a role. We'll see how well I continue it.

You can see all the pictures I took at the meeting below.

The pictures of Los Angeles area real estate and views were taken by me on my various wanderings around the city.

All text and pictures copyright © 1998-2002 David H Dennis - All Rights Reserved.

Other reports:

• A letter I wrote to the LA Weekly about Valley secession.
• Trouble in Paradise: Malibu's new Local Coastal Plan - David visits a Malibu community meeting and checks out some ESHA.
• Back to amazing.com main page.