Earlier this week, I proudly declared June 17, 1015 "Mad Men Day" in Los Angeles in honor of Mad Men's tremendous creative achievements and its great economic impact as a local TV production. Continue reading

For more than four decades, the neighborhoods of the San Fernando Valley adjacent to the 170 Freeway have been in desperate need of sound walls to minimize interference with their homes and lives.  Continue reading

As you may know, fixing broken sidewalks in our neighborhoods has been my priority for some time. I know that a significant amount of the city's 10,000 miles of sidewalks are in need of repair. I have heard from constituents, homeowners and businesspeople about the sorry state of LA's sidewalks and, as a frequent pedestrian and cyclist myself, I know firsthand how buckled sidewalks negatively impact our neighborhoods. I also know that the status quo just won't do anymore. Continue reading

  If you look back just a few years into our city's history, you'll see that our budget situation wasn't too rosy. When I took office in 2010, the deficit project for this year was over $1 billion. Vital neighborhood services hung in the balance, layoffs loomed and some even warned of the possibility of municipal bankruptcy.  Continue reading

It's been a big week for the City of Los Angeles. In fact, I don't think I'm overstating things by saying it has been historic. Continue reading

  It was a big week for public transit, as we celebrated Bike Week and Infrastructure Week. As a City Councilman and member of the Metro Board of Directors, I used the week to promote active transit options for Angelenos and meet with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx about the ways that our local and federal governments are working together to move transit forward. Continue reading

This week is National Travel and Tourism Week. Our Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board took the occasion to visit a City Council meeting and announce that tourism to LA is on the rise. In fact, it has reached record breaking heights. Continue reading

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first genocide of the 20th Century when more than 1.5 million Armenians of the Ottoman Empire perished in a brutal campaign of extermination. Continue reading

Los Angeles made history last week by becoming the first city in the nation to install new easy-to-read, gridstyle parking signs. I was happy to join the Mayor to unveil the signs, which are based on a motion I introduced last fall. The signs are being tested as part of a pilot program in downtown Los Angeles. Continue reading

  I'm happy to announce that the City of Los Angeles just approved an important and historic settlement that will make sidewalks accessible to everyone. It is a win for the disabled community, for our elderly residents and anyone who has ever taken a walk in Los Angeles. Continue reading

  I want to take a moment to thank you for your steadfast support and continued partnership. The work we are doing to improve our San Fernando Valley communities is so important, and I am honored to continue to serve as your Councilmember in wonderful District 2. Continue reading

I’m proud to announce that CicLAvia will be making its first ever stop in the San Fernando Valley on Sunday, March 22, 2015. The event, officially called CicLAvia - The Valley, will allow families and people of all ages to travel for one day between North Hollywood and Studio City on car-free streets, by foot, pedal and non-motorized wheel power. Continue reading

The proposed development of Weddington Golf & Tennis has been an issue of debate in Studio City for a decade. During that time, the size and scope of the project has changed, but the community’s feelings about it haven’t—and neither have mine. Continue reading

Happy New Year! I hope you and your families had a happy, healthy holiday season and are as ready as I am to begin working toward an even better, more prosperous 2015. As we look ahead to all the things we hope to accomplish this year, I think it is instructive to look back and take stock of the great work done to make last year a banner year in the San Fernando Valley. From parks to trees to better public transportation, 2014 was a time of progress in the Valley. Here are just a few of the many, many things that I worked on in Council District 2 last year. Continue reading

Many of you, especially the outdoor enthusiasts, have enjoyed a hike in Studio City’s very own and very beautiful Wilacre Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. For years, it has been a destination for hikers and nature lovers to enjoy expansive views of the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. However, the wildly popular Betty B. Dearing trail’s easy accessibility and leisurely trek left local residents with parked cars crowding neighborhood streets, leading to a significant impact on their quality of life. But now thanks to hard work and community and government collaboration, the congestion is coming to an end. Continue reading