EAST VALLEY - Community police stations are integral to keeping our neighborhoods safe. Fostering strong relationships to improve community trust and creating partnerships to fight crime are just some of the ways the Los Angeles Police Department helps our community. 

We just made a positive difference in thousands of children's lives.

Nearly four years ago, when Mayor Garcetti first took office, he came to visit places in Council District 2 that are important to me. The first place I took him was the Whitsett Sports Fields Park, a city-owned soccer complex in the heart of North Hollywood used by nearly 9,000 residents in the local neighborhood, most of them kids.

This month, Angelenos and people across the world commemorated the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, one of the most horrific events of the 20th Century. The Genocide was a defining moment for Armenians, but because the Armenian people have survived and thrived in the years since, the cause of justice and recognition has been taken up by millions of people of all nationalities who care deeply about human rights.

Lankershim Boulevard is home to an incredible array of community businesses that add tremendous vibrancy to our neighborhoods, play a great role in the local economy, and are an important part of the history and character of the San Fernando Valley. 

LOS ANGELES - Here's a rundown of the latest transit news for the East Valley.

As a Councilmember, I attend many groundbreaking events, but this week I attended a very special one. Over my nearly seven years on the City Council, I don't think I've been involved in a groundbreaking for a project that is this tied to the history of the San Fernando Valley as well as its future. NOHO West has ushered in a historic moment for our region. This is the beginning of a renaissance in the East San Fernando Valley.

Lankershim Boulevard runs through the heart of the East Valley. It is a major corridor that connects our communities to one another. In 2014, this busy thoroughfare between Magnolia Boulevard and Vanowen Street was one of the first 15 streets to be designated as part of the Mayor's LA Great Streets Initiative.

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world and the film industry remains our region's heritage industry and the source of tens of thousands of good jobs. Throughout my years of work in public service, keeping this industry thriving in our backyard has been one of my top priorities.

Just a year ago, more than 90 percent of California was in a state of drought. As a city, Los Angeles called Angelenos to action, asking residents to do their part to conserve water and reduce water waste in all aspects of their day-to-day lives. 

On Tuesday, March 7, another important local election will take place. LA area voters will head back to the polls to cast ballots on city and county measures, and Angelenos will vote on citywide offices, on City Council races in odd-numbered districts, and for Los Angeles Unified School District board members and Los Angeles Community College District trustees. The people we elect and the issues at stake will impact the future of our neighborhoods now and in the years to come.