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Dear Friends, 

Summer is barely underway, but evidence shows we’re poised to have the worst wildfire season our state has seen. The moment we’re in is so perilous that we’re drawing national attention -- check out this week’s article from the NY Times talking about what makes this season so extreme, and what our state, and residents, can do to mitigate the danger before it happens. Thank you to Kristina O. for recommending this important read.

A critical step Angelenos can take to prepare is to make sure they are ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ according to LAFD guidelines. This includes making sure your property is in line with the City of LA brush clearance requirements, creating a wildfire action plan, preparing an emergency kit in case of evacuation, and signing up for alerts through NotifyLA.

Signing up for this alert system takes takes a few moments, but these are moments that can save lives. Sign up for NotifyLA HERE -- do it right now!

Finally, with the Fourth a week away, make sure you enjoy fireworks safely and legally. Illegal fireworks can often have unseen consequences -- causing injury and distress, especially to children, veterans, and pets, and increasing fire risk in our communities. Find a fireworks show happening near you HERE, and report illegal fireworks in your area on your phone with the MyLA311 app, this LAPD online complaint form, or by calling 1-877-275-5273. 

Stay tuned for more information and updates from our office on the work we’re doing to get District 4 ready for wildfires and other emergencies, and what residents can do to be prepared as well. 

Wishing you a happy and safe rest of your weekend, 
Team CD4

INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBERS!

We are thrilled to announce changes and additions to Team CD4! Our new hires bring enthusiasm, dedication, and unique areas of expertise, and we know they will be incredibly valuable in serving our district. 

Stella Stahl joins us as our new Director of Communications! Born and raised in Silverlake, she holds a BA in Political Science and Theatre from Northwestern University, and joins the CD4 team after 4 1/2 years in the non-profit sector at both Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and Baby2Baby. She has vast experience developing creative content, mobilizing supporters, building community partnerships, and advocating for causes she believes in. Her true passion lies in bridging the gap between government and our everyday lives, making politics accessible for everyone. 

Mehmet Berker joins the team  as the Field Deputy for Bel Air-Beverly Crest, Greater Toluca Lake, & Hollywood Hills West (north portion) Neighborhood Councils. Mehmet comes to District 4 with six years experience as a freelance cartographer, GIS analyst, and graphic designer, with clients ranging from economic development firms to urban planners. An alumnus of the University of Minnesota, Mehmet moved to Los Angeles nine years ago and lives in Hollywood with his wife Madeline and their cat, Miller.

Rachel Fox, who has served District 4 as a Field Deputy since 2017, will transition into her new role as Deputy District Director, where she will be overseeing constituent services and field operations, including community engagement, working with City departments to execute neighborhood projects, and  initiatives that help improve the quality of life for residents in Council District 4. 


Helene Rotolo
joins us as the Field Deputy for the Silver Lake, Los Feliz, & Hollywood United Neighborhood Council areas, as well as Griffith Park. Helene began her career with the City of Los Angeles as an intern for Mayor Eric Garcetti, and then the Office of the City Administrative Officer under the City's Homeless Coordinator. After spending time working with the Department of City Planning at the Development Services Center, she returned to the CAO to continue her work in homelessness. Most recently, Helene has been a project coordinator for the Mayor's A Bridge Home program, overseeing feasibility analysis, construction budgets and contract negotiations for 20 shelter projects, including two in Council District 4. She holds a Master's in Public Administration from CalState Long Beach.

Sarah Tanberg, the previous Field Deputy for the area, will now transition into her new role as Homelessness Deputy, supporting and working with our Homelessness Coordinator Liz Oh.

This week, we also say goodbye to Meghan Choi, our Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Organizing. From serving as Co-Campaign Manager for Councilmember Raman’s campaign for CD4, to her pivotal roles for the transition and establishment of our Council Office, Meghan has been an vital leader for our team. She will be missed, and we wish her the best for what she has ahead.

SUPPORTING A STATEWIDE PLAN FOR HARM REDUCTION

This week, our resolution in support of SB-57 passed through Council. SB-57 is a state bill introduced by Senator Scott Wiener that would legalize overdose prevention sites in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland counties. 
 
SB-57 has the potential to provide solutions and services that can save lives, and bring people into treatment for addiction, and we are hopeful to see it progress through the state legislature.

A UNANIMOUS VOTE AGAINST TENANT HARASSMENT

Solving LA’s housing crisis, in part, comes from keeping Angelenos in their homes -- vulnerable renters in Los Angeles are being affected and displaced by harassment daily. This week, Council passed a ban on this behavior, a major win in protecting LA’s tenants. 

Check out Councilmember Raman's video with tenants' rights attorney Claudia Medina explaining tenant harassment and how it affects Angelenos. 

To ensure this law proves effective in protecting tenants, especially tenants from the most vulnerable segments of our communities, we also introduced a Motion to help ensure its purpose is carried out in LA -- instructing the City to report back on metrics and the possibility of implementing its own enforcement program. 
 
In a city that is majority renters, this Ordinance is an exciting and vital step in ensuring our city does not displace Angelenos from their longtime homes -- and we look forward to making sure its full potential is reached.

CELEBRATING COUNCILMEMBER TOM LABONGE

This week, Councilmember Raman and our team joined City staff, LA organizations, and community groups to celebrate and remember the life of Councilmember Tom LaBonge. 

To ring in the Summer Solstice, we hiked with Tom’s family to the peak of the summit of Tom LaBonge panorama, to take in the sunset and sweeping views of the city Councilmember LaBonge loved so dearly. 

We then joined the unveiling of a memorial plaque for Councilmember LaBonge, funded by the collaboration and work of local activist Nina Sorkin, the Silver Lake Together Advocacy Team, and Silver Lake Improvement Association. Tom made this district feel like a small town, and it’s so special to be able to remember him here for years to come.

STUDENTS HELPING TO CLEAN SHERMAN OAKS

Thank you to all the students from Notre Dame High School who gave their summer day to join our Field Manager Alex, District Liaison Nicole, and LACC team and help clean up along Ventura in Sherman Oaks. Go Knights!

VISITING HOUSING FOR WOMEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

This week, we visited the Wallis House, a 42-bed residence for women and their children experiencing homelessness. Wallis House provides young women and their children a place to call home while giving them skills and support to live an independent future.

Wallis House offers shelter, clothing, meals, therapeutic services, job readiness skills and mental health services. It is a place that lifts up young women and their families.

To read more about the Wallis House, and the wonderful organization Aviva, that runs it, click HERE.

FOX LA: LA City Council adopts ordinance aimed to stop landlords from harassing tenants
KFI: LA City Council To Adopts Ordinance Efforts To Stop Landlords Harassing Tenants
PATCH: LA City Council Supports Bill Legalizing Drug-Use Safety Sites
TELEMUNDO: Los Angeles Mayor's Office Supports State Project On Overdose Prevention Program
EASTSIDER: Silver Lake pays tribute to the late Tom LaBonge, aka Mr. Los Angeles
BEVERLY PRESS: Council members hike to remember LaBonge

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200 N Spring St, Suite 415, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7004
Email: contactCD4@lacity.org
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