New Map Puts Neighborhood Back in Council District 4
City Council District Four has regained its original neighborhoods and added a few. It’s a victory for residents who asked to be in a unified Council District.
The Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission released its adjusted map in February, which places almost all of the Greater Wilshire area in Council District Four with Councilman Tom LaBonge.
LaBonge said he was very pleased to regain “the heart of his district,” which includes Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Fremont Place, parts of Miracle Mile and Park La Brea.
More hearings will be held in March by the City Council Rules and Elections committee. “It’s a process, voices have been heard, and ultimately, it’s the City Council who will have the final say,” added LaBonge.
The first map drafted by the Redistricting Commission put all of Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council communities in District Five.
The new map, reconfigured after six public hearings, takes the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council’s areas and places them back in Council District Four. The only change is that the area not in the district is west of Highland Ave. from Willoughby Ave. to Fourth St.
Representatives of the GWNC who voiced their concerns at several commission hearings were pleased their efforts paid off. Robbie O’Donnell, GWNC board alternate, and past president of Wilshire Park Assoc., said Wilshire Park is delighted to be back in Council District Four. “We had been in the district until 10 years ago when we were moved into Council District 10.” She said Herb Wesson, District 10 councilman, was very helpful in getting the area’s historical zoning. “But now we are together with other Greater Wilshire Community Council areas that insures that we can have a united voice.”
Patty Lombard, president of the Fremont Place Association, echoed O’Donnell’s sentiment. She is pleased her area is together with the other Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council areas. “It gives us a more effective voice. We have similar interests and similar problems,” she said. It’s been several decades since Fremont Place was in Council District Four, she added.
Windsor Village also was moved from District 10 to Four.
The newly redrawn districts need to be approved by City Council members by July 1st for the 2013 municipal elections.
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