The HPHOA, est. 1948 Annual Meeting was held virtually, via Zoom, on October 14th. We thank everyone who attended, including representatives from the LAPD, the Council Office, the Security Companies and most of all, we thank our members.
The impact of COVID-19 is being felt throughout the city as businesses struggle and people lose their jobs. The City is facing unprecedented need from citizens while seeing revenues fall. LAPD Captain of the Wilshire Division, Shannon Paulsen spoke about keeping our community safe and the challenges ahead as the City tries to balance its budget. Councilman David Ryu talked about what’s been accomplished this last year including the successful maintenance of the Highland Median, and procuring funding and developing a plan for restoring our concrete streets. He also spoke about the challenges ahead for security, city services, housing the homeless and other important issues. Our committee chairs updated the members on parkway trees, filming, our HPOZ, security, traffic and some of the many other issues facing Hancock Park.
The results of the Association election were announced and the slate nominated by the Board was unanimously re-elected: Cindy Chvatal-Keane, Jennifer DeVore, David Gajda, Joel Kozberg, Clif Lord, Pam Newhouse, Shondell Spiegel, Erik Storey, and Victoria Vickers. Now, more than ever, our community will need the help of dedicated residents who volunteer to help. Please consider joining a committee and let us know on the website how you’d like to participate.
It’s now fall which means tree planting season has begun. The Tree Committee will be starting to plant so if you have a place in your parkway that could use a tree, let us know via the website.
And DON’T FORGET TO VOTE! Not only is this a presidential election, but it’s also an election for our Councilperson, so be sure you VOTE! You can check your registration at website https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status. You should have received your ballot so if you haven’t received it check the Where’s My Ballot website - https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot . If you’re planning to make any changes to the street-visible portion of your house, including hardscaping and windows, check with our HPOZ Planner Suki Gershenhorn (suki.gershenhorn@lacity.org) before starting. The HPOZ Preservation Plan, which regulates our HPOZ, can be found at preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park. There is also an online form you can fill out to help speed up the process — the Initial Screening Checklist (preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System: laocb.org/programs/graffiti-abatement and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.