STNC Elections News
By Cindy Cleghorn, STNC Chairperson
Edited by Marti Marshall, STNC Elections Committee Chair
The STNC is a very active neighborhood council and continues to be a strong example of participatory representation in the City of Los Angeles.
This year the STNC has worked in partnership with DONE (Department of Neighborhood Empowerment) staff, our IEA (Independent Election Administrator), STNC staff (Ed Rock), Outreach committee and our dedicated volunteers on the STNC's Election Committee.
The STNC has done an extensive amount of outreach for this year's election. I do not think anyone should discount the volunteer time they have given to this task. The committee started out early in the process holding their first official meeting on Sept. 20, 2006 at NVCH (North Valley City Hall) and met several times to examine the requirements for elections mandated by the City and coordinate with DONE on details including the Elections Procedures Guidelines and Timeline requirements. The first mailing was sent on schedule, the week of January 15, 2007, to 16,524 addresses in Sunland-Tujunga. Election Committee meetings were noticed and volunteers actively participated in planning and moving the paperwork and logistics forward. Candidate Information Forums were held twice. The first was lightly attended but the second saw most all candidates and even some new community stakeholders coming out just to see what it was all about.
The scheduling of outreach events, printing and ads has gone as planned. Requests were made with persons who have contact at The Foothills Paper (Linda Brand, STNC's treasurer) and the North Valley Reporter (Nina Royal, STNC's Vice Chair) asking for ad copy deadline and pricing. The committee firmed up a general budget for the cost of ads. Ads were to be placed prior to the candidate filing deadline and after to remind stakeholders to vote. STNC Calendar updates have been in The Foothills Paper and North Valley Reporter. Note: As a standard practice, the STNC office (Ed Rock) also sends an updated calendar to various media outlets so they can keep their calendars up to date with our meetings. Our calendar changes at least every week so the STNC office has something to the media at least weekly.
The City (coordinated with Amelia Herrera-Robles, DONE Representative) handled the printing of the 4-page flyer. It was approved by our IEA, printed and mailed via Academy Mailing in Sun Valley. 16,524 pieces were mailed presorted first class mail. Within 2-3 days of mailing I received my copy in the mail at home and at my office. The STNC office also started to receive calls. Extra copies of the mailer were also available at our Councilmember Wendy Greuel's office, other locations in the community and distributed at various community events
18 stakeholders signed up to become a candidate. One withdrew and one we were unable to verify. The STNC has new names running for board seats.
First candidate info session was not as well attended as the second. This is typical when two events are held. Our IEA was very helpful to explain the history and responsibilities of being a board member.
E-mails went out. Announcements were made at every committee meeting. Announcements were made at every STNC board meeting. Chairman's announcements on STNC web site are available for all 24/7 along with a full page dedicated to the Elections on the STNC web site.
North Valley Reporter picked up the information and placed it in their January 14th and February 14th issues near the STNC section of their paper.
The work continues with a postcard mailing to go out within a few days that will include all candidates' names. Other ads and candidate statements will be posted at all posting sites and on the STNC web site at www.stnc.org
New STNC banners will also be up within days in an effort to make the name of the STNC more visible and more people knowledgeable about their neighborhood council.
It is time to get the vote out. All candidates will be campaigning. Come out and support their efforts.
Volunteers are needed to help on Election night. If you are interested, please contact the STNC office at 818-951-7411. Thank you to all who have had a part in assisting and working with the STNC in our election this year and most especially to the great committee for all their efforts in moving the STNC elections along on schedule.
There are two upcoming forums for you to meet the candidates and find out what their plans are for the upcoming year of the STNC: Thursday March 8th and Wednesday March 14th. There will also be a candidate mixer on Saturday March 10th. And....come out to VOTE on election day, March 19, 2007 from 4-8 p.m. Check the website for up-to-date information and meeting locations at www.stnc.org or call the STNC office at 818-951-7411.
