Wrigley Association

Board of Directors Elections - Candidate Statements (Non-PDF)

Questions for Candidates

Questions for Wrigley Association Candidates:

1. Give some general background information about yourself
2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood, or the Association, this year, or in the past ?
3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve ?
4. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced ?
5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL) ?

Response from Candidates

The statements will also be published in the Wrigley Association Newsletter.
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Christopher Graeber

1. Give some general background information about yourself.

My wife and I have lived in the Wrigley area for over 11 years. We moved into the area after our marriage. We have two dogs, one of which has been a winner in the Haute Dogs events. I am a business representative for labor union in Hollywood and my wife is an Artist.

2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood, or the Association, this year, or in the past?

Currently, I am the Secretary for the Board of Directors. I put together the website for the Association, which can be reached at: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/longbch/wrigley/main.html/ . I have prepared press releases to our local media. I have also served as the Vice-President. I have helped on the various activities of the Association, including Christmas Tree Lane and neighborhood clean-ups.

3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve?

I believe I can lend a hand in improving our community by helping the Association focus its goals on important issues that affect us. I feel that I can be of assistance due to my knowledge of the inner working of the government agencies. I have worked as a Union representative for labor unions that works for various government agencies, which has provided me with an understanding of the working of these governmental agencies.

4. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced?

This is the foremost reason for the Association. I strongly feel that our neighbors want the Association to be a force for change in our community. The Wrigley Association is known citywide as one of the most influential association in our city. Wrigley should continue its focus on the everyday quality of life issues; such as crime. I believe that activities such as the Christmas Tree Lane are also important. However, it should be spun off into its own organization, which the Association should continue to support. Last year, I volunteered by car, with the Wrigley Association banner on the side of it, to be a float in the Daisy Lane Parade.

5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)?

As a member of the Wrigley Association Board for several years, I feel it is important for the membership to trust the Board to make decisions on behalf of the membership. The Board attempts to make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire membership. We have been through difficult issues in the past and survived. It is important that this issue does not divide the membership, everybody loves Christmas Tree Lane and it is an important part of our neighborhood and that is why I volunteered by car for a float in the parade. The Wrigley Association, like Santa, has to be a key figure in the parade. However, it is not an automatic float in the parade and should always be. This would tie the two together. The Christmas Tree Lane and the Parade should and will survive and the Wrigley Association should make sure this happens. However, the Board was correct in voting to form a separate organization for the Christmas Tree Lane. All the interested parties need to get together and work this problem out.
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Annie Greenfeld-Wisner

1. Give some general background information about yourself.

I have lived in Wrigley since 1999 and have been extremely active in the community since then. I am one of the founding members of the Neighborhood Advisory Group (NAG), a co-founder of Better Balance for Long Beach (BBLB) and presently am serving in my second year as the Central Project Area Committee (CPAC is the Redevelopment Agency Advisory Committee on redevelopment issues) Secretary. I am also in my third year as a Commissioner on the Community Development Advisory Commission (CDAC is an advisory commission regarding Community Development Block Grant funds) and have been on the Wrigley Association Board for 2 years.

BBLB won first place in the multi-neighborhood category of Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) last year in Kansas City, MO. In the last 2-1/2 years, we have worked to improve the quality of life in the 14th Street Park neighborhood and one of our many accomplishments has been to make 14th Street Park more family and child friendly.

2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood, or the Association, this year, or in the past ?

This past year I have worked very closely with the City and the prosecutor’s office to close down parking on the east side of the street in the 1900 block of Henderson Ave. (one of the worst streets in the City) in an effort to get rid of drug dealing and gang problems in that area, and have worked hard with the Prosecutor’s office to have 2 problem-buildings be purchased by the City of LB Housing and Development Co. on this street. Within the next couple of months these problem, substandard buildings will be torn down leaving way for single family homes to be built.

I have also worked hard on the Central Project Area Committee (CPAC) (the Advisory Committee to the Redevelopment Agency Board) to get redevelopment dollars on Pacific Ave. I served as the Secretary of CPAC and also the Pacific Ave Task Force Chair. We have managed to forge ahead on Pacific Ave, which will start on June 21, 2007 and managed to have NAG become the steering committee for this redevelopment project on Pacific Ave. This revitalization of Pacific Ave. is key to ridding blight in a Wrigley neighborhood.

3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve ?

The Wrigley neighborhood is a beautiful, vibrant and diverse community. I will continue to work hard in Wrigley to revitalize and improve Pacific Ave. for the business community and for the residents of Wrigley, and assist in reporting crimes and gang activities in this neighborhood. I am the Wrigley Association’s and NAG’s “go to” person for graffiti. I have invited and continue to invite all Wrigley residents to contact me with any graffiti problems in your area so that I can make sure they are reported and painted out as quickly as possible.

I will continue to work on CPAC, NAG, BBLB and the Wrigley Association to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood. It is so important to be consistent and not allow anything to be status quo. It is not acceptable to be “good enough”. We want to be the best!

4. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced ?

The quality of life in Wrigley could be further enhanced with the improvement of the Pacific Ave. corridor, enforcement of code enforcement violations, enforcing the laws already on the books as to graffiti, drugs, prostitution, the noise ordinance as to loud music and Neighborhood Watch. Calling the appropriate city department, whether it be the health department, the police department, your council representative, or whatever department handles the problem and following through on those calls, will improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.

We also need to be concerned about air quality/pollution and to make sure that nothing is forced down our throat. We need to make our streets clean and beautiful, planting more trees to enhance the streets of Wrigley. Again I say we should not allow anything to remain status quo. It is not acceptable to be “good enough”. We want to be the best!

5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL) ?

The current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL) has been blown out of proportion to such an extent that now the only way to resolve it would be to separate Christmas Tree Lane from the Wrigley Association. When this entire disagreement began, mediation would have been the appropriate avenue; however, it was turned down by the CTL proponents. Now the members who are fighting to keep CTL as part of Wrigley Assn. have slandered your hardworking volunteer board to City Hall including the Mayor’s office. This reflects poorly on the Wrigley Association’s image and is NOT how a true community leader including a Board of Director should resolve their difference of opinion. Our members may want to communicate that this is unacceptable behavior and does not reflect well on our association. This all came about over a disagreement about one vote. Rather than trying to work things out (which we requested on many occasions), the CTL people dug in their heels and refused to discuss any compromise whatsoever. Being a volunteer in the Wrigley Association has become so difficult and it really shouldn’t be that way. We all care about our community and should be able to agree to disagree. Due to some people being so passionate about CTL (to the exclusion of day to day quality of life issues) it only makes sense to create a separate non-profit where they can focus their passion 365 days a year.
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Joan Greenwood:

1. Give some general background information about yourself

I have four step-sons and seven step-grandchildren. My husband John and I have lived in Wrigley since 1986. We have been members of the Association almost from its beginning in 1988. Since his stroke in 2002, my husband has not been able to participate in Association activities. Due to my husband’s condition, I decided to cut back on my other organizational responsibilities and focus on the Wrigley Association in 2004.

It was my volunteer work as Wrigley’s environmental point person since 1995 that led me into a new career path as an environmental consultant in 2000. Last year, State Senator Alan Lowenthal selected me to be one of his Environmental Commissioners. In addition, I have served on numerous committees and task forces that addressed both Wrigley and City-wide environmental concerns.

I work full-time for an environmental consulting firm located in downtown Long Beach as a project manager. I earned a certificate in strategic environmental management from the University of California in 2005. I have qualified as a Registered Environmental Assessor in the state of California.

2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood, or the Association, this year, or in the past?

I served a two-year term on Board in the mid-nineties. During that time, I volunteered for neighborhood cleanups and supported the Association’s efforts to bring the District back to its former glory by eliminating prostitution on PCH, wiping out graffiti and reporting suspicious activities. Beginning with the flood control improvements for the Los Angeles River, I have worked collaboratively with other neighborhood and regional organizations on environmental issues.

During this past year, I thoroughly researched all aspects of Christmas Tree Lane and consulted with accounting professionals and legal counsel regarding the options open to the Association. During my most recent three year term on the Board, I wrote the Association’s response to the draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed LNG terminal and testified about the very real safety concerns in public hearings. In 2004 and 2005, I joined with other Wrigley residents and testified at public hearing regarding air quality and the I-710 expansion.

Much of what I have done as a representative of other organizations has led to significant environmental improvements in Wrigley and enhanced the Association’s reputation for leadership in environmental matters. Here is a partial list of my activities:

* Working Group Member, San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC) Watershed Open Space Plan (2002)
* Water Resources subcommittee chair and Sustainable City Program subcommittee member: Long Beach Strategic Plan 2010 Environmental Task Force (1999-2000)
* Senior Project Manager for the Long Beach RiverLink Program sponsored by the San Pedro Bay Estuary Project adopted as an Action Plan for enhanced open space and recreation on the Westside of Long Beach
* Community Representative on the City’s Land Use and Transportation Element Update Planning Initiative (2004)
* Water Quality Committee Member, Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council (2002-2003)
* Technical Advisory Committee, City of Long Beach 6th Street and DeForest Park Wetlands Feasibility Study (2001- 2002)
* Initiating Committee and Stakeholder Group Representative: Long Beach Community Partnerships 4 Results directed by the National Civic League (2000-2002), development of performance measurements and progress indicators for meeting the City 2010 Strategic objectives
* Non-voting governing board liaison for Friends of the Los Angeles River to the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council (March 2001- November 2002)
* Steering Committee, Long Beach Beautiful Campaign (February 2001-2002)
* Board Member and Chair, Technical Advisory Board: Friends of the Los Angeles River (1995-November 2002)
* Environmental Point-person: Wrigley Association, Long Beach (1995-present)
* Community Representative: Los Angeles River Alternative Flood Control Study, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (1996-97)
* Community Representative: Long Beach Naval Complex Restoration Advisory Board (1994-1996)
* Community Representative: Stormwater Best Management Practices Study at the Los Angeles Zoo (1999-2000)

3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve?

Just keep on doing what I have been doing. Reporting graffiti to the 24-hour hot line when I see it; keeping the police informed when I see suspicious activity on the Los Angles River Bike Path or in the new mini-park near my home; advocating for more parks and recreational activities in our community; assisting Councilmember Uranga and other elected officials in understanding the more technical and scientific aspects of improving air quality and health risk management.

In 2004, the Board adopted the City 2010 Strategic Plan and Long Beach RiverLink as its own guidance documents. I will continue to work with City staff on the goals identified in that document. Goals have been established in the following areas: community safety, environment, education and youth, business growth and workforce development and neighborhood development.

My more immediate objective is the 20-acre Wrigley Heights Park identified in Long Beach RiverLink on the former Oil Operators property and urban forestry. Through my relationship with Charlie Moore, the founder and David Cundiff, the current Executive Director of Long Beach Organic, I have secured a commitment to make street trees in Wrigley a priority. Long Beach Organic already has the staff, trees and volunteers from Jordan High School to make Wrigley a showpiece of urban forestry.

4. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced?

I believe in strengthening collaborative partnerships with organizations like Neighborhood Watch and encouraging more people to volunteer for City programs. The Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAG) has made a real difference in South Wrigley and deserves a round of applause for its achievements. The Pacific Avenue corridor is now getting attention because of the dedicated work of the Central Project Area Committee members. But, I know my limits. As much as I would like to expand my activities, I can’t. I will remain focused on environmental justice, environmental quality and Christmas Tree Lane.

5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)?

The conflict is over the heart and soul of this Association not Christmas Tree Lane. The Board serves at the pleasure of the members. It is their decision not the Board’s.

Approving the new Bylaws which will clearly identify the role and responsibilities of the Board and clarify noticing procedures is an important first step in the process. Without good Bylaws, policies and practices, the Board cannot do its job, which is to make certain that the purpose for which this Association was found has the commitment and resources to carry through.

Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane can be handled by a separate Board within the Association as was recommended by the Internal Revenue Service, and the Parade can be handled by a separate organization founded for that very purpose. The City, not the Association, is the Parade sponsor.

There is no need to abandon the legacy and purpose for which this Association was founded. If other Associations are up to the task of relieving the burden of their celebrations and Parades on the City General Fund, then why did a majority of the current Wrigley Board decide that we are not as committed and competent as they are? After all, the Wrigley Association led the way and the others followed!
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PG Herman
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Rick Linder
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Gavin McKiernan
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Maria Norvell

1. Give some general background information about yourself.

I have lived in Wrigley 38 years. My husband’s name is Bill we have three adult children that were raised in Wrigley. I was one of the nine people to help start the Association 1987, and have been a board member. since then. Since 1989 I have been a member of the Police Chief’s Executive Advisory Group for the Neighborhood Watch Program. I was appointed to the Public Safety Commission, in 1996. I was elected-chair for the Commission twice. I served for ten years. I have helped with prostitution marches, and removal of liquor stores and drug houses, etc. I am so proud that all of our hard work in the past has made the Association so successful.

2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood or the Association, this year, or in the past?

I have helped neighbors to start Neighborhood Watch in Wrigley.

I have chaired Christmas Tree Lane for the past 18 years. I have chaired and co-chaired our wonderful Wrigley Country Fair. It was a fund-raiser for Christmas Tree Lane. I also, have chaired our Anniversary Parties and helped organize our Holiday Party every year. I was membership chair for 6 years. I helped organize the clean up on Pacific Avenue after the riots. I also have worked on every thing that the Association has been involved in.

3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve?

I will continue to go before the City Council and express my opinion regarding Wrigley.

I communicate and work well with everyone. I am an organizer, and when I am requested to perform a task, I see to it that it gets done. I love Wrigley and will continue giving Wrigley 110%of my time. I am very dedicated in helping my community. Not just where I live, but all of Wrigley and the City I live in. I will keep working on ways to stop drugs, prostitution, liquor licenses, graffiti etc. through our Police Department.

4. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced?

My continued goal is to get more participants in the Neighborhood Watch Programs. I will continue to encourage residents to join the Wrigley Association. I have been able to sign up a lot of new members. We have had two-membership drives. The first time I signed up 30 members and won a 3-day trip to Palm Springs for two. The second time in 2006, I signed up 8 members.

Both times, I was able to bring in the most new members and won both contests.

Our sense of community pride needs to be shared by more of our Wrigley neighbors; we can accomplish this by involving more people in our efforts to make Wrigley a better place to live. I will encourage residents to keep a close relation with our Council members and our Police Department. I will continue to support the business section in Wrigley. Everyone must work together, so we can continue to improve the QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR WRIGLEY NEIGHBORHOOD!

5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)?

I just want to say that Christmas Tree Lane is not getting bigger and causing conflict. It is our heritage and legacy. Maybe, more people come by and see the Lane. There haven’t been any big display built since the Theater in 2001. We have been replacing some of the smaller displays like the Reindeer, Gnomes, Carolers, etc. What we need to do is to raise lots of money for upgrading the electrical and adding energy-efficient LED lights that will last longer. The Central Long Beach Association and the North Long Beach Associations can do it for their parades and celebrations. So, why can’t Wrigley remain a sponsor for Christmas Tree Lane. We will most likely have to pay for the set-ups and take downs of the Lane, to help the City. That’s why it may seem to have taken so much of our time this year. Thank you Wrigley Association members.
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Joan Pizzato

When the young Pizzato couple, Louie and Frances came from Italy in 1930 to establish their American Dream, they found Daisy Avenue in Wrigley. I married their son, Jim Pizzato many years later and I was left a legacy. Now, that they are gone, I have stayed here and have seen Wrigley change and become a many faceted community. I grew up in the Wilshire District of Los Angeles and was never allowed to come to Long Beach as a teen because of the “Sailors”, ... but as fate would have it I took a job with the Long Beach Better Business Bureau in the “70s and was initiated into this united caring community.

Involvement in Civic and Community commitments became automatic for me...For years—from PTAs to serving on the Commission for the Disabled Access Board, at our Mayor request for 12 years; serving youth in Nancy Reagon”s Chemical people program, I and Lee Sundstrom started Winners for our Long Beach youth. I served 25 years as a volunteer at the Memorial Alumni Foundation ending as a Member of the Board of Directors and finally, President. Continuing my education in Clinical Psyche at Cal State Dominquez, I Interned at Memorial West in 1983 and dedicated my efforts in a Drug Free Youth foremost in our community.

Enthusiasm for the Wrigley area was ever constant. The Veteran Park’s Country Fair and exciting neighborhood projects have been an ongoing involvement in our special Wrigley District...of course Daisy Lane Christmas’ were the topper every year whether it was a stuffed Santa climbing in my chimney or reindeer prancing on my roof...while hundreds of friends and neighbors passing my house on the way to the magical displays would stop to share the Peace and Joy and Goodwill of the Season. It was of course, the Daisy Lane Christmas’ that gave the Wrigley Association its beginning so many years ago. Wrigley is truly delightful and I need to give back some of the pleasure of being a part of it all.

Excellent programs and policies identified in the City of Long Beach 2010 Strategic Plan are already in place and meet our every need and concern...Crime, Vandalism, Graffiti are addressed; the abatement codes, community-based code enforcement; the beautification projects, local pollution focus—all are in place, and the Wrigley Association adopted them as their own in 2004.

In fact, four volunteers from the Wrigley District served over a year as members of the Environmental Task Force. Wrigley spoke. The City and Councilmember Uranga listened. Goal number 4 identified by this task force is to improve air quality. Under Goal 2, one of the objectives is to create an urban forest management program to increase street trees. Again, the City listened and Councilmember Uranga appointed Alan Tolkoff as the Seventh District Representative to the City’s Tree Committee. More importantly, the Port of Long Beach has established its Harbor Arbor program, which in collaboration with Long Beach Organic and its young urban foresters from Jordan High School, ensures that the Wrigley District will not have to compete for trees. We can get all the trees we want as soon as we want without spending one cent of City General Funds or grant monies.

We needn’t reinvent the wheel...just help it turn-- by getting involved as a volunteer and member of the Wrigley Association and by letting the new neighbors on the block know about the Association. Our children are our future and it does take a “village” and Wrigley through your membership in the Association can meet their needs!

With you and I working together, the future is bright and friendly and full of promise, and I would like to see us reach across our fences and join hands, sharing and learning our many cultural and ethnic differences-- allowing us all our American Dream. The legacy of our neighborhood and its history belongs to each of us here in Wrigley...I would relish devoting these remaining years to you and our children and grandchildren… by compiling its history as Association Historian on the Board of Directors. Be sure to slow down on Daisy Avenue and give me a wave...its so good to have you part of Wrigley—Hey, invite your neighbors to join us!
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Don Raines
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Victoria Reynafarje:

1. Give some general background information about yourself

I was born and raised in Peru. I have lived in the United States for over 25 years and recently moved into the Wrigley District. For many years of these years, I lived in Belmont Shore. Over the years, I have made many friends in Wrigley through my volunteer and school work. They have told me about this wonderful community.

I am a student working on a certificate in the travel industry. Even though Spanish is my native tongue, I am taking a course in Spanish to help me with my English grammar.

I have a son who is 24 years old and serving in the Air Force. When he was growing up, I took him to Christmas Tree Lane. It is very important to me. That is why I am running for the Board. We need to bring more people into the Association and have a Board that reflects the diversity of our neighborhood. I am a doer, not a talker.

I like Wrigley because it is a safe neighborhood. I can walk my dog at night without worries. In a short time, I have made many new friends who I was able to help with some of their problems. I know how to get things done through the Council office.

2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood, or the Association, this year, or in the past?

As a new resident, I have not done very much just for Wrigley except for putting together a petition in favor of keeping Christmas Tree Lane going. I went to the meeting on May 7th and spoke out for the community that believes in the unifying spirit of Christmas Tree Lane.

I will do many of the same things that I did while I lived in Belmont Shore. I will volunteer. In the past, I was very active in the Sons of the American Legion as the wife of a member. I have volunteered at the Museum of Latin American Art, and with my son given out presents at the Christmas dinner for homeless at Mum’s restaurant for 13 years. I also was a volunteer for the Long Beach School District.

3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve?

I will work on membership.
Person-to-person is the way to get more people involved. Some people in the community are uncomfortable with English. I can help translate your materials and get more people involved, especially in the businesses on Pacific Ave. I am an entrepreneur. I speak the language of business and can reach out to them.

4. How can the overall quality of life
in Wrigley be further enhanced?

I want to be the membership chair and help neighbors get together for social events like block parties. When people know each other socially, it is a much better neighborhood.

5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)?

The Board must understand how import this event is to everyone in Long Beach. I went to local places and asked people about Christmas Tree Lane. Everyone knows about the Association because of this great event. Why would the Association want to give up the honor and prestige of hosting such a great thing? The membership does not see a conflict. All things are possible. It is not an either or situation.
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Nancy Risch
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Timothy Risch

1. Give some general background about yourself.

My name is Timothy Risch. I am a 23 year old college student majoring in Computer Programming at Long Beach City College . As a college student I have been in many clubs and served as many officer rolls. So I feel I am well prepared to take a serious roll in the Wrigley Association.

2. What have you done to help Wrigley or the Association?

I have volunteered a lot in my life. I have just recently finished my fourth year as a site captain for the “Friends of the Los Angeles” River Clean up day. Also I volunteered for the daisy Christmas tree lane construction days and also the deconstruction days. Last year I also volunteered for the Christmas tree parade night. Lastly I have been the baby sitter for the Association meeting for the last year or so, and help heavily with the refreshments at the meetings.

3. What do you feel you do best that would benefit Wrigley?

As a local college student I feel that I could rally local students to help with projects and events held by either Wrigley or the Association. Also I am fairly well versed at computer related things, thus allowing me to help spread the word about any event via local blogs and other online news outlets. Lastly with my computer abilities I can help either work on or update the site for the Association.

4. How do you see yourself helping Wrigley to improve?

I would try to get more young people getting involved with there area. It would help the community greatly if the college age or post high school age people of Wrigley were to really care about the area. This I hope would have a positive affect on all aspects of Wrigley and the Association in general.

5. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced?

I think that getting younger people to realize that Wrigley is a great place to settle down and raise children would be the best way to further enhance Wrigley. If the younger generation really had good jobs and a steady future to look forward to after college in Wrigley, then they would be more willing to invest time and energy in projects that affect and promote Wrigley. Not only that but when those college age people become full adults then they will be better prepared to deal with any issues involving Wrigley since they will have had years of experience with any current issues.

6. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)?

I would allow the membership to decide the issue.
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Andrew Scammon
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Carolyn Smith Watts

As a 9 year resident of the Wrigley it’s an honor to have an opportunity to work in community and with my neighbors. I have provided my responses in bold.

1. Give some general background information about yourself

As a former police officer from Lansing, Michigan I currently served on several commission and boards such as Citizen Police Complaint Commission and Leadership Long Beach Executive Board. Currently as a Professional Consultant her services includes community marketing, corporate training, political campaigning and event planning. I provide training for youth development, cultural competency, staff development, and leadership development. My partial clients list includes; U.S. Department of Labor, Long Beach Job Corps Center, City of Long Beach, Los Angeles Urban League, non-profit organizations, elected officials, and private developers.

2. What have you done to help the Wrigley neighborhood, or the Association, this year, or in the past?

I volunteer within the within the 7th District council office for the past 5 years and was the direct liaison between Daisy Lane Parade coordinator and the District Office. In addition I have volunteer for the family day during the summer.

3. How do you see yourself helping the Wrigley neighborhood improve?

First, understanding the knowledge of history will help the entire board and association to move forward in the next era. I want to open communication and encourage others neighbors to share their vision of what our neighborhood could be for our future generations. Encourage and initiate cluster meetings within just a few blocks, with neighbors. Go them if they can’t attend the monthly meetings and let their voices be heard.

4. How can the overall quality of life in Wrigley be further enhanced?

It can only be enhance with increase involvement from neighbors residents and local business by creating a Wrigley Resource book – great for new residents and businesses in the area. Great opportunity to showcase the existing resource and locate new resources published every two years and can be distributed for new home owners from the realtors and local businesses who advertise it the book.

5. How would you resolve the current conflict regarding Christmas Tree Lane (CTL)?

I won’t pretend to understand the entire issues. However, my general thoughts: CTL is Wrigley and Wrigley is part of CTL- partially. Again, we need to transition into corporate sponsorship to make the CTL better that will be inclusive and represents not just our Wrigley Assoc but entire city. We must create a working committee with will include, community leadership adults and youth, city staff, sponsorship and local business that will establish a productive succession planning for future generations. It should remain a part of an “extended arm” of the Wrigley Association and that will ensure of integrity of community by keeping it close to the neighborhood while being productive outside the daily operation of the association with regular report to the Wrigley Assoc.
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Colleen Vandepas

1. I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley (Tarzana). I
lived in San Francisco for a number of years before moving to Downtown
Long Beach upon my return to Los Angeles. I lived in a vintage condo on
Ocean Blvd. prior to purchasing my home in Wrigley. I have worked for a
number of years in consumer protection as an Associate Insurance
Compliance Officer with the California Department of Insurance. It is my job
to travel to insurance carriers throughout the United States to conduct
audits of claims procedures and compliance with the California
Insurance Code and the California Code of Regulations.

2. I have been a member of the Wrigley Association for approximately
three years. I have previously served on the Board of Directors and am
currently filling a position vacated by a Director who moved out of the
area. I have helped my Wrigley neighborhood most noticeably by
purchasing an older home in need of TLC and making significant exterior
improvements. As you walk or drive thru Wrigley, or any neighborhood in Long
Beach, you get a sense of the area by the way people care for their
homes. I care for and improved my home as a way of showing my respect for
my neighbors and my community.

3. I see myself helping the Wrigley community by bringing my
background in auditing and consumer protection to the membership. The
Department of Insurance sponsors a Consumer Outreach Bureau with information on
multiple insurance topics of interest to anyone who lives in Wrigley
and owns an auto, home or is a renter. I mentioned facilitating a
presentation by the Department of Insurance for the Wrigley Association to
the prior President but sadly received little interest or support. I
look forward to providing the Wrigley Association useful information,
professional conduct and a desire to serve harmoniously.

4. There are a number of different issues impacting North and South
Wrigley but I think fundamentally Wrigley suffers from low expectations.
Times Square in New York was changed not just from an infusion of cash
but a commitment from local government, business and residents. I
don't think Wrigley has received the support from local government or
business it deserves but there is no reason the residents can not evoke
change in hundreds of small ways. Stop having lowered expectations for
yourselves and for your neighbors. Be the neighbor you would want to live
next to and make sure your family and friends respect Wrigley too!
Just making small changes you can control-pick up trash, paint out
graffiti, mow your lawn, water your grass, plant something, park your car in
the garage or driveway, tell people not to honk their horn when they come to your home-will make a huge difference in the quality of life for everyone in Wrigley. If everyone did this I think we would have more clout with government (Local, State & Federal) and business. Nobody respects someone who does not respect themselves. If we don't care enough to keep our homes and neighborhoods clean and safe, why will anyone else?

5. I believe the importance of CTL to the Wrigley Association has been
blown out of proportion. Parades are nice but I can not believe anyone
has changed their perception about Wrigley because there is a parade
here any more than people have changed their perceptions about New York
City because there is a Thanksgiving Day parade there. A parade is an
entertainment, it does not significantly change a community for the better. Clearly high crime, bankruptcy and depression in New York continued right along with a nationally know parade. I doubt seeing an Underdog balloon floating along the streets of New Your City made a significant change in your opinion of the place! I don't believe the Wrigley Association should exist to support CTL. CTL does not give the residents of this community a voice in all of the issues effecting us on a daily basis. The Wrigley Association needs to focus its time and energies in
support of a larger agenda. There is no reason CTL can not exist as its own organization-that is how most special event organizations work. CTL needs to be an organization separate from the Wrigley Association.
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Election Committee Members

David Carlton
Danny Amat

The Wrigley Association is electing six directors to it’s 11 member board. Members may vote for up to six candidates. All pre-announced candidates are asked five questions to help identify their experience and interest in serving on the Board of Directors. No floor nominations will be accepted.

Candidates must be members in good standing. Resident members must reside within the limits of the Wrigley District, that of Pacific Coast Highway on the south, the San Diego Freeway on the north, Long Beach Boulevard on the east, and the Los Angeles River on the west. Business and professional members must have a business or profession within the existing boundaries of the Wrigley District. Resident or business/professional members may run for a seat on the Wrigley Board.