SAVE THE DERBY BLOG!

This citizen Blog is dedicated to allowing the Los Feliz Community to voice their opinions regarding Saving one of Los Angeles Last Remaining Old Hollywod Landmarks. The historic "Derby" Building is the last of the remaining Brown Derby's and is set to be demolished!

Sunday, November 13, 2005

GGPNC Meeting Video Podcasted!

Hello Los Feliz!

Last Thursday November 10th the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council held a Public Forum on the development planned for 4500 Los Feliz Blvd, Aka "The Derby" and adjacent properites. For those that were not able to attend all i have to say is WOW! The gym was packed and overflowing with nearly 500 people, all crowded shoulder to shoulder spilling out on to the curb! Local news crews such as Channel 2 and KCAL 9 moved into position for the best spot. You could feel the tension and excitement in the air as longtime neighbors, store owners and preservationists waited to see Adler Realty's plan which would change their Neighborhood for either better or worse!

DAVID VS. GOLIATH!

Looking up on stage it became apparent that Adler had brought out the big guns. Their team of give or take 8 people talked amongst themselves while across the stage 2 people Rebecca Goodman and the head of the LA Preservation society waited nervously for the meeting to begin. At first glance this appeared to be a simple case of a corporate plan wrapping up a few loose ends. However, what was soon to unfold was a story of David vs. Goliath proportions and a great example of community participation and democracy in action!

Earlier we mentioned that Channel 2 and 9 were there to cover the event. Unfortnately again the Los Angeles news came up disapointingly short. After both news teams were there for over an hour channel 9 never mentioned the event in their evening newscast while Channel 2 showed a 10 sec misleading blurb. Just A wide shot of a bored looking crowd! Honestly we were shocked and apalled. What was probably the most exciting (yes we said exciting) public meeting this year with loud opinions, cheering, booing and shouting was reduced to a bored looking crowd as the news anchor stated "The Los Feliz Community Gathered tonight to hear the proposed plan of the...."

GIVE US A BREAK!


Well, we felt that was just an injustice to the Los Feliz community and almost pro Corporate. So, we decided that the Los Feliz community should be able to see exactly just what went down and decide for themselves.
So, for the next week we will be putting up video of the meeting for all to watch! Starting with each sides 20 minute argument, councilman Tom La Bonge's view and what the Manager of The Derby says is really going on behind the scenes! Infact for those so inclined the video can be podcasted on Itunes and on your Ipod hows that for cutting edge!

SIT BACK RELAX AND ENJOY!

You can either click on each photo to view that specific video or click on the iTunes-1click to have them podcasted directly into your itunes.

We recommend using iTunes because they are relatively large files and microsoft explorer refuses to recognize quicktime 7. By subscribing you will be able to download future video segments as soon as we post them! If you choose to view each segment seperately please do so using Safari or mozilla firefox.




    • 2. SAVE THE DERBY COALITION DEBATES THEIR ARGUMENT AND COUNTERPOINT!


    • 3. CITY COUNCIL MAN TOM LABONGE GIVES HIS OPINION ON THE DERBY!


    • 3. DERBY MANAGER SPEAKS OUT! TELLS THE AUDIENCE WHAT ADLER'S REAL MOTIVES ARE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT!



    Also here are the survey results from those that attended the meeting! = Survey Results



    COMING NEXT ....ADLER ANSWERS WRITTEN SUBMITTED QUESTIONS!

    1 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I'm anxious to find out what the outcome to this meeting was. I just started swing dancing a year ago. And there are two places i wanted to visit. The Derby and the Arthur Murray in SC. There hasn't been a blog here for a while. Just wondering. cubesanchito@yahoo.com or www.myspace.com/pharkatswingerboi

    9:29 PM  

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