BOARD POSITION

# OF SEATS

ELECTED OR APPOINTED?

QUALIFICATIONS TO
RUN FOR THE SEAT

QUALIFICATIONS TO
VOTE FOR THE SEAT

CANDIDATES FILED:

Nels Hansen

I’m a long time resident of Van Nuys/Lake Balboa. I was born and raised in Van Nuys, attended Van Nuys High. I’m currently employed by the City of Los Angeles (Public Safety) for the past 25 years. I feel that I can be an asset in regard to public safety and safety & security issues.

Leslie Woods

I have been a resident of the SFV for the past 40 years.

I am currently the Controller of a non-profit in Encino and strongly believe that you can not just reside in your neighborhood, you need to be an active part of your
community. I feel that my strong sense of community, 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector and 18+ years of financial management will lend as an asset to the Council.

Jennifer Holtan

My name is Jennifer Holtan and I am running for the Residential Candidate position for the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council.  I was born, raised, attended school and work in the San Fernando Valley and have lived in the Lake Balboa since 1995 and as such I feel that I can bring a unique perspective to my community.  Though I have never formally served in any capacity on this council, I think that this opportunity would allow me to begin to positively serve our community.

I have volunteered some time with my son’s elementary school, his Boy Scout troop and most recently, his new high school and am looking forward to giving time to improve our community, schools and to ensure that our neighborhood offers its residents the best.

This is why I am declaring a stake in our neighborhood.  We live in a special place; our community should reflect that.  I thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Holtan

Yali Yang

My name is Yali Yang. I moved in Lake Balboa neighborhood three years ago with my husband and two daughters. We love our neighborhood and want to make it a safer and better place for everyone! Therefore, I would love to serve on the Neighborhood Council to help residents and business owners here get our voice heard.

Both my husband and I have experiences teaching at Universities, so we know how important it is for future success. I would like to use my teaching experiences to help address issues regarding education(especially for kids)and make Lake Balboa a great place for children to start their dreams!

Linda Schwering

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, I have called this community my home since 1972.

Until retirement I was a successful business owner serving the Valley for more than 30 years, a Past President So. Cal. Photo Dealers Guild, Certified Photographic Councilor, and a Chamber of Commerce member.

Currently, I’m serving as Treasurer on the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council, Budget Committee Chair, and on the Emergency Preparedness Committee.

I care about my neighborhood, quality of life here, and working toward assurance all are prepared when earthquakes or disasters happen.

It is important to me that Lake Balboa folks know we are empowered through our Neighborhood Council, as a voice that goes all the way to City Hall.

My goal is continued service to my community. I respectfully ask for your consideration, and your vote.

Cynthia Weichelt

Please re-elect me to the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Board.

In 2007, I moved to Lake Balboa with my family, and after reading the Neighborhood Council newsletter for a few years,  I decided to lend a hand.   Since being elected to the Board in 2010, I have grown even closer to my neighbors and my neighborhood.   I’ve learned a lot about city government and opportunities to participate and have an impact.   We even participated in regional redistricting meetings where we were able to ensure direct and equitable representation for Lake Balboa on the city council.  I’ve spoken to hundreds of our neighbors at meetings and local events.  Over and over I hear about the value we all place in our community.

By continuing to serve on the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Board,  I will continue to bring my skills and energy to serve our common goals.

Allen Nelson

I have been a board member for 4 years and I have been the Communications Officer for the last 2 years.  I am also on the Emergency Preparation Committee, Planning and Land Use and the Beautification Committee.  There are several projects that have been started and I would like to be there to see them come to completion.

Jack Baird

I have been on the council for 4 years now and we have done a lot, but there is still more that need to be completed.  I am a member of the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Am cert #1.  Ham Radio for emergency.

Linda Pruett

I have lived in the Lake Balboa are since 1976, and until my retirement, was owner of a publications company catering to the aircraft/aerospace industry.  I raised my daughter here, and truly love this community.

I helped to found the Council, and have served as its Vice President and President.  I am on the Land Use Committee, and since 2004 I have been Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Committee, helping to ready our stakeholders for disasters.

We have sponsored two bins in the community with Preparedness supplies, have trained hundreds of people through CERT (the LAFD Community Emergency response Team), and hold monthly meetings to help us all prepare for the inevitable.

I have enjoyed a good working relationship with our City Council, particularly our Lake Balboa Councilmen, and look forward to continuing the vital work we are doing for our community.  I will greatly appreciate your vote.

Brian Tessier

I am a 37 year-old award-winning documentary filmmaker, a father of two young children, and a native Angeleno committed to making a difference in my community.

Before moving to Lake Balboa two years ago, I served on the board of The Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association in Pasadena, alongside a city Councilwoman and the assistant to the Mayor of Pasadena. I have firsthand experience seeing how dedicated individuals working together can have a dramatic impact on crime prevention, emergency preparedness, street beautification, education, and historic preservation.

I have produced documentaries for PBS, Turner Classic Movies, and A&E. I have been nominated for an Emmy and received the prestigious Peabody Award for “Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times,” the first documentary on the history of Los Angeles to air as a national primetime on PBS.

My successful grant-writing skills can be applied to raising money for projects benefiting Lake Balboa

CANDIDATES FILED:

Michael Rosa

Mike Rosa is a small business owner and resident of Lake Balboa. His primary business, Dogtown Dogs LLC, is a mobile gourmet company and has a strong commitment to supporting local schools and charity events throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

Throughout Mike’s life he has had a passion for community works.  Mr. Rosa has served in various community outreach programs.  Mike sat on the Stockton Arts Council, and later volunteered for the New York City S.C.O.R.E. office, as well as the Los Angeles Acorn Chapter.

Mike, husband and father of 2 small children, has a vested interest in the development and strengthening of the community.

Linda Gravani

I  have been a  resident in this area since 1982, my 3 children attended St. Bridget of Sweden School and Birmingham HS. I am a Notary Public,   Certified Administrator for Residential Care facility for the Elderly (RCFE),  a California Real Estate Licensee.  I am a member of Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber Commerce,  Valley Industry and Commerce Association and I have a home based business.

I am very interested in what happens in our community both as a resident and a business owner. We get single sighted with the challenges of our daily lives complaining to ourselves  and/or our families. Why isn’t this working, how come that isn’t fixed.  As a member of the Lake Balboa NC we speak with a single voice to our City Government.

I would like to be a Board member that facilitates communication between the City and our community stakeholders.

Clay McFarland

I am excited about the opportunity to serve the Lake Balboa Community again.
A a previous active member of the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council I have served the community well. I have been active with various committees and projects as well as serving as Treasurer and President

Roxan Hartstein

My name is Roxan Hartstein, I am a resident/business owner in Lake Balboa and my family owns three properties here as well.  Currently I am on the Lake Balboa Council as a Business Representative; I am the “Beautification Chair” and also construct our Community Newsletters.  I am dedicated to serve, assist and help with improvements that will make this city a more upscale and great place to work, live and raise our property values. With my efforts I have been able to procure grants for purchasing land for building community gardens and for trees that have recently been planted on commercially zoned streets.  I am responsible for our first “Clean up Day” and many other projects that have been started and need to be finished. I have been able to rally local businesses to get involved with our projects and will continue to make a positive impact in our community.

Bethany Harris

The importance of giving back to the community was instilled in me during my upbringing back east. When moving to Lake Balboa several years ago, the first thing I wanted to do was get rooted in the community. Since then, to better equip myself for this endeavor I developed relationships with local nonprofit organizations and schools. It is my hope that being a part of the Neighborhood Council will not only enable me to give back to the place I now call home, but encourage others to do the same.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Ruth Doxsee

These past two years on the board of the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council have been enjoyable. Working with members of the Beautification, By-Laws, Budget and Election Committees, we helped to make Lake Balboa a better place to live. I also served as Secretary this past year. These experiences have granted me the opportunity to grow personally. Please allow me to continue serving our community by giving me your vote.

Steven Leffert

● Area resident since 1969
● Member of the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Board from its inception, having
served as Secretary, Vice President, and President
● Retired teacher with a Lifetime Membership in United Teachers-Los Angeles
● Worked with neighborhood teachers, administrators, and Board of Education members
for many years
● Chair of the Planning and Land Use Committee

I worked diligently to get our community officially renamed to Lake Balboa.

As a re-elected member of the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council Board I will continue to work to improve the relationship between our local schools and our community

I will continue to monitor land use and planning issues in our community and make sure our neighborhood’s concerns are voiced to the appropriate city agencies.

I’ve fostered a good working relationship with our City Councilperson, Tony Cardenas and his staff.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Chris Bower

My name is Christopher Bower and I am running for the Youth Stakeholder Position on the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council. I am 15 years old and a 10th grader at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Lake Balboa. I have held the Youth Stakeholder Position since March. I have a strong desire to be involved in my school and in my community. I’m the Tech Editor on my school’s newspaper and for community service, I have done clean-up walks in my neighborhood and I have volunteered at Operation Gratitude at the Armory. I have held the Youth Stakeholder Position since March, and have attended every meeting of the LBNC since then. In August I introduced a motion in support of urban beekeeping that was unanimously passed by the board. Vote for me and I will continue to take an active role in improving our community!

CANDIDATES FILED:

Carl Schwering

This is my community, and I am a proud Lake Balboa stakeholder for over thirty-five years, and Valley resident since 1951.

I am a retired aerospace research & manufacturing manager, environmental monitoring analyst.

Served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman.

Currently, I am serving on the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council (LBNC). Here are some areas of my service.

– LBNC Senior Representative
– Senior Sympossium Committee
– Long-time member of the LBNC Emergency Preparedness Committee
– Volunteer for Lake Balboa Health Fairs
– Volunteer Disaster Preparedness Fairs

My goal is continuing my service on the Lake Balboa Neighborhood Council.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Patricia Davidovich

I am excited about getting involved with the Neighborhood Council and working to enhance the quality of life in our community!   I work at New Horizons agency, supporting people with special needs.  We  recently opened a satellite office in Lake Balboa. I am a strong advocate for the community in and around New Horizons; Community outreach activities include offering ongoing free community events for educational and social opportunities!  I recently received various awards of appreciation from our local government  including a Congressional recognition for outstanding service to the community, an Appreciation Certificate from Councilman 12 th district , and from the Board of Supervisors, commending me for making a difference in the lives of others.  As a long time valley resident my family enjoys regular walks at Lake Balboa park!