Comment

Comment by Yvonne Ellett on June 6, 2016 at 7:11pm

Many of you know me from my neighborhood council service over the course of the past 4 years. I'm running for Office again, this time as Chair. The Empowerment Congress West Area's Candidate Forum was last Saturday, June 4. Couldn't be there? Here's my campaign message. Want to hear from me in person? I'd love to hold a meet and greet at your home or business. Reach me at yvonne4ecwa@gmail.com.
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Good morning! For those who don’t know me, I’m Yvonne Ellett and I’m running for Chair of Empowerment Congress West Area. This is what I do. Stakeholders who hear me the first time might not know what a neighborhood council is, but they sure know I’m enthusiastic.

Getting the word out about what ECWA is doing and what’s going on in the community and all around the city has been a focus of mine. EmpowerLA recognized my efforts with a Spirit Award last September. ECWA has one of the highest social media scores in LA – even higher than some elected officials’.

But online alone isn’t getting the really important job done. If we can interest you with more interactive and informative meetings and events we can amplify your voices. I always encourage everyone to participate because your opinion and engagement are important and should be shared.

This neighborhood council has been around since 2002 but our stakeholders need know this is a source for facts and vital information, not just for a piece of our $37,000 funding. This Area is anticipating millions more dollars in construction, nearly a thousand jobs, and the opening of one of the City’s largest pieces of infrastructure – the Crenshaw/LAX line.

As beautiful as all of our neighborhoods are, our retail corridors are kind of a mess. It’s on *us* to decide what belongs there. It’s doubly on *us* to support those corridor businesses so they reap the economic benefits of the 2019 train opening, the 2021 SuperBowl and the 2024 Olympics. Imagine the day when your favorite destination is down the street from where you live.

ECWA’s Board must put ideas into action, develop relationships and hold meetings that get important work done. I will lead the Board to reach out to you. If you’re not informed, you’re not empowered and we’re not doing our jobs. Letting issues slide and accepting the choices we’re being given – or worse, what someone thinks we deserve – is unacceptable.

So, I’m not just asking for your vote, I’m asking that you use your vote to get connected. We have to use every opportunity at every poll to make a statement for what we believe in for a strong Baldwin/Crenshaw/Leimert. Strength in numbers isn’t just a team slogan, it’s fuel for movement.

Towards a future where we’re as equally prepared for a natural disaster or economic downturn. Towards informed decision-makers who drive the destinies of their neighborhoods and this great City we call home. Towards solutions on the issues our stakeholders care about – our kids, homelessness, policing and gentrification to name a few.

Putting together a Town Hall within a week of the Wal*Mart closing to distribute facts and take very public comment gave SouthLA a Job Fair and inspired me to want to direct Empowerment Congress West Area towards its full potential. Your vote for me means YOU approve this message.

I’m Yvonne Ellett and I’m running for Chair of the Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Development Council.