Newly Elected Council Sets Goals for Next Year

The recently elected Venice Neighborhood Council is looking forward to continuing to serve as an important resource for locals in the new year while also urging them to become active in their community.

"Our motto is, it’s your Venice, get involved," said Venice Neighborhood Council president Linda Lucks.

The council recently spearheaded its annual "Great Venice Toy Drive," which brought in about 360 toys as well as book donations, according to Lucks. While the council is in the process of firming up plans for next year, it will continue with the toy drive and other annual events, including the Venice Community Barbeque which drew more than 1,000 people last summer, Lucks said.

There are also plans "to join with at least one other council and have a mayoral candidate town hall," Lucks said.

A City Council debate will probably also be in the works. Lucks said the work that the Venice Neighborhood Council does is of the utmost importance because the council serves as an important link between the city and the local community.

"We bring City Hall to Venice," Lucks said. "Our job is to listen to people’s ideas and translate them into action when appropriate."

She also encourages area residents to become involved in the council and its committees which include: Visitor Impact, the Arts, Land Use and the Santa Monica Airport Committee.

"We have a lot of very active committees," she said.

People can also find out about upcoming events by visiting the neighborhood council’s website or talking to members of the council who answer questions every Friday at the Venice Farmer’s Market. Lucks said the council is a great resource for all who live in Venice.

"It’s an opportunity for people to have more involvement," Lucks said. "We’re sort of the voice of the community."