Dennis RomeroOur relationship with City Hall often comes down to the little things. The things that affect us everyday. Like potholes. They're a perennial top pick for voters' biggest beef with local government.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa once vowed to fill a million potholes and surpassed that, but L.A. still ended up as the city with the worst roads in the nation. New Mayor Eric Garcetti is taking a different approach:
Today Garcetti launched a “neighborhood blitz” on potholes that he says will have one city street repair truck visiting each of L.A.'s 100 or so neighborhood council districts (map).
We're not sure how that compares to a goal of 2 million potholes filled, but it sure sounds good on paper.
Garcetti's office says the blitz, starting to today in Sherman Oaks, will continue for one year. Coming up: Sunland-Tujunga, Foothill Trails, Pacoima, Sylmar, Granada Hills North, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, and Northridge.
Credit: Neighborhood council map via the City of Los Angeles.
The Bureau of Street Services says community members will be its eyes and ears, “honorary inspectors” who can help get these roads fixed faster.
The mayor says the program is part of his “back to basics” approach to local government:
I'm working to make sure the city responds to pothole repairs in about 48 hours, but I want to do more than react to your calls. Government should actively go out to our neighborhoods and work with residents first hand to fix the most pressing problems. The best way to fix problems in our neighborhoods isn't from an office in City Hall. It's on the ground in our neighborhoods.
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