Neighborhood Council Nighmare Over! Sanity Returns to DONE!

In the final week of Lisa Sarno's troubled reign at the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, increasing bizarre directives were issued - culminating in a completely illegal demand that we must all file form 700's detailing all of our financial interests even though we are only an advisory in nature.

Then this appeared today only hours after Carol Baker Tharp took command:

Date: March 12, 2007

To: Neighborhood Council Leaders and Stakeholders
From: Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Subject: Statement of Economic Interest Filing



Please do not respond to the request regarding the filing of Form 700 recently issued by our office. We apologize for any misunderstanding and wanted to remind all parties that Neighborhood Council board members do not have to file Form 700.

As some of you are aware, the City Council adopted an ordinance exempting Board Members of Neighborhood Councils from filing Statements of Economic Interests. That determination is reflected in Los Angeles Administrative Code Section 2.20.1. This exemption remains in effect and has not changed.

At this time, the City Ethics Commission is not requesting that any Neighborhood Council Board Member file a Statement of Economic Interests by virtue of holding a Neighborhood Council board seat.

Although Neighborhood Council Board Members are not required to file a Statement of Economic Interests, please keep in mind that the Political Reform Act and Government Code 1090 still apply.

It is also important to note a Neighborhood Council Board Member who is also a member of another City board may be required to file a Statement of Economic Interests for that other City position.

Again, we apologize for any and all inconveniences this may or may not have caused.