Hollywood United Neighborhood Council Celebrates Anniversary

The Hollywood United Neighborhood Council had a lot to celebrate Monday with the observance of the council’s ten-year anniversary as well as the swearing in of its new board members.

“We made it ten years,” said Hollywood United Neighborhood Council President Susan Swan. “Many of the founding members are still on the board, so it shows a passion for Hollywood.”

The neighborhood council’s founding president, Joel Fisher, made a special appearance in honor of the occasion. Fisher, who is the founder and CEO of the LA WineFest, reminisced and spoke of the fact that “good things were achieved” in the council's early years.

“Tom LaBonge and Erik [Sanjurjo] strongly supported me throughout the seven years of my terms,” Fisher said. “I always appreciated that support.”

The board members were sworn in at Adventist Church of Hollywood by the interim general manager for the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment Grayce Liu.

“Neighborhood councils are really changing the face of city government,” Liu told the board. “You really are part of an historic movement in terms of civic engagement. You really are making history, and we look forward to being partners in this.”

Swan said she is pleased with the new board members and what they will offer the council.

“I think it’s a newly energized board, and I think with everything that’s going on in Hollywood, that’s important,” Swan said.

In addition to the new board members, the Hollywood United Neighborhood Council’s executive committee were unanimously re-elected with the addition of Susan Polifronio as secretary. Two other positions were also filled. Jennifer Christie filled the Unclassified Area Five seat and Tom Meredith filled the Faith-Based seat, Swan said.

The council also voted to give $1,000 to Cheremoya Avenue Elementary School to be used for Thanksgiving baskets and other items for children in need at the school, Swan said.