Larry, you just became chair of the Brentwood Community Council. For those who don’t know you, tell us a little about your background – and your Brentwood ties.
I’m a Los Angeles native who has lived in Brentwood for 42 year resident of Brentwood.
Our home throughout that time has been in Sullivan Canyon, where we raised our three children. Over the years I have served as president and board member of the Sullivan Canyon Property Owners Association.
As you may know, Sullivan Canyon has an active horse riding community. My wife, children and I have been active equestrians and served as officers of the Sullivan Canyon Riders and the Sullivan Canyon Preservation Association, which owns the 8-acre riding facility in the canyon.
I am also a member of the Los Angeles Equestrian Advisory Committee, which advises the city council regarding equestrian issues. Professionally I’m a lawyer with Seyfarth Shaw LLP in its Century City office.
You headed up something before the BCC even existed called the Brentwood Community Federation. What was that?
Brentwood Community Federation was a homeowners organization representing Brentwood HOA, Crestwood Hills HOA, Brentwood Terrace HOA, Mandeville Canyon Association, Upper Mandeville HOA, Brentwood Hills HOA, Sullivan Canyon Property Owners Assn. and South Brentwood HOA.
It was organized in the 1960s to address the proposed Beverly Hills Freeway, which would have been constructed through Brentwood. When the Federation appeared redundant once the BCC was formed.
What do you see as the key issues BCC will be handling in the coming year?
I think traffic/transportation will continue to be a major ongoing problem for Brentwood and the BCC. But I expect we’ll see some unanticipated issues arise. One of the more likely sources for this will be the drought California is experiencing. Public safety is also likely to loom large, particularly to the extent that the drought exacerbates the fire dangers we normally face.
Do you have any projects you will champion during your year?
I would like to see more participation in community affairs, including the BCC, by renters and condo owners in multi-family structures in Brentwood.
We have some talented and committed new BCC members this representing multi-family housing residents and I look forward to working with them and tapping into their communities.
