VSA News 11/30/09

Hello all VSA members met with IIth district City Councilman Bill Rosendahl recently to discuss the LAPD intent on enforcing the helmet ordenance starting Dec 1st. First of all I would like to say that council Rosendahl's office is genuinely concerned with the safety and wellfare of the skaters.Specificly what was discussed is the language of the ordanence. The ordenance has been written specifically for skate-parks. The Venice skate plaza is deemed a "plaza"for this very purpose of circumventing the ordanence. The VSA is of the opinion that the LAPD interpretation of the state law is incorrect. Mr. Rosendahl has been in contact with the City attorney and the Pacific Division LAPD captain concerning the issue. VSA recommends at this time to bring your helmet to avoid a ticket. VSA will keep you advised of the situation and any developments. BTW the contest is on for Dec 19th "Educate and inform the whole mass of the people...They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of liberty."- T. Jefferson

Winners!

VSA weekly game of Sk8 winners @ Gilbert Lindsay Sk8prk at 42nd and San Pedro in L.A on Friday 9/20/09. Thanx to Ghosttown and Dwindle for the swag! Winners! Pedro, Josh, Timmy, Raul, Steven, Beto,John, Lil Slip rock. Volunteer! Contribute! It makes you feel good.

Contest postponed!

Thanksgiving Massacre contest postponed until 12/19/09. Sorry for any inconvienence. Cya then!

Ripping "Blood Alley" Snake Run

respect the V (vest)

V stands for Venice, Victory and Volunteer! We need your help to keep Venice " Polar Bear" skate park clean and flowin. You know what I mean. Love they neighbor sk8r!

16th Annual Surf-A-Thon Results!

Well the surf was 1 ft and dribblin yet the 16th Annual VSA Surf-A-Thon went off again! 22 men women and children showed up to surf , compete and have a good surfing time.Results from SurfAThon 2009. Congrads to all the winners Hyden Anderson,Brook,Tyler Packem, Melenie Berry, Mary W, Jimmy ,William Staton . Matt Veltry, Eddie Morales. Thanks to Vic for the photos thanks to all the sponsors and to all for your help and participation.

Advocacy! Tired of being f#@ked by government?

Had enough of government bail outs of the banks and private industries that created the depression? For god's skate the country is above 10% unemployment! Raise your voice if you want anything to change.We want jobs, respect , education for our tax dollars! We got the park built by demanding our tax dollars be spent for our needs. Do you want $200.00 ticket because you dont want to wear a helmet? Do you want your skatepark covered in spray paint, trash, urine and debris? The time is now! Join VSA to advocate skaters and surfer rights and the FREEDOM to choose, VSA members will be present to express concerns over LAPD policy @ Venice "Polar Bear" skateboard park,
73-7011 West LA (310) 575-8461 Westchester (310) 568-8772
November 9, 2009
Contact: Nate Kaplan-(213) 473-7011


Rosendahl, MAYOR to HOLD COMMUNITY MEETING WITH
NEXT POLICE CHIEF
Public Invited

Who: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
LAPD Chief-designate Charlie Beck

When: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Where: Mar Vista Recreation Center
11430 Woodbine Avenue
Los Angeles , CA 90066

What: Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa invite the public to attend a community meeting to get to know LAPD Chief-designate Charlie Beck, who was recently appointed by the Mayor.

Beck’s introduction will be followed by a “Question and Answer” session with the audience. The public is encouraged to express their priorities and concerns to the newly appointed chief in public meetings throughout the City before the City Council votes on his confirmation later this month.

Villaraigosa announced his appointment of Beck on November 3 to replace Chief William Bratton, who stepped down on October 31. Beck is a 32-year veteran of the LAPD.
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This message was sent to venicesrfsk8@yahoo.com by:

Councilman Bill Rosendahl
200 N. Spring Street, Room 415
Mailstop 218
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Venice, L.A belong to us!

LAPD's policy on the VSA's Community Watch of The Venice Sk8prk is unfair,unproductive and anti social. Jesse myself and other volunteers clean gaffitti, tagging, trash and other crap out of the skate-park every morning, It is clear the LAPD cannot or will not secure the sk8prk against vandleism.The LAPD evicted the VSA from observing/watching the park against this type of action but allow homeless vagrants every night to misuse the sk8park and surrounding area. Let us examine a peculiar quandry.Why do the police ask citizens to be responsible and be pro-active on their official web sites(neighborhood watch) and policy, when in fact LAPD has prohibited the activity? Why are productive citizens being discouraged from participating in protecting and beautifying our community? (as this is a constant request of government). We are in the midst of a great depression if you somehow were caught unaware. The community despreatly needs investment from within as well as from established resources.If we are prohibited as citizens and a community from striving to become self sufficiant and provide the community proper guidance, instruction, care and be a "Shinning Light on the Hill" to others we are doomed to destruction. "Get up, Stand up, Stand up for your rights"-Bob Marley

Helmet Law

Unfortunately the helmet law that was enacted with the help of Jim Fitzpatrick and IASC will be enforced by LAPD starting on Dec.1st. VSA is voicing concern over LAPD policing policy to LA City Council and Mayor's office as the stance LAPD is taking is outright profiling. The specific concern is creating an environment of criminality by issuing tickets to kids and adults in the skatepark (when others outside the skatepark are not subject to the same ordinance).What we do not want is a 3.5 million dollar skatepark that is not used because of police action, just take a look at the Culver City Skatepark. The VSA is of the opinion that the helmet law is unfair and was enacted without proper research and should be investgated for conflict of intrest and other inappropriate intrests of IASC.Perhaps you are unaware but skateboarding has been included in the hazardous activities list which is a list of activities that an assumed risk is involved in participation of said sport.This being the case the municipality is released from injury or death liability. This inclusion in (HAL) is enough protection and any criminalizing of skateboarding is highly unadvisable.The VSA is in favor of an ordinace that is akin to the helmet law in place for bikes-18 and younger wear helmets. An adult can make their own decision.

"ThanksGiving Day Massacre" Skateboard Contest

Its on! The name says it all, VENICE! First ever contest in the "Polar Bear" skatepark! You want in? holla quick or be left out in the cold.

"Blood Alley" time trials and race results

Held on Oct 30. Best slam-Darell, Death Race Winner-Darell, Time trials Winner-Killer Time:12:00 thanx Juice MagazIne, BDS and Sidewalk Cafe 4 prizes!