Sherman Nuys or Van Oaks? The Valley’s Controversial Name Change

I am so proud of all of my neighbors that called in and I stand united with them in our neighborhood name change effort.

The neighborhood name change is entirely logical and one need only drive through the neighborhood to see the vast similarities between our neighborhood and the Sherman Oaks neighborhood to the South and the vast differences between our neighborhood and the wide industrial divide to the North - an area which along with the Orange line and a mammoth DWP facility isolates us and cuts us off from the rest of Van Nuys. We were once a part of Sherman Oaks and it's time we returned. The urban landscape of Van Nuys looks nothing like our neighborhood landscape and we do not border anywhere, on any side, a residential area of Van Nuys. However, our entire Southern border is a residential area of Sherman Oaks. We share a zip code, elementary schools, deeds, voting booths, land deeds, an L.A. City Council Member with Sherman Oaks, etc.

We are hurting absolutely no one and are boosting community morale and unity by making official the identity we so clearly already possess. A true and triumphant example of the civic process at work.

I have to ask - what are the personal and political motives of the handful of people who oppose us and what is their relationship to one another?

This isn't about keeping Van Nuys in tact for the good of their community, it's about the egos of the Van Nuys neighborhood Council, their frustration at their lack of genuine power and their political backscratching relationship with the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council. If the VNNC genuinely desired real change in Van Nuys and was willing to do the work, that is what they would be focusing their energies on instead of holding our tiny neighborhood hostage.

Being a resident in the affected area since 1990, I am very happy to say we live in one of the most congenial, eclectic, diverse, and inviting neighborhoods in Los Angeles. I am proud to be an Angeleno and proud to be a part of my neighborhood that was and will be again, Sherman Oaks. We have worked hard for this application to return to the name we were originally given over fifty years ago. Furthermore, as good citizens we have followed every rule established by our City Council to make and support this appeal. One of the erroneous statements on Patt Morrison's program today was that no other area has asked to become part of another already existing neighborhood. (In other words, they have asked to be re-named, e.g. "Valley Glen.") Note for the record that we have asked to be re-joined to Sherman Oaks for many reasons, but as far as precedents are concerned, the area adjacent to our neighborhood on the south of us, between Burbank Blvd. and Magnolia Blvd., between Van Nuys and the 405 was re-joined to Sherman Oaks in 1991 by then City Councilman for the area, Marvin Braude! The application process by those residents was not as nearly as arduous as in place now, but they appealed and they achieved their Sherman Oaks designation. We are now seeking the same for similar reasons, only 18 years later. Our very multi-racial, multi-cultural, organic and completely cosmopolitan neighborhood wants to join our neighbors to the south of us. We can't wait!

Hear, hear, Karen. And let's not forget the gentleman who called in to the show today who was in a North Hollywood neighborhood left orphaned when Valley Village was formed and he, along with neighbors, walked the streets, door knocked, got signatures, and met with the Studio City Neighborhood Council who welcomed them to their neighborhood and extended the boundary, moved signs, etc. The SONC could learn a few things from the SCNC. Our opposition is motivated by politics, not altruism.

The issue is not whether some people "feel" that they are more like Sherman Oaks than Van Nuys; they are are part of Van Nuys. When we bought a home here six years ago, we expected to be a part of a particular district and no one asked our vote about changing that district and as such changing our property value. This is the will of AT MOST, a about 1500 people. Where was the petition of the thousands of residents of Van Nuys, who are looking at lower property values? The "process" that the city council uses for these name changes is corrupt and undemocratic and any council member that goes along with this change is guilty of corrupt and undemocratic behavior and does not deserve his or her office.

Suzzanne, did you listen to the show? Perhaps you are not aware that the area in question was actually originally part of Sherman Oaks prior to 1961. Also, you may not be aware of the geographical obstructions such as the 1/2 mile wide industrial belt and the Orange Line. Which neighborhood is closer, the Sherman Oaks neighborhood 40 yards across Burbank Blvd. whose houses were constructed by the same builder at the same time or the disparately built low rent abodes on the other side of the industrial belt? And why isn't this area looking at lower property values already given the state of the economy? Thank you.

Suzanne says "this is the will of at most, 1500 people." Well Suzanne, I've got news for you, 1,500 people is 10 times the number of people that voted for the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council and Sherman Oaks Neighborhood combined. Again take the number of people who voted for those neighborhood councils, multiply it by 10 and that is the number of people supporting this name change. Considering our entire area is only 1,800 homes, 1,500 people is a majority. If we are being called selfish for wanting to increase our property values (which by the way, is not the primary motivation behind this - community identity is), then the Van Nuys residents who oppose us because they fear their may lose value (a ludicrous claim considering what a small portion of Van Nuys that we make up) are being equally as selfish.

I live Van Nuys adjacent :) Even though I'm technically in Sherman Oaks, the feds apparently think I live in Van Nuys, as that's how my mail is addressed.

I wish these people advocating for a name change would put their time and energy for something that would actually help folks. As it is, it smacks of elitism.

Anne, our neighborhood name change effort is helping folks. It is helping our community be officially recognized and claim an identity that is already near and dear to our hearts and our daily lives - it is connecting us to something.

Anything that is good for neighborhood and community morale, that boosts pride in homeownership and a sense of belonging is a good thing. We're all just trying to find a part of small-town living in this giant metropolis that is Los Angeles. We are not hurting anyone else and we are helping the "folks" in our neighborhood feel like the are part of something we are already very much connected to and affiliated with.

By the way, if you live in Sherman Oaks, you should address your mail as Sherman Oaks. I live in Van Nuys, but ironically get mail that says Sherman Oaks. The postal system is an imperfect one.

Well, maybe if this boosts neighborhood pride everybody in this neighborhood can pride themselves two streets north and help to clean up immediately adjacent downtown Van Nuys.

I am sure though that if you are called Sherman Oaks somehow that is not your problem.