For a time the redistricting process seemed to be causing upsets across the city.  Surely there might be a better process, but then again, how could a group of so-called “neutral” commissioners come up with a plan that would please everybody?

Former State Senate leader David Roberti, LFIA board member and a member of the redistricting commission, commented on what amounted to a rather messy process. He was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying he didn’t think he’d ever seen a process so dysfunctional.  In the final days of negotiations, boundaries changed with every meeting mostly pleasing no one.

Adhering closely to the boundaries of the neighborhood councils, Council District 4 will include nearly the entirety of the Greater Griffith Park NC, Greater Wilshire NC,  Hollywood Hills West NC, Hollywood United NC, Toluca Lake NC and the Sherman Oaks NC.   Essentially, CD 4 gains Sherman Oaks but loses North Hollywood which will now be part of CD 2.  The only exception is an area south of Franklin between Western and Normandie which was repositioned into CD 13 to keep the Thai Town commercial district intact.

Those communities that have been served by Tom LaBonge for the past several years won’t have to go through the process of getting acquainted with a new City Council representative.  The new district will have a similar demographic makeup encompassing such neighborhoods as Los Feliz, Hancock Park, Hollywood Hills, Toluca Lake and, now, Sherman Oaks.

Other districts have not fared as well.  Downtown and south Los Angeles have been carved up and served to Councilmembers Jan Perry and Bernard Parks like a Thanksgiving turkey.  With threats of suit looming in the background, the City Council voted to approve the new districts on April 3, 2012.