PEN grant residency requirement

The Hollywood Lakes Civic Association president said his association requires lakes residency already, called the amendment needless government interference like losing home rule, and noted the two most affected associations are in District 2.

The Downtown Parkside association president said her board includes a member living two blocks outside boundaries and business members, and the group would give up the $1,000 rather than exclude them, questioning why the rules are being changed.

Parkside Civic Association's program director called the amendment a knee-jerk response to a grievance, argued the city already approves how grant money is spent, and said it punishes the communities the associations serve.

A Hollywood Lakes director called the amendment a solution looking for a problem, cited the hypocrisy of the city imposing rules it rails against, and urged the commission not to change a program that works.

The Liberia Civic Association president — who lives outside the neighborhood — detailed his association's community work and asked the commission to deny the amendment so the association can prosper.

The United Neighbors of South Hollywood leader said his association takes no orders from PEN, criticized alleged interference in his association and past flooding failures, and warned of consequences at election time.