Residents in Nithya Raman’s district are voicing concerns, claiming that the progressive candidate who once promised to amplify their voices is now leaving them unheard, with election offices failing to respond to their needs.
Raman made her way into City Hall in 2020, positioned as a grassroots political upstart who successfully ousted an incumbent. Her background as an urban planner and co-founder of a homeless advocacy group shaped her campaign agenda, focusing on issues like affordable housing, homelessness, and tenant protections.
Initially seen as a challenger to the established norms at City Hall, Raman’s current approach is drawing criticism. As she aims for a higher position in Los Angeles, critics state they feel ignored and frustrated, experiencing a stark contrast to what they anticipated.
Residents shared similar grievances in conversations with the California Post, mentioning unanswered calls, difficulties in arranging meetings, and an overall sense of exclusion from the decision-making processes that affect their communities.
Shira Scott Astrof, a local resident, expressed her shock at how Raman interacted with constituents. Her frustration began when she sought assistance for her neighbors regarding affordable housing and fears of displacement.
“Tenant protection is one of Raman’s key issues, so we thought the City Council office would engage with us,” Astrof recounted, noting that the level of assistance received was disappointing.
“We were met with either inaccurate or discourteous responses, and most of the time, we didn’t hear back at all,” she said, reflecting on the lack of engagement from Raman’s office.
Maria Calvin shared similar discontent, indicating that her frustrations weren’t the result of a single incident, but stemmed from ongoing efforts related to land use and community planning issues. She noted that previous efforts for collaboration had met significant obstacles.
Calvin initially felt hopeful that Raman’s urban planning expertise would lead to constructive partnerships. She and her husband have been active in local initiatives, including the creation of United Neighbors, which comprises around 150 community groups in LA. However, she claims their detailed proposals on directing growth toward commercial zones were largely ignored.
“Despite our extensive work on this, it seems there was little willingness from Raman’s office to explore other options,” she remarked, reflecting on her experience of trying to push for a more balanced approach to development.
Over time, it became apparent to Calvin that Raman might not be as open to collaboration as hoped. “It seemed like she had a set agenda, uninterested in alternative perspectives,” she noted.
Tom Glick from the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association and a veteran city planner echoed similar sentiments regarding Raman’s approach. His disappointment runs particularly deep with years of experience in the city council, where he believes constituent services were paramount.
Glick cited numerous failed attempts to meet and discuss important issues impacting the community. Ultimately, he resorted to a public records request to gain insight into meetings facilitated by Raman’s office.
While he did receive documentation, it was heavily redacted, shedding little light on her office’s outreach efforts.
Glick remarked, “She acts like she only wants to engage with those who already support her.”
This criticism appears to have begun to resonate beyond the community, as Raman faced a setback recently when her colleagues, previously aligned with her, chose to support the incumbent mayor instead.
The California Post has reached out to Raman’s campaign and City Council office for their perspective.
