Van Nuys residents organize cleanup

By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 11/15/2007 09:58:23 PM PST

After years of struggling with litter, graffiti and overall blight, several residents and business owners in the Van Nuys community have taken matters into their own hands.

It all began a few months ago when Monika Aleyenko decided to gather up some of her neighbors to start a beautification committee in the Van Nuys and Kester Ridge area.

But after a few cleanup sessions, Aleyenko realized that more needed to be done throughout her community.

“What happens outside of your immediate neighborhood affects your neighborhood,” Aleyenko said.

So Aleyenko – with the help of the Los Angeles Beautification Committee and the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council- extended her cleanup project from Van Owen to Erwin streets and from Sepulveda Boulevard to Kester Avenue.

The results: More than 2 tons of trash were picked up in the course of four hours.

“This really is about empowering people to do things themselves,” Aleyenko said. “A person’s surroundings define them, so if we want to have a much more positive image of Van Nuys we need to do more of this.”

Aleyenko said she is planning similar mini-cleanup projects next year, especially in densely populated areas. She also suggested people make use of the city’s 311 phone line to get their bulky items picked up and graffiti cleaned up.

Residents aren’t the only ones getting on board with revitalization efforts. On Van Nuys Boulevard, business owner Debra Adri has also taken stand against the litter and trash that abounds on the arterial street.

For her efforts, Adri was presented with a plaque by the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council earlier this month.

Penny Meyer, a Van Nuys Neighborhood Council member, said Adri is one of several business leaders in the area who are civically engaged.

“Adri has made a commitment to our community and to revitalizing the boulevard by putting in her own personal money – and it has paid off,” Meyer said.

“Her buildings look beautiful.”

Meyer said she hopes actions like Adri’s and Aleyenko’s motivate others in the community as well.

“I hope everyone gets on board to bring Van Nuys back to its glory days.”

connie.llanos@dailynews.com 661-257-5254