In Long Beach, the uniquely potent and bright shining star of local democracy is the neighborhood organization.  That brings me to “Backyard Politics”, a monthly highlight of different neighborhood groups in Long Beach, crisscrossing the city in hopes that some day I will profile them all.

August brought me in touch with one of the oldest “new” organizations, and one of the most active in Long Beach—the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance (WANA), representing the West Side of Long Beach to Long Beach Boulevard on the east, and from the 405 freeway down to PCH.

The sentiment that President Jill Hill wants people to know about WANA is that although technically its 501c4 status is barely a year old, WANA is a loaded with experience.

“We are not a new group.” Hill says. “Our board members have supported our Wrigley district anywhere from 15 to 35 years or more.”  

Indeed, their Board of Directors and their membership is a veritable “hall of fame” of Wrigley Area activists like Maria Norvell and Joan Greenwood.  The group was formed in response to struggles over many members’ previous organization–the Wrigley Association–decision to drop the Christmas Tree Lane portion of the annual Daisy Lane Parade.  That was enough for many on the Wrigley Association board, including Hill herself, to resign and start WANA with the central aim to continue the Christmas Tree Lane tradition of lighting trees and other displays along the parade route.

At a recent monthly membership meeting held in the “cafetorium” of Jackie Robinson Elementary, the sense is that whatever the original inspiration for its founding, WANA has evolved beyond just the Christmas portion.  Jill Hill has been president since its inception, and as she speaks to residents scattered throughout blue folding chairs, the short and slender Hill commands respect through the weight of her commitment.

“It’s a lot of work. I’ve never worked so hard in my life…’ she says, and then adds, “…it definitely has a sense of enjoyment and excitement”.

Their meetings draw assorted public figures and city officials.  Wrigley Councilmember Tonia Reyes-Uranga is there for a monthly presentation, but nearly her whole staff is there as well.  As seasoned a Wrigley vet as any of the Board Members, she gets up and whizzes through a list of concerns and accomplishments, not without introducing Republican Assembly candidate Gabriella Holt, who is sitting in the audience.

At many meetings where politicians gather, the trend is towards the same activists from across the city showing up at neighborhood meetings—but not so with the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance.  Hill says that membership ranges from young to old (the oldest being 92-year old Edie Freeman), but what stands out of the 125 household-strong organization is that the one special issue that these members are focused on is their Wrigley neighborhood.

Residents Frank and Rose Aozlowski have been members since WANA started, stating the disbanding of Christmas Lane as the reason, but have come to see the group as much more than that.

“Coming together as a neighborhood group you get more say than as an individual.  They listen to you,” says Frank.

Although a nonpolitical group, environmental issues are the forefront for not only Uranga’s presentation, but also for secretary Joan Greenwood’s presentation, as she lists off several legislative issues coming up in Sacramento, including SB974, Senator Alan Lowenthal’s container fee bill.

“We can’t take any stands, and we don’t endorse anybody,” Hill says, “but what we do is provide information.”

Member sentiments are definitely skewed towards the environmental side (including the impacts of the Port and the 710 freeway), but Hill says that crime is probably the biggest civic issue that many of them are concerned about.  

In addition to hosting speakers at monthly meetings, in the past year, WANA has organized a National Night Out Potluck, Family Safety Bike Rodeo, WANA Easter Bunny, and most importantly, weekend Neighborhood Cleanups.

Hill, who is in charge of the city’s Litter Free LB program, is busy giving away goodies like hats, rulers, and even chip clips that promote the message of the program.  The individuals and families who are out that weekend cleaning litter along the side of the riverbed, would be there enthusiastically even without the giveaways.  Coming out several weekends a month is a duty for them, something they’ve been doing for years, with or without a neighborhood organization.  

As Vice-President Maria Norvell walks around greeting people, she will remind you of two things. First is that for its members, and Wrigley at large, the Christmas Tree Lane is still one of the most important things.  Second is that the heart of the neighborhood and its organization is its people – like Norvell herself, who has been leading the tradition of Christmas Tree Lane since even before the origination of the Wrigley Association.

Leaving the monthly meeting in August (9:40 p.m. and there were still 18 people milling around talking all things Wrigley), I spoke to Michael Almanez, in his twenties, and his first time at a WANA meeting.  He enjoyed it and thought it was “informative”, but he ended by saying, “It starts with the youth, figuring out a way to get them involved.”

As neighborhoods grow older, it will be up to all neighborhood organizations like WANA to face that challenge.  Hopefully they have a committed a board as Hill and her members.

Next Month: Peninsula Beach Preservation Group