SVANC 4/08/25 Meeting Notes / Review – Special to SCAUWG.ORG
“In a public meeting of the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council, LA City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla (District 6) spoke on a number of issues including the need for local youth activities and the nearby Whiteman Airport.
When asked about her own stances about Whiteman, past and present, an evasive Padilla claimed she had never spoken of the airport nor taken a definitive position amid the conjecture of possible closure. Instead, she reiterated her focus was Van Nuys Airport and brushed Whiteman off as a matter for City Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez (District 7), who represents the area Whiteman sits within.
Imelda Padilla was confronted with a February 2023 video recording of then-candidate Padilla speaking about Whiteman and stating her opposition to closure–citing its role in serving and supporting nearby communities. Padilla acknowledged only certain parts of her own remarks, but otherwise ignored her own statements. When it was pointed out that Whiteman Airport is a County facility not subject to Monica Rodriguez’ oversight, Padilla echoed her previous comments to say decision making around the airport was up to LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
When asked about the youth activities Whiteman has hosted for many decades, Imelda Padilla flippantly derided these–implying she “knew all about them” and that they were initiated for optics after recent mishaps. In actuality, the various programs based at the airport date back over 40 years and are possible thanks to volunteers.
As Imelda Padilla’s district includes Van Nuys Airport, which has been the subject of significant controversy and whose neighbors fear increased air traffic and its effects, it is flatly bizarre that Padilla apparently wishes to cede all future decision-making regarding the nearby Whiteman Airport to others. Given this abdication, Van Nuys Airport and its surrounding neighbors must accept and be prepared that Imelda Padilla may ignore them and their concerns altogether.
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Interestingly, when Imelda Padilla spoke about the Rory Shaw Wetlands project at this meeting, she stated “my priority was to get Lindsey Horvath elected to get the Rory Shaw Wetlands Project.” However, when asked if she understood the significance of that project to Burbank airport (over concerns of the potential for bird strikes), Padilla demurred and stated this was “outside her purview.”Relevant YouTube Video of Imelda Padilla speaking can be seen Here (19:30-20:50) – Matthew Stone