The Echo Park neighborhood council met last night and, as usual, the scene featured players splitting into rival factions amid much screaming, yelling and dribbling. Dribbling? It was actually a group of nearby basketball players responsible for much of the yelling and heated action during last night’s council meeting, which took place outdoors amid a busy playground. “Screams from sports teams barely diminished the screams of board members,” quipped one person who attended the meeting at the recreation center operated by El Centro del Pueblo.
Council President Jose Sigala said the council was forced outdoors after it discovered late last week that its regular meeting place was not available because of a scheduling conflict. “We had limited options given the schools being closed for the summer and the libraries closing at 8 pm,” Sigala said by email. ” El Centro stepped up and allowed us to meet in their facility.”
In addition to the basketball games, a drill team practice also generated some noise, and the aroma from an outdoor barbecue grill also proved distracting. No matter. The members of Greater Echo Park Neighborhood Council and audience carried on under bright security lights on the volleyball court until 9 pm, leaving the playground for the real kids.
The conditions were not ideal, but, said Sigala, but “I enjoyed the great summer evening.”
Photo by cjelli via flickr
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