Valley business owners clash over council service as mayoral race intensifies

Business owners in the San Fernando Valley are divided over whether their elected officials actually listen when problems arise. The disagreement has become a central issue in the Los Angeles mayoral race, with Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman trading sharp criticisms. Bass has described Raman as contemptuous of her constituents during a debate on October 13. Raman responded by calling that characterization a lie.

Christy Vega, who owns the Casa Vega restaurant in Sherman Oaks, says she has spent years trying to get help from Raman’s office. Vega cites broken sidewalks, potholes that caused an employee to fall, and a homeless encampment that formed during the pandemic. She claims her requests were often ignored or met with advice to fix the curb herself. Vega said a staff member once suggested she move to a different district.

Jessica Lewis, who owns a fitness studio in the same neighborhood, feels similarly frustrated. She described sending photos of human feces at her front door and encampments behind her business. Lewis said those emails fell on deaf ears. She now supports Bass, though she admits the decision feels reluctant. Lewis described a cycle where the council office blamed the mayor’s office, which in turn blamed the county.

Raman’s spokesperson, Stella Stahl, disputed the idea that the office is unresponsive. Stahl said the council maintains a proactive constituent service team. The office listens to residents and uses every available city tool to fix reported issues. Stahl noted that Raman co-presented the motion to designate Ventura Boulevard as Casa Vega Square, though she missed the May ceremony due to a scheduling conflict.

Supporters of Raman point to specific examples of success. Marissa Rodriguez, who opened a wine shop in Studio City in 2022, said she was overwhelmed by the required licenses and permits. Rodriguez credited Raman’s team with helping her navigate the process. Tyler Simmons, who owns a coffee wine bar in Los Feliz, said Raman’s office helped install four speed tables near his business last year to address speeding complaints.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who represents the northeast San Fernando Valley, said she has stepped in to help business owners in Raman’s district. Rodriguez helped Vega with patio permitting and said she has heard similar frustrations from many others. Rodriguez backed Bass for mayor and suggested the current service levels reflect what voters can expect. She said the pattern of complaints is telling.

Vega sits on the board of Thrive LA, an advocacy group running ads against Raman. She says Bass has been more receptive, including meeting with local business owners in 2023. Vega said Bass helped her with patio permits and answered her calls directly. Lewis, however, felt betrayed when Bass endorsed Raman for reelection in 2024. The mayoral election is scheduled for November 3.

The debate highlights a gap between how officials describe their service and how some residents experience it. While some owners credit Raman’s staff with solving complex bureaucratic hurdles, others feel their basic maintenance requests were dismissed. Both camps cite specific incidents to support their views of the current administration's responsiveness.