More Petitions Filed to Oust Lisa Sarkin

Owner of the, Ben Forat, plopped down what he said was 72 additional of Studio City Neighborhood Council member in a heated meeting Wednesday night.

“She has lied, and she has harmfully affected my business,” Forat said during his two minutes of public comment speaking time.

Later, when others from the audience criticized Forat for bringing up the petitions, he shouted from the audience, “She lied! You have committed fraud!” Then, before Senior Lead Officer could escort him out of the building on the backlot, Forat got up and said, “Never mind, I’m out of here!”

Forat initially brought petitions calling for Sarkin’s resignation because he claimed she misrepresented the situation involving his, which he was told was not properly permitted. The mural was  until the issue was resolved, but the covering ripped off more than a month ago in heavy winds and rain.

On Wednesday, Forat also handed out minutes of a November 2005 Land Use Committee, which Sarkin chairs, that showed that she voted against his subdividing his property into four custom houses. He claimed that she then went to the planning department and it cost him a great deal of money.

The By-Laws of the Neighborhood Council state that 50 petitions of legitimate stakeholders can bring a petition to remove a council member. Late last year, Ron Taylor and the went through petitions that were handed in and said only 41 were legitimate.

Member of the By-Laws Committee, r, spoke during public comments on Wednesday, saying, “I know of nobody in Studio City that knows the area any better, or knows what is going on in Studio City any better than Lisa Sarkin.” 

said, “This is all so untrue and futile and a waste of time. I’ve said this before . . . this petition is divisive and mean-spirited and not founded on any truth.”

Council members Jeff Carter and Lana Shackelford spoke on behalf of Sarkin, who didn’t respond, and Shackelford added, “I am known for having the patience of Job, but this petition seems ridiculous.”

Longtime neighborhood activist Stuart Miller called on council president John Walker to “finally put an end to the petition” because he said it was “inappropriate.”

Another longtime neighborhood activist,, supported the petition drive and said the council is “dodging the real issue, that fraud should lead to her removal.”

He said it was unfortunate that the past petitions “were not perfect,” and that if he were involved in collecting them there would have been much more than requisite 50.

 Even with legitimate 50 signatures, a grievance procedure must take place before any action occurs.