Elections loom for all 10 Neighborhood Council members who represent University Park and Exposition Park.

While it appears the city is making a case for doing away with the neighborhood councils (by chopping their budget and claiming the councils are careless with funds) the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development Council is reaching out to USC students to take a more active role in their community, according to Amanda Pillon of the Daily Trojan

USC seniors Samantha Foley and Daniel Wu were appointed to last fall to the council, which discusses local issues and proposes ways to address them. The council is are looking for students who will be at USC beyond this year, including freshmen.

Of course, residents, business owners and employees who work in the area are encouraged to run as well. NANDC also will be appointing a number of representatives including a Business Rep, Education Rep, USC Student Rep, Social Service Rep and Youth Rep. Contact Idolina Delgado for more information 323.359.1788.

Voting takes place at the Hoover Recreation Center on March 27 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Hoover Recreation Center, 1010 West 25th St.

Shawn Simons, president of the neighborhood committee, is a member of University Park Family.com.

At the next board meeting on Feb. 4, the council will have a special presentation about what it means to be a board member.