The economic and political fault lines of Los Angeles are running directly through the San Fernando Valley, where local business owners have emerged as vocal critics—and defenders—of City Councilmember Nithya Raman’s approach to constituent services. The debate over how well Raman tends to the parochial needs of her district has taken center stage in the mayoral campaign, turning neighborhood commercial corridors into a major battleground between Raman and Mayor Karen Bass.
The friction was underscored in May during an event honoring the landmark Casa Vega Mexican restaurant in Sherman Oaks, where a corner of Ventura Boulevard was designated as “Casa Vega Square.” Mayor Bass and City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez attended the ceremony. Notably absent was Raman, whose City Council district includes the restaurant. Critics pointed to her absence as evidence of an ongoing pattern of neglect toward local merchants.
During an Oct. 13 televised debate on NBC4 and Telemundo 52, Bass accused Raman of being “contemptuous of her constituents.” Raman firmly rejected the characterization, calling the statement “a lie.”
For some business owners, however, the frustration is rooted in daily operational struggles. Jessica Lewis, owner of Dragonfly Cycle and Train in Sherman Oaks, said she repeatedly contacted Raman’s office regarding broken sidewalks, vehicle break-ins, and homeless encampments near her front and back doors, only to be met with silence. “She’s just been MIA,” Lewis said.
Stella Stahl, a spokesperson for Raman, disputed those contentions, emphasizing that the council office maintains a proactive constituent service team dedicated to listening to neighborhood workers and deploying available city tools. Regarding the Casa Vega Square designation, Stahl explained that Raman experienced scheduling conflicts that prevented her from attending, though other members of her staff were present. Raman had co-presented the motion alongside Rodriguez in March.
Rodriguez, whose district sits on the other side of the Valley, noted that her staff spearheaded the honorary designation as part of an effort to highlight Latino contributions to the city. Rodriguez has endorsed Bass and stated that she has frequently stepped in to assist business owners in Raman’s district who felt ignored, including helping Casa Vega navigate permitting issues for an outdoor patio.
“I’ve heard some of the same frustrations and stories from many people,” Rodriguez said. “It reflects a pattern. If this is your audition based on your performance in your own district, I think it’s an example of the responsiveness of what people can expect.”
Casa Vega owner Christy Vega voiced a long catalog of grievances accumulated over years of seeking help from Raman’s office, ranging from unaddressed potholes and damaged curbs to street safety concerns, muggings, and an employee who was stabbed at a nearby bus stop. Vega recalled being told by Raman’s staff that she would have to hire a contractor, pull permits, and pay out of pocket to repair a curb damaged by street racing, and suggested she move to another district when she pushed back.
Stahl addressed the sidewalk and infrastructure complaints by explaining that the Bureau of Street Services lacks funding for damaged sidewalk repairs, placing the legal responsibility on adjacent property owners. “Every constituent who contacts our office deserves a response, and we take Ms. Vega’s concerns seriously,” Stahl said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to accommodate it at that time. Telling constituents no to basic service requests is frustrating for residents and for us, and it’s part of why the council member ran for office.”
Vega is supporting Bass in the Nov. 3 election and sits on the board of Thrive LA, an advocacy group backed by business leaders that has run advertisements opposing Raman during both the current mayoral race and Raman’s 2024 City Council reelection campaign.
Other business owners in the Valley offer a different perspective. Marissa Rodriguez sought help from Raman’s office while navigating complex city permits for her Studio City wine shop, Dia Natural Wine, which debuted in 2022. She credited the council team with being extremely helpful in cutting through bureaucratic roadblocks. Similarly, Tyler Simmons, owner of Reunion & Co. in Los Feliz, praised Raman’s responsiveness after her office helped install four speed tables near his establishment last year to combat speeding issues. Simmons noted that larger systemic challenges facing the city often extend beyond the influence of a single council member.
Sophia Brodetsky, co-owner of the Valley Inn restaurant in Sherman Oaks, expressed dissatisfaction with both mayoral candidates despite dealing with robberies, property damage, and homeless encampments. She said that while both candidates promised solutions during their campaigns, the results have fallen short.
According to Vega and Lewis, a contingent of Sherman Oaks business owners reached out to Mayor Bass following her 2022 election to express dissatisfaction with Raman’s district stewardship. Bass subsequently met with area merchants in 2023 and convened weekly safety meetings involving business owners, district leaders, and local law enforcement. Vega praised Bass for her immediate responsiveness during her own patio permit crisis, contrasting it with her past lack of political alignment with the mayor.
At the same time, some merchants expressed lingering frustration with the broader political dynamic. Lewis noted that Bass’ endorsement of Raman during the 2024 City Council reelection cycle felt like a betrayal to business owners who had sought the mayor’s intervention. Navigating city services, Lewis added, frequently meant enduring a cycle of finger-pointing between the council office, the mayor’s office, and the county.
