On March 13, 2007 Councilmember Jan Perry conducted the swearing-in ceremony for the Board of Directors of the Historic Cultural Neighborhood Council (HCNC) at Reikai's Kitchen at the Little Tokyo Towers.  Created in 2002, HCNC represents the neighborhoods of Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Arts District, El Pueblo, Solano Canyon and Victor Heights.  HCNC was created as part of the reforms enacted by voters in 1999 to better connect residents with their city government.  HCNC gives our neighborhoods a stronger voice in the decision-making process, to better inform City Council decisions on matters that affect us in the neighborhoods where we live, work, play, study, raise our families and build our futures.

Representatives in the photo include:  David Nagano, HCNC At-Large Representative and HCNC Treasurer (top row left); Councilmember Jan Perry (to his left); Richard Nozaki, HCNC At-Large Employee Rep (to her left); 2007 HCNC President Kim Benjamin (middle row 5th); Ron Fong, Little Tokyo Non-Profit Rep (to his left); Alan Kumamoto, Arts District Non-Profit Rep (middle row second from right); Yukiko Yamahata, At-Large Senior Rep (to his left); Brian Kito. Little Tokyo Business Rep and HCNC 1st Vice President (seated 4th from left). Not shown, Howard Nishimura, Little Tokyo Resident Rep.