The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, which oversees the neighborhoods between La Brea and Western avenues, and from Melrose Avenue to Olympic Boulevard, is holding an election for new board members on March 31.

The deadline for candidates to register was Jan. 15, and 30 people threw their hats in to run as representatives in the neighborhood council’s 15 geographic areas, as well as six special categories representing educational institutions, renters, businesses, nonprofits and religious institutions, and an at-large category. The list of candidates includes some current members as well as newcomers.

The council is an advisory body that provides guidance to the city on new development and quality of life issues such as public safety, sidewalk repair and tree maintenance. It also holds special events and forums on topics such as crime, the environment and public health. The Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council represents approximately 60,000 residents and stakeholders. Board members serve two-year terms.

“This is grassroots politics. It’s about as hands-on as you can get,” said Max Kirkham, chair of the neighborhood council’s election committee and a candidate to represent Geographic Area 9. “It’s very fulfilling.”

Owen Smith, who has served as the council’s president for the past 10 years and is running again to represent Geographic Area 1, said he is proud to have been part of a group overseeing progress in the area.

“We represent the public, which before the neighborhood councils, didn’t have much say,” Smith said. “This way, they get a collective voice.”

Other current members such as Julie Stromberg, who chairs the council’s sustainability committee and is running again to represent Geographic Area 15, said the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council plays a role in protecting and improving the community. She said the most fulfilling part of serving is organizing town hall meetings on topics such as crime, environmental sustainability and education.

“I decided to run because I think the neighborhood councils are a very important part of the city,” Stromberg added. “It’s important for us to be a liaison between the neighborhood and the city to see positive change happen.”

Many of the categories for the upcoming election have only one candidate, and most others have only two. In categories where there is a second candidate, the second-place finisher will serve as an alternate. Residents living in each geographic area will vote for the candidates in their specific areas, and can cast a second vote for a candidate in the specialty categories. The council is in the process of securing a site for voting.

A candidate forum is scheduled on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ebell of Los Angeles, 743 S. Lucerne Blvd. Kirkham stressed that people who do not wish to run for the 21-member board can still get involved by attending meetings and volunteering for subcommittees.

For information about the neighborhood council, the upcoming election and the candidates, visit greaterwilshire.org.