By Mary O’KEEFE

Crescenta Valley Weekly and Verdugo Woodlands Homeowners Association would like to invite the public to a discussion with Glendale city manager Scott Ochoa and city attorney Michael Garcia tonight at 6 p.m. at the Sparr Heights Community Center, 1613 Glencoe Way.

This is part of an outreach by the city to discuss the Districting issue that has been explored by other governing boards including the Glendale Unified School District and Glendale Community College.

“I think this is an important issue. It would change the way we vote,” said Mirna Stanley, Verdugo Woodlands West Home Owners Association president. “I feel we need more information.”

At present the city of Glendale holds at-large elections, meaning that qualified candidates can run for election to all seats on the city council regardless of their geographic residency. The broad requirement is to live within the city of Glendale. In addition all residents of the city of Glendale vote for all candidates.

If the process was to change and districts would be established this would change the way people voted, and the residential qualifications of candidates.

If the decision is made to go with specific districts, for example,  the candidate would be required to live within that geographic district of Glendale, for example south or far north Glendale, and the voting could be done two ways–either allowing all Glendale registered voters to vote for all candidates, or for registered voters to only cast their vote for the candidate in their district.

To do this however would be a change in the election process and must be done through a adoption or amendment of the city charter.

Ochoa and Garcia will be on hand to explain and discuss Districting as the primary discussion issue however there will be time for residents, both those residing in Glendale or La Crescenta, to ask questions about the city of Glendale.

This is a continuing outreach effort by the city of Glendale to discuss the topic of Districting.