Glendale City Council Candidates Forum

Special Election in June

On June 3, the City of Glendale will be holding a Special Municipal Election to fill a vacant seat on the Glendale City Council. Back in January, the Glendale City Clerk asked the city council to approve a resolution “calling and giving notice of the holding of a special municipal election to be held on June 3, 2014; and asking the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the special election with the statewide primary election; and authorizing the City Clerk and his duly authorized officers and agents to carry out all necessary procedures for said election working with the County of Los Angeles.”

The Glendale City Council unanimously approved the resolution. This special election was triggered by the election of then-Councilmember Rafi Manoukian to the office of City Treasurer in April 2013. Retiring councilmember Frank Quintero was appointed by the city council until such time that a special consolidated election could be held to fill the vacancy.

“Although we will not be conducting this election, we will be working closely with the County of Los Angeles’ Elections Division to provide as much information as possible to our city’s residents,” said Ardy Kassakhian, city clerk. “It will be a unique election in that most people are not accustomed to voting for city council in June, so we need everyone’s help in getting the word out to participate.”

There are five people running to fill the one upcoming vacancy: Rick Barnes – business owner/realtor, Mike Mohill – retired businessman, Chahe Keuroghelian – small business manager, Paula Devine – retired teacher, and Vartan Gharpetian – business owner. With five people running and only one seat available, you need to educate yourself about each candidate so you can make an informed decision.

The Glendale City Council generally functions as a congressional style legislative body, proposing bills, holding votes and passing laws to help govern the city. These council members make very important decisions concerning our community and have the power to help us with the issues that affect our city! This is your chance to help elect candidates that will make decisions on your behalf. Traffic issues, police safety, building codes and permits, emergency management … and the list goes on. So many times, I have gone to cast my ballot to fill political seats or vote on bonds and measures and I have no idea who to vote for! Many times I just randomly pick names with limited information on whom I am voting for or I simply do not vote at all. What a shame to have the right to vote and give that right away. This might seem like a small decision or very inconsequential, but that is not true.

That is why the Montrose Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Glendale City Council candidates’ forum on Monday, May 5 at 7 p.m. at Sparr Heights Community Center. Do you have a question for the Glendale City Council candidates? Please email mvcc@montrosechamber.org, log onto our website at www.montrosechamber.org or call (818) 249-7171 with your questions. You will also be able to submit written questions at the event. We need everyone’s participation to make this a great success.

For more information about the candidates and election, log onto Glendalevotes.org. Here you will find all the information you need. You can find the voting location, meet all the candidates and learn about the special ballot message. Keep checking the GlendaleVotes.org website for frequent updates and information about the election and the candidates vying for the open seat. The winner of the June election will have to participate in the April 2015 regularly scheduled biennial municipal election.

Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce – your source for all things local!

Looking ahead
Glendale City Council forum on Monday May 5 at 7 p.m. at Sparr Heights Community Center, 1613 Glencoe Way, Glendale 91208.

May business mixer on Wednesday, May 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at J’s Maintenance, 3550 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta.

18th Annual Golf Classic and Scholarship Fundraiser at Verdugo Hills Golf Course, 6433 La Tuna Canyon Road in Tujunga.

  melinda clarke