By Mary O’Keefe

Saturday, April 27, the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council Elections will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. located at North Valley City Hall, Meeting Hall, 7747 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, 91042.

Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council is part of the City of Los Angeles. Neighborhood Council elections occur every two years.

“While Neighborhood Council board members serve their communities as volunteers, they are public officials elected by the members of their community,” according to empowerla.org.

CVW had reached out to the LA City Clerk, as well as other resources, in an effort to contact all candidates running in Saturday’s STNC election. The contact information for all candidates was not shared.  The City Clerk’s response is stated below:

“Under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), our office is obliged to disclose public records upon request. However, the Act also provides for certain exemptions to disclosure, as well as a balancing test for public agencies to use in evaluating the justification for granting or denying a CPRA request. Specifically, under California Government Code § 6255(a), our office is permitted to withhold a record if the public interest served by not disclosing information clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure.

In this instance, the 2019 NC Election Handbook restricts the disclosure of candidate contact information (email and phone) to the Neighborhood Councils and to the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment in order to preserve the personal privacy of the candidates in question. Although they are running for a public office, past occurrences of harassment and intimidation, by stakeholders and other candidates, have led to the determination that it was in the public interest to not disclose this contact information.”

CVW is sharing the candidates’ statements as they are found on the City’s Neighborhood Council website. Candidates will be presented in the order they are found on the LA City Website.

SEVADA HEMELIANS: Candidate for President

I’m Sevada Hemelians, a resident of Sunland Tujunga since 2005, and current Secretary of the Neighborhood Council since February 2018. Life is all about balance. Be kind, but don’t let people abuse you. Trust, but don’t be deceived. Be content, but never stop improving yourself. This philosophy has guided me through many moments in my life. I’ve spent years working and serving within my community, finding the balance of public, private and non-profit organizations but most importantly, always striving to improve my surroundings, and in turn, myself. Now, it’s time to continue to serve my community even further by declaring my candidacy for President of the Board. I look forward to working with the other board members, community stakeholders on maintaining and furthering our unique community, which is unlike any of the other LA neighborhoods.

LILIANA SANCHEZ: Candidate for President

“To leave the world a bit better…” words by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I strive to live by. I would like to represent our Sunland-Tujunga stakeholders as your new 2019 STNC president. I intend to work with our board members and give voice in City Hall to our diverse community, which I have called home for over 20 years. My community contributions include: • Caregiver who specializes in care of local seniors and their quality of life • A proud grassroots environmentalist activist who spearheaded the purchase of The Big Tujunga Canyon Park property, which is now owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy • The first Latina serving on the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council’s Land Use Committee • Served on the STNC Mission College Committee that brought our long awaited (since 2009) Satellite Mission College to Sunland-Tujunga, which opened in 2016 • A Visiting Hospice Volunteer • Sunland-Tujunga Homeless Working Group member, 2012-2015 • Dance Instructor.

SHOOSHIG AVAKIAN-KOROGHLYAN: Candidate for First Vice President

Would love to get involved in my community again and help make a difference, making Sunland-Tujunga a better place for my family and neighbors alike.

LYDIA GRANT: Candidate for First Vice President

I attended Verdugo Hills High School & raised my children here. I am a former Los Angeles City Commissioner who focused on policies for Neighborhood Councils that improved accountability. As a School Safety Advocate I have helped parents navigate LAUSD [Los Angeles Unified School District] for over 30 years. I’ve worked to get legislation passed, to improve our local schools & after the Parent Improvement Act was passed, parts of this legislation were written into the laws of seven other states. I am a part of a team that helped to bring the Satellite Mission College to Sunland- Tujunga. I am against development of the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. As a former board member of several Non-profits across the city I know how to work collaboratively with our community organizations. This Community is my home, I don’t want to see it overdeveloped. I want my grandchildren to enjoy the same semi-rural lifestyle that I did growing up. Our town needs improvement but not to be overrun by bad decisions & corruption.

RICK RAMIREZ: Candidate for Second Vice President

I am an L.A. native and a Tujunga resident for 18 years. I attended St. Francis High School and Occidental College. I am currently a Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council (STNC) Region 3 Representative and I have enjoyed serving the Sunland-Tujunga (ST) community as a board member since 2016. I’ve met dozens of community members and neighbors through the STNC who are dedicated to improving ST for all who live, work, and conduct business. The most important lesson I learned is how to work with others regardless of differences in order to do what is best for the community. I will continue to represent stakeholders on the STNC as 2nd Vice President. I am committed to working with any and every community member who is dedicated to keeping Sunland-Tujunga safe and clean, fulfilling community needs and services and supporting local businesses.

NINA ROYAL: Candidate for Second Vice President

I have worked tirelessly for the betterment of Sunland-Tujunga for over 31 years. As 2nd V.P. of Outreach, I pledge to continue promoting the STNC and to keep our community informed on issues to encourage community participation. I will continue to be the liaison between our neighborhoods and city departments for the STNC and appear at public hearings. I will continue to serve on the Land Use, Transportation and Public Safety committees. I will continue as Chair of our Sunland-Tujunga Mission College Committee. I will work to Save the Verdugo Hills Golf Course. Planning and development must remain under local control and I will work to halt State Senate Bill 50. I am dedicated to the preservation of our Historical sites, open space, wildlife, our ecosystem, protecting our animals. I will help to mitigate homelessness in our community. These are my goals I have been working on and I have proven experience. If you want to know about Sunland-Tujunga, I am the person who knows.

NANCY SHANNON: Candidate for Secretary

I have lived in Sunland Tujunga for over 35 years and have been volunteering here for almost as long. I regularly attend meetings and currently am a committee member in Outreach, Website (Ad Hoc) and STEP (Sunland Tujunga Emergency Preparedness). I am interested in being involved on a deeper level to be able to help assist the community in projects/events that will add value to our lives and town.

CINDY CLEGHORN: Candidate for Secretary

It has been my privilege to serve the Sunland-Tujunga community as chair of the Land Use Committee. Last year I was appointed as STNC’s Interim Treasurer and within 33 days cleared up the STNC finances that were left in shambles. As a landlord and business owner, I know the issues faced by Local Businesses. I understand improvements the community wants to see on Foothill Blvd. and Commerce Ave. I worked with City, business and property owners to bring back Historic Street Lights and new sidewalks on Commerce Avenue. My areas of focus are to work directly with community residents and businesses on our Community Plan and Zoning Code Updates. I encourage stakeholder participation in the formulation of sound and balanced land use decisions based on our General/Community/Specific Plans, city codes and ordinances. As Secretary I will make sure STNC communications are always transparent. Let’s work together to preserve our history, keep our diverse community informed, safe and prepared.

SANDY CAPPS: Candidate for Treasurer

Hello Sunland Tujunga. I’ve been currently serving the community since August 2018 as the STNC Treasurer. Did you know our Neighborhood Councils receives $42k to enhance and benefit the community of Sunland Tujunga? How awesome is that! I also chair our STNC STEP Emergency Preparedness Committee, providing free first aid and emergency preparedness awareness for our community. I am a 30 year resident and have raised my family in Sunland Tujunga. I love serving, volunteering and working with this truly beautiful community.

PAUL ARMBRUSTER (LITTLE LANDERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY):  Candidate for Stakeholder Group Representative

I am in my 24th year as a stakeholder and have dedicated much of my life to the betterment of our community. I have given tens of thousands of hours and monies to local causes. I have been on the boards of Little Landers Historical Society, McGroarty Art Center, Mountainview School Site Council and PTA. I was on the original ad-hoc STNC and helped develop the foundation of the Council. I served two terms as Region 4 representative. I am familiar with the Brown Act. As a producer and former public school administrator I am highly experienced in productive meeting coordination. I intend to use my mitigation skills to continue to improve the lives of all stakeholders. This is where we live. If we work together we can continue to control the evolution of our neighborhood. Together we are strong. It is my intention to bridge current obstacles that seem to have parts of our community divided.

JORA MEHRABI (ARMENIAN CULTURAL SASOON ASSOC.): Candidate for Stakeholder Group Representative

I’m an active member of Armenian Cultural Sasoon Association in Tujunga, CA. I’m familiar with our community needs and problems and I intend to serve my community and improve our city. Let’s empower Sunland-Tujunga together.

MARTIN KALOUS (ARMENIAN CULTURAL SASOON ASSOC.):Candidate for Stakeholder Representative

Had no candidate statement.

HOVIK TADEVOSYAN (SUNLAND FIGHTING CLUB): Candidate for Stakeholder Group Representative

I have been the instructor of Sunland Fighting Club aka SFC Gym for over four years now. My goal is to help our Sunland Tujunga residents get in shape and live a healthy lifestyle. Teach our children, women and men self defense and how to protect themselves. It would be an honor to serve our community to help improve our health and our community together.

GARBIS KHANJIAN (HOLY APOSTLES ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH): Candidate for Stakeholder Group Representative

“It takes a village to raise a child” My name is Garbis Khanjian. As a resident of Tujunga since 2016, I see an immense potential for the Tujunga/Sunland region to rise beyond neighboring communities. As a citizen and a representative of the Armenian Apostolic Church, I hope my involvement will help my imagination become reality.

JON VON GUNTEN (SUNLAND-TUJUNGA NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH): Candidate for Stakeholder Group Representative

I enthusiastically request your vote to keep helping Sunland-Tujunga, LAPD and Neighborhood Watch (N/W)! I’ve volunteered at this task four years. I’ve been a home and business owner for 30 years. Because S-T is so pro law-and-order, I attend and publish reports on three N/W meetings a month. Our Community Policing has cut crime to among LA’s lowest. Yet there’s more to do! I help you by publishing N/W reports and crime stats, promoting your issues, and connecting you to the right officer. I help LAPD by explaining their roles, getting projects funded, announcing events, and volunteering for detectives and officers. I’ve sent/received over 2,200 N/W emails! I raise funds for Little Landers, Rotary, Elks, and do clean-ups. I speak fluent Spanish, am a licensed ham operator, and have a wonderful, involved wife! My profession is marketing/ advertising, mostly for software developers. Voting for me will help unite all S-T so LAPD can continue cutting down our crime.

JOHN “MR, MAYOR” CLAUSEN (SUNLAND TUJUNGA ELKS LODGE): Candidate for Stakeholder Representative.

I was born and raised in the Sunland Tujunga area over 75years ago. Attended all local schools. I have run a business in this area for over 50 years. My goal is to step up and show that this town can be “Great Again”, with all of us working together and not tear each other down. While serving on multiple boards and community organizations I feel a need to step up and work to the betterment of our community.

ANA ORUDYAN: Candidate for Region 1 Representative

My name is Ana Orudyan and I am a stake holder of Sunland City and [have lived] in Sunland more than 22 years. Almost three years ago I was elected as a board member for seat Region 1 Representative of Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Counsel (STNC). After a few months I [was] elected as a chair person of STNC Woman Empowering Sunland-Tujunga (WEST) committee. I am so proud that I am able to serve my community. I have learned so many things and will [learn] more in order to continue my service. As a mother of two and grandmother of four, I know how important family values [are], therefore we are trying to keep our community safe and clean. There are so many problems in our community that needs to be solve and that is the reason I would like to run again and continue my service. I am so excited to be elected again and hopefully will have another opportunity to serve my community.

VARTAN KESHISH: Candidate for Region 1 Representative

As a 15 year resident with my family I look forward to serving as Region 1 representative. I have a degree from Portsmouth University, England in mechanical engineering and I have my own contracting business. I currently serve on the STNC’s Land Use Committee for the past year participating in meetings and hearings on new development. With my professional and life experience I look forward to making our community a better place to live, work and play. We are not Glendale. We are our own unique community and our history and our beauty must be preserved. I am your neighbor and I will bring my energy for the betterment of Sunland-Tujunga. I cannot be bought, no one is controlling me. I do not accept any donations. I look forward to your vote and serving our community.

HRANT S VARTZBEDIAN: Candidate for Region 1 Representative

I’m honored to have served the last two years as the Business representative on the Board of the STNC, I have learned so much and also saw the need of incorporating and encouraging businesses to participate in the enhancement of the quality of life in our community. I was just elected as President of our local Chamber of Commerce, If you select me to represent you here I will act as liasion between our local bodies and organizations to unite our efforts and have great Spring festivals and 4th of July celebrations while preserving our Region 1, protecting business and attracting businesses that our neigborhood needs.

ARSEN KARAMIANS: Candidate for Region 2 Representative

As resident of Region 2 with my family since 2004, I am familiar with our community issues, concerns of my neighbors in our area about roads, streets, traffic, public safety and any other services in our community. I am a Civil Engineer and Architect by profession and licensed General Contractor in California, with knowledge of building, roads, bridges, knowledge of soil Morphology, wetland, etc. and all aspects of construction. I currently serve on the STNC Land Use Committee and have served on the STNC board in the past. I have spoken at hearings on-behalf of the STNC board. I am willing to respectfully serve as an active STNC Region 2 representative. I will work to keep the community informed and I hope that we can all work together to improve the quality of life for the better for everyone in our town and our area. These are my goals to continue working with our neighborhood council and I look forward to joining the board again. I respectfully ask for your vote.

ANI KHACHATOORIAN: Candidate for Region 2 Representative

I am not longer running for the NC. Please do not vote for me. I indorse Roxanna Pobescu and Glen. Thank you.

ROXANA POPESCU: Candidate Region 2 Representative

My name is Roxana Popescu, and my husband and I have recently moved to Tujunga after our wedding. Despite my husband’s affection for the city of Glendale, I persuaded him to purchase our house in Sunland-Tujunga because I entirely believe in the great potential, beauty and resources of this city. The air is a lot cleaner here than in the bigger cities nearby, the landscape and the views are an outstanding combination of mountain and city views, the sizes of the properties are a lot more spacious and the main boulevards could totally be a perfect place for prosperous businesses and entertainment. This city has so much potential and so much to offer. I would love to be a part of the council because there is a lot we can do together to make Sunland-Tujunga a great, beautiful, thriving city for our families, our children and the generations to come.

GLEN BELT: Candidate for Region 2 Representative

I would consider it a privilege to serve my region as one of its representatives on the STNC. As a fourth generation resident of Sunland Tujunga, I would like to see, as well as be a part of its future.

OSCAR ALVAREZ: Candidate for Region 3 Representative

I recently became a member of the STNC, replacing David Barron in September of 2018. I hope to continue representing the great Stakeholders of Region 3 in Sunland-Tujunga for the next term. I will continue to put my enthusiasm, passion, and voice to excellent use for various local projects which will enhance our beloved community. The future looks bright for Sunland-Tujunga and I’m honored to be a part of it. Thank you for your consideration.

RAFI SHAHEENIAN: Candidate for Region 3 Representative

I’m Rafi Shaheenian, a stakeholder. I’ve lived in the city of Tujunga since 2009. I’m interested in getting involved by learning of the issues that are facing our communities and contribute to the process of finding solutions that lead to the improvement of these wonderful neighborhoods. My background is in engineering; I like thinking of solutions; writing, presenting. I value integrity, character, respect, loyalty, and courage. I look forward to being a member of the group who cares about improving our part of the world.

MELISSA SAGASTUME: Candidate for Region 3 Representative

As a homeowner and resident of Tujunga since 2016, I am interested in representing Region 3 with the STNC! One of the things I love most about living here is the community feel you get when you talk to your neighbors and business owners or just driving around. I am excited about the potential growth our area has and look forward to working with the members of Region 3 and the representatives of Sunland Tujunga Neighborhood Council to bring improvements where they are needed.

PATI POTTER: Candidate for Region 4 Representative

I have served on the STNC Board for the past three years as Region 4 Rep and I would like to continue in this position for the coming two year term. Between Sunland and Tujunga I have lived here my entire life. I love this town and want to help keep it our hideaway from the big city. Progress is here but if we all work together, we should be able find a happy medium between our small town feel and big city. Being a board member is time and work and I am willing to put in the time and work as I have for the past three years.

BIANCA NEPALES: Candidate for Region 4 Representative

As an education and non-profit professional, I am running to represent District 4 to transform our neighborhood into a more dynamic community gathering space. I believe that with dedicated community engagement, we can showcase the local creativity and businesses of Sunland-Tujunga. By forming a diverse coalition of stakeholders, we can convert spaces, like the former Kmart building, into places that build local economies, provide essential services, promote arts and culture, and build community. As someone who grew up in and currently lives in Sunland-Tujunga, I want to retain spending in my local community, rather than having to drive outside of my neighborhood for quality goods, food, art and services. Join me in creating a more vibrant Sunland-Tujunga.

ARAZ PARSEGHIAN: Candidate for Region 4 Representative

No Candidate Statement

JANELLE HUSSION: Candidate for Region 4 Representative

I was born and raised in Sunland Tujunga and I’ve lived here most of my life. I am currently the 2nd Vice President of the STNC. I was voted in October of 2017 as Secretary and in February 2018 I became the 2nd Vice President. I also volunteer for the Love the Neighborhood Initiative. I have been volunteering in this community since 2014 and I want to make a difference in Sunland-Tujunga so it is a better place to live.

CAROL HUTCHINSON: Candidate for Region 4 Representative

I would like to work on increasing stakeholder involvement in our community. I think we live in a beautiful area and want to preserve it, but, we also need development. I think that the Neighborhood Council can help us strike a balance between the two. This is why I want to serve on the Council.

LALLAH ROWE: Candidate for At-Large Group Representative

There is a difference between a politician and a statesman. A statesman cares for a group and governs that group with the good of its members in mind. A statesman knows how to consider and act for the good of his constituency, regardless of pressures to do otherwise. A politician, on the other hand, knows how to get elected. He is able to be bought and sold because he knows that is how he will be re-elected. Having traveled the world as finance inspector for an international non-profit, I know when I see corruption and dishonesty. I also know when I see an honest person who is trying to get something done. I know when a good person needs a hand. Coming from a multi-cultural background, I can easily view differences and similarities of our neighborhood cultures without judgement. I love Sunland-Tujunga. I am interested in having a safe and prosperous community for us all to enjoy. I hope that you will consider me a statesman worthy of your trust.

POLET ABOULIAN: Candidate for At-Large Group Representative

Had no candidate statement

  Mary Okeefe