NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Richard Close, one of the Valley’s most active and respected leaders for decades and the President of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, announced his endorsement of Paul Krekorian for City Council this week.
The endorsement is the latest in a growing number of prominent Valley leaders who are coalescing around Krekorian’s campaign, which has been driven largely by the broad grassroots support of homeowner leaders, neighborhood council members and other community activists.
“For three decades, Richard Close has been a tireless advocate for Sherman Oaks and a champion of the entire Valley,” Krekorian said. “I am honored that he has endorsed me and joined my true grassroots movement to reform City Hall and make it work for us.”
“With just six weeks left until Election Day, I will work closely with Richard and other Sherman Oaks leaders to bring my message of change to the Second District and the entire Valley,” Krekorian added. “As my campaign continues to gain growing momentum from community-based support, the residents of this district have a real opportunity to create change in the Council and reject the status quo of Downtown politics as usual.”
Close, who has been president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association for about 30 years, said that Krekorian is the best choice for the Valley.
“Paul Krekorian is a true leader for our neighborhoods and the right person at the right time for this job,” Close said. “He is our best hope to fight overdevelopment and to fight for the interests of Valley residents. Paul has a proven record of effective service to his constituents in the state legislature, and I know he will do the same for us as a member of the City Council.”
Last week, education leader Louis Pugliese also endorsed Krekorian, who already counts nearly 100 neighborhood council members and community leaders in his circle of support.
In addition to his long service as President of SOHA, Richard Close was Chairman of Valley VOTE from 1998 to 2003 and has been a Board Member since 2003. Valley VOTE is a diverse coalition of San Fernando Valley residents, business people, educators, community activists, and organizations committed to exploring and fostering the implementation of programs that empower the people of the San Fernando Valley and the City of Los Angeles.
