ENCINO–The Encino Neighborhood Council on June 28 held its elections to fill eight council positions. With the leadership of the West San Fernando Valley Armenian National Committee (WSFV ANC), four Armenian American community members were elected to the ENC for two-year terms.
The community members who were overwhelmingly elected are: Arshavir Kitsinian (Religious Organizations representative), Harout Keosian, Esq. (Education representative), Tanya Barseghian (Public Safety representative) and Nareg S. Kitsinian, Esq. (Planning and Land Use representative).
Neighborhood councils were the centerpiece of the new City Charter that was approved by the voters of Los Angeles in June of 1999. The mission of the Neighborhood councils, whether in Encino or elsewhere across the city, is to "to promote public participation in government and make government more responsive to local needs by creating, nurturing, and supporting a citywide system of grass-roots, independent, and participatory neighborhood councils."
WSFV ANC Chairman Nishan Bostanian issued the following statement following the June 28 election. "We celebrate the election of these dynamic and energetic young community members, who will represent the best interests of all members of the Encino community. We look forward to the leadership, guidance and vision they will provide in the months and years ahead," Bostanian added.
One of the winning candidates, Tanya Barseghian stated, "on behalf of all four candidates, we would like to thank all members of our community who supported us in this landmark election. We look forward to working with everyone to make Encino a destination city."
With an unprecedented eight Neighborhood council seats up for election in Encino this year, the Armenian American candidates set out to secure adequate representation in the ENC. The winning candidates are all active members of the Armenian American community whose background and professions include law and business. The election was significant because it is a clear demonstration of young community members getting involved in grass-roots community service, where their activism will pave the way towards greater involvement in the democratic process.
The West San Fernando Valley Armenian National Committee is part of the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, our chapter advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.