GLENDALE—Candidates competing for the three open seats on the Glendale City Council described to the more than 100 attendees at the Armenian National Committee of America-Glendale (ANCA-Glendale) Candidate Forum why they deserved to be elected on April 2.
Zareh Sinanyan, a community organizer and current chair of the Glendale Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, touted his suggestions for increasing affordable housing and making City Hall more accountable to the voters. He urged voters to choose him to be one of the three individuals they elect to the City Council.
Councilman Ara Najarian explained that during his tenure in office he championed suggestions to improve living conditions in South Glendale and increase job opportunities for the city’s residents while keeping Glendale a safe place to live.
The desire to improve living conditions in South Glendale and maintain Glendale a safe place to live was also echoed by Chahe Keuroghelian. Keuroghelian, who ran for City Council in 2011 and 2009, would like to remove barriers that prevent residents of modest income from “full participation in civic life as concerned stakeholders and rate-and-tax payers.”
Councilmember Laura Friedman urged Armenian-American voters to re-elect her because her efforts have improved economic development throughout the City. She added that she has encouraged all residents to be included in the decision making process and have a voice at City Hall.
Rick Barnes, a Realtor, wants the City to stop the practice of providing financial incentives to businesses that will not increase sales tax revenue for the City. Barnes also wants to stop the attacks on Fair Housing.
Other candidates vying for the three seats on the 5 member City Council were critical of the incumbents’ record. Candidates Mike Mohill, Aram Kazazian, Herbert Molano, and Roland Kedikian pointed out that the utility rates are increasing because of the City Council’s decisions.
Sam Engel, who served as the City’s Neighborhood Services Administrator until 2012, stated that he would place primary emphasis on maintaining fiscal prudency in managing the City’s finances.
The ANCA-Glendale in association with several other community organizations will host a Forum with candidates for the Glendale Unified School District Governing Board on February 20, 2013 at the K&M Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center located at 211 W. Chestnut St. in Glendale. The public is invited to attend the candidate forum starting 7:00 pm.
ANCA-Glendale advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
