Results tagged “paulkrekorian”

On December 8th, voters in L.A.'s Council District 2 (from Sherman Oaks to the Northeast Valley) will hit the polls to elect a new councilmember. The Mayor Sam blog digs into the latest filings for the two candidates, finding some notable patterns for each.

The Assembly Ethics Committee yesterday had to drop the investigation into former Orange County Assemblyman Mike Duvall after they were advised the panel lacked authority over the issue.

Yesterday was election day for those in Los Angeles' second district, spanning a slice of the Valley from Sherman Oaks to the Northeast Valley. Ten candidates put in a bid, but only two came out strong enough to turn the race into a runoff, which will take place on December 8th. Assemblyman Paul Krekorian and Businesswoman and City Commissioner Chris Essel dominated the results, something that was not too surprising, one bit. Here are the full results:

No big surprise here. City Controller, and former Councimember for District 2, Wendy Greuel will endorse Chris Essel for the council seat. Both women have backgrounds in the film industry business. This is the second big endorsement for Essel in the past few weeks. She most recently gained the support of former Mayor Richard Riordan. Assemblymember Paul Krekorian was endorsed by Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley earlier this week and no word on big endorsements yet from the other frontrunner, Tamar Galatzan, but in an e-mail blast yesterday, a tongue-and-cheek top ten reasons to elect Tamar list touted that she "has voted for Wendy Greuel more times than Essel and Krekorian - combined." That's because she's a long time resident of Council District 2. Krekorian, for example, just moved into the boundaries this summer.

The grassroots, but powerful San Fernando Valley Democratic Club yesterday endorsed Assemblyman Paul Krekorian for the 2nd District Council Seat in Los Angeles, according to wire reports. Krekorian is considered one of the front runners in the race along with Studio Exec Chris Essel and city prosecutor and LAUSD boardmember Tamar Galatzan--he currently represents portions of the Valley and over-the-hill neighborhoods like Los Feliz and Silver Lake. The endorsement gives the Democrat an edge on Essel, who has raised the most money and has been endorsed by former Mayor Richard Riordan. No matter, "money is not going to be a factor in this council race," says his campaign manager. "This campaign is going to be won on the ground, talking to voters directly." The primary for the district, which runs from Sherman Oaks to the Northeast Valley, will be held on September 22nd.

A new tax incentive allowed under a new bill for filming in California has been so popular, the majority of its allotted money has been taken advantage of by 25 film projects across the state. Local Assemblymember and current LA city council candidate Paul Krekorian's legislation to allow up to $100 million in tax credits for filming became a reality last month with 25 productions already claiming $67 million. “Just one month into the start of this unparalleled effort to boost jobs and invigorate our economy, we have already seen how this targeted economic stimulus measure has retained California jobs that will surely deliver much needed revenue,” Krekorian said yesterday against the backdrop of the nearly empty 20th Century Props, a local business that fell victim to runaway production. The $100 million in tax breaks is expected to inject $2.5 billion back into the state's economy.

State Assemblyman Paul Krekorian will be soon be voting on the proposed budget solution, which severely impacts local governments including Los Angeles. If it passes, Los Angeles could lose millions and has leaders like Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Council President Eric Garcetti worried. Krekorian also happens to be one of the frontrunners in the race for Los Angeles Council District 2. That's quite a pickle of a situation and when pressed about it, his office declined to comment. Will he vote along Democratic party lines to approve the budget, which could hurt Los Angeles yet immediately help the state, or will he make a statement as someone who really wants to represent Los Angeles on the City Council? No matter what he does, it's not a black or white situation--it's not like the Democrats have many choices with Schwarzenegger, who basically is unwilling to compromise with many workable ideas. Still, politics are politics: if he votes for the budget, expect that to be a major issue his opponents will use against him in future debates.

It's pretty much been known for months, but today Assemblymember Paul Krekorian announced his campaign for Los Angeles Council District 2, which crosses the Valley from Sherman Oaks to North Hollywood to a handful of Northeast Valley neighborhoods like Shadow Hills and Tujunga. Currently, Krekorian represents the 43rd Assembly District, which covers Burbank, Glendale and portions of LA including Valley Village, Valley Glen, Toluca Lake, Atwater Village, Silver Lake and Los Feliz.

Now that Wendy Greuel has officially vacated her seat as the 2nd District Councilmemember for her City Controller post, we're going to begin to hear more about those who are officially running. Councilman Jack Weiss' popular Valley field deputy Joan Pelico was rumored to be taking a stab at running, but it seems not any more. She's been re-hired by Weies' successor Paul Koretz at the satisfaction of a handful of neighborhood groups who urged him not to replace her. Following in the footsteps of Greuel's film industry to politics move, Chris Essel of Paramount has announced her campaign. Additionally, a local medical marijuana dispensary owner, Frank Sheftel, announced his intentions to run at various community meetings. While there's been no official announcement, Assemblymember Paul Krekorian is "still strongly considering stepping into the CD2 race," a spokesman told us. No official word yet from City Attorney and LAUSD School Board Member Tamar Galatzan or Director of Street Services Bill Robertson.

Now with Wendy Gruel heading to the City Controller Office on July 1st, her seat will be soon vacant leading to a possible campaign if a special election is approved by City Council (and it's likely to go that way instead of an appointment). Tomorrow is the last day to submit proof of residence and voter registration within Council District 2, which stretches from Sherman Oaks and Studio City through North Hollywood into the Northeast Valley neighborhoods of Shadow Hills, Sunlund and Tujunga (see a PDF map here).

Voting may be the hallmark of our Democracy, but it should not be our pastime. It should be reserved for regular elections and the off-chance that there is a special and well deserved occasion. We Californians vote way too much for our own good. We are standing in our own way of progress and need to let our leaders do their jobs so we can lead fuller, richer, more productive lives.

After years of bickering--okay, lawsuits--with the Bush administration about more stringent fuel standards, California and other states are finally getting their way. Tomorrow, a California delegation will join President Obama for his announcement that the federal government plans to set fuel efficiency standards for vehicles at 35.5 mpg by 2016, according to the AP who spoke to anonymous sources. And the Wall Street Journal says "in a perverse way, that answers Detroit’s prayers: U.S. automakers have long argued against California’s go-it-alone stance and in favor of a single national fuel-economy standard." While the specifics are officially under wraps, politicians have already begun sending out press releases announcing their travel plans to the Capitol. Two local politicians, Asm. Paul Krekorian and Sen. Fran Pavley, will join Gov. Schwarzenegger and Att. Gen. Jerry Brown tomorrow at the announcement.

“Occupation Dreamer: The Photography of Moshe Brakha” is on display at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE now through Aug. 9. The exhibit--the first one ever for the museum--includes 30 photographs of now-famous musicians taken by Brakha between 1976 and 1986 in New York, London, Beverly Hills, Dallas and Hollywood. Among the subjects: Madonna, The Beastie Boys, Black Flag, Miles Davis, Sting, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Madness, The Ramones, Run DMC, Sammy Hagar, Neil Young and The Thompson Twins.

The city is experiencing a golden age of naughty puppet films. Hot on the trail of Black Devil Doll is Let My Puppets Come, a fuzzy-felt skeleton pulled from the closet of the late Gerard Damiano (Deep Throat, The Devil In Miss Jones) for The Not-So-Silent Theatre's "Mondo Sexo" this Saturday. If the thought of puppets feels a bit too soft, the very fleshy, very foxy Louise Brooks (Pandora's Box, Diary of a Lost Girl) appears alongside curmudgeonly comedian W.C. Fields (The Bank Dick, You Can't Cheat An Honest Man) next Wednesday at the same locale. And while you're in the neighborhood, swing by the New Beverly for a brand-spankin' new print of The Day The Earth Stood Still (the one with the robot, not Keanu; wait, that doesn't narrow it down!). Given the Bev's massive trailer collection, their accompanying "Sci-Fi and More Trailer Show" should be great fun too. You'll be frozen with terror by this 1950's extravaganz-o-rama, in earth-shattering black & white!

After heavy opposition from the Teamsters and the Automobile Club (AAA), Assemblyman Paul Krekorian's AB 766, otherwise known as the "safe streets bill," failed to advance out of the transportation committee's today. That doesn't mean it failed--it just didn't get seconded--but it will either fade away until forgotten or the more likely outcome, until it's tweaked to incorporate opponent's comments and concerns.

All over the Valley (and soon spreading into Hollywood, Westwood and beyond), speed limits are increasing and not because there is a need for better traffic flow. "Because of state law, when local government wants to use radar enforcement, they have to use up- to-date traffic surveys to justify the posted speed limit," Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who this year introduced a bill to change the law to help protect cyclists and pedestrians, explained at a press conference this afternoon.

For nearly a year, livable streets activists have been at arms over the actions of Los Angeles officials raising speed limits in the Valley. The city is required by state law to evaluate street speeds and adjust the limits if they want police to be able to use radar guns. Basically, if the study of a street finds that 85% of drivers are speeding, the city must raise the limit. The problem is, the law doesn't consider the public safety of pedestrians or those who live on or near the street.

He may not currently live in Los Angeles, but he represents a good chunk of it. State Assemblymember Paul Krekorian is rumored to be running for LA City Council District 2, currently seated by Wendy Greuel who will be the city's new Controller in July. If true, most people believe the popular Burbank politician will clear the field and be a sure shoe-in. A Krekorian spokesperson does not deny the possibility of this outright, but tells LAist "he remains committed" to his current job. Others rumored to run for the seat include LAUSD Board Member and City Attorney Tamar Galatzan, Council Distrct 5 Field Deputy Joan Pelico, Former Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council President Kenneth Gerston, Current Studio City Neighborhood Council President Ben Neumann and Lisa Sarkin of the Studio City Neighborhood Council.