Voter Guide
LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS®
OF LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles City
Primary Nominating Election
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015
Polls open 7 AM – 8 PM
IMPORTANT DATES:
FEBRUARY 2: First day to apply for and vote a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
FEBRUARY 17: Last day to register to vote for the March 3 Election
FEBRUARY 24: Last day to apply by mail for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot
for the March 3 Election
MARCH 2: Last day to vote a Vote-by-Mail Ballot in person
at the Election Division Office and City Hall
MARCH 3: ELECTION DAY
WHAT IS THE ELECTION ABOUT?
Voters will be voting:
FOR or AGAINST City Charter Amendments 1 & 2
For Members of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles
Community College District
Some voters will also vote:
For LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES
For LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD
CANDIDATES
For more information about candidates and issues, go to:
www.smartvoter.org
Esta guía también está disponible en español.
Para más información, llame (213) 368-1616
IN THIS GUIDE:
Charter Amendments............................. p. 2-3
Candidates for LA City Council....................4–9
Candidates for LAUSD Board................... 10-12
Candidates for LACCD Board.................... 13-15
About the Voter Guide
This Voter Guide is provided by the League of Women
Voters’ Education Fund. The Education Fund encourages active
and informed participation in government, and increased
understanding of public policy through education.
MAKING
DEMOCRACY WORK
®
The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan
political organization of women and men that
encourages informed and active participation in
government, works to increase understanding of
major public policy issues, and influences public
policy through education and advocacy.
Join Us Now!
Contact your local chapter of
the League of Women Voters today!
LOS ANGELES CITY CHARTER
THE QUESTION: Should the City Charter be amended to
provide for new election dates for city elections and elections
for members of the board of the Los Angeles Unified School
District (LAUSD); should one-time adjustments be made to
align the terms of elected officials with the new election
dates; and should other election-related changes be made?
THE SITUATION:
L.A. City elections are held in March and May of odd-numbered
years, while California state elections are held in June and
November of even-numbered years. Elections for members
of the LAUSD board are held concurrently with L.A. City
elections. LAUSD elections are separate from city elections
because a number of schools in the LAUSD lie outside of
the city; voters in those areas vote for members of the LAUSD
board, but not on L.A. City issues.
Beach Cities
310.793.0569 ★ www.beachvoter.org
L.A. City elected officials and members of the LAUSD board
serve four-year terms.
Claremont Area
909.624.9457 ★ www.claremont.ca.lwvnet.org
Turnout for the L.A. City and LAUSD elections has been very
low. Fewer than 25% of registered voters participated in the
March and May 2013 elections.
East San Gabriel Valley
626.967.8055 ★ www.esgv.ca.lwvnet.org
Glendale-Burbank
818.925.4598 ★ www.gb.ca.lwvnet.org
Long Beach Area
562.930.0573 ★ www.lba.ca.lwvnet.org
Los Angeles
213.368.1616 ★ www.lwvlosangeles.org
Palos Verdes Peninsula
310.784.7787 ★ www.lwvpalosverdes.org
Pasadena Area
626.798.0965 ★ www.lwv-pa.org
Santa Monica
310.692.1494 ★ www.lwvsantamonica.org
Torrance
310.223.6897 ★ www.lwvtorrancearea.org
Whittier
562.947.5818 ★ www.whittier.ca.lwvnet.org
THE PROPOSAL:
Starting in the year 2020, L.A. City and LAUSD elections
would be held at the same time as California state elections,
in June and November of even-numbered years. The City
Council would have the option of having the elections
consolidated by L.A. County on the same ballot as federal
and state elections, or holding regular city elections on the
new dates.
In order to align with the new election dates, the terms of
candidates elected in 2015 and 2017 would be extended from
four years to five-and-a half years for this one time only.
Other Changes: Initiatives and Referendums could be submitted
to the voters at either the city/LAUSD election, the state
election or a separate election, and initiative proponents could
withdraw their measures prior to the election. Redistricting
would be completed earlier, in order to be effective for the
2022 elections. Election schedules for interim vacancies would
be adjusted to reflect the new election dates, and temporary
appointments could be made to fill vacant seats.
Charter Amendment One would make these changes for the
L.A. City elections.
Charter Amendment Two would make these change for the
LAUSD elections.
LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS®
2 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
Both measures would have to pass in order for the changes
to take effect.
League of Women Voters®
A
ER
s
d
D
m
AMENDMENTS 1 AND 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total financial impact of these measures is unknown. At
this time, it’s not possible to determine whether the city will
save money by not having to conduct its own elections. The
county will charge the city a fee to conduct consolidated
elections, the cost of which is unknown at this time.
Consolidating these local elections with state elections may
depend on the successful implementation of L.A. County’s
new voting system, which is expected to roll out in 2020.
There are potential savings due to the “other changes”
described above.
SUPPORTERS SAY
★ Turnout at city and LAUSD elections has been too low.
Consolidating with federal and state elections will vastly
improve voter participation and eliminate “election
fatigue.”
★ L.A. could potentially save millions of dollars that could
better be spent on schools, parks, libraries and fixing
our roads to reduce traffic.
OPPONENTS SAY
★ Consolidating with federal and state elections may not
translate to increased engagement of voters; city and
LAUSD elections would be buried at the bottom of a
crowded ballot.
★ Real election reform should focus on expanded civic
education, better voting procedures, and scheduling
elections on a weekend or weekday “voting holiday.”
WHAT DOES A YES OR NO VOTE MEAN?
C
d
ld
d
Charter Amendments pass with a majority vote.
A YES vote means:
You want to change the L.A. City and LAUSD election
dates to the same dates as California state elections,
change the terms of elected officials to align with the
new dates, and make other election-related changes.
A NO vote means:
You do not want to change the L.A. City and LAUSD
election dates to the same dates as California state
elections, change the terms of elected officials to align
with the new dates, or make other election-related
changes.
Signers of arguments in favor
of both Charter Amendments:
Dr. Fernando Guerra
Chair, City of Los Angeles
Municipal Elections Reform Commission
Kathay Feng
Executive Director
California Common Cause
Antonia Hernandez
President & CEO
California Community Foundation
Daniel Schnur
Former Chair, California Fair Political
Practices Commission
Gary Toebben
President & CEO, Los Angeles Area
Chamber of Commerce
Stuart Waldman
President
Valley Industry & Commerce Association
Rusty Hicks
Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
Tunua Thrash-Ntuk
Executive Director, West Los Angeles
Community Development Corp.
Patricia Berman
President, Downtown Los Angeles
Neighborhood Council
George Thomas
President
Van Nuys Neighborhood Council
Signers of arguments against
both Charter Amendments:
Bernard C. Parks
Councilmember, District 8
City of Los Angeles
Hans Johnson
President
East Area Progressive Democrats
J. Michael Carey
Retired City Clerk, City of Los Angeles
Signer of argument against
Charter Amendment 2:
Nancy Pearlman
Trustee
Los Angeles Community College District
© 2015 League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
3
Los Angeles
City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City
of Los Angeles. It is composed of 15 members from 15 separate
districts who are elected to four-year terms. City Council
members decide on city services, budget, and local laws.
The seven council districts shown at right are electing council
members in the March 3, 2015 election. If you live in one of
these districts, your district’s candidates’ names will appear
on your ballot.
District 2 includes:
District 8 includes:
North Hollywood, Studio City,
Sun Valley, Valley Village, Van
Nuys, and Valley Glen
Baldwin Hills, Chesterfield Square,
Crenshaw, Hyde Park, Leimert
Park, Jefferson Park, Vermont
District 4 includes:
Atwater Village, Central Hollywood,
Hancock Park, Hollywood Hills
West, Koreatown, La Brea Hancock,
Larchmont Village, Los Feliz,
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea, Silver
Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake,
and Windsor Square
District 6 includes:
Arleta, Lake Balboa, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sun Valley,
and Van Nuys
12
118
210
6
170
2
5
4
405
Knolls, and West Adams
District 10 includes:
10
Arlington Heights, Koreatown,
Mid-City, Olympic Park, South
Robertson, West Adams, West
Pico, and Wilshire Center
14
10
8
110
710
District 12 includes:
105
Chatsworth, Granada Hills, North
Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch,
Reseda, and West Hills
91
District 14 includes:
Boyle Heights, Downtown, Eagle
Rock, El Sereno, Garvanza, Glassell
Park, Lincoln Heights, Monterey
HIlls, and Northeast LA
Los Angeles City Council Member
term: 4 years, commencing July 1, 2015
3 terms maximum
salary: $184,610 annually
Possible term of 5½ years: A proposed measure to change the
City of Los Angeles’ municipal elections to June and November of
even-numbered years starting in 2020 will be on the March 3, 2015 ballot.
If this measure passes, candidates elected in 2015 and 2017 will be elected
for a term of 5 ½ years to align terms with the new election dates.
Complete information supplied by candidates can be found at:
www.smartvoter.org/2015/03/03/ca/la/
4 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
League of Women Voters®
Los Angeles City Council 2nd District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Eric
Preven
occupation:
Writer/
Producer/
Consultant
Paul
Krekorian
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H29-year Valley resident of Studio City
HTwo decades of WGA and ATAS
membership
HParticipated in the last three years of
website:
weekly Los Angeles County board
ericpreven.com
meetings (163)
occupation:
Member
of the
City Council
website:
none provided
HLA County Metro Board Member
HBudget and Finance Committee, Chair
HEconomic Development Committee
HState Assemblymember, District 43 (2006-09)
HFilm and TV Production Jobs Committee,
Chair
HBurbank School Board Member (2003-06)
HHelping Valley residents get city
services, especially reducing crime
HReducing traffic by increasing citywide
light rail and doubling valley bus service
HExpanded opportunities for civic
participation & engagement, as well as
government ethics reform
HSteering Los Angeles to a budget surplus
and fully restoring neighborhood services
HExpanding public transportation
infrastructure, including Valley rail and
bus service
HCreating good jobs with good pay, including
keeping film and TV jobs in the Valley
Write-In Candidate: David Hernandez did not qualify to be listed on the official ballot for Los Angeles City Council, 2nd District, during the initial certification
process; however, he later met the requirements to become a certified “write-in candidate.” To choose this candidate, voters must write the candidate’s name on
their ballot.
Los Angeles City Council 4th District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
David
Ryu
occupation:
Community
Health
Director
website:
davidryu.com
Joan
Pelico
occupation:
Chief of Staff,
LA City
Council
website:
joanpelicofor
citycouncil.com
Teddy
Davis
occupation:
Attorney/
Educator
website:
teddydavisla
.com
Step
Jones
occupation:
Owner,
XOXO
Vapor Bar
website:
xoxovaporbar.
com
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
HDirector of Development & Public Affairs,
HEnsure neighborhood concerns about city
H For 9 1/2 years I have worked hand in
H Bringing real customer service to City Hall
Kedren Acute Psychiatric Hospital and
Community Health Center
HSenior Deputy, County Supervisor
Yvonne Burke
HNetkal Fellow, USC School of Social Work
HBachelor of Arts, Economics, UCLA
hand with the community working for
the City of Los Angeles City Council
H District Director, LA City Council
HField Deputy, LA City Council
H Senior Aide to the Mayor of Los Angeles
services and quality of life are heard and
respected at City Hall
HImprove City-resident communications
with ombudsman service, early community
input on development issues
HStrengthen our economy by raising the
minimum wage and phasing out the
gross receipts tax
H Finding realistic solutions to fix our
infrastructure
H Bring stakeholders together to address
development
H Taking care of the basics—fixing streets,
repairing sidewalks, trimming trees—
through strong fiscal management
fornia
H Emmy Award winning ABC News journalist H Protecting neighborhoods
H Holding DWP accountable
H Unruh Fellow at USC
H J.D., The Catholic University of America’s
Columbus School of Law
H Special Assistant to the Governor of Cali-
H Step Jones bio at “linked in”
H Step Jones is easy to “Google”
H Los Angeles city budget, Do you know
how much and where your Council is
spending your money?
H Not interested in your social or moral
affairs, I am interested in where our
money goes
H Out of control pensions in the City
List of Candidates for Los Angeles City Council, 4th District continues on the next page
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
5
Los Angeles City Council 4th District (continued)
Rostom
“Ross”
Sarkissian
occupation:
Small Business
Owner
Mike
Schaefer
occupation:
Public Interest
Advocate
Wally
Knox
Tomás
O’Grady
website:
friendsof
rostom.com
H Master in Public Policy, Harvard
Kennedy School of Government
H BA in Diplomacy and World Affairs,
Occidental College
H Coro Fellow in Public Affairs
H Richter Scholar
H Non Profit Grant Writer
H City Prosecutor, City of San Diego
H City Councilman, City of San Diego
H Balanced budget
H Reduce traffic
H Protect neighborhoods from
overdevelopment
H Protecting our citizens from being abused
by the bureaucracy
H Business degree, U.C.Berkeley
website:
H Juris Doctor, Georgetown Law Center
mikeschaefer
2014.wix.com/
mike4council
H Parking: limiting street sweeping ban to
occupation:
Attorney
H Create an enforceable legal framework
H California State Assembly
H Trustee, Los Angeles Community
College Board
website:
wallyforcouncil
.com
occupation:
Non-Profit
Director/
Entrepreneur
one hour, not 3 hours
H Prompt Pay 50% discount on parking
fines within 1 week
for city planning and development
H Create a program of Continuous
Improvement in City services
H Maintain City revenues but change from
a gross receipts tax on business to a net
receipts tax
H I am a father of four, and for over
six years have dedicated myself to
unpaid public service in our public
schools and communities.
H Environmental and financial sustainability
H Development
H Transportation
website:
tomasogrady
.com
Jay
Beeber
occupation:
Community
Advocate/
Businessman
website:
jay4la.com
Tara
Bannister
occupation:
Associate
Director/
Educator
website:
votetara.com
Sheila
Irani
H Eliminated LA’s red light cameras
H Leading parking reform
H 2nd VP - Sherman Oaks Neighborhood
Council
H LA Pedestrian Advisory Committee
H Executive Director, SaferStreetsLA
H Fix the City’s budget. Reduce skyrocketing
pension and employee benefits costs.
H Reform DWP - workers earn 20% more
than other city employees. Save on employee costs and fix failing infrastructure.
H Currently leading reform of LA’s abusive
parking policies. I’ll finish this.
H BA in Political Science and Minor in
H I will dramatically increase the quality and
Economics from USC
accessibility of our sidewalks in CD4 and
the rest of the City
H Voted AD45 Female Democrat of the Year 1993
H
I will modernize and decrease the overH Voted LA County Democrat of the Year 1993
head costs of City services
H Domestic and international advocate for
H I will fight to upgrade the Orange Bus Line
HIV/AIDS
occupation:
H Owner, National, Award Winning TransBusinesswoman
portation Planning and Marketing firm,
/Community
1995 to Present
Leader
H Director of Special Projects, Councilman
Tom LaBonge 2011-2013
website:
sheilairani.com H Founder, Women & Words, benefiting
services for high risk youth and battered
women, 2004 - Present
H Adopt Pension & Compensation Reform
and Live Within Our Means Charter
H Demand response vanpools to connect
commuters from home to transit
H Limit development to match
infrastructure capacity
List of Candidates for Los Angeles City Council, 4th District continues on the next page
6 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
League of Women Voters®
Los Angeles City Council 4th District (continued)
Fred
Mariscal
occupation:
Marketing
Executive
website:
fredmariscal
.com
Steve
Veres
HGreater Wilshire Neighborhood Council,
Board Member
HLos Angeles Neighborhood Council
Coalition, Vice Chair
HGreater Wilshire NC, Budget Rep., &
Outreach Committee Chair
HNeighborhood Watch Captain (founder)
HUSC Film School graduate, Class of ‘96
HFire Department CERT graduate
H Job Creation
H Parking Enforcement Reform
H Homelessness and the Protection of our
Neighborhoods
occupation: H District Director for State Senate Pro Tem HImproving the LADWP’s quality and cost
Kevin de León
of service
Los Angeles
H Chair of LACCD’S Facility Master Planning HInvesting in public safety to prevent and
Community
& Oversight Committee
minimize the presence of property and
College Trustee
violent crimes
H Appointed to the Metropolitan Transit
website:
Authority’s San Fernando Valley Service
HInfluencing better land development
steveveres.com
Sector Governance Council
decisions to maximize ability to utilize the
H Elected and served on San Fernando
City of Los Angeles to decrease congestion
City Council
of traffic
At press time, there was no response from the following candidate for Los Angeles City Council, 4th District: Carolyn Ramsay
Write-In Candidate: Charles Craig Jackson did not qualify to be listed on the official ballot for Los Angeles City Council, 4th District, during the initial
certification process; however, he later met the requirements to become a certified “write-in candidate.” To choose this candidate, voters must write the
candidate’s name on their ballot.
Los Angeles City Council 6th District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
Cindy
Montanez
occupation:
Community
Advocate
H Fighting bulky item trash dumping, cleaning
website:
voteforcindy
.com
Nury
Martinez
H Assemblywoman (2002-2006)
H Businesswoman (Present)
H LA City Planning Commissioner (Past)
occupation:
H Former Executive Director of
City
environmental justice non-profit
Councilwoman
website:
facebook.com/
JoinNury
up our neighborhoods
H Fixing our broken streets and sidewalks,
rebuilding our infrastructure, and creating
good paying jobs
H Reforming the Department of Water
and Power, fighting rate increases, and
balancing our city budget to live within
our means
H Restoring quality of life for residents by
cleaning up our neighborhoods, building
new parks, and installing streetlights
H Increasing the availability and access to
good jobs through quality economic
development
H Eliminating prostitution and human
trafficking activity in our district
Los Angeles City Council 8th District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Forescee
HoganRowles
occupation:
Community
Development
CEO
H Bachelor’s Degree, Business Administration H Fixing potholes, broken curbs, cleaning streets
H Master’s Degree, Business Administration,
H Create jobs, expand business opportunities,
website:
forescee.com
H CEO, R.I.S.E. Financial Pathways (Formerly
H Safer neighborhoods, push for better
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
Loyola Marymount University
Pepperdine University
Community Financial Resource Center)
H Former Commissioner, Los Angeles
and alleyways, restoring neighborhood services
new investment in commercial corridors
graduation rates and more public private
partnerships
Department of Water and Power
List of Candidates for Los Angeles City Council, 8th District continues on the next page
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
7
Los Angeles City Council 8th District (continued)
Marqueece
HarrisDawson
occupation:
Community
Coalition
Director
H Community Organizer
H Jobs and Economic Development
H Non-Profit Director
H Public Safety
H Resident Engagement
website:
marqueece.com
Bobbie
Jean
Anderson
occupation:
California
State
Commissioner
website:
bobbiejean
anderson.com
Robert L.
Cole, Jr.
H Cleaner, safer, stronger neighborhoods
Democratic Party
H Public safety and improved law enforcement-community relations
H 30 yrs with LA County Public Defender’s Office
H Member, Democratic State Central Committee H Economic and community development,
job creation
H Long-term SEIU 721 member and union leader
H Former Commissioner, Commission on the
Status of Women
H Five-term Vice Chair, Los Angeles County
occupation:
H Commissioner on the Citizens’ Economy
H Job Creation - to increase the number of
Commissioner/
and Efficiency Committee
jobs including trade based and skills based
Educator/
opportunities
H Small Business Owner - Ground Zero ComBusinessperson
H Economic Development - to address the
munications
limited number of economic generating
website:
H Juris Doctorate - American College of Law
resources
robertcolefor H Bachelor of Arts - Morehouse College
H
Public Safety and Emergency Response
citycouncil2015
Services - to create a safer and more
.com
welcoming environment
Los Angeles City Council 10th District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Delaney
“Doc”
Smith
occupation:
Physician/
Lecturer/
Theologian
website:
none provided
H M.D. Degree Loyola Univ. Chicago
H Residency Trained Emergency Medicine
H Civil Surgeon For U.S. Governnment
H Opened First Urgent Care in LA 1983
H Former Cedars Sinai E.R. Staff Physician
H B.S. Xavier Pharm.D. USC Pharmacy
Schools
Grace
Yoo
occupation:
Community
Organizer/
Attorney
website:
graceyoocd10
.com
Herb J.
Wesson,
Jr.
occupation:
Los Angeles
City Council
member
website:
none provided
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Decrease City Business Taxes as incentive
for wage increases
H Stop Toilet to Tap system now used as
drinking water in South LA and block
expansion without voter approval
H Stop Weed Shop proliferation [now over
400 in LA] and decriminalize drug use
H Executive Director, Korean American Coalition H To allocate the necessary funds to improve
basic infrastructure, such as roads, sidewalks,
and street lamps
American Bar Association
H
To foster a business friendly environment
H Vice President, Los Angeles Dept. of Transwith expedited city services
portation
H Attorney for Children in the Dependency Court H To improve the quality of life of the district
residents; for example providing transparency
H J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law
to the West Adams drilling site
H Executive Director, National Asian Pacific
H Lincoln University, BA
H Councilmember’s Chief/Staff
H Supervisor’s Chief/Staff
H California State Assembly 1998-2004 (As-
sembly Speaker 2002-2004)
H Los Angeles City Council 2005-Present
(Council President 2012-Present)
H Raising the Minimum Wage to fight
poverty and stimulate our local economy
H Election Reform to boost citizen
participation in our local elections
H Mass Transit/Economic Development
and Jobs near the Exposition Light Rail Line
and Crenshaw/LAX Light Rail Line
Write-In Candidate: Melvin Snell did not qualify to be listed on the official ballot for Los Angeles City Council, 10th District during the initial certification
process; however, he later met the requirements to become a certified “write-in candidate.” To choose this candidate, voters must write the candidate’s name on
their ballot.
8 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
League of Women Voters®
t
y
e
Los Angeles City Council 12th District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Mitchell
Englander
occupation:
Council
member/
Police Officer
H City Council President Pro Tempore
H North Valley Family YMCA Boardmember
H Providence Holy Cross Hospital Board-
member
website:
H West Valley Boys and Girls Club Boardmitchenglander
member
.org
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Continue to improve public safety & keep
crime at record lows
H Reducing the City’s business tax & make
Los Angeles more business friendly
H Increase the quality of life for our District
Write-In Candidate: The candidate below did not qualify to be listed on the official ballot for Los Angeles City Council, 12th District, during the initial
certification process; however, he later met the requirements to become a certified “write-in candidate. To choose this candidate, voters must write the name of
the candidate on their ballot.
Daniel
Garcia
occupation:
Disability
Rights
Advocate
H Accessibility Advisory Committee, Los Angeles
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
H Los Angeles County Accessible Voting
Advisory Committee
website:
H North Los Angeles County Regional Center
danielwgarciafor
Consumer Advisory Committee
citycouncil.nation H Systems Change Advocate Communities Actively
builder.com
Living Independent and Free , Los Angeles, CA
H An accessible and well integrated community
makes a city more inclusive and more welcoming to visitors, residents, and to businesses.
H One thing we need is a more diverse and
accessible government that will meet the
need of everyone.
H We need a neighborhood council that
will work with City Hall.
Los Angeles City Council 14th District
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Nadine
Momoyo
Diaz
occupation:
H University of Southern California (USC)
H Increase constituent participation in all
Social Worker/
Bachelors of Arts, Cultural Anthropology
land use planning and development
Researcher/
H USC, Master’s degree, Social Work—
H Develop and implement a transitional housing
Health
plan for the homeless population which includes
Concentration: Community, Organization, Planning
Advocate
job training, mental health and health services
& Administration, Foundation—Clinical Practice
website:
H National Association of Social Work Member H Increase voter participation and implement
nadinediaz
a campaign finance reform to reduce the
H Los Angeles Skid Row Initiative Committee
.com
influence of corporations and developers
Member
Jose
Huizar
occupation:
Los Angeles
City Council
member
H Los Angeles City Councilmember 2005-Present H Maintain fiscal health, while restoring
neighborhood services like street/sidewalk
H Trustee, Princeton University Board of
Trustees 2005-2009
occupation:
Los Angeles
County
Supervisor
website:
gloriamolina
.org
repair and tree trimming
H President & Member, LAUSD School Board H Expand on success in fostering economic
2001-2005
website:
H J.D., UCLA School of Law
josehuizar2015
H Masters Degree Public Affairs and Urban
.com
Planning, Princeton University
H B.A., U.C. Berkeley
Gloria
Molina
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H First Latina elected to State Assembly
H First Latina elected to Los Angeles City
Council
H Elected to County Board of Supervisors in
1991; re-elected 5 times
H Served as Vice-Chair of the Democratic
National Committee
development along commercial corridors
H Continue to protect communities against
unwanted nuisance uses & polluters,
maintain solid constituent service
H Improved services to our neighborhoods
in CD 14
H Better fiscal discipline in the City
H Accelerate economic development in CD
14 and in the City
At press time, there was no response from the following candidates for Los Angeles City Council, 14th District: John O’Neill, Mario Chavez
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
9
Los Angeles
Unified School District
Board of
Education
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is
governed by a seven-member Board of Education,
which sets district policy and makes decisions relating
to public education in the City of Los Angeles and several
surrounding communities. The Board of Education
appoints a superintendent, who oversees the daily
operations of the district.
Members of the Board are elected directly by voters from
seven separate districts that encompass the communities
served by the LAUSD. Four of these districts: Districts 1,
3, 5, and 7 shown on the map (right) will be electing a
Board Member in the March 3, 2015 election. If you live
in one of these districts, your district’s candidates’ names
will appear on your ballot.
Member, LAUSD Board of Education
term: 4 years, commencing July 1, 2015
3 terms maximum
118
3
210
170
5
405
10
1
5
110
salary: Board members who receive compensation, fees,
or honoraria from outside employment currently
receive $26,347 annually.
For Board members who devote their entire
time to the duties of serving as a member of the
Board and who accept no compensation, fees, or
honoraria from outside employment are paid a
full-time salary of $45,637.22 annually as of
June 20, 3014.
Possible term of 5½ years: A proposed measure
to change the City of Los Angeles’ municipal
elections to June and November of even-numbered
years starting in 2020 will be on the March 3, 2015
ballot. If this measure passes, candidates elected
in 2015 and 2017 will be elected for a term of 5 ½
years to align terms with the new election dates.
710
105
91
7
Complete information supplied by candidates can be found at:
www.smartvoter.org/2015/03/03/ca/la/
10 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
League of Women Voters®
LAUSD District 1
At press time, there was no response from the following candidate for Board Member, LAUSD District 1: George J. McKenna
LAUSD District 3
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Carl J.
Petersen
occupation:
Businessman/
Activist
Parent
website:
changethe
lausd.com
Ankur
Patel
occupation:
Teacher/
Scientist/
Entrepreneur
website:
patelforlausd
.com
H Father of five
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Reduce layers of bureaucracy so that
parents, teachers and staff have more
say at the local level
H B.S. Business Management, University of
H
Institute real reforms to hold the
Phoenix
Superintendent accountable
H Vocational Degree, Musician’s Institute (PIT)
H Eliminate the reliance on standardized
H Studied Computer Science at Pace University
testing for evaluations that are not
H Author of The Different Drummer blog
student related
H Director of Logistics
H B.S. UCLA (Ecology, Behavior & Evolution)
H Reduce class size
H M.S. CSUN (Interdisciplinary)
H Increase transparency & accountability
H Teacher in Seoul, South Korea
H Increase student, teacher, and parent
H Teacher in Beijing, China
participation
H Neighborhood Council Treasurer
(Northridge East)
H Labor Organizer at Kaiser Permanente
Scott
Mark
Schmerelson
occupation:
H Spanish Teacher
H School Bond funds must be expended as
Administrator/ H Secondary Counselor
the voters intended
Retired
H Class size is too high to ensure a quality
H Assistant Principal
Teacher
education
H Principal
website:
H Fair wages and full time employment for
H Treasurer, Cuban-American Teachers’ Association
none provided
our LAUSD employees
H Executive Director of Region 16, Association
of California School Administrators
Filiberto
Gonzalez
occupation:
Businessman/
Professor
H City of Los Angeles North Valley Area
Planning Commission, 2013-14
H Masters in Social Work, University of
Southern California
website:
gofiliberto.com H Bachelor of Arts, Cal State Northridge
H LAUSD Elected Parent Representative
H Give parents real local control by breaking
LAUSD into smaller school districts
H Class size reduction
H Child safety and accountability
Tamar
Galatzan
occupation:
H LAUSD school board member (2007-present) H Pass a balanced, responsible budget, and
School
stick to it
H Deputy City Attorney/Neighborhood
Boardmember/
Prosecutor (2002-present)
H Provide our students with high-quality
Prosecutor
teachers, materials and support so they
H Western States Counsel, Anti-Defamation
can pass the more rigorous curriculum
League (1996-2002)
website:
now required for graduation
HJ.D., University of California, Hastings College
none provided
of the Law (1994)
H Equip our schools and teachers with the
technology needed to prepare students for
H B.A. political science, UCLA, magna cum
college and careers
laude (1991)
Elizabeth
Badger
Bartels
occupation:
H Masters Public Administration/ Policy
Children’s
H Bachelors of Arts - Political Science
Advocate/
H LACDP Central Committee (Elected 6
Businesswoman
terms)
website:
H Founder/CEO, Minority Outreach
elizabeth
Committee, Inc.
badger.net
H Investment in early childhood education
H Raising graduation rate/lowering dropout
rates
HCreating partnerships between parents,
teachers, staff and LAUSD Board
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
11
LAUSD District 5
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Ref
Rodriguez
occupation:
Educator
H Founder, Partnerships to Uplift
website:
refrodriguez
.com
H Parish Manager St. Francis de Sales Parish
Communities Schools
H Lecturer, Loyola Marymount University
School of Education
H Appointee of Governor Jerry E. Brown to
The California Commission on Teacher
Credentialing
Andrew
Thomas
occupation:
Educator/
Parent
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Increasing local control of schools -- We
need to empower principals and teachers
to make the decisions that put learning
first
H Improving middle schools -- Our middle
schools have been neglected
H Ensuring parent engagement in schools
H Education Consultant
H School board transparency
H Professor
H Zero-based budgeting
H Supporting teachers
website:
thomas4lausd
.org
At press time, there was no response from the following candidate for Board Member, LAUSD District 5: Bennett Kayser
LAUSD District 7
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Lydia A.
Gutiérrez
occupation:
Public School
Teacher
website:
lydiagutierrez
.nationbuilder
.com
Euna
Anderson
occupation:
Principal/
Adjunct
Professor
H California State University (CSU) Domin-
H A-Achieving academic excellence
quez Hills, M.A.
H B-Building fiscal responsibility
H Pepperdine University, B.A.
H C-Cultivating success after graduation
H Mathematics Leadership Institute, California
Polytechnic State University
H CSU Long Beach, Fellow - Writing
H Access to Science Standards & Educational
Technology, CSU Los Angeles
H Adjunct Professor UCLA and National
University
website:
andersonfor
kids2015.com
Richard
Vladovic
occupation:
H Retired School Superintendent,
School
West Covina Unified School District
Boardmember/ H Retired Teacher
Educator
H Retired School Principal
website:
H Graduate Professor
vladovic4school
H Charter Member of UTLA
board.com
H Educational Scholar
12 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Create budget priorites that reflect
learning, i.e., preschool education
H Stop bureaucratic waste, i.e., iPads
H It is time for a change, I will lead with
Intregrity
H Continue increasing student achievement
H Introducing innovative solutions that get
results
H Providing safe and healthy schools
League of Women Voters®
L
C
B
Los Angeles
Community College District
Board of Trustees
Trustee, LACCD Board of Trustees
term: 4 years, commencing July 1, 2015
The Los Angeles Community College District is governed by a
popularly-elected seven-member Board. Board members are elected
at large for terms of four years. Elections are held every two years,
with three members being chosen at one election and four members
at the other.
No term limits
salary: Board members who attend all meetings held by
the Board receive $24,000 annually plus health
benefits.
LACCD Board of Trustees Seat No. 1
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Andra
Hoffman
occupation:
Community
College
Professor
website:
andrahoffman
4laccd.com
Maria
“Sokie”
Quintero
occupation:
Community
College
Professor
website:
sokie4laccd
.com
Mark
Isler
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Master’s Degree, Public Administration-
Cal State University, Northridge
H President, National Women’s Political
Caucus, San Fernando Valley
H Job Placement Director, Glendale
Community College
higher education
H Increase transfer rates, degree
preparedness and job training
H Ensure all colleges meet the students’ needs
California State University, Los Angeles
by meeting the goals of Student Success Act
H Over 20 years of experience as an educator H Partner with adult education programs
in the Eastside of Los Angeles
in high schools to create a pathway for
student’s success that will lead to careers
H AFT Adjunct Representative to ELAC
Social Science Department
H Ensure that transfer rates improve
throughout district
H Alma Family Services Board Member
occupation:
Teacher/
Radio Host
H California Social Studies Credential
website:
none provided
H Teacher of the Year
occupation:
College
Policy
Director
students seeking a higher education
H Reduce fees, tuition and the total cost of
H Public Administration Master’s degree,
H Reversing a long decline in the quality and
performance of our educational system
H California Elementary Credential
H Making sure the primary goal of our
H Masters Degree in Education
community colleges is serving the students
and not special interest groups
H Helping our students understand what
makes our founding documents and our
country so exceptional
H LA County Supervisors Deputy
H Educational Television Host
Francesca
Vega
H Increase access and restore classes for all
H Director of Government & Community
Relations at Cal State Northridge
H Former Assistant Director of State
Government Relations at UCLA
website:
H Board Member, Chicano Latino Youth
democracy.com/
Leadership Project Inc.
FrancescaVega H Chair of the Valley Industry & Commerce
Association Education Committee
H Access, affordability and completion for
all LACCD students, particularly those
from underserved communities
H Deliver a pathway to economic mobility
through targeted career tech, certificate
and appenticeship programs
H Restore long-term financial investment to
LAACD
Complete information supplied by candidates can be found at:
www.smartvoter.org/2015/03/03/ca/la/
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
13
LACCD Board of Trustees Seat No. 3
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Jozef
“Joe”
Essavi
occupation:
H Past Controller for Non Profit Association. H Cut the current 72% failure in transferring
Los Angeles
Community College District Student Trustand in graduation
County
ee Nominee from LA Valley College
H Hire quality teachers, offer more classes,
Commissioner/ H Community College (LAVC) ASB Union
slash text book costs
Businessperson
Treasurer, 2 terms
H Offer more vocational and green job training,
bring efficiency and accountability
H Neighborhood Council Member, 2 terms
website:
jozef4college
H Community College Education Reformer.
.com
H BA UC Riverside, MA CSUN
Sydney
Kamlager
occupation:
Education
Policy
Advisor
website:
sydney
kamlager.com
Sam
Kbushyan
Glenn
Bailey
H District Director, Senator Holly Mitchell
H Fight for more funding to bring more
classes online
H Commissioner, LA County Commission on
Children and Families
H Expand supportive servcies offered at the
campuses
H Fmr. Adjunct Professor, Cal State University
Los Angeles
H Quicken transfer times into 4-year
H Masters Degree, Carnegie Mellon University
institutions and strengthen career
pathways
H Bachelors Degree, USC
H Board Member, The Unusual Suspects
occupation:
College
Instructor
H MBA, Northeastern University
website:
H Past Board Member, East Hollywood
facebook.com/
sam-kbushyanfor-LA-community-college-district-3
occupation:
Neighborhood
Council
Boardmember
website:
none provided
14 Voter Guide for the City of Los Angeles
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Past Board Member, East Hollywood
Neighborhood Council
H Reforming LACCD Board with District
Elections - 1 seat for each campus community
H Modernizing LACCD Classes to emphasize
Online/Distance Learning Options for
every class
Chamber of Commerce
H Past Treasurer, Northeast Democratic Club H Restoring accountability to taxpayers with
transparency on LACCD spending
H Former Student President, LA Valley College
H CSU Northridge Program Coordinator (24 yrs) H Increase the number of high demand classes
to meet students’ needs and facilitate
timely graduation, including online courses
H Improve College District public transparency
H LA City Bicycle Advisory Committee Viceand taxpayer accountability, especially the
Chair
remaining $1.6 billion in campus construcH Resource Conservation District of the Santa
tion projects
Monica Mountains, Director/Associate
H Save the Pierce College Farm from closure
Director
H Pierce College ASO President
H LA Neighborhood Council Coalition officer
League of Women Voters®
LACCD Board of Trustees Seat No. 5
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Steve
Schulte
occupation:
Environmental
Science
Instructor
,
Scott
Svonkin
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
H Councilmember, Mayor, West Hollywood H Work with the board to raise student
performance and education outcomes
H Master’s in Public Health, UCLA
H
Work to involve business and industry
H MA in Public Administration, University of Iowa
leaders to help fashion curricula to better
H BA in Political Science and History, Yale
focus on student needs for job placement
H Executive Director, LA Gay and Lesbian
after graduation
website:
schulteforlaccd
Center
.blogspot.com H Contracts Manager/Director, Strategic
Planning and Analysis, Kaiser Permanente
H In a collaborative manner, research how
occupation:
Community
College
Boardmember
and President
H California Credit Union, Supervisory
H Protect Taxpayers - Insurance the bond
H Chairman, Los Angeles County Insurance
H Increase number of classes offered
website:
svonkin.com
the LACCD Board can better monitor
campus leadership
H Past President, Los Angeles School Trustees H Student Success - Help out students pre-
Association
pare for transfer and career
Committee Member
Commission
reform continues
LACCD Board of Trustees Seat No. 7
CANDIDATE
BIOGR APHICAL HIGHLIGHTS
TOP PRIORITIES IF ELECTED
Mike
Fong
occupation:
Educator/
Job Trainer
H Improve and Expand workforce education
website:
mikefong.org
s
H Chair, PBS SoCal API Community Council
and training opportunities
ter Community Leadership Council
H Improving the quality and access
to educational opportunities
H Workforce Development Program Analyst
H
Creating jobs
H Past Board Member, UCLA Alumni Association
H UCLA Government & Community Relations
- Bruin Caucus Council Member
H Vice Chair, White Memorial Medical Cen-
Joyce
Burrell
Garcia
occupation:
Educator
John C.
Burke
occupation:
H BA ; MA American History CSUN
H Replace third week census enrollment
Community
State funding formula with a student
H MBA Accounting/Marketing UCLA
College
success class retention rate system
H California Community College & Secondary
Faculty/
H
Develop partnerships between the nine
Teaching Credentials USC
Associate Dean
District colleges, employers, LAUSD high
H Los Solteros President; Boy’s Republic
schools, and four year colleges & universities
website:
Board of Directors
votejohnburke H Who’s Who Among Students in American H Expand School to Career Academies from
.org
five District colleges to all nine colleges
Colleges and Universities
H Professor, the Peoples Republic of China
H Policy Analyst - Charles Drew Postgraduate
Medical School
democracy.com/ H Compliance Policy Advisor - L.A. Care
joyce4community
Health Care
collegeboard
H M.S., UCLA
website:
H Ensure inclusivity and equity within the
LACCD in the face of shrinking budgets
H Increase student success rates for all
students with particular emphasis on
historically underrepresented students
H Expand the number and types of community
partnerships within the LACCD
M A R C H 3 , 2 0 1 5 P R I M A R Y N O M I N AT I N G E L E C T I O N
15
YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
MAKE IT A SMART ONE.
Find out about registration and voting.
Get unbiased information about candidates and issues.
Be an informed and knowledgeable voter.
Go to www.SmartVoter.org
LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS®
© 2015 League of Women Voters of Los Angeles Education Fund. All copyright and trademark rights reserved.
LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS®