Valley voters head to polls to decide heated, big-money L.A. council race

Voters in the San Fernando Valley head to the polls today to decide who should replace former Los Angeles City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel. The runoff between state Assemblyman Paul Krekorian and former Paramount Pictures Corp. executive Christine Essel has grown heated in recent weeks as outside groups have poured nearly $1 million into the race.

In a district that includes portions of Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Valley Village, Valley Glen, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, Shadow Hills and Sunland-Tujunga, many voters have expressed concerns about development and what they characterize as a disconnect between City Hall and Valley residents.

Essel, who previously headed the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency board and served as chairwoman of the Central City Assn., has characterized Krekorian as a job-hopping politician. Krekorian, a former president of the Burbank school board who has assiduously courted neighborhood leaders, argued that Essel was too closely tied to “downtown interests” and criticized the spending on her behalf by unions representing the construction trades and Los Angeles Department Water and Power workers. (For full coverage of the 2nd District race, click here.)

About 13% of voters in the 2nd District participated in the Sept. 22 primary race, which had nine candidates. Krekorian led Essel in that round 34% to 28%. With 124,867 voters registered for today’s election, the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office issued 22,437 vote-by-mail ballots. Just under half had been returned Monday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.. For information on polling places call (213) 978-0444 or (888) 873-1000.

-- Maeve Reston at L.A. City Hall

Photo: Joe and Mildred Higgins put up signs marking the way to vote at the Osula Education Center in Studio City. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Twitter.com/LATimesReston

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Comments

[Peter Musurlian]

Christine Essel sent out a mailer that showed an image of a Nazi Death Camp. Incredible!!!
The Essel hit-piece reminds me of the last-minute trash-piece connected-to the candidacy of Glendale Councilman Frank Quintero, who ran unsuccessfully in 2006 against Paul Krekorian, in the Democratic Primary for the California Assembly. The pro-Quintero hit-piece suggested that the Armenian National Committee condoned terrorism. It is the most outrageous campaign mailer I have ever seen.
It would appear the unethical Essel, like Quintero, is willing to do anything to win…like: visit the homes of Azeris & Turks in Beverly Hills to collect “blood money,” make ridiculous charges of sexism against Paul Krekorian and, now, use the Holocaust for political gain. The Holocaust? Are you kidding me?
Just like we still have the list of every Armenian-American who gave money to Frank Quintero, when he slimed Paul Krekorian…we have the names of every elected official and corrupt union that is endorsing the hateful campaign of Christine Essel. Win or lose, those officials and corrupt unions will be “reminded” of their opposition to Paul Krekorian and their support for hate-monger Chistine Essell.
And, btw, what’s up with Robert Philibosian endorsing Essell? Has he lost his mind? Has he decided to sell-out completely? Is he getting paid “blood money” from the Turkish Lobby? To think we use to respect Robert Philibosian. He is now persona non grata in the Armenian-American community.
I am sure the Turks would be glad to use Robert Philibosian as a propaganda tool. Good riddance, Bobby.

[wolfie]

way to really skim to the bottom of an issue- the only data you give on either candidate is the negative things they are saying about each other.
could you include more information about these candidates for those of us needing to vote today?

[ValleyVote]

I just want to know why the police league gave Essel over $400,000 and the DWP union over $200,000. What is their interest in this race and this candidate? They're obviously not giving the money without expecting something big in return!

[laura d]

Peter, to answer your question about why Philobosian endorsed Essel instead of fellow Armenian Krekorian: it seems to be a political party thing.

He attended a special meet-and-greet Republican fundraiser for Trutanich, and co-hosted the Glendale based Armenian-American Legal Assn's reception for Trutanich, with Cooley and Dennis Zine - fellow Republicans - in attendance. Trutanich was a Republican registered in Long Beach until he decided to run and carpetbagged to San Pedro, and changed his designation to "design to state," just for appearances sake.