L.A. Council candidate forum is tonight for San Fernando Valley seat
A town-hall-style forum tonight in Granada Hills is to feature candidates seeking to replace retiring Los Angeles Councilman Greig Smith in elections March 8.
Smith is stepping down after eight years as representative of District 12 in the northwest San Fernando Valley “to spend more time with my family,” he told constituents on his Web page.
Monday’s forum is set for 7 p.m. at Community Integration Services Inc., 10100 Balboa Blvd. A reception at the senior citizen center is scheduled for 6 p.m.
All six candidates are expected to attend, said Steve Patel, chairman of the Northridge East Neighborhood Council, one of the sponsors. Interest is extremely high in the race for Smith’s seat, and turnout among area residents should be heavy, Patel said.
The contest is the only one of the seven council races on the March ballot that won’t feature an incumbent. However, Smith’s top deputy, Mitchell Englander, has won endorsements from nearly every council member for his candidacy to succeed his boss while amassing a huge campaign war chest.
Besides Englander, candidates vying for the 12th District seat are: Dinesh “Danny” Lakhanpal, businessman; Kelly M. Lord Jr., small-business owner; Brad Smith, neighborhood council board member; Navraj “Singh” Singh, restaurant owner; and Armineh Chelebian, neighborhood council board member.
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-- Patrick J. McDonnell
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I find it extremely deceitful that Mitch Englander has yet to admit he's not a "real cop" but a volunteer reserve and still works for Councilman Smith. The fact he's been endorsed by all the ctiy council is enough to have everyone vote against him. There is a huge movement from community members citywide to get rid of the incumbents and anyone associated with them. Another paper wrote a Opinon Piece on Englander's not tellling the truth. He has on his web site the Police Officers support him. NO THEY DON'T. The only ones who endorsed him from the Police union are a couple of directors. The entire rank and file are never asked what they think and who they should support. It is very misleading. Also, the PPL has a losing record of spending over $2 million on candidates and losing. Let's hope they lose do again
Posted by: Robert | January 31, 2011 at 05:24 PM
We need honest government with integrity.
“Good leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion”
Public confidence in the integrity of the Government is indispensable to faith in democracy; and when we lose faith in the system, we have lost faith in everything we fight and spend for.
As citizens of this democracy, you are the rulers and the ruled, the law-givers and the law-abiding, the beginning and the end.
Change is inevitable. Change for the better is a full-time job.
Action speaks louder than words.
Every age needs men who will redeem the time by living with a vision of the things that are to be.
Freedom is not an ideal; it is not even a protection, if it means nothing more than the freedom to stagnate.
Action speaks louder than words.
An Independent is someone who wants to take the politics out of politics, a person with principles.
"The benchmark of a civilized society is the quality of its justice"
YJ Draiman
Posted by: YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles 2013 | February 03, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Rebuilding Trust in Our Government (R)
One of Americas statesmen stated “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” His presidency ushered in an era of disdain for government and a widespread cynicism that government could be effective in addressing our challenges.
Today, as we confront a crisis that has shaken confidence in our financial system and economy, we have an opportunity to restore public trust and confidence in the legitimate role of government. Indeed, to effectively tackle our economic challenges and to implement the reforms we need in our healthcare, education, energy, and environmental policies, our government will need to garner strong public support.
However, rebuilding public trust will not happen in the face of a pervasive perception that government is not transparent and accountable, cronyism is rampant, and public officials are more interested in helping themselves than in serving the public good.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
Create a Task Force on Public Integrity with a mission to develop a comprehensive proposal for ethics and lobbying reform in our city and state. Which addresses reforms in three areas: (1) strengthening enforcement of ethics, campaign finance, and lobbying laws; (2) strengthening civil and criminal penalties for abuses; and (3) improving awareness and education for public officials.
Reinforce honesty, integrity and transparency by government officials as the core requirement to be and stay in office, any violations of these core tenets will cause the removal of the public official and the loss of "all benefits" retroactive. I think we should consider putting public official on a base salary plus commission based on performance.
While the many of our elected officials and government employees are honest, dedicated public servants, the actions of a few create a dark cloud over all.
Taking strong, swift, and decisive action to address these abuses and begin to rebuild public trust should be the first priority for our city, state and federal government in the new legislative session.
"The benchmark of a civilized society is the quality of its justice"
Compiled by: YJ Draiman
Posted by: YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles 2013 | February 03, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Do we need an ethical bailout to go along with the financial one?
Let us discuss the need for honesty and integrity as the basic principle of leadership. Defines quality leadership as a process beyond technical competence. Successful leaders continually demonstrate honesty and integrity as an essential element of their professional fabric; a lack of commitment to the principle renders all other skills meaningless. Depicts honesty and integrity as essential elements of human behavior that promote and support quality relationships. Defines honesty and integrity in the context of building trust and maintaining credibility. Provides a sound philosophy that increases the probability for long-term success and professional fulfillment.
The matter raised "legitimate and genuine concerns", adding: "My concern ... is that without integrity and legitimacy and honesty, and then Government cannot function. This must now be settled, otherwise it saps at the very heart of what is the highest office – and the highest office-holder."
Is honesty for suckers?
— A worldwide recession sets in when it turns out that a vast subprime mortgage system was built on a foundation of fraud.
— Government officials are convicted of fraud and misappropriation of funds and backdoor deals.
— Cheating is rampant in high schools and colleges.
— And in sports? The same deal. Doping scandals, cheating, chemical and otherwise, pervades football, baseball and other sports.
— Wall Street is being manipulated by corporate America bilking investors out of billions of dollars.
If so many people are cheating, how can honest people play by the rules and not be at a disadvantage — in school, at work, in sports, in business?
Do we need an ethical bailout to go along with the financial one?
Are you a chump if you play by the rules?
Compiled by: YJ Draiman for Mayor of LA
Posted by: YJ Draiman for Mayor of Los Angeles 2013 | February 10, 2011 at 11:28 AM