OFFICIAL CANVASS OF VOTES
Resident
ARI BESSENDORF
First Vice-President
GUSTAVO MORENO 
Treasurer
MICHAEL CASTILLO 
Chief Information Officer
TAD YENAWINE 
District 1 Representative

KWAZI NKRUMAH

AVA SHIRE

TODD WALKER 

District 2 Representative

ERICH SCHLIESKE

KELSEY WINTRINGHAM

CHERYL ORTEGA

District 3 Representative

CONNIE ACOSTA

ROLANDO RIGGIO

District 4 Representative

ANDRES RODRIGUEZ

ALEXIS PIAZZA

DINORA VENTURA

District 5 Representative

MARCOS CARATAO

PERLA REYES

LILIA TABAFUNDA

CRISPIN RODRIGUEZ

GORAM ESPILOY

Please see the final official audited Canvass of Votes as of Saturday, October 13, 10 pm below:
Click here to download Final Audited Canvass of Votes (pdf)
Challenge 1 – Response

 

Open Board Seats 2012 – Greater Echo Park Elysian NC
BOARD POSITION
# OF SEATS
ELECTED OR APPOINTED?
QUALIFICATIONS TO
RUN FOR THE SEAT

QUALIFICATIONS TO
VOTE FOR THE SEAT
President
Term: 2 years
1 Elected Stakeholder who lives, works or owns property within the GEPENC boundaries and who is at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within the GEPENC boundaries and affirm a factual basis for it and who are 16 years of age or older shall be entitled to vote.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Ari Bessendorf 

Ari Bessendorf, Attorney, Candidate for Neighborhood Council President:

As a resident of Echo Park for 6 years and a member of the Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park, I am committed to building a stronger community. My agenda as Neighborhood Council President:

● Support Schools, Arts & Music!

● Protect Environmental Resources and Quality of Life!

● Foster Growth of Local Business!

● Advocate with the City for Neighborhood Needs!

● Administer a Responsive and Transparent Neighborhood Council!

Visit AriForNeighborhoodCouncil.org for details, contact, and more information.

The Greater Echo Park ElysianNeighborhood Council needs a leader responsive to the community, with a vision for the future that honors the past.

Vote Ari Bessendorf for Neighborhood Council President.

Francisco Torrero

Resident of Echo park for 25 years, Committed to all of our Community, Keep our Dialogue open, Be inclusive for fair representation, Diversity, keep all generations in contact for a multicultural and strong community. Hablo Español. Come vote, venga a votar.

First Vice President
Term: 2 years
1 Elected Stakeholder who lives, works or owns property within the GEPENC boundaries and who is at least 16 years of age, including those who declare a stake in the neighborhood and affirm the factual basis for it. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within the GEPENC boundaries and affirm a factual basis for it and who are 16 years of age or older shall be entitled to vote.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Adolpino Aguayon

Adolpino B. Aguayon, Candidate for Vice President of GEPENC. I am a lead electrician, committed county employee activist, organizer and negotiator, and past President and board member of the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA).

My most important strength is to get things done and if elected Vice President of this Neighborhood Council I will concentrate on seeking ways to improve GEPENC through cooperation and coalition building. My focus will be to create solid relationships and to be open minded in weighing each side of all issues.

I will follow through with tasks that need to be completed as I have done at FACLA and my other volunteer work where I have served to improve and give back to the community. I will emphasize outreach and awareness of: economic revitalization, local job creation, reliable trash collection, graffiti abatement and will address the other vandalism issues throughout the GEPENC area.

Gustavo Moreno

Gustavo Moreno, Candidate for Vice President of GEPENC. I have served as a GEPENC District Representative (2008-2010) and currently serve as an officer to the President since 2010.  The experience has provided me with the institutional knowledge of what a neighborhood council can do and how to get it done.

If elected Vice President of the Neighborhood Council I will serve in a supportive role to the President and be the first alternate to the President with respect to matters the President may be unable to address.  I also will insure that our meetings are fair and democratic.

Echo Park is moving forward.  My goal is to continue to build on what leaders of the past have accomplished and take our neighborhood council to the next level, making it a model for others to follow.  Thank you for your consideration and vote!

Treasurer
Term: 2 years
1 Elected Stakeholder who lives, works or owns property within the GEPENC boundaries and who is at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within the GEPENC boundaries and affirm a factual basis for it and who are 16 years of age or older shall be entitled to
vote.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Tito Valino 

Augusto C. (Tito) Valino, Candidate for Treasurer of GEPENC. I have been a tax
preparer since 1974 and continue to offer quality tax preparation service to this day.
I got my bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Los Angeles in 1982.

I previously worked as a Tax and Permit Field Representative of the Los Angeles City Clerk’s Office, as an Engineering Technician II at Land Records also of the LA City Clerk’s office; as an Engineering Technician III at the LADWP.

As the Treasurer of GEPENC, I will make sure that the finances of this neighborhood council will be in order and comply with the Department’s mandatory Treasurer’s training, and be very transparent to all Stakeholders of GEPENC. I will be very proactive in advancing the concerns and needs of all the Districts of GEPENC before the Board, the Empower LA Department and the LA City Council.

Michael Castillo

As a life long resident of the EchoPark/Historic Filipino Town, I would like the opportunity to further contribute to our community by being its next Treasurer. Having attended our local schools and working for the California State Assembly, I feel I can offer my insights and listen to others for the betterment of our community. This community has instilled in me a passion for public service and I hope to serve it with the best of my abilities. I humbly ask for your support. Thank you!

Chief Information Officer
Term: 2 years
1 Elected Stakeholder who lives, works or owns property within the GEPENC boundaries and who is at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within the GEPENC boundaries and affirm a factual basis for it and who are 16 years of age or older shall be entitled to
vote.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Chad Kline 

Chad Kline and his wife have lived and owned a home in Echo Park since 2008. Chad is part of the Echo Park Security Association and a retired police officer. Chad currently works as a health Care Union organizer and representative. Chad wants to bring his skills to represent EchoPark to help create a safe living and working area for all residents and visitors. Chad will bring residents and business owners together to help create a safer and better future for all of Echo Park.

Tad Yenawine

I have lived in Echo Park/Angelino Heights for 15 years. My daughter goes to school here. I have started a business in EchoPark. I know and love this area and would like to work with the GEPNC and the community to make it the best possible place for my daughter and neighbors’ children to grow up.

District 1 Representatives
Term: 2 years
3 Elected Stakeholders in District 1 who live, work or own property in the district and are at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within District 1 and affirm a factual basis for it and who are at least 16 years of age.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Mo Najand

Mo Najand is a 12 year resident of Echo Park. Mo has over 20 year of experience managing complex aerospace programs for local companies. Mo believes that effective flow of information and open communications can lead to an informed community improving their neighborhood.

Con 12 años de residencia en Echo Park yo Mo Najand tengo más de 20 años de experiencia en el manejo de programas aeroespaciales complicadas para las empresas locales. Mo cree que el flujo de efectivo de la información y la comunicación abierta puede dar lugar a una comunidad bien informada la mejor de su barrio.

Constance Brenneman

As an Echo Park Neighborhood Council Member, I will work towards the enhanced fitness and health of the community. With five fitness certifications and a Master’s Degree as a Counselor, working on enhancing community health and well-being through fitness, nutritional awareness, and team-work will be my focus. I believe in this, and will act on it as your representative.

Ava Shire

Hello, my name is Ava Shire, I’m a proud lover of Echo Park. My family has been here for 3 generations working and living. I see the neighborhood I live, love, and own a business in changing rapidly in both good and bad ways. I’d love to be part of the good change and be able to be a part in putting the bad change to a halt. Progress is a wonderful thing if it has the best interest in ALL the parts and people of EchoPark…I have seen this not be quite the case in many matters. Being able to be part of the Echo Parks best interest and having the ability to make a difference for all the voices I hear in my salon and from fellow neighbors, Echo Park residents new and old, is of utmost importance to me. Thank you.

Kwazi Nkrumah

I have lived in Echo Park for nearly 20 years, and I love and care for this community. I am actively involved in efforts to bring green jobs at decent pay to our area. Despite being a landlord, I’ve worked to protect tenants throughout L.A. from unreasonable rent increases. I’ve also worked with our Neighborhood Council and many other groups to fight the loss of homes through mortgage foreclosures for the past 3 years. I’m also currently involved in efforts to stop hate crimes and build unity, trust and security for everyone in our very diverse community. I’m a recent member of our Council, invited to fill the seat of a member who was unable to complete their term. This was based on a positive response to my community work. There is much more I’d like to do through our neighborhood council, if you’ll give me the opportunity.

Luiza Padilla-Mavropoulos

I LOVE ECHO PARK. As a 30 plus yr. resident I have seen and felt the changes in our new Echo Park. As part of the unheard voices of Echo Park, I do believe involved people can create change. Change for the better in a transparent and honorable way. If elected I will to the best of my ability have those unheard voices heard. What voices you ask? Those of the Disabled, the Seniors Citizens and those who for whatever the reason find it hard to make a meeting.

Billy Mavropoulos

i love echo park. live here for over 50 years now.i can help make echo park better. billy mavropoulos

Todd Walker

Todd Walker has resided in and been an active neighborhood advocate for Echo Park since 2006. He currently serves on the Neighborhood Issues Committee of the Echo Park Improvement Association. Todd believes Echo Park is one of the great neighborhoods on the planet and he will work to maintain its diversity and uniqueness, even as it continues to change and evolve.

Robert Adams WITHDREW

District 2 Representatives
Term: 2 years
3 Elected Stakeholders in District 2 who live, work or own property in the district and are at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within District 2 and affirm a factual basis for it and who are at least 16 years of age.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Cheryl Ortega

Good government empowers people. Be it federal, state, local or neighborhood government, if it’s doing its job, then participation of the electorate will increase. The duty of the neighborhood council is to advocate for and become the means by which people can understand and enter into participatory democracy at it’s most basic level. I am running for the Greater EchoPark Elysian Neighborhood Council because I would like to be part of the movement that empowers. Echo Park is a diverse community. Many cultures and languages make it the thriving, active community that it is. The schools need honest advocates. The residents need more voice in determining the direction that the city will take to insure safety, fairness and pride in this place where we live and work. I hope to be part of the council that will help make this happen.

Kelsey Wintringham

Kelsey is a community minded entrepreneur with a passion for youth development. In addition to managing The Classroom LA in Echo Park, she draws from her years of diverse behavioral therapy experience to provide creative behavior intervention to children with autism across Los Angeles. She also recently co-founded and currently serves as Director of Operations for local not for profit arts education endeavor Create LA.

Kelsey has a unique skill-set to bring to the Neighborhood Council table. She wants to use her abilities to develop a more unified community, one that engages all of its diverse parts to accomplish greater goals.

Kimberly Reiss

Kimberly Reiss has resided in Echo Park for the past six years. She has been involved in the Echo Park Improvement Association and has been a docent for the Echo Park Historical Society’s house tour. Kimberly will work to keep this truly unique and diverse community intact and keep a watchful eye so that the growth and change that occurs respects both the history and the residents of this amazing neighborhood.

Erich Schlieske

I’m Erich Schlieske and I’ve lived in Elysian Heights for 5 years now. I walk my dogs through Elysian Park everyday and my wife and I run a shop called Villainy General Store on Sunset Blvd. Not only would I like to help protect our Elysian Park, I would also like to improve business and marketing opportunities for the whole EP community. I would like to see more community events and incentives to start businesses in Echo Park, similar to the incentives they offer for DTLA.
Not too many people know about all the new daytime businesses popping-up down here on the “Sunset Stripe”. I have a great respect for Echo Park. (insert JFK voice here) All I want to do is help show just how great Echo Park is, and how great Echo Park can be! Thank you.

Eileen Leslie

Echo Park has enriched my life since I moved here in 2003. It has allowed me to buy property, start a business and to meet wonderful neighbors and other owner operators. Now, I believe that I should return the favor. As a single mother who put herself through UCLA and law school and understands the difficulties associated with starting a business, I feel that I have an understanding of the nuances of the importance of local education, the sometimes difficult permitting process, and the awareness of protecting a quaint community.

District 3 Representatives
Term: 2 years
3 Elected Stakeholders in District 3 who live, work or own property in the district and are at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within District 3 and affirm a factual basis for it and who are at least 16 years of age.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Rolando Riggio

Keep Echo Park Clean, improve life in our community lets be inclusive, work and justice for all, hablo español.

Connie Acosta
District 4 Representatives
Term: 2 years
3 Elected Stakeholders in District 4 who live, work or own property in the district and are at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within District 4 and affirm a factual basis for it and who are at least 16 years of age.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Andres Rodriguez

Prosperity and love for all, let’s keep Echo park improving

Respect and Justice, Keep our community clean

Alexis Piazza

Alexis is proud to live and teach in EchoPark. As a teacher at Gabriella Charter School, Alexis is committed to improving the educational opportunities for all students in Los Angeles. As a current resident of Echo Park, Alexis frequently patronizes Echo Park’s fantastic farmer’s market and restaurants. Alexis believes in our ability to work together to improve the educational outcomes for our children, public spaces for community members, and economic opportunities for everyone.
Alexis esta orgulloso de vivir y enseñar enEcho Park. Como maestro en Gabriella Charter School, Alexis esta comprometido con mejorar las oportunidades educativas para todos los estudiantes en Los Angeles. Como residente de Echo Park, Alexis es un cliente del los restaurantes y el farmer’s market.

Dinora Ventura

Lets keep Echo Park improving, an inclusive community with love, justice for all, lets stop the bad and cultivate the good, better results for all.

District 5 Representatives
Term: 2 years
5 Elected Stakeholders in District 5 who live, work or own property in the district and are at least 16 years of age. Stakeholders who live, work, own property or those who declare a stake within District 5 and affirm a factual basis for it and who are at least 16 years of age.
CANDIDATES FILED:

Erlinda Lim

Erlinda Lim Sorati, Candidate for District 5 Representative of GEPENC.
Two years ago when I became your Representative the first question I ask myself was; how do I get in touch with the people of District 5?

Nobody has all the answers for themselves, that’s why we must talk and workout whatever the arising problem is in our city. It’s important to make bridges between cultures and know the similarities over differences in our lives so our neighborhoods grow stronger.

We can do many festivals and entertainments but ultimately; what are our goals we set for ourselves as your representatives? I will try to make things better one project at a time and in this time of economic crisis when all politics are local, if you vote for me I will continue making things work for Edendale, Echo Park, Elysian Heights, Chavez Ravine, Angelino Heights, Temple Beaudry and Historic Filipinotown.

James Salazar

James C. Salazar, Candidate for District 5 Representative of GEPENC. I am an Industrial Electrical/Instrumentation Engineer, Past President of Lions Club International (D4L3), past Election Commissioner of FACLA, Certified in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT), a member of the choir in Christ The King Church and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus (Hollywood Chapter).

I have received a certificate from U.S. Honor Society for repatriating 21 Filipinas from an African illegal recruitment ring for prostitution. I started volunteering in 2001 and moved into this area where I help with feeding the homeless. I have been working with the Filipino veteran’s community and promoting the anti-graffiti movement that fights vandalism and other criminal acts.

My motto is: I serve and am committed to helping people in the neighborhood of EchoPark and Historic Filipinotown to improve their quality of life.

Nepo Tec

Nepomuceno “Nepo” V. Tec, Candidate for District 5 Representative of GEPENC. I’m from Manila Philippines. I’m not a big speech maker but maybe you might have seen me riding my bicycle around the city.

I have always helped my fellow man quietly but when I found that Historic Filipinotown was 2/3rds in District 5 of GEPENC and 1/3rd in another Council, and we even have an unofficial Filipino Council claiming they were our leaders, and now there is an election where I could join my neighbors to make a difference and possibly unite the people, I decided to run for this seat.

If you vote for me I will fight against corruption and bring this Council back up to where we can all be proud of our community. I want to see more bicycleparking, less dumping of furniture and we need to keep services for seniors and the homeless.

Max Martin

Maximo (Max) Lim Martin, Candidate for District 5 Representative of GEPENC. I am from Tarlac, Philippines; I love Los Angeles, community is very important to me; I am an inventor working on a project to contribute to mankind during disasters.

As a skilled Agriculturalist I would like to see sustainable environments; I have observed the ecosystem of GEPENC; GEPENC is not sustainable at this time and it should be. I would like to see more balance between the rights of good landlords and relief for the evicted; this system is broken too.

I will do my best to educate Stakeholders on the neighborhood council system, and will help connect them to city services. Cultural understanding is also one of my long-term goals. Remember without struggle there is no reform; I will do my best to improve GEPENC so we can all live in much safer, cleaner more sustainable neighborhoods.

Perla Reyes

I am currently actively involved in the community providing awareness and training activities to help empower the members of the community – such as Emergency Preparedness, self protection, sports and recreation and others.  I would like to contribute my passion and skills on a larger scale by becoming a member of the neighborhood council.

Lilia Tabafunda

I’m interested to participate on the neighborhood council because I am actively involved in the community service in our area. I am the executive director of mother movement a/c the mission is to help and eradicate the child abuse! We want to help to protect people then to be aware the other circumstances that will happened to the people. As a businessman too, I want to share my passionate knowledge how to help business for the economy of our country.

Crispin Rodriguez

In 2002 when I moved to my current address, eyebrows were raised from adjacent neighbors.  What I came to know later on was that the house we moved to was once a gang bangers heaven.

But when we started vegetating and cleaning up our surroundings, people from around our property came out in the open and welcomed us. Fear was reversed to friendship.

Several times in the early years our patience and fortitude were tested.  We too became victims by taggers who wrote a myriad of uncanny letters only they can appreciate.  Bulky items of trash were also dumped in the curb fronting our house.

Instead of anger, I asked neighbors to help clean their own surroundings and call 911 for any illegal activities they see.

I see and hear the concerns, I understand how to bridge the gap.

Marcos Caratao

I will work for the unity and understanding among all residents in the neighborhood toward the establishment of a secure and progressive environment which would have a great impact in the improvement and enhancement of the quality of life of the residents in our community.

Specifically, I would apply my expertise in education and business management to create an entrepreneurship program,, teaching livelihood and entrepreneurial skills as tools for sustained self-development transforming residents to be more productive members of the community.

Goram Espiloy

I have been a resident and community volunteer in the 13th Council District for the last 3 years.  That’s why I would like to encourage the young people like me to participate in our community and our mission as a team is to provide a public forum for stakeholders in our neighborhood to express their thoughts, ideas and concerns on community or citywide issues.

Alfredo McAuslen

Alfredo Mc Auslen, Candidate for District 5 Representative of GEPENC. I have an interest to volunteer for this position because I love our Historic Filipinotown and the Echo Park area where I live. There are so many grave problems and aggressions that I see and I know that we have to at least imagine a better way to get things done.

The bad elements that scare people at night should be eliminated and transparent good governance should be the normal in GEPENC. This Council has been going in a wrong direction for the past year, because of the current leadership, and I hope that we can fervently preserve the dignity and integrity that I heard we once had.

As your District 5 Representative I will help clean up this Council and will make things easier for the Stakeholders by eliminating all the red tape that separates us from City Hall.

ELECTIONS INFO

Edendale Branch Library
2011 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Polling Hours:
10 am to 2 pm

Candidate Filing closed

OR

Download the pdf form and

Mail to:
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment – Elections Division
14410 Sylvan Street, 4th FL
Van Nuys, CA 91401

OR

Email to:
elections@test.empowerla.org

OR

Fax to: (818) 582-2849

Acceptable Forms of Documentation