BOARD POSITION

# OF SEATS

ELECTED OR APPOINTED?

QUALIFICATIONS TO
RUN FOR THE SEAT

QUALIFICATIONS TO
VOTE FOR THE SEAT

CANDIDATES FILED:

Brian Cornelius

I’m an architect whose position at Caruso Affiliated engages me with government and community groups all over LA and with the large and small businesses that occupy our development projects.  I understand what’s important to communities, and how government functions.    Cathy and I have been Los Feliz residents for the past 5 years.  Since June I’ve held the GGPNC interim District A representative seat. I got involved because I see many dysfunctional NC boards around the City, hostage to extreme positions or gadfly’s with a specific ax to grind.   I don’t want our neighborhood council to lose its relevance in that way.  I’m a persistent and practical person who always looks for the win-win.   History buffs know Los Feliz has always been that way –tolerant, progressive and colorful.  I’m running for this seat to help keep our neighborhood secure and prosperous, and to help preserve that great community spirit.

Theresa Kantarjian

CANDIDATES FILED:

Dana Cremin

My name is Dana Cremin and I am running for a seat in District B. I am running because I love this neighborhood and hope to help bring about positive change to help make our neighborhood more pedestrian friendly, safe and neighborly.

I frequent the restaurants and shops in the neighborhood and am committed to seeing them succeed. I love living where I can walk to my favorite places and I care deeply about collaborating with the local businesses to help them thrive while still respecting the needs of the residential community. I enjoy both Griffith Park and Barnsdall Parkand will work to keep them thriving.

However, my main priority is to bring the community together to build on what is already great about our neighborhood and work to repair what needs to be fixed.

Chris McKinley

I’m for a more open & connected Neighborhood Council. I live in Los Feliz and own a small business here. GGPNC does good work, but I believe it could better engage the community. Some neighbors don’t even know the Council exists. Simple & free communication tools are being underused or not used at all. The latest newsletter on the Council website is from 2011. I think we can do better. Our tax dollars fund it; shouldn’t it be easier to understand what it does? The Council addresses important issues: safety, zoning, land use and more. Information and interaction can only strengthen our community. With over 15 years of media experience, I have the know-how and energy to help bring improvements. We’re all connected in our daily lives… let’s connect with our Neighborhood Council. I live here, work here, and love it here. I would be honored to serve.

Dean Conklin WITHDREW

Kerry Hunnewell

I have lived in Los Feliz for 19 years, where I have raised my children, coached youth soccer, attended church, and recently served as executive director of a local non-profit with strong programs of outreach to the community. I served on the board of the GGPNC from its inception in 2002 through 2006, where I was Treasurer and chair of the Budget and Finance Committees, and an active member of the Outreach and Executive Committees.

I have also held executive positions with The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, and three technology start-ups.

If elected, I will work to ensure that the priorities and concerns of ALL of our constituents are heard at City Hall, in a time of shrinking civic budgets and service cutbacks. To that end, we need to implement effective outreach efforts to our constituents, and establish strong working relationships with other elected officials and city staff.

Christina Khanjian

Distict B is one of our most diverse areas, where East meet West: Thai, Armenian, Philipino, Lebanese, French, Italian, Hispanic, and American, all converging from Western to Vermont, Hollywood to Los Feliz.

Harmony between our local merchants, businesses and residents is the fabric of a great neighborhood. We should strive to offer incentives to the people who live here and beyond to shop locally, which includes finding a smart parking solution so our stakeholders can enjoy the foods, products, the flavor and the soul of Los Feliz.

I have served on the Council for over two years and was elected Treasurer, ensuring not only accountability, but fiscal responsibility. I am a member of the Planning, Zoning and Historical Committee helping our neighborhood maintain its unique character through thoughtful project review of growth here.

I ask for your vote to continue making Los Feliz the best neighborhood in Los Angeles.

John Paul Ramirez

My name is John Paul Ramirez and I am the seeking the opportunity to represent District B.  I have lived in Los Feliz for over 20 years.  Currently, I have the privilege of serving as coordinator of youth ministry programs for Our Mother of Good Counsel, the same neighborhood school I attended as a child.  I believe the role of local government is to serve the public and I have a strong passion and desire to serve others.  This was instilled in me at an early age by my parents, hardworking immigrants, who owned a small business in Los Feliz, and realized their American dream, having their children graduate from college. I completed my undergraduate studies from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Urban Studies and Planning.  I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology with a concentration in Leadership from Loyola Marymount University.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Rochelle Sonza

I believe that change begins with one step. If given the opportunity, I will strive to create positive changes within my community. I hope that with my experience and dedication I will leave a lasting impact for the generations to come.

David Castle

I’ve been living in Los Feliz for just under a year, and I recently joined the GGPNC as an appointed Board Member this past summer. My top priority is to revive the currently dormant Parks, Rivers, and Open Space committee. Griffith, Barnsdall, and our natural resources are a key part of what makes Los Feliz great, and it is critical that the GGPNC have a functioning Parks committee to ensure the neighborhood has active voice in the shaping future of these assets. Additionally, I am joining the Culture & Events committee to help support and encourage new local arts events and programs. Finally, I intend to be active on the Planning and Zoning Committee. The neighborhood is constantly growing and evolving over time, and we can make this happen in a smart, responsible manner so as to maintain the unique vibrant community that is Los Feliz.

Pete Abrahams

My campaign is founded on an aspiration to serve society and a belief that the next generation of civic leaders must possess the necessary vision and courage to create policies that strengthen and grow the community. Over the past decade, I have successfully built a career in entertainment and education that has kept me engaged with the business sector, school system, political realm, and the Los Angeles community. I’m a pragmatic, motivated leader who understands the politics of collaboration, what communities want and need, and how to deliver effectively for all parties. As a GGPNC District C Representative, I will work to preserve our historic community, develop policies supporting local businesses, expand preventive measures against crime, cultivate partnerships with our local schools, and foster youth education. Together we can continue to keep Los Feliz vibrant and prosperous – a progressive community where its citizens are proud to live and work.

Larry Zook

After living all around the city, I’m delighted to live in such an incredible neighborhood. I work nearby as an analyst at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, so my personal and professional lives are centered here — literally. I welcome the chance to represent District C of our Neighborhood Council; so many great things are always happening all around us, and I want to help any way I can. I’ve never lived in an area like this that offers so much despite its smaller size, and I’m ready to take a more active part in it.

Harpreet Malhi

Over the past two years, I have been an elected board member in the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council. In that time, our council has done much to improve our neighborhood:
creating school gardens, supporting art programs, funding projects at local schools, planting trees, and cleaning the Los Angeles River. I am seeking re-election as a District C Representative so that I can continue the good work of the GGPNC and specifically those of the Green and Neighborhood Improvement committees which I chair. We seek to make our streets more pedestrian and bike-friendly and to increase much needed green space in our community. My main goal is to incorporate pocketparks throughout the neighborhood as most of the residents of Los Feliz do not have a park within walking distance from where they live. Thank you for your consideration and I am looking forward to improving Los Feliz.

Elizabeth McDonald

For the last 11 years I have lived, worked and owned property in Los Feliz. I am also currently serving the GGPNC as their chair to the Transportation Committee. I would like to be on the GGPNC board because in the last few years I have come to realize how instrumental our NC is in communicating my voice and the voice of our greater community to city hall. I both live and work in District C and would be honored to serve my neighbors as their representative.

Gabriela Sosa

I am an avid environmentalist and have been a Los Feliz resident since 2001. I founded the Green Book Club & Film Club, Eco Literati & Green Screenings, to raise environmental awareness in our neighborhood.
Tree People’s Citizen Arborist program trained me to care for the trees on my block and I inspire neighbors to join me in planting urban gardens.

By electing me, you will have someone on your side curbing pollution, including noise pollution. I have a BA in Environmental Studies & Politics and a MA in Environmental Management and an MS in International Economics. Before moving to Los Angeles I worked in the European Parliament, the IAEA, the Panamanian Foreign Service & at the UN. I speak multiple languages and work both as an interpreter and in the entertainment industry.
Si se puede!
I hope to get your vote on Oct. 6th.

Kristopher Anderson

Los Feliz has an extraordinary character all its own. From the Shakespeare Festival in Griffith Park to the “sidewalk cafes” down Vermont we truly have a remarkable community. As your District C representative to the GGPNC my primary goal will be to keep Los Feliz vibrant and forward thinking. As an educator by profession, I believe education is the foundation of any great community. Because of this my goals include expanding educational experiences not only in the district schools and libraries but also in the many community facilities such as parks and historic venues. In order for a community to be successful, I believe, coordination and cooperation are essential. As your District C representative I see myself as a trustee of your voice. Together we can keep Los Feliz the beautiful community it is. Thank you for your time and consideration.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Lisa Sedano

I believe that when a city is great place to live, when the landscape and neighborhoods encourage residents to live up to their individual potential, then tourism and businesses will be drawn to the area. Economic vitality begins with social vitality. I have worked as a lawyer, and I am now finishing a Ph.D. in Geography at USC. I am studying Los Angeles, and I want to work to make LA the unique, creative and thriving city that we know it can be. Los Feliz is the best of LA – GriffithPark to the north, downtown towards the south, an amazing variety of local businesses, and a wonderful community of people. The GGPNC isgreat opportunity to work with and for the local community, and I hope to join it.

Rudy Melendez

I believe a litter free neighborhood is beneficial to public health and social welfare. Therefore i intend to join the greater griffith park neighborhood council and develop a comprehensive litter free neighborhood campaign designed to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.
As residents we have a fundamental right to expect quality standards of living that reward our desire for clean happy healthy neighborhoods. The economic impact businesses and residents now face can no longer be overlooked. We have a litter, garbage, trash, traffic jam and its time to clear it up!
I want to live in a litter free neighborhood; in a healthy community and beautiful clean city. Join me and the greater griffith park neighborhood council in creating a litter free neighborhood campaign designed to remove litter and improve quality of life standards for residents and businesses in our city

CANDIDATES FILED:

Dan Kram

I’m a web designer in Los Feliz and care passionately about my neighborhood where I’ve lived the last four years. I want to make a difference and help the community I love so much. My goals include making the community more aware of the neighborhood council and what it can do as well as increasing community activism by creating projects that help the community at large. One of these projects is a time bank which will allow community members to trade skills and expertise with one another. As a community we should be more connected. Some people have lived here for years without knowing who their neighbors are. I plan to change that.

Daniel McCarthy

I have been a valued member of the GGPNC for over a year and I look forward to serving the community further. I have been a member of three different committees and even served on the Executive Board.  I respect Los Feliz’s residents while also wanting new businesses to come into the community.  I’m also very active in the community.  I frequent the stores, bars, and restaurants and I’m the Chair of the Relay For Life of Griffith Park, a charity event we throw every year in the community.  I also bring reason to the Council.  I am fair and take no sides until I understand the whole story.  I hope to have your vote.

Nicola Carter-Gargani

As a new resident to Los Feliz, I am passionate about getting involved in the incredibly community I have become a part of. I feel confident in my abilities to communicate effectively and work diligently to represent the people in my district whatever their concerns may be. I am dedicated to maintaining and improving upon everything that makes Los Feliz such a special place to live from the cleanliness of our parks to the welfare of our local business. I would be honored to represent District E as their elected neighborhood council woman.