BOARD POSITION

# OF SEATS

ELECTED OR APPOINTED?

QUALIFICATIONS TO RUN FOR THE SEAT

QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE FOR THE SEAT

CANDIDATES FILED:

Cynthia Rodriguez

Jenny Arzate

Jenny Arzate has over a decade of experience in event, project, and volunteer management. She is the daughter of Latin American immigrants and speaks Spanish fluently. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and currently works for a cancer research institution in Los Angeles.

Jenny Arzate tiene más de diez años de experiencia en la coordinación de proyectos, eventos y equipos de voluntarios. Es la hija de inmigrantes latinoamericanos y habla español con fluidez. Tiene licenciatura de UCLA y actualmente trabaja para una institución de investigación del cáncer ubicada en Los Ángeles.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Mark Lee

As previous president of the Pico Union Council, I brought the community alive by bring in a health fair and a job fair. It was the largest fair in the city of Los Angeles. These events brought the community alive and together. Also, as the Zoning Chair, I brought credibility to the community.

Xochitl Hernandez WITHDREW

Jay Park

As Business owner located at one of most busiest street specially Vermont Ave.  We all neighbor are mix with Latino & Koreah.  This situation is one of unique location for both cultural and historical people from different continents.  I was immigrated by my parent in USA since 1974. Grow this town special zip code as 90006.  I know I will and I am very interested in people who live in this town with wonderful neighbors.  However I have been a Insurance Broker since 1982, almost 30 years of my life has been spent in this location.  It means I am the right person and I am right spot for speaker of people who live this excellant location.  We also need development and our town should be better condition in the future the grow better.  Hopefully I will be a council and become a part many effort to make a better neighbor and town of L.A. Thank you.

Sonia Zaldivar

I immigrated to United States from El Salvador 31 years ago and have lived and worked in the Pico-Union area ever since. Although my place of residence changed, I still remained a business owner in Pico-Union since 1985. My main concern as a business owner, a community leader, and a community member of this area is to seek for ways to improve the livelihood of all of us in this neighborhood. In addition to owning a business focused on helping Hispanics to reach legal status in this country, I am also Vice-President of the El Salvador Community Corridor. An organization dedicated to ensure that businesses in the Pico-Union area thrive and new businesses are developed to improve the local economy.

Vanessa Gonzales

As a young adult with a Bachelor Degree in Finance and an MBA, I am fully prepared to help lead Pico-Union in wise choices that will help the community progress. I am also a first generation Salvadorian American; therefore, I can connect with the importance of our cultural background and our future generations.

As a start-up business owner, going strong for over 2 years I have faced several obstacles and can assist those going through similar situations. I have several years’ experience in grass root marketing assisting in expanding large firms and now smaller businesses. I am here to listen to business owners in order to make practical decisions for Pico-Union. This is a dynamic environment and I am one of the leaders that will speak up for business needs.

I can assure you I am motivated and committed to making a positive change with new ideas for Pico-Union.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Israel Chaidez – Area 1

I have lived in the community since 1988. My goal as a board member is to help change the image of Pico / Union, in order for our property values to increase.

Jesus Banuelos – Area 1

My Name is Jesus Banuelos I have been living in Pico Union Area for more than 30 Years. I also volunteer at St Thomas The Apostle Church and Olympic Police Station for over 3 years. And I want to invite the Community in Pico Union to be part of 2012 elections and together protect our Community interest.

Michelle Lozano Villegas – Area 1

Some of my earliest memories come from when I lived in Pico-Union.  I remember becoming friends with the children my mom babysat; I remember starting 1st grade at Magnolia St. School and later going to Leo Politi Elementary; I remember sitting in my Step-dad’s car as I pretended to drive.  As time went by, our family moved away to McArthur Park, then Long Beach, then Bell in search of stability.  Eventually, I moved to North Carolina for college, but as a Junior came back for a semester and interned at the Institute of Popular Education of Southern California (on Union and 14th).  I witnessed a familiar yet more vibrant Pico-Union.  Now, reintegrated into the neighborhood as a tenant and aware that there are yet many changes to come, I want to be a part of the group that can help steer Pico-Union in the right direction.

Kareen Sandoval – Area 2 

My Name is Karen Sandoval, I am Neighborhood Watch Olympic Division member,CPAB Member and have been working with the Community for over 3 years. I have participated in street Clean up with different organizations because I like to keep my District clean and at the same time educate my Community that we all have to be involved in keeping our streets safe and clean. I would like to be part of Pico Union Neighborhood Council to represent the residents in the Pico Union area.

Donna Kim – Area 2

While currently living in the Pico-Union district for the past years and having lived in Southern California for over 30, I have been able to observe and take part in being a member of this community. Working as a Real Estate broker and specializing in residential, commercial and business opportunities all over Los Angeles and surrounding areas let me understand the people we live with, and also present me with opportunities to see the growth and change around us, which motivates me to help stimulate positive change for this community that we all live in.

Being a single parent and having raised two children through college while being a long term small business owner, I fully understand the struggles we face daily in creating the best environment for our families.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Kenneth Wyrick – Area 2

Interests – Using Information Communications Teknowledgy (ICT), open source software education, civic engagement in support of NC Early Notification System for Pico Union and all of LA.

Company – Tutortronics

Job Description – R&D, learning management systems (LMS), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and community empowerment

Goals – to utilize my skillw and experiences to attract and work with others throughout California University – Immaculate heart college and others

Main Skills – virtualizing organizational systems, leadership skills mapping, teknowledgy literacy, information communications teknowledgy (ict)

Louis Shapiro

I have run as a Pro-Life Democrat in a primary in the 39th Assembly District in the San Fernando Valley and received 27% of the vote 6 years ago. I have served as Shop Steward for the International Machinsts Union when I worked for a local Hollywood company. I was a Substitute Teacher for LAUSD for 14 years and was elected as a representative in United Teachers LA Union. I was also a member of the AFTRA actors’ union. I also worked for Meals-on-Wheels out of St. Vincent Hospital.

CANDIDATES FILED:

Sunny Kim

Miguel Amaya

I have been in the Pico-Union area since 1982.  I was privileged to enjoy my early youth and education at (back then) Berendo Jr. High School.  My local transportation was a red skateboard and a black BMX.  Now as an adult, as a business owner, and as an active member of the community, it”s time to give back to the community that saw me grow.  Serving as a Board member of the Pico-Union Neighborhood Council will give me the chance I was looking for.

Raul Claros

For almost a decade my mission has been to fight for equal opportunity for our youth and families of Los Angeles. I have worked in Pico Union as a teacher, coach, nonprofit programs director as well as a community and political organizer, and as a Field Representative for the 48 th Assembly District which covered portions of Pico Union. My tireless work in education as a teacher over the last 8 years has allowed me to work with the children and their families on empowering their leadership and advocacy skills. As a nonprofit director I helped provide direct wrap-around services for families in need. My work with law enforcement as well with the gang interventions and community peace keepers over the past eight years has exposed me to real practical ways on how to deal with our public safety and quality of life issues.