Glendale Elections Come To Climactic End

[MosJan]

GLENDALE--Of the nineteen candidates vying for open seats on the Glendale City Council, only four went home victorious as the final numbers were released six hours after the polls closed. With 8,362 votes (10.4%), Attorney Ara Najarian will join incumbent council members Bob Yousefian (7230 votes--9%), Frank Quintero (7119 votes--8.8%), and Dave Weaver (6574--8.2%) on the city's new council as it convenes later on this month.

 

"This was one of the toughest campaigns I've ever been in, worked on or even seen," Yousefian told the Glendale News Press. "It was very costly and very divisive. I'm hoping that starting tomorrow, things will calm down and go back to normal. I'm hoping that things will become more civil."

 

Despite the loss, Anahid Oshagan was touched by the sincere support she received from wide-range of people. "I deeply appreciate the outpouring of support during this campaign; I was overwhelmed by the energy and dedication of not only those close to me, but also people from all walks of life who put their life on hold to join me to try to make Glendale a better place to live."

 

Voters demonstrated their confidence in current Glendale School Board President Greg Krikorian by reelecting him by a sizable margin with 11649 votes. His nearest competitor, incumbent school board member Chakib "Chuck" Sambar, who was also reelected to the board, trailed Krikorian by over 3000 votes. Coming close to claim the third open seat on the Board, College Professor Nayiri Nahabedian trailed Joylene K. Wagner by over one thousand votes.

 

In the treasurer's race, incumbent Ronald T. Borucki defeated his only opponent, former Glendale Community College Board of Trustees Phillip Kazanjian, with 64% of the vote. A banker of 34 years, Borucki had received the support of numerous community groups including the Glendale Chapter of the Armenian National Committee.

 

All three of the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees incumbents--Armine G. Hacopian, Victor King, and Anita Quinonez Gabrielian--were reelected by comfortable margins, with King leading the pack with 14,070 votes (30.2%). Hacopian came in second with 13,203 votes (28.3%).

[MosJan]

School Board President Krikorian Secures Sweeping Victory

 

Nearly one out of every two Glendale voters cast their ballot on Tuesday for Krikorian Marketing group founder and co-owner of Business Life and Senior Living magazines, Greg Krikorian. Krikorian, who currently serves as the Glendale School Board's president, is already mapping out his second term's agenda for the city's schools. "I'm truly honored to represent our communities and all the children of the Glendale Unified School District," Krikorian told Asbarez. "I'm extremely proud of not only myself but also the Armenian community. It gives me great pride to continue to serve our cause. But, we still have a long road ahead of us. Far too many times, we, as Armenian Americans, get elected to office, but forget who put us there. I'm a man of my word, and I fulfilled one of my responsibilities to our youth by honoring Armenian Christmas as a day off for our children and staff."

 

With the results of more than one thousand provisional ballots still unannounced, Krikorian expects to receive as many as four-hundred additional votes. "Having such an overwhelming response with over 12,000 votes, with such a large field of candidates is truly an honor. The victory was the result of our grassroots campaign. We worked with the entire community to serve all aspects of Glendale and La Crescenta. During the next four years, I'd like to continue strengthening our schools while addressing the budget crisis, and further assisting the Armenian community by strengthening lines of communication between parents and the Board, and creating elective Armenian language courses at Crescenta Valley High, and Clark Magnet schools. Ultimately, my reward is educating our Armenian youth and giving them a sense of responsibly to never forget their responsibility of carrying the torch for Hai Tad," Krikorian said.

[MosJan]

Clerk Candidate 'Ardy' Kassakhian Triumphs in Historic Election

 

GLENDALE--Not one to accept a political hand-me-down position, Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian became the first clerk since 1929, to reach the office by election, on Tuesday, not appointment.

 

Combining his passion for public service and enthusiasm for the political process, he ran a successful campaign, winning the position by a landslide. The charismatic, yet humbled Kassakhian delivered his victory speech at the Rusty Pelican.

 

"We ran on three campaign issues--accessibility, outreach and education, and new technology," Kassakhian said. "These are not going to be overnight changes. We will have to work with other city departments and people who have been in office many years. I will serve as long as it takes to get the job done."

 

Still reeling from his decisive victory from the day before, Kassakhian pointed to all the volunteers and supporters who helped make his win all the more heartwarming.

 

"The outpouring of support from a wide cross section of our community is encouraging, and the hardwork of getting elected is done. The even more important job of serving all of the people of Glendale, with the excellence they expect and deserve, must now began."

 

Kassakhian received 27.3% of the vote, beating out Paulette Mardikian, who had 13.7% of the votes, and George McCullough, who received 16.6%.

[MosJan]

9 OUT OF 12 ARMENIANS RUNNING FOR GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL WON ELECTION

 

07.04.2005 06:40

 

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The City Council election was held in Glendale April 5. There was a large number of Armenians among the candidates, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) reported. The victory of Ardashes Kassakhian, elected City Council Secretary, is an important event for the Armenian community. It should be noted that the election for the position were last held in 1929. Supported by Glendale ANCA Kassakhian surpassed 9 candidates and won with a big gap in votes, collecting 5 714. The following four candidates are elected for the City Council: Ara Nacharian – 8 362 votes (10,4%), Pap Eusefian – 7 230 (9%), Frank Kuintero – 7 119 (8,8%), Dave Weaver – 6 574 (8,2%). Ronald Boruki is elected treasurer by 12 140 votes. Victor King (30,2% votes), Armine Hakobian (28,3%), Anita Quinonez-Gabrielian (26,5%) are elected Glendale College Board members. The College elected Education Council members are Greg Grigorian (19,9%), Chuck Sambar (14,5%) and Joilin K. Wackner (14,5%). On the whole, 9 out of the 12 candidates, enjoying Glendale ANCA support won the election.