Debate-A-Palooza!

by Suzanne Lauer

Nineteen days left till the CD2 Election! It’s DEBATE-A-PALOOZA! I am not sure how (or why), but Wednesday candidates were basically subjected to 3 debates in one day.

For those following in your song books, they have participated in roughly fifteen since the campaign began, and six in the last two weeks. For those who missed the fun, there is still a chance to catch your two favorite remaining candidates. November 30th – NCs Valley Glen, Valley Village and Sherman Oaks Debate – Monarch Hall at Valley College (5800 Fulton Ave).

The day started with the VICA debate at Woodbury University – 8AM. Paul covered the event in a previous post. 7 PM was set aside for brief candidate appearances at the Studio City NC. We are trying to get observations for V2V readers.

8 PM was SOHA time!! The SOHA forum was the primary’s most unique forum. Candidates gave familiar openings. Krekorian get points for fresh words describing his skills, background, and independence. Essel again noted her sadness at Los Angeles no longer being a “City of Opportunity,” her relationships, business skills, and clarifying she is “not a downtown insider.”

Special SOHA flavor came into play publicly asking candidates to affirm a list of Sherman Oaks related “commitments.” The items included: 1/ Holding regular valley office hours every 2 weeks, including a 15 minute SOHA representative meeting. 2/ To not support changes to the Sherman Oaks Specific plan. 3/ No staff decisions prior to the election, and discussing staffing and vision for the community with SOHA. 4/ Essel – To use your own car, and look at ways to cut expenses, including reducing staff cars. 4a/ Krekorian – Full disclosure of council office funds, including what could be tapped for the community, and SOHA input on fund usage. 5/ Keeping appeals fees reasonable and accessible. 6/ Opposition to unhitched trailers and super graphics.

The next series of pledges revolved around Fashion Square: Support of the Fashion Square expansion? (Both answered, “not as it is currently laid out.”); Considering downsizing an alternative? (Both would); Supporting Wendy Greuel’s traffic mitigation plan. Krekorian acknowledged he wasn’t familiar with the plan, and was “disinclined to agree” until he evaluated it. Essel gave a brief explanation, noting a desire to sit with departments to consider impact. She commented her “dream would be for it to be an open air mall again.”

To read the rest of this story, go HERE.