VALLEY COUNCILMEN DENNIS ZINE AND GREIG SMITH ENDORSE CHRISTINE ESSEL

November 24, 2009 (Studio City)-Valley Councilmen Dennis Zine and Greig Smith announced today that they are supporting Valley businesswoman Christine Essel in the race to succeed Wendy Greuel as City Councilwoman for District 2.

“I enthusiastically support Chris Essel for City Council. Given the current fiscal crisis, we need people like Chris Essel on the City Council because of her proven business experience and ability to bring people together,” Councilman Smith said, “These next few years are going to be financially difficult and Chris has the ability to make sure the focus stays on vital City services.”

"Chris Essel agrees with me that ensuring the public's safety is the most important thing we do at City Hall,” Councilman Zine said, “That's why I'm proud to join nearly 10,000 rank-and-file LAPD officers in supporting her campaign for City Council." Zine and Smith join the Los Angeles Police Protective League, LAFD’s Fire Chiefs Association, City Controller Wendy Greuel and Former Mayor Richard Riordan in support of Essel.

“I am very proud to have earned these endorsements,” Essel said, “Valley residents have been well-served by Councilmen Zine and Smith for many years. I am honored to stand with these two public servants, both of whom share my commitment to protecting the public safety and getting the Valley its fair share of funding and services.”

A longtime Valley resident and former Senior Vice President of Paramount Pictures, Christine Essel is a civic leader who led the California Film Commission for nine years and serves as Vice Chair of the California Workforce Investment Board. Throughout her career, Essel has championed efforts to promote economic growth, job training and empowered neighborhoods. Essel is running for Los Angeles City Council to make L.A. work again through job creation, excellent constituent service, and more efficiency in government.