Valley voters decide City Council seat Tuesday

from The Daily News
by Rick Orlov

On the surface, there are few differences between businesswoman Christine Essel and Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who face off Tuesday in the special election for the 2nd City Council District seat.

Both agree on the need to boost business development, deal with runaway film production and pay more attention to neighborhood needs in a district that stretches from Studio City to Sun Valley.

"This election is about an opportunity to restructure government, to put together reforms to make the city more efficient," Essel said at a recent debate.

Krekorian has tried to tap into voter anger.

"Much of what's going on in this city is not working anymore," Krekorian said. "I think I can bring about the change that is needed."

The disagreements have been more over style and resumes than policy. Essel paints Krekorian as a career politician seeking to remain in elected office while Krekorian portrays Essel as the candidate of the downtown power structure.

The election will decide who completes the 18 months left on the term of Wendy Greuel, who was elected controller earlier this year. It has been the second most expensive City Council race in history, with more than $1.3 million raised and spent, according to the most recent Ethics Commission reports.

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