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Friday, September 24, 2010

Good Lord!!!! Kelly Lord Declares in CD-12, Goes Up Against Lobbyist Good Old Boy Mitch Englander and Puts City Hall on Notice.

After months of rumor-milling and pressure from local community groups, independent small businessman and neighborhood activist Kelly Lord has officially filed to run in CD-12 against City Hall-anointed, special interest darling Mitch Englander.

Kelly Lord has deep roots in the community and promises to be the citizen-councilman this district and others need so desperately.

Englander (pictured left and yes, nephew-protege of that other lobbyist Englander) has spent the last twelve months wining and dining his way through City Hall’s phone directory and has amassed a list of endorsements that reads like a postmortem of the crises currently plaguing LA.

Don’t be distracted by an otherwise redundant field of candidates. Lord and Englander are the main attractions here and given Englander’s track record, mud-slinging is sure to start soon. Hopefully CD-12 voters will take a cue from CD-2 and not allow themselves to be bought by glossy mailers and phony endorsements from the usual suspects.

Sources say KRLA 870’s Kevin James will talk about Lord’s filing in depth tonight on his show at midnight.

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22 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

"Don’t be distracted by an otherwise redundant field of candidates. Lord and Englander are the main attractions here and given Englander’s track record, mud-slinging is sure to start soon".

You have already started the mudslinging by calling all the other candidates redundant. Based on WHAT????

September 24, 2010 5:58 PM  

Anonymous trojan2002 said:

I know the Mayor Sam has long been at odds with Mitch. But seriously, the minute a non-foreigner decides to run they become a heavy contender?

On top of that. I've been active in the valley for over 4 years now. Who is Kelly Lord?
Is this some Ron Kaye creation?

All I can find is that this person is over 60 and a part of the Northridge East Neighbor Council.

Mitch is a great bull shitter. I know that.

But why should I vote for Lord over the three other unknowns if I'm not supposed to vote for Mitch?

September 24, 2010 6:09 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Finally, Ali writes something relevant!

Lookie here, I don't know who the fuck Kelly Lord is, but I will vote for ANYONE who runs against Scumbag Smith's annointed one. Fuck that shit. I'm voting for Lord.

September 24, 2010 8:35 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Why is GPW blog saying that Ali is actually John Thomas? Are we being punked?

September 24, 2010 10:46 PM  

Blogger Sean Rivas said:

Well Kelly Lord is not the only person to have filed or pulled papers to run for CD12. At the Granada Hills South NC meeting a few weeks ago our own board Vice President announced his bid for CD12. His name is Brad Smith. you can check out his site at smithforconcil.org.

Of course we are still waiting to hear if Armineh Chelebian is still planning on running for yet another office. Which by her up to date website it looks like she has also thrown herself into the CD12 race.

I think CD12 is the race to watch.

September 24, 2010 11:02 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

It's far too late in the campaign for someone with no name ID, no money, no abiilty to raise money, and no grassroots operation to be a viable candidate.

September 24, 2010 11:12 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Thank you, Sean.

Kelly is a solid citizen, and very involved in the community, including Northridge East and at CSUN. Anyone willing to wade in against the status quo at a time when the city generally and city hall specifically has very deep problems deserves a lot of credit.

As we all learned growing up, you really can't complain unless you're willing to roll up your sleeves and try to change things.

That is what I am trying to do, and if anyone is interested, my campaign website is smithforcouncil.org.

It is a work in progress, but if you care about the city, the Valley, and the communities in CD 12, please let me know what you think.

As far as the timeframe goes, March is a long way away, and at a time when anti-incumbency certainly seems to be the default for a lot of voters, shortchanging any candidate at this point would appear open to question.

Best,

Brad Smith

September 24, 2010 11:35 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Anyone but Englander.

Don't know anything about Lord, but he can't be worse that Mitch.

September 24, 2010 11:37 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Sean @ 11:02, you might want to see if candidate smith uses a "u" in the url spelling or council.

I refuse to vote for anyone if their url is smithforconcil.org

And if someone named Armineh Chelebian is still dickering about whether or not she wants the job, it means she is weighing her options and isn't sure about this being what she wants to pursue. Sorry, but we can't have a half-hearted candidate eight months out.

September 25, 2010 2:54 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Nope, spelled with a "U"

Best,

Brad Smith

September 25, 2010 12:33 PM  

Anonymous trojan2002 said:

Still no comments on who Kelly Lord is... and who is Brad Smith?

I am a fan of NCs but every person on a NC thinks automatically they can run for office and win.

Being involved in one piece of the district doesn't mean the while district will get behind you.

And Sean, Armineh is running. She was the 2nd person to file papers.

If you're going to take on Mitch, and be a serious candidate, you have to have a solid resume. Lord, Smith, and the rest, are not going to beat Mitch.

This is like Phil running against LaBungles.

No real challengers have come forward to take on Mitch because Mitch spent the last 6 years prepping for this run. He's build a base for 6 years.

It's going to take a young (Lord is out), energetic (Smith is out), intelligent (Armineh is out), and dynamic individual to take on Mitch and his vast dark campaign fund and have a chance of winning.

September 25, 2010 1:40 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Trojan -

Well, apparently you are conceding me young and intelligent, so two out of three isn't bad. Some people would disagree on both counts, but thank you for that.

As far as energetic goes, maybe I can change your mind.

Your point is correct, of course; it is undoubtedly true that Mr. Englander has been working towards this for six years - but is the prospect of 4-12 more years of the status quo in City Hall (and CD 12) an attractive option to anyone, from any part of the spectrum?

Is another staffer/"incumbent lite" getting the nod from the incumbent, in the Hal Bernson-Greig Smith pattern, something that a majority of the voters in CD 12 want to see?

Somehow, I doubt it, but we will find out in March.

Never know unless you try, correct? I think TR said something about the man in arena...

In the meantime, if anyone is interested, my campaign website is smithforcouncil.org. Feel free to take a look and send me an e-mail, as well.

Best,

Brad Smith

September 25, 2010 3:33 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Trojan -

It sounds you are willing to concede me young and intelligent, so thank you for that. Some people would disagree with both. Maybe I can change your mind on energetic.

Your point on Mr. Englander working towards this for six years is accurate, but I'm not sure that many people in the city or CD 12 think that another staffer/"incumbent lite" sucession in the Hal Bernson-Greig Smith tradition is what the city - or the district - needs at this point.

I certainly don't, which is why I am running - nothing will change unless someone rolls up their sleeves and trys to change it, correct?

What was it that TR said about the "man in the arena..."

If you are interested, please take a look at smithforcouncil.org and send me an e-mail.

Best,

Brad Smith

September 25, 2010 4:13 PM  

Anonymous trojan2002 said:

Brad...

I'll give you my advice on how you can win. Some of it applies to everyone.

Mitch is not going to "campaign". He's not going to go knock on doors because, well, he thinks he's above that.

If you want to beat Mitch... start now. Knock on doors NOW. Start holding Q&As now.
You all have one thing on your side and that's the anti-city hall mood.
Mitch is not an incumbent and he has spent the last 6 years on boards and in the district building relationship.
If you want to beat that, if you want a shot, knock on doors.

I'm voting for Mitch because I know Mitch. And I know a lot of the things said about him are not true.

BUT, if he doesn't knock on my door, if he doesn't knock on my neighbor's door... I'm first voting for the candidate that actually knocks on my door. A city council candidate actually working the streets hasn't happened in the North Valley in a LONG time.

People, like me, want to see a candidate that actually puts the constituents first, and is not a 1 issue candidate.

There's my FREE advice.- Good luck.

September 25, 2010 5:56 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Do we want to get stuck with a leader wearing "if it's not broken don't fix it" glasses? Brad Smith will fix what's broken. Brad Smith will work hard for all sections of the city, not just special interest neighborhoods where the campaign money comes from! The CD12 is only as good as its weakest neighborhood! Have you seen Van Nuys lately? Brad Smith for City Council: support, donate, volunteer at smithforcouncil.org

September 25, 2010 6:26 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Trojan -

Good advice regarding knocking on doors; it parallels what I have heard from many others.

Certainly my intention is to do just that, because I agree, someone from CD 12 who actually listens to residents, and acts in support of what they hear, would be a welcome change from the Hal Bernson-Greig Smith tradition.

I remember a meeting at St. Nicholas Church, before the Charter reform vote, where Hal Bernson stood up and said why create neighborhood councils - he got all the input he ever needed from the people he appointed to his own community advisory boards. This was after he argued for a Home Depot where Granada Village is today. I also remember when he was entirely absent when Lindley West was fighting the stadium at CSUN...

I remember when Greig Smith threw up his hands over another Home Depot planned for the center south of the Northridge Mall, and let the neighbors fight it, and then when he basically checked out after being re-elected in 2007.

I don't know what is "said about Mitch" or whether "it" is true or not, and frankly I don't care - but I do know he has worked in City Hall, and for Councilman Smith, for six years, and I do not see any daylight between his positions and those of Greig Smith, and Hal Bernson, for that matter. If there is any, it would be nice to see it.

If you want the status quo, vote for Mr. Englander; his track record suggests that is exactly what he will give you, guaranteed.

If you don't want the status quo, if you really want someone who will listen to you and your neighbors, and act on your concerns as a resident of your neighborhood, than don't vote for him. It is a pretty simple choice, actually.

So send me an e-mail - we can meet anywhere you wish (including at your doorstep, or your neighbor's, or mine) and we can have a conversation.

Seriously.

Best,

Brad Smith

September 25, 2010 9:20 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The fact that Mitch is already endorsed by all the clowns on city council is a reason to do everything to make sure he's not elected. He's an arrogant lil shit who thinks just because he has union money that a sure shot. Yeah right, ask Chris Essel what all that union money did for her. It can be done just like the grass root community support group did for Paul Krekorin. The power players in LA were caught off guard when he won. The sites we all visit have I say combined over 3 million viewers. Put the word out now about Mitch being part of the corruption culture in city hall and we can get anyone but him in.

September 26, 2010 7:01 AM  

Anonymous trojan2002 said:

7:01...
Mitch does believe he is entitled to the job. But there's a difference between him and Essel.
Mitch has been laying the groundwork, building "friendships" for 6 years with influential north valley residents and business owners.
And Essel went up against Krekorian. Is Cameron Smythe going to run against Mitch? Unlikely.

And now I am going to address Rivas and Smith directly.

Both of you are from GHSNC, which includes Petit Park, why should anyone believe or trust in you when that park has become the north valley's drug super market after 10pm?
When the park is covered in graffiti.
Sean don't you work there?

If you have failed to keep one important part of your NC district clean, what makes you think you will be successful at keeping the whole CD clean?

I think we all would like to see Mitch lose because no one should be entitled to anything.

Mitch's ties to his uncle Harvey should be a legitimate issue. A MAJOR CONCERN for me, and I like Mitch as an individual.

It's a concern because Englander & Associate already owns the Clowncil.

The other valley Clowncil that seems to be loved, Zine, has the sister of an Englander honcho on his staff. That should be a concern too.
Are we going to assume she got to the job on merit?

September 26, 2010 8:49 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Trojan -

Part 1 crimes in Devonshire Area (which includes GHSNC and Petit Park, obviously) are down YTD over 2009 - homicide is down 83 percent, rape 35 percent, robbery 8 percent, aggravated assault 28 percent; total violent crime is down 19 percent. The homicide is still being investigated, but may actually be an accidental shooting, according to LAPD. Child/spousal abuse reports (Parts 1 and 2) is down 21 percent.

Property crimes are up overall YTD 9 percent; these include burglaries, GTA, BTFV, and personal/other theft.

Total Part 1 arrests are up 10 percent; with the violent crime arrests decreasing in proportion to the decline in violent crime, the increase has been in property arrests (larceny and auto theft, for example) are up by 25 and 18 percent, respectively.

These are LAPD figures as of 08-28-10.

Narcotics arrests are not broken out, but Devonshire area narcotics is at 818-832-0609. If you have information about narcotics sales at Petit, I am sure the detectives unit will be very interested.

Obviously, neighborhood councils and parks and rec personnel are not sworn peace officers; other than cooperating with LAPD's on-going efforts (including supporting the VST, SOLID, and similar auxiliaries), I am open to any suggestions.

I believe both Councilman Smith and Mr. Englander are reserve police officers, and fully sworn; perhaps they can suggest some tactics and resources - foot patrols in Petit Park?

Best,

Brad Smith

http://smithforcouncil.org/

September 26, 2010 10:06 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

@ Trojan2002

Yes I misspelled council, and I can say it was a simple type-o. Forgive me for being human. Yes I do work at that park, and yes I have noticed that we have a growing problem at our center. The problem is that these are teenage kids that have come back to our park to handle this type of activity there. I wish I could say that it would be taken care of within a week, but it has been a growing problem. I have talked to Devonshire Division VST and our own General Services PD about the problem and they are aware of this problem growing not just in our park, but around the city.

I speak for myself when I say I wish that wasn't happening at our park, but what we should look forward to is people getting more use out of our new playground that is going in and is projected to be completed in at 6-8 weeks time. Once the people come back we may start to see the drugs disappearing.

If you have any concerns about our park please feel free to email me or the park director and we will try and address them. His name is Dwayne Finley. I can be reached at SRivas@ghsnc.org and Dwayne can be reached at Dwayne.Finley@lacity.org.

September 30, 2010 5:51 PM  

Blogger Unknown said:

Thank you for covering the race in CD 12!

As of Nov 13th 2010, we have 11 candidates including myself who have declared their intention for CD12 race, it would be great for the voters to study all the candidates, as it is the informed voters who can cast an educated vote and bring in the positive change needed for the next 12 years!

Please visit my campaign website to learn more about me at:
www.ArminehChelebian.com or www.ChelebianLA.com

“The status quo has got to go! Time to help bring constructive and effective reform to CD 12 and Los Angeles”

Warmest regards

Armineh Chelebian for City Council 2011 ID# 1322902
PO Box 2231 Winnetka CA 91396

November 15, 2010 1:44 PM  

Blogger Unknown said:

YJ Draiman for Los Angeles City Council 7 points Statement
YJ Draiman for City Council Statement
In my humble opinion the biggest problem I see is the Pensions.
It takes a major portion of the City Budget and keeps on growing. This is a problem many Cities and States are facing. A solution has to be found.
The second problem is the Unions.
They are no longer an asset to the public, but a hindrance in solving the budget crisis and very inefficient in work performance and very costly.
The Third item is the need to cut the City staff, reduce spending, eliminate redundancy, consolidate departments, increase efficiency and reward performance.
The Fourth item needing to be addressed is Mayor should appoint one neighborhood council member to each of the city's boards of commissioners including the proprietary departments as well, either through a charter amendment, ordinance or by policy directive.
The Fifth item is to make the city more business friendly to attract businesses, not chase them away and reduce revenues. This takes a multitude of actions. Appoint LADWP ratepayer advocate.
The Sixth item is to improve education and reduce the top heavy LAUSD administration. We need to make our schools an education icon, not a warehousing of students.
The seventh item is to improve public transportation.
People today are concerned about a roof over their head and a Job – this is top priority.

I think this is good for starters. (There are many more items)
Thank you
YJ Draiman for Los Angeles City Council 2011

PS. The key is for everyone to work together without any hidden agenda. The only concern should be the current City budget crises and the residents of the community. Everything must be above board and transparent.

www.draimanforcouncil.org

December 01, 2010 1:38 PM  

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