Neighborhood Council Elections May 4th. What you need to know about the Candidates
Meet the South Park candidates you can vote for (via mail or in-person) on May 4 as our representatives on the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC). For more information about the voting process including the registration process if voting by mail, look for the article - Neighborhood Council Elections May 4th What you need to know about voting. The article is in the April/May newsletter and on the SPNA website – www.spna-dtla.org – under Neighborhood News.
Click for all DLANC Candidates’ full statements - below are excerpts from those candidates representing South Park.
South Park Resident Candidates (vote for 3)
· Debby Zhou
7-year DTLA resident, current DLANC South Park Resident Board member, current chair of DLANC Livability Committee, worked on Pico Triangle project with SPBID, advocate for scramble crosswalks, workers’ rights webinar, collaborating on scooter Special Operations Zone, member of SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association)
· Kevin Seybert - no candidate statement shared.
· Sara Eastwood
4-year resident of DTLA, high school teacher, running to represent renters, concerned that DTLA has not had a city council representative who was fully present or capable and the needs of DTLA have been overlooked,
· Lawrence Carroll
VP of LA PR agency Dog and A Duck - working with DTLA businesses and others, serves in leadership positions on the Pride 365 Committee of LA Pride, founder and board president of Majesty Gallery a nonprofit youth and children’s art gallery, believes in equity and advocacy for residents and businesses, interested in South Park Neighborhood Association,
· Asah Abdella
Candidate statement - “Love, integrity and honesty.”
South Park Business Candidates (vote for 2)
· Garrett A. South
Director of Patient Experience at Dignity Health California Medical Center in South Park, lives and works in DTLA, proxy on South Park Business Improvement District, “committed to making your voice known to ensure City Hall makes our city the one that we all deserve.”
· Tiara Parker-Ragland
2-year DTLA resident, founder of an elite errand and personal assistant company - Almost Anything Inc. “Fell in love with the community.”
· Lori Aliksanian
8-year resident of DTLA and 4-year business owner of a medical spa in South Park, a native of LA, “interested in growth and prosperity of downtown,” Lori was a sponsor of SPNA’s Neighborhood Night Out at the Belasco.
Area Wide Candidates (vote for 2)
· Claudia Oliveira
Current present of the DLANC Board, dedicated to leading with transparency + equity + collaboration, wants to shape downtown into a healthy community, will use perseverance, hard work, and diligence, Claudia attends SPNA meetings and events,
· Jens Midthun
Longtime resident of downtown, marketer, introduces new voters to DLANC, fight for more attention and funding for downtown around homelessness as well as pedestrians and cyclists, “grow DTLA as the inclusive, cosmopolitan global city center,”
· Stephanie Ly - no candidate statement shared.
At-Large Candidates (vote for 1)
· Melinda Choothesa
15-year resident of DTLA, served 2 years as Historic Core DLANC representative, small business owner, daughter of an immigrant mother, interested in green space and giving a voice to neighbors, interested in beautification, uniting small business owners & resident outreach,
· William Bolt
Passionate about vitality and vibrancy of our city, believes in active engagement, an accessible leader, outreach to neighborhood organizations, know and understand homelessness & affordable housing, public safety & transportation, environment & spaces for arts and culture,
Social Services Providers Candidates (vote for 2)
· Sai Anam Reddy
President of nonprofit to end homelessness, would continue efforts related to homelessness,
· Allen Gross
“I have developed and managed affordable and low-income housing close to 28 years and I am happy to serve our amazing community.”
· Leonel Aguilar
Currently a Social Services Provider on DLANC Board, licensed clinical social worker, 7 years of experience in this field, continue to collaborate to advocate for the social service needs of the downtown residents,
Area-Wide Homeless Resident Candidate (vote for 1)
· “Russian Rick” Young
Candidates’ statement was a prayer to bless and protect the Russian people, President Vladimir Putin, Russian soldiers fighting for the sovereignty of their nation.
By Debra Shrout