Decision to cut funding for New Horizons was unfair
I can't believe that anyone would want to hurt an agency that does
so much good for so many children. Well, that's what happened at the
CDBG Advisory Committee meeting on Feb. 9, when the committee, at the
urging of two members, decided to cut New Horizons' funding.
Maybe Mr. Cianfrini and Mr. Ovanesian didn't know that there are
more than 18,000 children in south Glendale. Maybe they didn't
understand that New Horizons operates the only comprehensive
after-school program in that community. Maybe they didn't know that
New Horizons serves all children, not just one ethnic group.
After viewing a tape of the committee's deliberations, I am
horrified that New Horizons was targeted for destruction by two
individuals, who were clearly biased against the agency's executive
director, Maria Rochart.
Perhaps the City Council will reverse the committee's decision to
cut New Horizons' funding. Perhaps it's time for a new committee that
can act with fairness and without bias.
JOSE GONZALEZ
Glendale
What do CDBG members have against New Horizons?
The CDBG decision process seems unfair and biased along ethnic
lines, with the lion's share of capital and program funds going to
Armenian interests, cutting out Latino organizations.
Two members of the CDBG Advisory Committee, Mr. Cianfrini and Mr.
Ovanesian, also appear to have a personal bias against Maria Rochart,
the executive director at New Horizons Family Center, a Latino-led
agency in south Glendale.
During the committee's deliberations on Feb. 9, Mr. Cianfrini in
particular went for the jugular, and as a result, New Horizons'
funding was cut. Mr. Cianfrini, why don't you like New Horizons? What
has New Horizons (or Ms. Rochart) done to deserve such shabby
treatment?
It's high time for a new CDBG Advisory Committee that can act with
fairness, in the best interests of all children.
GEORGE PEREZ
Glendale
Board member outraged by decision to cut funding
I am a Glendale resident, and I also happen to be a member of the
Board of Directors at New Horizons Family Center. I have viewed a
tape of the Feb. 9 CDBG Advisory Committee's Proposal Review meeting.
I am outraged at the thinly disguised bias shown by committee
members John Cianfrini and Roobik Ovanesian against New Horizons and
Executive Director Maria Rochart. No, Mr. Cianfrini, Ms. Rochart is
not a "powerful woman," nor is she a "professional fundraiser." Au
contraire, Ms. Rochart has done what the CDBG committee says it
expects of all applicant agencies -- she has appealed to other
entities to supplement its CDBG funding.
At the urging of Mr. Cianfrini and Mr. Ovanesian, New Horizons'
funding was severely cut at the February meeting. In the interest of
fairness, this committee should be replaced with new faces next year.
SUE CURBELO-LABOY
Glendale
