Civic pride is clearly alive and well in the city.
Twenty candidates filed to run for the four vacant City Council
seats this April. This shows that our system of democracy is working.
Whether it is wanting to chip in or a dissatisfaction with the
current council, the record number of candidates is what the process
is all about. If you aren't happy with government, jump into the
process. And so they have -- 20 of them.
It is the largest field in Glendale history, according to the City
Clerk's office.
There is speculation that the large number is due in part to the
departure of former Councilman Gus Gomez, who resigned Jan. 3 to take
a position as Superior Court judge, making four of the five council
seats available in this election.
This does widen the field and add a fourth opportunity, but 20
candidates suggests it's more than that. Residents clearly want to
see a change.
While some worry that such a crowded field will hamper the process
and make forums impossible, it shows civic pride and involvement. It
may indeed result in less in-depth forums, giving candidates just
minutes to discuss their platforms, but there are other methods of
learning about candidates.
It will force candidates to work harder to get their message out
and, as candidate Ara Najarian, a Glendale Community College trustee,
said "The candidate will be forced to boil down his views into a
short, precise manner, and there's nothing wrong with that."
He has a good point. Forget the rambling and tell us the plan
succinctly.
And when we reach the height of the election season, we hope that
residents also take the time to think about their civic duties.
Residents, it's time to buckle down and learn about the candidates
who want to lead this city and run the school districts that educate
our children. Too often, we take our system of government for granted
and don't give such matters the careful attention they deserve.
