Josh Kleinbaum and Rima Shah
Caruso Affiliated Holdings, the developer of the controversial
Americana at Brand outdoor shopping center, plans for a spending
spree in the final days leading up to Tuesday's election.
The company will pay for several campaign mailers to Glendale
residents in the coming days, including at least one featuring Frank
Quintero, Caruso's biggest critic on the council, Caruso officials
said.
The mailer will feature the four candidates endorsed by the
Glendale Firefighters Assn. -- Quintero, Mayor Bob Yousefian,
Councilman Dave Weaver and challenger Ara Najarian.
"We believe in Glendale," said Linda Berman, a vice president for
Caruso Affiliated. "We've put a lot of money where our mouth is with
regard to our belief in Glendale. Our feeling is, we really want to
support candidates who not only have a vision for the city, but have
the determination to move it forward. Frankly, Frank [Quintero] has
been supportive of late, and we feel that the firefighters are
endorsing a strong slate that will continue to get things done in the
city."
Berman did not know how much money Caruso Affiliated was spending
on the mailers, but she said it would be disclosed according to state
law.
Caruso Affiliated's willingness to spend money to support Quintero
has raised some eyebrows. Quintero often criticized the business
terms of the city's deal with Caruso. He voted against the business
terms but supported the land-use elements for the Americana at Brand.
The land-use elements needed unanimous approval from the council.
"I have to say, it surprises me [that Caruso would support
Quintero]," said John Drayman, a challenger. "I have no idea what it
might mean. I'd be very interested to hear what it might mean."
Quintero could not be reached for comment.
TWO HONORED FOR WORK WITH LATINOS
Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer, a Democrat who represents
Glendale, and school board candidate Maria Rochart will be honored
tonight as Man and Woman of the Year by the Academic Centers of
Excellence for their work in the Latino community.
The Academic Centers of Excellence is a collaborative program of
the University of California, Office of the President, the
Presbyterian Church Iglesia de la Comunidad and Ethnos Community
Development Corp., a Glendale-based nonprofit organization.
"I am very honored," Rochart said. "It validates my work in the
community."
The awards dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the La Canada Country
Club, 5500 Godbey in La Canada Flintridge. It will feature a concert
