Candidates Visit Icy Montrose

The eight candidates for Glendale City Council in the April election drew a frigid reception Sunday at Montrose Village, from the weather if not from the small but enthusiastic crowd.

The two incumbents and six challengers moved briskly through the forum, with frequent complaints about the weather for the outdoor event, sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Heritage Society and homeowners from Montecito Park, Sparr Heights and Mountain Oaks.

Stuart Byles and Steve Pierce conducted the forum, held immediately after the Montrose Founders Day program.

Appearing at the program were Mayor Dave Weaver, Councilman Rafi Manoukian, and challengers John Drayman, Chahe Keuroghelian, Vrej Agajanian, Greg Krikorian, Herbert Molano, and Lenore Solis.

Each of the candidates were asked for a yes or no answer on whether he or she will commit to serving a four year term if elected. Seven stated yes, while incumbent Manoukian said, "That requires a longer answer."

Weaver identified himself as a lifelong resident of Glendale. "86 percent of the people in a poll said they like living in Glendale," he said. "We're one of the safest big cities in the nation."

He went on to say that council members always have to be prepared for new issues as they come up. "Five years ago, no one had heard of a view ordinance," he said, citing the controversy that the council is currently addressing. He called for residential growth limits and controls on illegal construction.

Candidate John Drayman said he has been interested most of his life in public advocacy. "My father took me to council meetings when I was five years old," he said. He continued, stating that he has worked in the past on such issues as reforesting the hillsides, protecting homeowners against shoddy construction and stopping the city from putting a power plant in a residential area. "The Montrose Shopping Park [of which he is president of the association] is something else I'm proud of," Drayman said. "A month ago, we fought to keep Beeline service to Montrose and La Crescenta."