NORTHWEST GLENDALE — All eight candidates turned out for the final City Council candidates' forum before Tuesday's election, addressing issues that ranged from downtown development to banquet halls.
The Northwest Glendale Homeowners Assn. sponsored the forum, held in front of a packed crowd at the Brand Library Recital Hall.
One question raised early in the night asked whether Design Review Board guidelines should be tightened or relaxed. Candidate Greg Krikorian said they should be followed.
"What's happened is, far too many times, [guidelines are] bee-lined right over and [individuals are] appealing every process," he said.
He said it was the council's duty to find a solution.
"We hold a line to protect … the integrity of our neighborhoods," he said.
Moderator Will Rogers asked candidates if they felt the council's decisions were especially focused on the concerns of the city's Armenian population.
Chahe Keuroghelian, who works as an immigration consultant and deals with the impact of political issues on minorities on a regular basis, spoke on the topic.
"We want [Armenian immigrants] to become part of the society," he said. "We want them to become legalized here and we want them to be able to participate, and we expect them to participate in this democratic process."
Glendale Mayor Dave Weaver also addressed the issue.
"The Armenian community is very well organized; they work together very well," he said, saying that there was a need for unity and assimilation in the community.
He said he could not speak for his colleagues, but said his votes did not favor any particular constituency.
Rogers also questioned the candidates about the Verdugo Hills Golf Course, which is proposed to be demolished to be replaced by condominiums and town homes.
Though the course is in Tujunga, outside city limits, it has been a concern to many Glendale residents.
"All of the communities adjacent to Glendale play a part of our quality of life, especially in relation to congestion and travel," candidate Herbert Molano said.
Incumbent City Councilman Rafi Manoukian also spoke on the subject.
"I would like to see that area preserved," he said.
Manoukian assured the audience that he would not support city money going toward the project.
"[There will be] definitely no cash going out from Glendale, I can assure you that much," he said.
Lenore Solis was also in favor of protecting the golf course.
