City Clerk

What do you consider the role of the city clerk? The role of the city clerk is to serve the residents of Glendale with efficient and effective service. They must be knowledgeable with the permits' and licenses' processes. The city clerk also records the minutes, prepares the agendas and distributes all proper materials for the City Council meetings. However most importantly, the city clerk is the chief elections official for our city. With that title comes a very significant responsibility.

What do you consider the role of the city clerk? First and foremost, the role of the city clerk is to run the Glendale municipal elections. This is the very heart of our democracy, and it is the most important job of the city clerk's office. Second, the city clerk maintains the public record accurately and prepares public agendas and public notices. This includes providing real public access to governmental actions. Third, the city clerk is an executive department head overseeing a staff that handles permits, licenses and code enforcement.

Political candidates can file their candidacy papers for the City Council, city clerk, Glendale Unified School District board and Glendale Community College trustee board today. The filing period for the city's municipal election is open until Jan. 27. Nomination packets will be available today at the city clerk's office, 613 E. Broadway. All candidates must show they live within the jurisdiction of the public agency they are filing for, are registered voters and have a certificate of nomination signed by 100 registered voters.

I recently attended a meet-and-greet with Stephanie Landregan, who's running against Ardy Kassakhian for city clerk. She invited everyone there to visit her website to read three Glendale city audits of the city clerk's office. I've seen Kassakhian's campaign signs in my neighborhood and they include the word “experience.” After reading those audits, it sounds to me like most of his experience in office has been running to catch up to where he should have been when he started.

Alex Coolman GLENDALE -- Supporters of the drive to recall Mayor Gus Gomez say they will serve Gomez with a new version of the "intent to recall" petition at tonight's City Council meeting. The original "intent to recall" petition, presented to Gomez in April, was rejected by the city clerk because of a problem with its wording. Joe Mandoky, the leader of the recall drive, said Monday the new petition, which is worded to comply with the City Clerk's directions, has been signed by about 150 people.

Kudos to Julio Moliné for his letter (“ Why not Spanish and Korean ?” March 20) pointing out the lack of alternative languages other than English and Armenian on the Glendale School Board sample ballot. I personally have contacted Ardashes Kassakhian, city clerk, in the past about ballot language issues, of which he is in charge. Coincidentally, Kassakhian also had a letter printed praising his own accomplishments as city clerk to “improve elections.” I wonder if his idea of improving elections means conveniently omitting Spanish and Korean again from the ballot when he himself comes up for reelection?

Three candidates, two who applied to be city clerk and one vying for treasurer, are no longer in the running, officials said Thursday evening as a special meeting called to choose individuals for the interim positions began. David Ellman, who applied to be city treasurer, withdrew his application, as did Rena Nelms, who applied for city clerk. Alan Hearne, who also applied for the city clerk job, did not submit a complete application and was disqualified.  A total of 17 people applied for the two open positions, made vacant by the retirements of City Clerk Margarita Campos and Treasurer Donna Anderson.

Robert Chacon Narineh Barzegar is the youngest of nine candidates running for city clerk, but that should not discourage voters, she said. "I would be a young city clerk, but that is definitely a plus," the 23-year-old said. "When you are young, you are definitely energetic and you haven't been molded, so you can more easily come into an office and start fresh." To prove how serious she was about making a run for the office, Barzegar put off her graduate studies in economic analysis at Cal Poly Pomona in order to have time to focus on her campaign, which she likens to preparing for final exams.

Commission looking for applicants The Glendale Water & Power Commission has an existing vacancy and is soliciting for applications from qualified candidates. Each member of the commission will work in an advising capacity, recommending changes or improvements to the city's water and electric system to the City Council. Members serve for three-year terms, with a two-term limit. Applications are available to Glendale residents at the City Clerk's office, Room 110, 613 E. Broadway Ave., Glendale or online at www.ci.

We believe it's presumptuous to "tell people who to vote for." The editorial board of this newspaper spent many hours interviewing more than 40 candidates for school board, college board, city clerk, city treasurer and City Council. We have also attended various candidate forums, studied the candidates' positions and covered the issues in these elections for months leading up to this election. While we would never attempt to "tell" residents how to vote, we believe our assessments may be useful as you make your decisions.