City Treasurer

Deep in the caverns of the city's Perkins Building, there is a conference room in the finance department where the audit committee meets every three months. There, real discussions about city accountability take place out of earshot of the general public. City officials probably think the public may not be ready for that level of openness, and they'd love to keep it that way. You could say it's by design. Unlike notifications of other meetings displayed in the events section of the city's website, the only reference to this meeting is found in a cryptic message deep inside: Meetings are quarterly, typically on a Monday.

Rockhaven was not good use of funds I acknowledge there are many issues that affect city finances — payroll and benefits being major ones. However, buying property for an unknown use isn’t wise. The Rockhaven property deal was negotiated behind closed doors at the City Council. What were the different deals made between the mayor and the other councilmen? The vote was 5 to 0 in favor of the purchase of Rockhaven for $8.25 million. Did one councilman say, “If I approve Rockhaven, what’s in it for me?

CITY HALL ? A sustained drop in key federal interest rates amid an erratic financial market that produces major developments almost daily has pushed city officials to increase the liquidity of Glendale?s investment portfolio. As of Wednesday, the Federal Reserve has slashed its key funds rate ? the rate banks charge each other for loans ? from 5.25% to 2.25%, and has cut its discount rate, which applies to for direct loans to banks, from 6.25% and 2.25% since last August. The rate-hacking has driven yields for long-term investments, which are typically higher, to near the same level of their short term counterparts ?

The Board of Directors of Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce has announced that the position of executive director, previously filled by Verlaine Crawford, has been vacated. "We wish her well in her future endeavors," said President Dennis Junka. Board member Rose Hancock, who operates the Manzanita Cottages, has agreed to take the position of interim executive director. The executive committee has begun an aggressive search for a new executive director.

City Council needs female representation I must say I was upset last time around when we had elections, but it happened again. What is "it" you may ask? The fact that we have not one woman on our council. Unlike some countries that we worry so much about, we do have the right to vote as women and have women become elected officials. Then why don't we? My first pick was Anahid Oshagan, who I thought would be a great asset to our city, but we did have other women to choose from.

CITY COUNCIL Vrej Agajanian ...4.8% John Drayman...7.6% Pauline Field...3.0% Hovik Gabikian...2.3% Glynda Gomez...4.7% Shirley Griffin...3.3% Steve Hedrick...7.0% Chahe Keuroghelian ...6.9% Joe Mandoky...0.8% Larry Miller...7.1% Ara Najarian...10.4% Anahid Oshagan...6.7% Frank Quintero...8.8% Richard Seeley...2.9% Garry Sinanian...1.2% John E. Stevenson...1.2% Odalis Suarez...3.2% Dave Weaver.

With 8 precincts reporting for council, clerk and treasurer as of press time, 15 precincts reporting for school and college boards. CITY COUNCIL Vrej Agajanian ...5.6% John Drayman...6.7% Pauline Field...2.7% Hovik Gabikian...2.8% Glynda Gomez...4.3% Shirley Griffin...3.3% Steve Hedrick...6.3% Chahe Keuroghelian ...7.8% Joe Mandoky...0.8% Larry Miller...6.8% Ara Najarian...11% Anahid Oshagan...7.2% Frank Quintero.

Josh Kleinbaum The last time Glendale voters selected a new city clerk, Herbert Hoover was in the White House, Leon Trotsky had just been expelled from the Soviet Union, the Great Depression had not yet begun, and Ardashes Kassakhian had not yet been born. Kassakhian became the first clerk to reach the office by election, not appointment, since 1929. He delivered his victory speech just before midnight. Tuesday at the Rusty Pelican. "We ran on three campaign issues -- accessibility, outreach and education, and new technology," Kassakhian said.