Dario Frommer

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- What started as a ploy to meet girls landed a 17-year-old Dario Frommer his first state office -- youth governor of the YMCA "Youth and Government" program. "I ran against a guy who was sort of the heir-apparent," he said. "I beat him. That was a big deal." At 36, the Los Feliz resident credits that successful campaign for helping to lead him to his second run for state office as the Democratic candidate for the 43rd Assembly District seat.

It was hard not to laugh at your reporter writing about Assemblyman Dario Frommer's "deep connections to the district" ("Americana comes back to Frommer," June 18). Mr. Frommer was for years a paid Sacramento lobbyist who moved into the district, and much to the shame of local voters, managed to buy himself a seat in the state Assembly. I, for one, am looking forward to the time when Dario Frommer and his "deep connections" to our district will be termed out of office and he can go back to pursue his lobbying career.

Craig Missakian's recent hit piece on Dario Frommer leads me to believe: His polling data shows Missakian losing and "going negative" is the only way to win. The tedious recitation of Dario's political sins contains no "smoking gun," the allegations of "GUILTY" [with a red background], the deliberately ugly photos of Frommer tell us more about Missakian than about his opponent. Missakian is a candidate who wants to win too much -- he presents a personality that is ethically challenged.

Claudia Peschiutta GLENDALE -- The Verdugo Hills Democratic Club will meet with one of its own today. The club will hold its monthly gathering at the campaign office of Dario Frommer, the Democratic candidate for the 43rd State Assembly District. "We want an opportunity to ask him questions...to hear what he has to say," said Stan Price, club president. Among the issues that will be discussed, Price said, are health care, Oakmont and park space for Glendale.

Robert Shaffer GLENDALE -- In the state Assembly race to replace Scott Wildman, Democratic candidates are out-raising Republicans more than two to one. The top two fund-raisers in 1999 were both Democrats. Dario Frommer, a former aide to Gov. Gray Davis, raised $244,000 to Toluca Lake attorney Paul Krekorian's $149,000. The top GOP fund-raiser, attorney Craig Missakian, has raised $101,000. The Glendale resident has raised only $16,000 in individual contributions.

Gov. Gray Davis has signed into law a bill by state Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Assemblyman Rod Pacheco (R-Riverside) designed to reduce health risks to children who are carrying heavy backpacks. AB 2532 requires the State Board of Education to adopt maximum weight standards for elementary and secondary school textbooks. Many experts have recommended children not carry more than 10% to 15% of their body weight on their backs, but studies have shown most children carry backpacks that weigh more than 20% of their body weight.

The Senate Public Safety Committee passed legislation by Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) that would require transient sex offenders register no less than every 30 days within the city or county in which he or she is residing. Frommer's bill, passed Tuesday, attempts to prevent transient sex offenders from moving freely from place to place without having to register with any law enforcement agencies. The assembly bill goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a vote this month.

After reading your consecutive-day headlines concerning Dario Frommer staffers working both sides of the Americana project, I was amazed to see that your article implied that this act of duplicity by our local assemblyman has something to do with his supposed deep connections with his district. The reality of the facts tell me that this has more to do with another typical Sacramento politician playing both sides of the same issue for his own benefit.

Alecia Foster GLENDALE -- A handful of Glendale students spent Tuesday discovering what it's like to work in the state's capital. The opportunity was sponsored by Groundhog Job Shadowing, Colin Powell's America's Promise and the local Verdugo School-to-Career Coalition. The experience gave students the chance to follow state leaders around as a way to find out what their job is like and what it takes to go into that field. Students followed state Legislators around, including Assemblyman Dario Frommer (D-Glendale, Assemblywoman Carol Liu (D-La Crescenta)

Tim Willert GLENDALE -- State Assembly members, including Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Carol Liu (D-La Crescenta), were considering bills to implement the state budget late Monday. The 2001-2002 spending plan was passed Sunday by the Senate but was sent back to the Assembly, where Republicans are blocking its implementation by voting against a series of measures needed for the plan to take affect. Several of the so-called trailer bills, which carry language that control programs, require bipartisan support, Frommer said.

Former Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer does not share the nostalgia of those who want the California Legislature to return to being a part-time body. So the Democrat from La Cañada Flintridge has agreed to co-chair a campaign against an initiative proposed by Republican Assemblywoman Shannon Grove of Bakersfield to end the Legislature's full-time status. "We had a part-time Legislature in California. It was widely viewed as corrupt and ineffective," Frommer said of the days before California voters created a full-time body in 1966.

Today, Burbank and Glendale are Democratic Party territory. In Burbank, 45% of the 54,761 registered voters are Democrats, according to the Angeles County Registrar-Recorder County Clerk's Office. Of the remainder, 29% are Republican, 22% independent and 4% members of minor parties. In Glendale, with nearly 89,000 registered voters, 41% are Democrats, 30% Republicans, 26% Independents and 4% affiliated with minor parties. It wasn't always that way. Dario Frommer, a Glendale native and former state assemblyman who represented the area from 2000 to 2006, recalled visiting his first polling place when he was a student at Hoover High School.

It's a relatively good time for newly elected Assemblyman Paul Krekorian to begin his term in the 43rd District, representing most of Glendale and Burbank. The governor isn't being recalled. The massive, $35-billion budget deficit that saddled the state in a crisis only three years ago has been reduced to about $5 billion. And some people wonder if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a Democrat in GOP clothing, ready to listen to traditionally opposing voices. Indeed, from the looks of things, the former Burbank School Board trustee has a chance to smell the roses a bit as he begins his term.

GLENDALE — Assemblyman Dario Frommer made merry with friends and co-workers Wednesday night at the Alex Theatre, celebrating the end of his six years of service in the state legislature. "It's great to see a lot of our friends," Frommer said. "It's really nice to see a lot of people you know and have a lot of fun." Hoover High School's jazz band performed an eclectic mix of music as a crowd socialized in the outside patio. Many familiar faces made appearances to meet Frommer in his final major event as the Assembly Majority Leader.

As his final term draws to a close on Nov. 30, Dario Frommer, a three-term Assemblyman for the 43rd Assembly District who became Assembly majority leader in 2004, looks back on his Assembly tenure with pride and with reverence for the people of his district, which includes Glendale and Burbank. California state law limits Assemblymen to three two-year terms, which Frommer now has served. "I've been very fortunate," Frommer said. "I grew up in this community and it's been an honor to represent Glendale and Burbank in the Assembly."

BURBANK — Prescription drug reform, greenhouse emissions and identity theft were some of the key points Assemblyman Dario Frommer addressed Friday at a State of the State address to the Burbank Assn. of Realtors. Frommer, who represents Burbank and Glendale, spoke to a crowd of about 30 about recent Assembly bills that had passed regarding these issues and other bills that he hoped would have passed but did not. "It's important that we are abreast of everything going on in the political world," association President Larry Auzene said.

GLENDALE — A bipartisan group of legislators formed the Assembly Armenian American Legislative Caucus on Monday, which they hope will support and create legislation that benefits the state's 700,000 Armenian Americans. Co-founders Dario Frommer, a Democrat who represents Burbank and Glendale, and Greg Aghazarian, a Republican who represents Stockton, hope the state Senate will soon recognize the bi-partisan group. "Our intent is for it to be a working caucus and a group of folks who reach out and educate others," said Frommer, Assembly majority leader.

Former Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero announced he will run for the Assembly District seat being vacated by Dario Frommer. Quintero, who was re-elected to the Council last year, has been talking about entering the race but had not announced his decision. He is perhaps best known in Glendale for his skepticism about the Town Center project, and his strong support for labor union agreements on local projects. A native of Tampa, he has lived in California since 1972. He operated the Alliance for Education, assisting laid-off aerospace workers and immigrants in finding jobs He formerly worked with homeless veterans on L.A.'s Skid Row. The candidate is calling for expanded health coverage, improved community safety programs and universal preschool.

16-year-old among 25 businesswomen recognized for their achievements.PASADENA -- Three years ago Courtney Marie Sarian was a 13-year-old with an idea to make beaded bookmarkers. On Wednesday, at 16, the La Cañada High School junior won the Junior Women In Business award, along with Annette Vartanian, executive director of the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce. "I started making them for all my friends just for fun," Courtney said. "My grandmother encouraged me to take them to stores."