The April 11 election for officers of the Venice Neighborhood Council (NNS) resulted in a somewhat predictable list of winners.
Linda Lucks, with 684 votes, won easily over her write-in opponent James Hubbard (333 votes), while Carolyn Rios, with 615 votes, defeated her write-in opponent Mark Ryavec (378 votes).
While “slates” were not a part of the VNS election, the perception was that Lucks and Rios formed an unofficial slate as did Hubbard and Ryavec.
Lucks and Rios, both longtime Venice residents, are known for progressive stances on Venice issues, especially in regard to the controversial issue of overnight parking district permits. Lucks and Rios have stated their commitment to finding a solution to the parking dilemma that will satisfy both housed and unhoused residents of Venice. Hubbard and Ryavec have stated their support of OPDs.
In the race for Chair of the Land Use and Planning Committee (LUPC), Jacob Kaufman won with 352 votes over Adam Glick (331 votes).
Kaufman, a mechanical engineer with experience in green design, has served on VNC’s Outreach and Environmental Committees and says that he will follow the Venice Specific Plan “while supporting new business ventures and projects that maintain the look and culture of the Venice that we all love.”
Mark Saltzberg was reelected as Outreach Officer with 605 votes over the write-in candidate Anthony Perez with 63 votes. Saltzberg during his first term in office initiated a VNC table at the Venice Farmers Market and a quarterly VNC newsletter.
With 27 candidates for 13 At-Large Community Officer positions, the winners were the 13 top vote-getters. The four biggest vote-getters were Mariana Aguilar (166 votes); Ivonne Guzman (107 votes); and two write-in candidates, Scot Kramarich and Peter Thottam, who garnered 103 votes between them. The City Clerk’s office has no information at this time how the votes were divided. Depending on distribution of the votes, either one or both write-in candidates were elected.
Other candidates eligible for Community Officer seats are Ira Koslow and Jed Pauker with 78 votes each, Cynthia Rogers (44); Clark McCutchen (43); Kris Valentine and Kelley Willis (41 votes each); Cindy Chambers (39); Daffodil Tyminski (30); Buddy Clark (27); and Stasia Patwell (26). Patwell’s election is contingent however, on the final total of votes for the write-in candidates.
Amanda Seward received an impressive 531 votes to win the seat of Factual Basis Community Officer over opponents Therese Dietlin (107) and David Bradt (98). As the attorney who fought successfully against the evictions of Lincoln Place residents, Seward is highly regarded in the Venice community as an advocate for the rights of the economically challenged.
Joe Murphy, Hugh Harrison, and Brennan Lindner retained their positions as respectively, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Officer. All three ran uncontested.
All results are unofficial as of April 13, 2010. Challenges may be raised to some of the results and the write-in votes still have to be sorted out. For more information and updates on the VNC election go to: cityclerk.lacity.org/ election/index.htm
LYNNE BRONSTEIN
Mirror Contributing Writerlynne@smmirror.com
