Grass
Roots Venice
Election Information Page
Election Day
Sunday, June 27, 2004
10 AM - 4 PM
Westminster
Elementary School
1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice
Final Official
Certified Canvass
by Casey Peters, Independent Election
Administrator
Election Challenge being Arbitrated by DONE:
Vote
by mail no longer an option, you must vote in person at the polling
location and you must bring proof of that you are a GRVNC stakeholder.
Credentials
Required For Voting
You must bring one of these credentials to the polls with you on June 27 !!
1. Legal documents
such as drivers license, CA ID card
8.A homeless person
may submit an appointment card or a note with an address indicating services
received or given in GRVNC boundaries
PROVISIONAL CREDENTIALS
A
written description of the stakeholder’s location in Venice of activity
that does not have an address (eg: “on the boardwalk between Thornton
Ave and Dudley”) and what specific
time your activity takes place in the following week.
GRVNC Candidate Election Results:
President
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 52 | Jennifer Carson |
 |
In my
long history of community involvement, organizing, and leadership
in many cities, I've never found a place like Venice. I'll
work to maintain its integrity and character, including opposing
commercial developments that favor business over the community's best
interest, increasing job/recreation opportunities for Venice youth,
and working to ensure that every resident has a voice. I will help
ensure the integrity of the Council, so that it can truly serve as
the
conscience of the community. By profession I'm an astronomer; as a
practicing Buddhist, I bring a spirit of compassion, understanding,
and respect. Visit http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~carson/grvnc.html for
more information.
|
| 388 | Suzanne Thompson
|
 |
Venice
has been my home for 20 years. I’m
currently a GRVNC At-Large Board member. During the past year I’ve
coordinated two town hall meetings, produced the first Neighborhood
Council newsletter and was on staff with the Kucinich for President
Campaign. I’m Fundraising committee chairperson for the Venice
Centennial celebration and on the steering committee of the annual
Jazz at Palms Court event. I led a successful citywide effort to
pass an anti-Iraq war resolution. Our economic, racial and cultural
diversity is why I love Venice and I’m willing to work hard
to preserve it. |
Vice President
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 394 | Alice Stek
|
 |
Venice
needs to be a diverse community where everyone can live. With
our support, GRVNC can help ensure this.
I am eager to continue to work with GRVNC to preserve the unique
character and culture of Venice, including its economic and racial
diversity,
and protect the natural environment.
I have served on the Board for two years, first as Canals/Peninsula
district representative, currently as 2nd VP, and on the Conservation
and Outreach Committees.
In my work as a physician (ob/gyn) at LA County + USC Medical School
I focus on HIV, care of HIV+ pregnant women, teaching and research. |
Second Vice President
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 396 | DeDe McCrary
|
 |
I’m a widower with two children and four
grandchildren, currently retired from 29 years at Ralphs. I was a
leader of the grocery workers strike/lockout. Thanks to Venice’s
support, we were able to maintain our jobs and faith. Therefore,
I’m happy to give back to the community that I love and respect,
and who supported me and my fellow employees by serving on GRVNC.
This is my forth year as President of “Venice 2000,” a
local non-profit that helps our youth live productive lives. I want
to preserve and celebrate Venice’s diverse culture and promote
affordable housing for seniors. |
Secretary (1 year term)
Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
|
| 388 | John Davis |
 |
As candidate
for the Venice Neighborhood Council Office of Secretary I promise to
ensure clear and accurate records of the actions of the
Council as well as maintaining an archive of audio taped public comments
for future reference. Before certification I served as the Secretary
and
also serve as Chair of the Standing Conservation Committee, Treasurer of the Planning and Land Use Committee, Member of the Bylaws Committee, Member of the Budget Committee and Member of the Parking Committee. I am also an elected leader of the Sierra Club and donate much of my time to Meals on Wheels. |
Government Relations Officer
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 366 | Sheila Bernard
|
 |
District 1 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name |
Picture |
Statement |
| 93 | Deborah Krall |
 |
I am running for District 1. I’ve been a Venice
homeowner for 26 years, and raised my two grown sons here. I am an artist and an art teacher for LA Unified Schools, and a proud member of UTLA. I’ve knocked on most of the doors in my neighborhood, with petitions, in support of candidates and initiatives, and encouraging people to vote. I believe that development in Venice is inevitable - we cannot stop the clock. However, I believe it is my responsibility as a Venice stakeholder to work to maintain and improve our quality of life and our cultural diversity. |
| 2 | Rick Selan |
 |
I
have lived in GRVNC District One for 25 years and have taught math
at
Mark Twain for twenty of those years. I have always been active in
my
community, with a special emphasis on local educational issues. Several
years ago, our community rallied to prevent Walgrove Elementary from
having a private high school built on it. I am excited about the
new Senior High School brought into Oakwood by GreenDot. If I am
elected
I
will continue to take back our local schools and to establish a joint
educational sub committee for both GRVNC & MVCC. Kids represent
our
future! |
District 2 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 29 | Bonnie Cheeseman |
|
District 3 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 78 | Bridget Graham
|
 |
I’ve lived in Venice for 12 years, a new
mom with a vested interest in the Venice community. Before that,
I renovated apartments in lower Manhattan to create affordable housing.
I’m a performance artist also working to revitalize the Leimert
Park Community. I use African and African-American music to share
cultural experiences so that people have a better understanding of
their heritage. I’m interested in sharing these cultures with
the broader Venice community. It is very important, especially with
a child, to build a vibrate, lasting community and atmosphere so
that they have a place to call home.
|
District 4 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 32 | Dennis Hathaway | ||
| 4 | Will Yeager
|
As
District 4 Representative I will work for: A place to ride your
Bicycle without fear of life and limb, A place
to lock your Bicycle everywhere; Community Gardens and Edible Organic
Landscaping; Solar Panels on every Roof with Hybrids/Hydrogen Fuel
Cell cars in every garage; Continuing the Envision Vision process
through its Design Overlay District - Specific Plan - Business Improvement
District - Lincoln Corridor Task Force sequence to improve Lincoln
Boulevard's ability to serve Venice, Recreating the Venice Cooperative
and Your great project! Put 28 years of activism in your service!
Vote for Will Yeager for District 4!
|
District 5 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 3 | Howard Saxe |
||
| 8 | Kelley Willis
|
 |
I
believe development in Venice that ignores the context of Venice
is a mistake, whether it is
million-dollar
faux artist lofts, a Great Wall Of Venice that warehouses the poor,
or a gated community built atop a Wal-Mart on Lincoln. I believe
all development should be analyzed for its impact on the ‘system’ of
Venice, from parking impact, to traffic flow, to blocking a neighbor’s
sunlight, and should maintain some mix of use, including retail,
professional, and rented and owned residential, whether in standalones
or in multi-unit structures. And this council should not represent
only one ingredient in that mix!
|
| 124 | Emily Winters |
 |
I
came to Venice, California in 1963, and raised two daughters here.
I’ve
worked as a television and animation graphic artist, a billboard
painter and a muralist. I was on the Venice Town
Council, and currently
I work with the annual Jazz at Palms Court event. I have participated
in GRVNC activities and Code Pink.
Our main problems in
District 5 include oversized projects like Lincoln Center, traffic, parking,
and a lack of low income housing.
I feel my participation as the District 5 representative could
help solve current problems and shape the future betterment of
Venice.
More at |
District
6 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 30 | Michael McGuffin |  |
I moved to Venice 30 years ago and have lived in the
6th GRVNC District since 1980.
My professional career has been devoted to the alternative health
movement. I now work for a non-profit association that represents
herbal product companies. My responsibilities range from resolving
differences on a diverse board to communicating directly with legislators
and regulators.
Venice is the best place to live in L.A.! The existence of the GRVNC
presents a tremendous opportunity to the people who live and work
here. My skills, experience and love of Venice will serve to help
the Council grow into its potential. |
| 23 | John Raphling
|
 |
I
came to Venice in 1987, own a home and raise a family here. For
the past ten years I have worked
as an attorney
for the Public Defender’s office defending the rights of poor
people accused of crimes. Before that I organized low-income tenants
in Venice. I will advocate for our community so that city government
responds to our needs. I support the Progressive platform: to create
more affordable housing; to preserve the character of the Boardwalk;
to demand police accountability and effective law enforcement; to
improve our children’s schools; to support small businesses
in our neighborhood. |
District 7 Representative
| Votes | Candidate Name
|
Picture
|
Statement
|
| 36 | Zoe Garaway
|
|
I am a 30-year Canal resident, and an architect and a mother. I am currently representing the Canals and Peninsula district on the GRVNC board and on the Land Use and Planning Committee. I am a founder of “ Voice of the Canals,” an organization of renters and homeowners. I believe that the community must set reasonable limits for height and density on new projects while providing for adequate open space and public transit. I want Venice to maintain the diversity that has been the hallmark of its history for a hundred years. |
At-Large Representative (1 year term)
| Candidate | Picture | Statement |
| Richard Myers |
 |
I pledge
to refocus the board onto local neighborhood and quality of life issues.
The current party politics and emphasis
on divisive
issues
must stop. I want the many Venetians driven away from participating in
the process to return back to a humane, respectful council that values
their input. I will work to support our community public safety
officers, address traffic and parking issues, advance local control of
schools and protect the Venice Specific Plan. These goals can only be
accomplished through strong working relationships with the city, Venice
neighborhood groups and stakeholders. See my site grvnc.net for
more information. |
| Larry B. Smoot | Being a local 52-year-old, semi-retired businessman who gives out “Free T.V. Show Tickets” on the Boardwalk, I’m a rather popular fellow. I have been blessed in my life, having been raised in the rural Midwest, earning two Master’s Degrees with six different careers. I’ve also volunteered at the Vera Davis Center for over eight years, and started a local fundraising foundation to “Give Back To The Community.” A product of the 50’s 60’s and 70’s, I have a very progressive attitude toward politics and policy-making. I’m an independent, would like to serve, and I ask for your vote. Thanks. | |
| Francisco Letelier |  |
I first arrived in Venice more than two decades ago. I now live and work in the Oakwood neighborhood with my two sons. My work as a human rights activist, artist and teacher has brought me to many schools, organizations and institutions in Venice. I have worked with students, teachers and community members, providing experiences in the arts that emphasize cultural exchange and social justice. My work in the field of human rights, social justice and the arts keeps alive the vital linking of my community at home to ongoing issues and dialogues occurring throughout the world. |
Amendment 1: Defines Stakeholder Status and ID not required to be presented to vote:
YES: 351, NO: 107 (77%)
Amendment 2: Redistribution of Board Duties
YES: 404, NO: 44 (90%)
Amendment 3: Stakeholders affirm by signature at time they
request a ballot that they meet
the criteria to be a stakeholder
YES: 333, NO: 122 (73%)
Amendment 4: If more than two candidates are running for office,
voting shall be by Instant
Runoff Voting
YES: 437, NO: 21 (95%)
Amendment 5: A third party shall serve as Independant Election
Administrator
YES: 440, NO 26 (94%)
Amendment 6: Board Members Shall Remain in Office past the
July 1 expiration date
for their terms if newly elected board members are not seated by them due
to election
challenges
YES: 421, NO: 40 (91%)