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Below are candidate statements and photos compiled from the City Clerk’s website for the WHWC NC election. Please note that, while we have tried to update the content below to match candidate updates made to the City Clerk’s page, there could be updated candidate information not shown here. Always check the City Clerk’s Official Site for updated candidate info.
Residential Representative Area 2: 1 Seat
Kathleen Barth
am so excited to join the community as a new resident of Woodland Hills! I’m a current renter who moved from North Hollywood when the rent there became unsustainably expensive. I can see that same pattern developing in Woodland Hills, where the cost of living is driving working people—especially young workers—further and further into the Valley. This is increasing commute times and overall traffic, which affect everyone. I hope to assist the council in providing support for our unhoused neighbors and increasing environmentally friendly and sustainable housing. I believe that my 12 years of experience in social media marketing will help make communications from the council more accessible to the community via live tweeting and live-streaming meetings.
Arturo Velasquez
I have been living in the Warner Center area since I bought my townhome in 2008. I am a proud member of the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills and the West Valley- Warner Center Chamber of Commerce. I have seen that the quality of life has been in decline over the last few years in our community and we need to go back to our city officials and demand that we get the proper resources available so we can enjoy our neighborhood again. I will continue working for the betterment of our community and I will find more solutions to pressing issues like homelessness and residential burglary, traffic congestion, school quality to name a few. It is important to for all of us to become activate at the local level so I will appreciate your vote on May 4th. I hope you have a Great and Safe Day!!!
Business Representative Area 2: 1 Seat
Paul Lawler
Paul Lawler is the President of Paul Lawler /Risk Management in Warner Center. I have operated my business since 1989. I have lived and raised my family in Woodland Hills for the last 45 years. I attended the University of Chicago and Cal State Northridge. I served 8 years in the United States Navy, serving two tours in Vietnam. I have served on the Neighborhood Council since 2003. I have served our community as President of the Chamber of Commerce, CERT volunteer, AYSO Soccer Coach/ Referee, and a Rotarian. I am honored to serve as Vice Commander of American Legion Post 823. My goal with our Neighborhood Council is to facilitate consensus, not having a personal agenda so that those who live and work in Woodland Hills have a better life.
Roseann Kelley
I landed in the Valley over 20 years ago with a BA in Journalism from Ohio State University and stars in my eyes. I soon discovered that my acting career was 10% booking and 90% Hollywood shuffle, so I went back to college at Hypnosis Motivation Institute and became a Certified Hypnotherapist and instructor on staff. When I had my twins, I opened a private practice at home so I could be with my children. We felt safe in Warner Center. Then came more high-rise towers, many more residents, worsening traffic, and rising rents. Our charming, affordable neighborhood is turning into an overpriced concrete jungle. I am running for a seat on the WHWCNC board because I want to make a difference. Let’s improve our beautiful Woodland Hills with more green spaces and less concrete. Let’s reopen our schools with better support and help our unhoused neighbors in any way we can, with care and compassion. If we make choices that benefit all of us, we can create a better Woodland Hills for all of us.
Community Based Organization Representative Area 2: 1 Seat
Reina Cerros McCaughey
Over 40 years ago I came to the U.S. from El Salvador. During my 20-plus years as a resident of Woodland Hills, I have become a wife, a mother, and the co-owner of an advertising business. My active involvement in our community includes serving as chair of the WHWCNC Education Committee and fighting for two decades against the decline of educational quality in our public schools and for improved educational opportunities for all. I am running for a seat on the WHWCNC board to bring back an emphasis on quality non-privatized education for our children. I will also fight for improved city services. All of us are feeling the stress, crowding, and street congestion sparked by the Warner Center 2035 Plan. We need more public parks where our children and teenagers can rely on safe, educational, and fun activities. A dense neighborhood needs green spaces to ensure public health! I would like to bring your voices to the table regarding these and other issues. Let’s work together!
Raymond Edward Cole
Let’s end homelessness in Council District 3, and especially in Woodland Hills. Community Support, hard work, and support from our homeless services organizations should be all we need to conquer this and get people off the streets. You may have met me prior to the pandemic at concerts in the park, the fall festival, the Golden Years Senior Symposium, or many of the other events that have taken place in the Warner Center Area. During my time on the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council, I’ve been a member of our Planning, Land Use and Mobility (PLUM), Woodland Hills Impacts and Policies (WHIP), Community Services, Community Outreach, and Safety Committees. I’m dedicated to make a change in the community. I have been part of our Neighborhood Watch Sign Program, 2035 Plan Implementation Board, and I am an active Homelessness Liaison for the Neighborhood Council. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to serving the community for another four years!
Sean McCarthy
I have been a member of the Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council since fro more than 16 years as a full member or as an alternate member. I sit on the council’s Planning, Land Use, and Mobility Committee. I represent the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce. If you live in or near Warner Center, you have seen one or more of the 500 fire hydrants I have painted at no cost to the City of Los Angeles. You have likely seen places along Valley Circle where I organized parkway cleanups. I have MCed a dozen candidate community forums for Congress, State Assembly, and LA City Council. I am a 5th generation Angeleno who loves Los Angeles. I look forward to running for the Neighborhood Council and hope you will find the time to vote in the upcoming Woodland Hills Warner Center Neighborhood Council elections.
Residential Representative Area 4: 1 Seat
Brian Archibald
My name is Brian Archibald. I am a businessperson, educator, and have lived in Woodland Hills most of my life. I am running for the Neighborhood Council to work towards a future for our neighborhood that reflects the needs of our children and future generations. I have spent the last few years on the El Camino Real Board, and volunteer for many organizations including AYSO and CORE Response. I am committed to environmental and social justice and the dignity of all people and it would be an honor to have your support in our 2021 Neighborhood Council Election.
Chris Voronin
Hi folks, I’m running for the WHWCNC because I want to help make our area better and safer for families and children. We have a lot of homeless everywhere, businesses are down, and many people are struggling to make a living. Just want to help improve things so that all of us can live in a better, cleaner and safer neighborhood. As an experienced leader in tech industry I have a track record of working with many people to get things done, and would love the opportunity to help improve our community.
Business Representative Area 4: 1 Seat
Martin Lipkin
I have served as both an elected and appointed Representative and Alternate on the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Council for well over a decade—as a CBO Rep. and a Residential Rep. Now, I have chosen to run for the Area-4 Business Rep. because I believe the viewpoints of many Woodland Hills and West Valley small businesses and major corporations have been underrepresented on the WH Council.. I have run a licensed Creative Advertising business here for the past 8 years and have had in-depth experience working with many significant businesses in our community. I believe the interests of the areas’ businesses should be balanced with the interests of the area’s residents as well as with valid representative groups. Together, we can all help make Woodland Hills and Warner Center all they can—and should—be.
Community Based Organization Representative Area 4: 1 Seat
Geraldine Weiss
I have been proud to serve on the WHWCNC since 2019. I have been humbled to do so and am enjoying finding my stride. I feel more confident than ever that my experience to date will allow me to effectively advocate for my beloved neighborhood and neighbors. I have been part of the Environmental, Governance, and Community Services Committees. As part of the latter, I have loved going out into the community for activities such as hanging Christmas lights on trees while chatting to stakeholders to assess needs. I am currently working on a banner design to attach to neighborhood streetlights to spread the word to the community about the valuable work the WHWCNC does. I would like for us all to engage more with the public and truly become the voice for all stakeholders. I also want all of us on the WHWCNC to become one strong voice and to ensure this voice is sought after and valued by all branches of our Government.
Alan Semsar
I grew up here in the San Fernando Valley from Van Nuys Jr High to Van Nuys High and then Cal State University Northridge. I love the valley and that’s why I call it home! I really care about our congestion and public areas such as parks and recreation centers. I have spent most of my adult live volunteering as a coach for Basket Ball, Volley Ball, and so many other sports. I am a small business owner and I really want a valley that promotes small business and family life. I live and work here in woodland hills so I spend all my time in this area. I love supporting non-profits and helping raise awareness for the good work they do all over.
Residential Representative Area 6: 1 Seat
Leslie Simon
I have lived in Woodland Hills for over 25 years and, with my husband, Marc Bender, raised our two sons here. My family has loved the public services offered to our community and spent years volunteering at our public schools (Serrania, Parkman and Taft). We’ve enjoyed the Shoup Park pool, and our sons attended and worked at Camp Sharwood. I am running for Neighborhood Council to advocate that all future decisions about development be based on ensuring long-term sustainability and accessible public spaces for our community. The summer heat has significantly intensified in Woodland Hills as a result of our rapidly warming climate. Despite this, developers continue building luxury housing and retail venues without ensuring adequate public transportation, green space and affordable and low-income housing. Our kids can no longer afford to live here, nor can those who will work in these new venues. This needs to change and I hope to work on behalf of our community to affect that change.
Lauren Coulter
I’m a long time Woodland Hills resident and small business owner. I’m concerned about the future of my neighborhood and businesses. I want to help make a difference for my kids futures and everyone else’s.
Lauren Coffman
I have been involved with the WHWCNC for 5 years , first as a stakeholder on the PLUM (Planning Land Use and Mobility) committee and for the last 4 years, as a Board member and Chair of the PLUM committee. It has been rewarding to be a part of the vocal Woodland Hills community with respect to the built environment and its impact on the Woodland Hills community. As a practicing architect, I have learned a great deal during my time serving on the PLUM committee by representing the interests of our community on both commercial and residential projects that request PLUM support. In the end, I have made it my goal to have both the project applicants and the community gain from the project review process – after all, we are all stakeholders in Woodland Hills.
Business Representative Area 6: 1 Seat
Gilbert Yablon
I have been a Woodland Hills resident for 41 years, and am currently serving on the Woodland Hills – Warner Center Neighborhood Council Board as the Area 6 Business Representative. I am committed to improving the area while not destroying the unique features of our neighborhoods that attracted current residents to live here.
Mihran Kalaydjian
I’ve never seen myself getting involved in politics, but with nationwide and local events taking place, I feel, as a member of society, and the neighborhood in which I work, it is my obligation to advocate and grab the attention of City Council representatives that might be overlooking the needs of areas like Woodland Hills. We are a small, but significant population, and aligning our agenda to lobby the government for our needs and desires gives us a strong community. I would like to bring to the Neighborhood Council a new generation representation with ideas that align with the current times. Whether you vote me in or not, Neighborhood Council’s should include various age groups in order to bring in new members with new perspectives who can cause an immediate impact from the government. Ex: The Skid Row Neighborhood Council being endorsed and supported by the government. My agenda: Education, Youth Leadership and Civic Engagement, homelessness , street racing, re-opening..
Mina Mortezai
As a 20-year resident of Woodland Hills, I have grown to love calling our wonderful community home. I moved here after finishing my medical residency in 2001 and started working at West Hills Hospital as an internal medicine physician. Since then, I have started a family and launched my private practice in Woodland Hills. Over the last two decades, I have watched this quiet, friendly, and pretty community become overdeveloped, overcrowded, and congested with traffic while it lost more and more of its green spaces. I am running for the WHWCNC with a commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable environment; improving cultural and educational opportunities for our children; and helping tackle the tragic homeless situation in our area, while listening to YOUR concerns and being open and willing to act with positive intent about other issues important to the community. I look forward to being of service to my fellow Woodland Hills citizens on the WHWCNC board!
August Steurer
With the City deteriorating daily, we need a neighborhood council with strong leadership to build an effective organization that grows, leads and coordinates the community to keep its share of services, obtain what is missing and get the City moving forward, most importantly City Planning. Past council experience: • Chair or Member of the Planning, Land Use and Mobility Committee since 2004; • Current and Past Board Member serving over 10 years, one year as Vice Chair, twice on Governance; • Initiated and pushed for revising the Warner Center Specific Plan and the Ventura Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan; • 8 years as a driving, passionate member of the Warner Center Specific Plan Citizens Advisory Committee resulting in a model plan used by City Planning; • Serving as Mayor’s Appointee on the Plan Review Board for Ventura Boulevard; • Participation in many citywide Neighborhood Council organizations including creating PlanCheckNC to educate NCs on city planning.
Community Based Organization Representative Area 6: 1 Seat
Charles Edward Gayton III
No Photo Submitted
Community Based Organization Representative I am running for neighborhood council because I believe that it is our responsibility as a community to better serve and care for our un-housed neighbors. Our community’s un-housed population has increased significantly in the past few years. I have not witnessed any significant efforts to alleviate this issue. As a neighborhood council member my goals will be to: • Find better ways to serve our un-housed neighbors • Bring greater awareness to the needs of our community • Continue to support and bring further awareness to community-based organizations. I am running for the CBO seat in Area 6. With my extensive knowledge and experience of running a nonprofit organization for 25 years I believe I can bring new ideas and a different outlook on how to better serve those in need. A vote for me, is a vote for us and together we will continue to build and restore our great community
Heath Kline
Thank you for honoring me with the privilege of serving you as a WHWCNC Board Member for 16 years. I currently chair the Issues & Policies Committee, where we are working hard to preserve our ring communities of single-family homes and our vibrant Warner Center urban core of multi-family homes & today’s jobs & attract those of tomorrow. I have served as NC Treasurer & served on or chaired many NC and Citywide committees, including Education, Street Services, Outreach, Elections, SSFL Cleanup, DWP-NCMOU Oversight, & Director of Community Services. In these roles, I’ve helped our WH food bank, animal rescue & senior organizations. I’ve solved intractable decades-old school & community public safety issues, produced 4-color newsletters for area NCs, while saving thousands of your taxpayer dollars. I’ve shown the community how to save on their DWP bills. I’ve got neglected area streets paved. I produced the NC’s televised Senior-Caregiver Ed Conference. THANKS FOR YOUR VOTE.
At Large Representative: 1 Seat
Eric A. Spitzer
I would love to be part of the Council, I was part of a similar Council in Canyon Lake Ca. I am also a retired executive from Fender Musical Instruments and The Guitar Center. I am also an accomplished Pilot and previously worked as an Airline Pilot. I will always answer your questions, no matter how uncomfortable they may be. I believe in truth, straight forward answers and common sense solutions.
Jasmine R. Burch
As a Chemical Engineer, I am intensely passionate about STEAM education and making a difference in our community. It is immensely important to ensure that the youth in our community are being exposed to STEAM activities and careers and I will be the advocate for this. In order to shape the future of our community, we must start now. I plan to bring my unique background and experience to work with the various committees within our community to effect change. Keep it Jazzy, Woodland Hills and Vote for Jasmine Burch for Neighborhood Council At-Large!
Marc Shapiro
I have lived, gone to school and worked in Woodland Hills/Warner Center my entire life. It used to be the ideal place to live and raise a family. I have also raised my family here and volunteered regularly in AYSO Region 71, WH Park & Rec. and WVSL. Lately things are not as great as they once were. I would like to help my community improve the safety of the community, help in fixing the homeless crisis that we see on most underpasses and street corners and create a community excited to work together. Let’s raise everyone’s quality of life.
Tevis Verrett
Neighbors, I have watched our country devolve into chaos, so I am rolling my shirt sleeves up and getting involved. We have a homeless problem, speeding cars on our streets where our children play, cars being broken into, and neighbors afraid to in their homes. This needs to change. Neighbors need to know neighbors. There is a masonic lodge just up the street, and I invite all of you up there to meet your neighbors to get to know each other. I will buy you a cup of coffee and tell me what you need. I am my brother’s keeper, My name is Tevis Verrett and I am running for your Neighborhood Council
Sam Evans
I am a long time resident of Woodland Hills and an educator. My grandparents first moved here in the late 1960s. My mom and uncles went to El Camino Real High School and so did both of my siblings. Woodland Hills is a very special place to my family and me. The problems associated with urbanization have become all too apparent. Affordable housing is becoming scarce, unhoused residents with nowhere to go are increasing, traffic is becoming more and more congested, and climate change is becoming more apparent. Woodland Hills needs long-term solutions to the problems of urbanization and this is why I am running for Neighborhood Council. We need a responsive and dynamic Neighborhood Council that can provide for our community members and their interests; be it pushing for affordable housing, expanding public transit, providing services for the unhoused, allocating support for our schools, or tackling environmental issues. Each of these issues are at the core of my values and campaign.
Alberto E. Schroth
I would like to be of service to the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council by providing my experience and leadership. I am a long time resident of the San Fernando Valley and look forward to being part of this important council.