LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Sunland-Tujunga (ANCA-ST) Chapter announced today its endorsements of the 13 candidates on the Moving Sunland-Tujunga Forward slate for the upcoming Neighborhood Council election set for April 2, 2016, from 1:00 PM-6:00 PM at the parking lot of Vons at 7789 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA. The ANCA-ST encourages the community to vote for all 13 endorsed candidates below:

President – Arnie Abramyan

1st Vice President – Angel Angel Jr.

2nd Vice President – Astine Suleimanyan

Secretary – Aris Hovasapian

Treasurer – Shooshig Avakian

Region 1 Representative – Ana Orudyan

Region 1 Representative – Hrant Vartzbedian

Region 2 Representative – Adrineh Betcheri

Region 2 Representative – Kathrine Juarez

Region 4 Representative – Eve Sinclair

Group Representative – Linda Adran (representing ANCA-ST Chapter)

Group Representative – Jora Mehrabi (representing Sasoon Armenian Cultural Association)

Group Representative – Edwin Miranian (representing Sasoon Armenian Cultural Association)

The candidates endorsed by the ANCA-ST chapter have pledged to work more closely with Armenian-American residents and businesses in Sunland-Tujunga, and to give voice to the concerns of Armenian-Americans in the area. The Armenian-American population in Sunland-Tujunga has seen consistent growth over the last three decades, and may now constitute up to a quarter of the population of the neighborhood. However, the Armenian-American community has been consistently under-represented on the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council.

In order to vote in this neighborhood council election, voters must live, work, or own real property in the Sunland-Tujunga neighborhood. Voters may also be eligible to vote if they can show that they have a membership in an organization located within the neighborhood. Voters will verify their eligibility on the day of the election at the voting location by filling out a voter registration form.

Neighborhood Council are certified bodies of City of Los Angeles, whose boards are comprised of individuals who live, work, own property or have a stake or connection to the neighborhood and are elected locally by their neighbors. Neighborhood Councils represent the voice of the community and are the bridge between local communities and City services, including their respective Councilmembers, to leverage resources for the neighborhood.

There are over 90 neighborhood council in the City of LA, and their elections take place every two years. Although office holders on neighborhood councils are considered elected city officials, their positions are completely voluntary and do not receive any compensation for their service.

The Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council consists of 21 elected positions: a five member executive board, eight regional representatives, and eight at-large stakeholders who each represent a community group.

ANCA-ST is the newest local chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America, and has been working on outreach and voter registration efforts for the Sunland-Tujunga Armenian-American community since late last year.

Free rides will be provided to the polling location on Election Day.  Community members in need of additional information or a ride may call 888.886.7862.  To learn more about the slate and elections, please visit www.stncforward.com or www.facebook.com/stncforward/.

For more information about the Citywide System of Neighborhood Councils please visit www.EmpowerLA.org.

ANCA Sunland-Tujunga is a chapter of ANCA-Western Region, the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR and its local chapters advocate for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the Armenian American community and promote increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

###