Amidst ongoing discussions, Glendale city council candidates have made a firm commitment: “We will protect the Statue of Peace.”
In Glendale, a northern Los Angeles city known for its substantial Korean-American population, City Council candidates are actively seeking support from this community.
Former Mayor Vrej Agajanian and Councilmember Ardy (Ardashes) Kassakhian are seeking a second term in the March primary.
Amid various issues, the biggest concern in this election remains public safety. LA, the largest city in the country, has a broken justice system that has allowed criminals to run free.
Former Mayor Vrej Agajanian said, “The county prosecutor’s misguided policies have led to an increase in crime, and I hope this election will fix it.”
As a prominent member of the Armenian community and former mayor elected in 2020, Agajanian also has a background in radio broadcasting.
“I am proud that Glendale’s neighboring cities of La Crescenta, Burbank, and others have large and vital Korean American communities,” said Kassakhian. “Our city has been committed to the safety and protection of our residents, for example, by being the first to start arresting smash-and-grab burglars.”
Born in Boston, Kassakhian moved to Glendale where he completed elementary through high school. He majored in history at UCLA and earned a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University.
Kassakhian noted, “In the ’70s and ’80s when I was growing up, a single breadwinner could support the family financially. However, now, both parents have to be away for long periods of time to afford housing.” Noting the homelessness in LA, he said, “The lack of stability in the home means a higher likelihood of deviance and crime.”
“I would ask George Gascón and county leaders, if you had a family member walking down the street at night, would you be okay with that,” he said, adding, “At the very least, elected officials who care about the people should be able to answer that question confidently.”
Kassakhian, who has traveled to South Korea twice, said, “Korea has a unique history and has made developments that are hard for Americans to imagine,” and praised the district’s Korean bilingual program, which is a national model.
Regarding the debated Comfort Women Statue, both councilmembers addressed the possibility of its removal, which some have raised, saying, “Remembering history is important for us in the present. Even if the Japanese government is uncomfortable with it, the Comfort Women Statue will remain in place for future generations to see.”
BY BRIAN CHOI, JUNHAN PARK [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
