Contact: Nazan Sahakian
(818) 562-1918

Armenian National Committee of Burbank Announces Endorsements

Strong Voter Turnout Expected from Armenian Community in February 25th Primaries

Burbank, CA (January 16, 2003) - After a rigorous process of candidate questionnaires and interviews, the Armenian National Committee of Burbank announced its endorsements of City Council and School Board candidates for the primary elections on February 25th.

Based on the candidates' records on issues of concern to the Armenian community and responses in questionnaires and interviews, the ANC-Burbank fully supports Jef Vander Borght, Vahe Hovanessian, and Gary Bric for City Council. For School Board, ANC-Burbank endorses Paul Krekorian, Larry Applebaum, and David Kemp for the three available School Board seats.

"These are two very important races for our city and we are endorsing those candidates who we believe will be most responsive to our community's concerns," explained Hagop Hergelian, Chairman of the ANC-Burbank Government/Electoral Subcommittee.

Issues addressed during the city council candidate evaluation process include outreach to the Armenian community in the city's hiring practices, increasing community awareness of the Armenian Genocide, and strengthening of trade and economic ties with Armenia. Vander Borght, Hovanessian, and Bric demonstrated strong responsiveness to these issues and suggested avenues to pursue the ANC's goals.

In considering School Board candidates, key issues addressed were school facility use for community athletic, cultural and after-school programs, recruitment of qualified Armenians for teaching and district staff positions, and implementing California curriculum guidelines regarding Armenian Genocide instruction. Krekorian, Kemp, and Applebaum conveyed a keen awareness of these issues and acknowledged the importance of pursuing them.

All candidates had the opportunity to complete questionnaires and participate in interviews on issues of concern to the Armenian community in Burbank. All endorsements are based on responsiveness, and a demonstrated understanding of the issues raised by ANC-Burbank.

The primary elections will take place on February 25th and the ANC-Burbank has already started an extensive voter registration drive in the Armenian community. As the deadline for voter registration approaches on February 10th, ANC-Burbank is conducting grassroots activities to register new voters and to ensure a large voter turnout in the election. This includes community walks, get-out-the vote events, and regular programming in community broadcast and print media.

"The Burbank Armenian community's heightened level of interest in the election is a reflection of its growing size," added Hergelian.

ANC-Burbank is part of the largest Armenian grassroots organization in the United States, with a very active membership in Burbank. Its subcommittees are dedicated to increasing the Armenian community's civic participation in the City of Burbank. For more information or to join a Subcommittee call (818) 562-1918 or visit www.ancburbank.org.