Here, you can find the latest updates on our ongoing efforts to inform the residents of CD2 and the city of Los Angeles. While you may peruse our press releases, newsletters and other pertinent information to keep you informed, we also have other mediums that allow you to stay connected any time of day. Follow Councilman Krekorian on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian ), become a fan of his on Facebook  or sign up to receive our newsletter by clicking here .

Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

-Council Honors Heroes of the Valley Village Apartment Fire [link]
-Committee Accounts for $42 Million in Unaccounted Funds [link]
-Bike Ride of Silence: In Memory of David Granados [link]
-Budget Hearings Near Completion [link]
-More Street Resurfacing in Our 2nd District [link]
-Community College Breaks Ground on New Community Facility [link]
-Council Honors Claire Knowlton, Outgoing Executive Director of McGroarty Arts Center [link]

 

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

-Council Approves Reward for Valley Glen Hit-and-Run Investigation [link]
-Public Safety Measures Return to Council [link]
-Hearings on the City's Budget Continue [link]
-Los Angeles to End Reliance on Coal [link]
-North Hollywood Site Offers Resources for Day Laborers [link]
-Council Honors University Mentor Program [link]
-How To: Start a Neighborhood Watch Group [link]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2013

 

LOS ANGELES – Starting tomorrow, Tuesday, April 30, the Budget and Finance Committee, led by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, will hold a series of meetings to work toward finalizing the Mayor’s 2013-14 proposed budget. During two weeks of hearings, the committee will hear from multiple city departments and take testimony from the public on how the city can best implement a spending plan to ensure Los Angeles continues down a path toward greater fiscal responsibility and economic recovery. 

 

“My goal in the committee hearings will be to ensure that the city’s budget reflects our residents’ priorities and values while working to eliminate the structural deficit for the long term,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “The people of Los Angeles cannot afford a budget that merely gets the city through another year with short-term fixes, so I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Mayor to maintain fiscal discipline and protect our city’s future.”  

 

The meetings begin Tuesday, April 30 and will take place in the John Ferraro Council Chamber, room 340 of Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles 90012

 

The Budget and Finance Committee is comprised of:

• Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Chair
• Councilmember Mitchell Englander
• Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
• Councilmember Paul Koretz
• Councilmember Tom LaBonge 

 

 

All meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 35 and can be streamed live or on-demand at lacity.org, listened to by calling (213) 621-CITY(2489) or (818) 904-9450 via “Council Phone” or by following live updates on twitter.com/cdnews (@cdnews).

 

Click here to view the hearing schedule.

 

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:
-Coldwater Opens 2 Days Ahead of Schedule [link]
-Mayor Releases 2013-14 Budget Proposal [link]
-City Hall Honors Genocide Survivor [link]
-New Trees in Valley Village Park [link]
-A Call to Action for the Arts [link]
-Public Safety Dispatchers Respond to the Call of Duty [link]
-How to Help During a Disaster [link]
-Library's Law Day Offers Legal Access [link]
-It's Time for Valley Plaza Baseball! [link]

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2013

LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, issued the following statement after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released his proposed 2013-14 budget:

“In the three years that I’ve served on the Council, this city has taken significant and difficult steps to reduce a projected billion dollar deficit by 90 percent. Deep departmental cuts, meaningful pension reform and steep reductions in the city's workforce have not been popular steps - but they have been essential in enabling us to close the structural deficit and balance the budget in the most difficult of economic times. Our city is now on a path toward both greater fiscal responsibility and economic recovery and I'm proud of the work that we've done together to create jobs and establish a leaner and more sustainable city budget.
 
“The proposed budget the Mayor released today appears to be another step in the right direction, but any optimism should be tempered by the reality that we still have much more work to do.  Our economic recovery is still slow and fragile, and all of the gains we’ve made in reducing the structural deficit could be lost if the city falls back into its old habits. Starting April 30, the Budget and Finance Committee will begin two and a half weeks of lengthy daily hearings, in which we will closely examine every part of the proposed budget and question the managers of every city department. My goal in the committee hearings will be to ensure that the city’s budget reflects our residents’ priorities and values while eliminating the structural deficit for the long term. The people of Los Angeles cannot afford a budget that merely gets the city through another year with short-term fixes, so I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Mayor to maintain fiscal discipline and protect our city’s future.”  

Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents Los Angeles' Second Council District, which includes the east San Fernando Valley. His website is cd2.lacity.org, where you can sign up for news updates or visit him on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) or Facebook.

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:
-Construction Continues on Coldwater [link]
-Survivor Commemorates Massacre [link]
-LAPD Hosts Annual Fundraiser in Sun Valley [link]
-Street Resurfacing Continues Throughout District Two [link]
-Stakeholders Share Ideas in Bike Lane Chat [link]
-North Hollywood's Whitsett Slope Beautified [link]
-LAFD Rolls Out Annual Brush Clearance Notices [link]
-Los Angeles Launches Mobile App for City Services [link]
-City Hall to Commemorate Arts Day in L.A [link]

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2013

 

LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee, issued the following statement after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivered his final State of the City address today:

 

“In the three years that I've been on the Council, Mayor Villaraigosa has worked very hard to get Los Angeles back on track.  Our city is now on a path toward economic recovery, and I'm proud of the work that we've done together to create jobs and establish a leaner and more sustainable city budget.  Under the leadership of the Mayor and City Council presidents Eric Garcetti and Herb Wesson, this city has taken significant and difficult steps to reduce a projected billion dollar deficit by more than 80 percent.  Deep departmental cuts, pension reform and reductions in the city's workforce have not always been popular steps -- but they have helped the city continue to close the structural deficit and balance its budget.

 

“The future for our city is bright, but we face many more difficult choices before we can fully erase the structural deficit and restore our City to a level of service of which all Angelenos can be proud. I applaud the Mayor for his continued hard work for our present and our future.  The next mayor likewise must focus on working closely with the Council and taking the hard steps necessary to create a balanced budget that reflects the values of our city and the priorities of its residents, who expect and deserve only the best from their government.”

 

Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents Los Angeles' Second Council District, which includes the east San Fernando Valley. His website is cd2.lacity.org, where you can sign up for news updates or visit him on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) or Facebook.

 

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:
-Young Filmmakers Shine at 3rd Annual L.A. Student Media Festival [link]
-Project On Schedule As LADWP Continues Work on Coldwater [link]
-Valley Glen Clean-up Sweeps Away Loads of Trash [link]
-North Hollywood Beautification Draws Hundreds of Volunteers [link]
-Krekorian Releases Statement About The Tonight Show's Move [link]
-City Honors Persian New Year [link]
-Councilmember Appoints Representative to the L.A. Domestic Violence Task Force [link]
-April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month [link]

 

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We had a great time Saturday, March 30, at the festival and want to wish all the finalists a huge congratulations. To the winners, we loved your films, loved your speeches and thank you for sharing your art. If you didn't get a chance to be there, watch the winners on our YouTube page and let us know what you think!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2013

LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian released the following statement after NBC announced that The Tonight Show will move from its base in Burbank to New York in 2014. Krekorian is chair of the Budget and Finance Committee in the Los Angeles City Council and, in 2009, authored the state’s first successful film and television incentive package.
 
“Obviously, it is a great disappointment that The Tonight Show will move back to New York after four decades in Burbank to accommodate its new host. At the same time, it’s important to emphasize that NBC made this decision due to the specific circumstances of this show and its host. NBC has personally assured me of the network’s continuing commitment to increase production in Southern California, and I will continue working closely with NBC to make certain their promise becomes a reality. The Tonight Show’s move east will not dampen our resolve to fight for jobs in Los Angeles and beyond.”
 
Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents the 2nd Council District. His website is cd2.lacity.org and you can get more information on facebook.com/paulkrekorian or twitter.com/paulkrekorian or twitter.com/cd2news.
 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2013

LOS ANGELES – After months of anticipation, 36 teams of student filmmakers will find out Saturday whether their short movie will take the top prize during the 3rd annual Los Angeles Student Media Festival. The filmmakers, who represent a diverse cross section of schools throughout Southern California, will also vie for category-specific awards and other prizes during the only film festival solely for Los Angeles County high school students. The Los Angeles Student Media Festival was created and is annually produced by L.A. Councilmember Paul Krekorian without taxpayer dollars.

The festival received nearly 200 submissions and the final films – selected by an independent panel – will be screened during Saturday’s event at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District, 5269 Lankershim Blvd. This year, the show will begin with an improv comedy group from Harvard-Westlake School called Scene Monkeys and the program will be hosted by Jonathan Weedman.

The schedule for the evening is as follows:

4 p.m.: Box office opens, Chef Robért Catering gourmet food truck available for patrons;

5 p.m.: Theater opens with red carpet entrance for filmmakers. Video and photography encouraged. Additionally, a free photo booth will be available for self-portraits inside the El Portal Theatre;

6 p.m.: Show begins and is expected to last for about three hours

Please note that free parking for festival attendees is available less than a block from the theater, behind the Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., though the parking entrance is on Weddington Street, behind the restaurant. Attendees are asked to keep their parking stub for validation.

Students from throughout Los Angeles County – from Beverly Hills and Pasadena to Van Nuys and Glendale – made the final cut from the 175 submissions the festival received. The field was winnowed by a crop of 11 judges who independently reviewed each film. The complete list of judges, which includes Ron Osborn, a screenwriter and former West Wing writer and Alice Walton, a journalist for KPCC, is available at lasmf.lacity.org/jurypanel.

This year, the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation is a proud partner of the Los Angeles Student Media Festival, and will present scholarships to qualifying students whose films are identified as the best in each category. Additionally, the film that is chosen for the “Best of Show” award will receive a $500 scholarship and winning filmmakers will also be treated to a special lunch hosted in their honor at CBS Studio Center with Studio President Michael L. Klausman.

Winning students will also receive an official commemoration from the city of Los Angeles for their work.

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:
-Budget and Finance Committee Hold Special Community Hearing [link]
-Councilmember Backs Valley Village Business [link]
-Help Clean Up Valley Glen [link]
-District Streets Get a Fresh Look [link]
-Volunteer 4Good in Studio City [link]
-Studio City Neighborhood Watch Gets Update [link]
-City Hall Honors Passover [link]
-The Earth Hour Challenge [link]

 

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

-Ensuring School Safety [link]
-Reducing Helicopter Noise [link]
-LADWP Preps Coldwater Canyon for Closure [link]
-The Bald and the Beautiful [link]
-Women Leaders Honored for Service [link]
-Regional Champs! North Hollywood High School Does it Again [link]
-Leaders Gather for Federation Reception [link]
-Valley Plaza Book Drive Starts Strong [link]
-Sirens & Lights? Move to the Right [link]
-Reflecting its Studio City Location, Metro Station Gets a Name Change [link]

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

-Coldwater Canyon To Close For LADWP Project [link]
-Motion to Ban Possession of High-Capacity Ammunition [link]
-LASMF To Screen 36 Films! Tickets Now Available [link]
-Motion to Report Ammunition Sales Move to Committee [link]
-Council Honors Next Generation of Film [link]
-Middle School Class Looks to Councilman for Leadership Tips [link]
-Automatized Parking Comes to Los Angeles [link]
-A Book Drive for Armenian Literature [link]
-L.A. Press Club Celebrates 100 years [link]
-Bike Lanes - Lankershim vs. Vineland [link]
-Play Ball! East Valley Baseball Season Opens [link]

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Click here for the fact sheet about the Coldwater Canyon closure .
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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

Tickets Now Available for Media Festival [link]
City at a Crossroads: A Report on the City's Budget [link]
How False Alarm Fees Can Be Less Alarming [link]
Denim Day in L.A. [link]
Residents Flee to Safety as Fire Blazes Through Valley Village Building [link]
Senior Center Piano Gets A Fine-Tuning [link]
A Visit to Katherine Square [link]
Honoring a North Hollywood Arts Advocate [link]
Whiz Kids Prepare to Compete in Annual Science Bowl [link]

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LOS ANGELES – A total of 36 submissions from 14 schools made up the final crops of films to be considered for the 3rd annual Los Angeles Student Media Festival as the finalists will now vie for top prizes at the only film festival solely for Los Angeles County high school students. The finalists can be seen at lasmf.lacity.org/news.

"I want to extend my congratulations and thanks to all of the extraordinary artists who submitted entries to the LASMF this year,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who created the festival. “As is true every year, the films that made the final cut prove that the level of talent and creativity of Southern California's high school students is unparalleled, and I'm thrilled that our festival once again gives them a forum to fully showcase their vision. I have no doubt that among the finalists we are announcing today will be Oscar and Emmy winners of the future, so the March 30 event is a tremendous opportunity for everyone to come and see what the future of cinema holds."

Students throughout Los Angeles County – from Beverly Hills and Pasadena to Van Nuys and Glendale – made the final cut from the 175 submissions the festival received. The field was winnowed by a crop of 11 judges who independently reviewed each film. The complete list of judges, which includes Ron Osborn, a screenwriter and former West Wing writer and Alice Walton, a journalist for KPCC, is available at lasmf.lacity.org/jurypanel.

The final films will be screened during the March 30 festival at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., at 5 p.m. Free tickets will be available shortly via lasmf.lacity.org.  

The festival will offer each of its winning films a $500 scholarship sponsored by the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation. The film that is chosen for the “Best of Show” award will receive an additional $500 scholarship. Winning filmmakers will also be treated to a special lunch hosted in their honor at CBS Studio Center with Studio President Michael L. Klausman.

Winning students will also receive an official commemoration from the city of Los Angeles for their work.
 
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