Release provided by the Armenian National Committee of America-Burbank:
The Armenian National Committee of America-Burbank (ANCA–B) endorses the candidacy of Emily Gabel-Luddy for Burbank City Council, and Armond Aghakhanian, Steve Ferguson, Vahe Hovanessian, and Roberta Reynolds for Board of Education in the upcoming February 24 Primary election.
A total of seven candidates are vying for two seats on the Council, with six other candidates vying for three School Board positions. Depending on the vote tallies, they could be elected to the position, or move on to the April 14 General election.
Emily Gabel-Luddy is a one-term incumbent and has supported issues of concern to the Burbank Armenian community with her votes on the Council dais, familiarizing herself with many of the current issues that confront Armenians worldwide.
“We confronted a couple of unusual challenges in working on our endorsements,” explained ANCA–B co-chair Gaidzag Shahbazian. “In the City Council race, it was a straightforward choice to endorse Emily who has helped our community during her term on Council. We opted not to endorse another candidate for City Council. In the School Board race, we had worked with and had endorsed four of the candidates in prior elections. So, even though there are only three seats up for election, we are endorsing four candidates and asking our supporters to choose three of them that they see as the best choices.”
Armond Aghakhanian is himself an ANCA activist, educator, has long been politically active, and has previously been a candidate for School Board. He brings the passion of a father who wants great schools for his child who will soon start attending Burbank schools. He will serve as a strong voice for the Armenian community’s needs.
Steve Ferguson has been politically active from a very young age, has previously been a candidate for City Council and School Board, and has prior campaign experience. He possesses a thorough understanding of the needs of Burbank’s Armenian community.
Vahe Hovanessian has served on various city committees, has previously been a candidate for City Council, and is an attorney who grew up in the Burbank school system and now has a child attending those same schools. He has been active in Armenian organizations for years.
Roberta Reynolds is a two-term incumbent and pharmacist. Thanks to her efforts, just this past year, Burbank Unified School district adopted as one of its goals the inclusion of Genocide instruction in 10th grade world history classes.
