Opinion: In today’s pages: Vahedi, Pearlman, Trutanich, Denham, Maryjane and the flu
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
In today’s opinion pages, the Times editorial board wraps up its endorsements for the May 19 special election, which is also the May 19 Los Angeles city runoff, which is also the May 19 Community College District runoff.
The Times, for the first time, endorses Community College board incumbent Nancy Pearlman as a better choice than her runoff opponent, Robert Nakahiro. In the Fifth District City Council runoff between David T. Vahedi and Paul Koretz, the Times picks Vahedi in a close call.
But it’s Monday, so even our endorsements are surly. About Vahedi:
Our biggest concern about Vahedi is his willingness to cater to the no-growth, no-change homeowner groups that sometimes appear bent on freezing the district into its current condition. That’s ironic, given that its current condition includes the clutter of electronic billboards and the crush of poorly circulating traffic.
And about Pearlman:
Pearlman is one of the weaker members of that complacent majority. A longtime environmental activist, she openly states that her No. 1 priority as a board member is green construction at the colleges. We share her environmental enthusiasm and agree with the need for well-equipped campuses, but we think academics should come before buildings.
But we like them. Really.
For city attorney, we went with Carmen Trutanich in the primary, and we’re sticking to our guns. So to speak.
So we’re done for this election. To recap:
Proposition 1A: Yes
Proposition 1B: No
Proposition 1C: Yes
Proposition 1D: Yes
Proposition 1E: Yes
Proposition 1F: Yes
City attorney: Carmen Trutanich
City Council, Fifth District: David T. Vahedi
Community College District Board Office 6: Nancy Pearlman
On the Op-Ed page, state Sen. Jeff Denham, a Republican from Merced (and apparently also someplace called Atwater, although not the Village in Los Angeles), and one of several termed-out lawmakers running for lieutenant governor, dusts off last year’s failed bill to sell the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, resubmits it, and makes his argument. Denham is also trying to sell the prison at San Quentin.
Professor Isaac Campos looks at marijuana from the perspective of Mexico and urges decriminalization as a possible way to deal with increasing drug violence.
And columnist Gregory Rodriguez worries that after swine flu passes, Mexicans won’t remember to kiss each other on the cheeks when they greet.