Council Race

Re “5th District Council Race Heats Up,” Sept. 14.

You were kind enough to do a story about the announcement of my candidacy for the Los Angeles City Council seat in the 5th District. I would like to clear up a few points that may have given the wrong impression.

I personally did not bring, nor did I have anything to do with the 192 signatures from the Melrose / Fairfax merchants and property owners. That petition was gathered by a group of very dissatisfied Melrose / Fairfax leaders who had tried to present the petition critical of [incumbent City Councilman Mike] Feuer’s performance in office to the full City Council for two days, but were unable to do so due to the council’s agenda timetable. They knew that I was going to announce my candidacy so they asked if they could present their petition then. I was all for it because their problems graphically illustrate the mismanagement of the 5th District.

I am an independent consultant and periodically provide services to various consulting firms, including Kosmont and Associates on a project by project basis. Kosmont and Associates did not seek the Melrose / Fairfax BID consulting contract as stated, and was only listed by one of the consultants as a possible supplier of technical analysis on a minimal subcontractural basis. These are services I do not provide. I was not a part of that project and I am not working on any BID in the 5th District.

Mayor [Richard] Riordan has not asked me for my resignation from the Productivity Commission, although I of course have resigned due to my candidacy. I’m sure Riordan has far grander things occupying his mind, especially since no promises to run or not run were made.

JEFF BRAIN

Sherman Oaks