Letters: Glendale Arts chair has high hopes for new City Council; voter questions polling system
On behalf of the staff and board of Glendale Arts, I would like to congratulate our newly elected Glendale City Council. It is our greatest wish that our new city leadership will create a true vision for the arts in Glendale and move forward with an understanding that together, with our partnership, we can ensure the city of Glendale is a more vibrant, prosperous and connected community than it was yesterday.
Over the years, the Alex Theatre has stood as a constant in an ever-changing community — a community resource and the centerpiece of arts and culture in Glendale. As Glendale’s main attraction, the Alex has worked in tandem with the city’s economic development goals, driving tourism and offering high-quality entertainment. None of this would have been achieved without the leadership of Glendale Arts.
With over 25 years of experience managing the Alex Theatre, Glendale Arts has weathered many storms only to establish the theater as a world-class venue and grow its operation. Amid its many achievements, Glendale Arts has been fighting an uphill battle with a lack of consistent vision and a growing sense of apathy from local leaders. These challenges have limited our capabilities and led the future of the Alex Theatre down an uncertain path.
Each person who works at Glendale Arts has a passion for the Alex Theatre, and I sincerely hope that this new City Council will share this passion and respect the organization that has ardently worked to ensure its success.
Vincent Espinoza
Glendale Arts Board Chair
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On Monday, March 2, my wife and I walked six blocks to cast our votes at the Central Library in Glendale. On the way there, we passed by another voting place at the Armenian Community Center, a short two blocks from the library. Why were two voting locations so close to one another?
The polling place we used was on the second floor in the library. Why not on the ground floor? The voting procedure first required listening to a recording of the “voter’s oath” before affixing a signature “attesting” to follow the terms of the oath. Why was that necessary?
In the voting booth, the touch screen procedure was no more efficient than the prior paper procedure and somewhat confusing in moving through the pages. It took me about twice as long as on prior occasions.
My wife had her initial ballot shredded by the machinery, necessitating a complete redo. Even being first in line and with the help of the well-informed volunteers, we were in the polling place more than 30 minutes, as compared to (typically) 10 minutes on prior occasions. Progress?
Noel Johnson
Glendale