GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee of America – Glendale announced the endorsement of incumbent Councilman Ara Najarian and long-time community organizer Zareh Sinanyan for two of the three seats on the Glendale City Council. The ANCA-Glendale plans to announce its endorsement decision regarding the third seat on or before March 14.
“Zareh Sinanyan and Ara Najarian have a proven record of steadfast support on issues of concern to the Armenian Community of Glendale and the ANCA-Glendale,” stated ANCA-Glendale Chairman Berdj Karapetian.
“Zareh Sinanyan and Ara Najarian have the ability to get elected and be excellent representatives for all residents of our City,” added ANCA-Glendale Board member David Gevorkian.
“They have the courage to stand up for what is right and the vision for a better Glendale,” remarked ANCA-Glendale Education Committee Chairwoman Hilma Balaian.
The ANCA-Glendale decided to endorse Sinanyan and Najarian after evaluating the candidates’ responses to a written questionnaire, answers provided at the Feb. 13 ANCA-Glendale Candidate Forum, and contribution to Hye Tahd. The ANCA-Glendale members met with both candidates to determine their willingness to cooperate on issues that are specific to the needs of the Armenian Community of Glendale.
Sinanyan and Najarian thanked the ANCA-Glendale for the endorsement and pledged to ensuring that Armenian-American residents of the City are treated fairly and have the same opportunities as the non-Armenian residents.
Twelve candidates are competing for three seats on the five member City Council. The voters will be able to choose up to three individuals for the four year term on the City Council.
Zareh Sinanyan attended Burbank High School and has been a resident of Glendale for the past 14-years. Zareh and his wife Lori have four children, the oldest of which currently attends school in the GUSD. Prior to declaring his candidacy for Glendale City Council, Zareh served on the Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission and more recently as Chairperson of the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2011. Zareh received a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA in History and Political Science and a Juris Doctorate from USC; he has been a practicing attorney since 2001. Zareh has served on the Board of the ANCA-Glendale, ANCA-Burbank, and ANCA-WR.
Ara Najarian says “Giving your time and efforts to make the community stronger benefits everyone. My parents instilled this in me at a young age and my community reinforced this concept. As soon as I graduated from Occidental College and USC Law School I began to give back to the community, as a volunteer judge, as a city transportation commissioner, as a member of the Glendale Community College Board of Trustees and for the past eight years, as a member of the Glendale City Council. As a council member and two time mayor, I have always made my decisions after asking only one question, “what is best for Glendale?”