Glendale News Press
LATimes.com
March 11 2005

Treasurer, clerk candidates square off

A heated exchange between treasurer incumbent and challenger
highlights double-dosed night.
By Darleene Barrientos, News-Press and Leader

GLENDALE CITY HALL — Experience and accessibility were the key words
at a forum pitting city treasurer and clerk candidates against one
another Thursday night.

Treasurer Ron Borucki defended himself against questions of openness
and accountability from challenger Phillip Kazanjian in an exchange
early in the forum, which took place at City Council chambers and
was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Glendale and Burbank.

The forum’s format was unusual because of the highly technical skills
each office required, said Chris Carson, president of the league.
Instead of only posing questions submitted to the league, the city
clerk and treasurer from Burbank were invited to pose their own
questions as well.

The portion for the city treasurer was a half-hour, and an hour and
15 minutes was allotted to the clerk candidates.

Borucki in his opening statement lauded his record of six years of
working with the city after a 34-year banking career, beginning with
$283 million in investments and increasing that amount to $550 million.

Kazanjian questioned Borucki’s background, noting that Borucki failed
to provide where he worked during his banking career or give his
educational background.

“Look at the ballot statements,” Kazanjian said. “We want openness
and accountability … he said he’s had a 34-year banking career,
but he failed to say what bank or where.”

Borucki in his closing statement answered Kazanjian by stating that
those interested in the city’s financial statements can visit the
site for monthly information reports.

“I’m proud of my record of keeping the city’s dollars safe,” Borucki
said. “I don’t take chances with the public’s trust.”

Questions for the clerk candidates ranged from what the position’s
responsibilities were regarding absentee ballots to how the Brown
Act affects the city clerk.

“The city clerk’s job is to post meeting agendas for city meetings,”
candidate Steve Ropfogel said. “I would also say they should continue
to be posted on the Web and to people who have opted to receive them.”

Another question posed was how to put the permit process online when
some permits require a fingerprint and signature.

Candidate Lorna Vartanian said it might not be possible to keep
the process entirely online, but it could perhaps be kept partially
electronic.

“I would like to see the license and permit process go online, so you
can track it as it’s going through the process,” Vartanian said. “I
would also like departments to approve them electronically … so
that it may require [a fingerprint] upon approval.”

Several Clark Magnet High School students were assigned to watch the
forum by their political science teacher Nick Doom.

“I thought the treasurer forum was more heated,” 18-year-old Rene
Menjivar said. “I would vote for [Ardy] Kassakhian. He seems straight
with his answers.”

As for treasurer, resident Edwin Croft thought Borucki’s track record
spoke for itself.

“I think anytime you can double your money, you’ve done pretty well,”
Croft said.