Glendale Independent Weekly
Monday, September 19, 2005

School Board President is a ‘Student of Politics’

Krekorian plans to run for 43rd District Assembly seat
By Liset Marquez

Paul Krekorian has always wanted to serve in public office and help the
community.

Krekorian, president of the Burbank Unified School District Board, was
inspired by his father, who was a marine.

“[My father], more than anybody, helped plant the inspiration that
government can be a tool for good accomplishments,” Krekorian said.

Krekorian said his father, who fought in World War II, taught him that it is
the responsibility of every citizen to do his or her part in trying to make
things better.

“Once he set me on that path, it has always been a life mission to try and
help the public in any way I can” he said. “It’s been my passion and my
hobby since then; I’ve been fascinated by the process of government.”

A political science major, Krekorian said he has considered himself a
student of politics for the past 30 years.

His learning path led him in 2002 to become the first Armenian American ever
to hold an elected position in Burbank when he won the School Board
presidency.

Krekorian said running for office made him more in tune with the needs of
the community.

“That’s one of the greatest things about the power of the government
process; people who govern interact with people and this forces them to
become knowledgeable,” Krekorian said. The knowledge gained, in turn, can be
used to shape policies addressing community issues, he added.

There were also lessons learned in defeat. In 2000, Krekorian ran for the
43rd District Assembly seat and lost by only 3,000 votes. He will give it a
second try in 2006, and many believe he will be a strong contender, with
Burbank Mayor Jef Vander Borght, Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and Glendale
Council members Bob Yousefian, Ara Najarian and Dave Weaver supporting him.
Manoukian recently hosted a fundraiser at his residence for Krekorian’s
campaign.

“I think he has strong moral character and strong integrity,” said Glendale
City Clerk Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, who was also at the fundraiser.
Kassakhian got to know Krekorian when he joined his campaign team in 2000.

“He has a vast knowledge and most amazing understanding of policy and
politics.”

“I think [Krekorian] is well prepared and capable,” Burbank Mayor Vander
Borght said. “He is best at solving problems; he’ll be what they need in
Sacramento.”

For Krekorian, serving as school board president has opened his eyes to a
big problem facing the state. He said his biggest focus in the next election
would be education, since it can have a big effect on the future of the
state.

“I think that for many years the state has not sufficiently devoted itself
to providing a first-rate public education system,” he said. “We largely
neglected our schools, increasingly over the years.”

If elected to the 43rd District, Krekorian said he would also like to be one
of the “guiding forces” in preserving the California environment because he
considers the state “a national and international treasure.”

As School Board president he has addressed environmental concerns in the
modernization of schools. He recently led the move to adopt one of the
strictest environmental standards in the state.

“We have changed the mindset of the district in terms of energy conservation
which has environmental benefits and financial benefits,” he said.

Krekorian has also been in the forefront of promoting the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the issue of which is close to his heart.

His great grandmother’s brother was murdered by Ottoman Turks in the 1880s.
In the 1890s, a series of massacres forced Krekorian’s great grandmother’s
family to leave their village and sought refuge in the United States. Some
15 to 20 years later, the whole village was wiped out.

“Had they not left, they all would have been killed,” Krekorian said.

The recognition of the Genocide, protection of the environment and promotion
of equitable and quality education are just some of the issues that
Krekorian will continue to address as a public servant.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress