Valley group’s recall effort fizzles

Critics of Councilman Paul Krekorian fail to get enough signatures.

Critics have fallen short in their attempt to oust Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, who represents North Hollywood, Valley Village and Studio City.

The recall effort was launched this year by San Fernando Valley residents who argued that Krekorian had inappropriately favored business interests over community desires. To trigger a special election to oust him, they needed to gather more than 18,000 valid signatures from residents of his district.

But the city clerk’s office had not gotten any signatures by the Tuesday deadline, according to public services supervisor Bernie Mariscal.

Recall backers issued a statement Tuesday, saying they had encountered ample dissatisfaction with Krekorian but had failed to get enough signatures to press forward because they were an “understaffed” grassroots campaign.

Nonetheless, “this was a good trial run and we are just getting started,” the statement said.

The group did not respond to questions about who, specifically, the statement was from. Nor did it address how many signatures it had gathered. Donna Gooley, one of five residents listed as sponsors of the recall, declined to comment Tuesday.

Earlier this year, recall supporters argued that Krekorian had failed his constituents by approving zoning changes and exemptions for development projects that would otherwise conflict with city rules. They also complained that Krekorian had opposed efforts to deem buildings to be historic and failed to respond to community concerns about demolitions.

Krekorian, who was reelected last year with more than 75% of the vote, said in a statement Tuesday that the vast majority of his constituents supported his work and “the people of my district have spoken clearly once again by rejecting this petition effort.”

“As always, I will continue to work hard to earn the support and confidence of all the people I represent,” Krekorian said.