LALCV remains committed to ensuring the next Councilmember can and will protect public health and the environment.

27 September 2011

Dear LALCV Friends, Supporters and Colleagues:

I am sorry to have to tell you that LALCV is canceling the public debate we had planned for the special election in Los Angeles City Council District 15.

As we have done in other elections, LALCV had proposed to use this debate as the final step in our endorsement process. Our longstanding approach to endorsements involves two steps. First, we ask candidates to complete a questionnaire to show their awareness of and commitment to environmental issues in the district. After reviewing the candidates’ questionnaires, records, and electoral viability, we select those who qualify for in-person interviews. In certain high-profile elections, we conduct those in-person interviews in a public debate format. (That is what we did in prior elections for L.A. Mayor, L.A. City Attorney, and L.A. County Supervisor.)

Unfortunately, we inadvertently neglected to send a questionnaire to a qualified candidate in the 15th Council District. When we realized the mistake, we immediately contacted the candidate and invited him to complete the LALCV issues questionnaire. When we receive his answers, the candidate will have the same opportunity as others to earn LALCV’s endorsement.

However, the delay has made it impossible for us to hold the October 5 debate.

We apologize for the confusion we have caused regarding the debate. But our mission is to identify and help elect pro-environment municipal leaders throughout Los Angeles County. And to do that, we must maintain the integrity, credibility and quality of the endorsement process that we have used for the past 35 years.

We want to assure you that LALCV will complete its in-depth vetting of the 15th Council District candidates, and we will share the results of our endorsement process with you.

We are committed to ensuring the next Councilmember for the 15th Council District has the capacity and commitment to protect public health and the environment, priorities that are centrally important to the 15th District and all of Los Angeles.

Sincerely,
Moe Stavnezer
Endorsement Team Leader, L.A. Council District 15
Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV)