ANCA-Western Region Endorses Kathryn Barger for Supervisor in LA County 5th District

September 15, 2016

Los Angeles, CA – Earlier today, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) announced its endorsement of Kathryn Barger in her bid for Supervisor in Los Angeles County’s Fifth district for the 2016 November General Elections.

“After a very productive meeting and frank discussion with Los Angeles County Supervisorial candidate Kathryn Barger, the ANCA Western Region Board of Directors and local chapters within the 5th Supervisorial District came to a unanimous decision to wholeheartedly endorse her. We are confident that Ms. Barger’s solid understanding of and commitment to issues of concern to the Armenian American constituency in the district will form the basis of decisions she will make which affect our constituency, and we are certain that her willingness and readiness to maintain open lines of communication with our community will serve as a foundation for a long and result-oriented relationship,” stated ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian

“After working with the Armenian community as Chief Deputy Supervisor, it is great to have the endorsement of the ANCA-WR for Fifth District Supervisor.  I am committed to continue working with and promoting our local Armenian community. I am also deeply committed to recognition and justice for the Armenian genocide.  As your Supervisor, I will always be an advocate for the Armenian community.” noted Barger upon receiving the endorsement of the organization.

In the year of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, Barger worked closely on the iWitness public art installation by artists Ara Oshagan and Levon Parian and architect Vahagn Thomasian displayed in Grand Park located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, which educated millions of visitors to the iconic site about the Armenian Genocide of 1915.  As Chief Deputy Supervisor for the 5th district, Barger ensured that the Supervisor’s office was reflective of the community and hired Armenian-Americans to various positions.  She also approved financial support for projects such as the memorial being dedicated in Grand Park this weekend as well as the efforts of various Armenian community based organizations.  To ensure that Armenian-Americans with language barriers are well informed and able to make their voice heard at the ballot box, Barger worked with Registrar Recorder to have voting information also be provided in Armenian.

Kathryn Barger is the only candidate for County Supervisor who was born, raised, and is a lifelong resident of the Fifth District.  For the past 15 years, Barger has been the Chief Deputy Supervisor where she manages Supervisor Michael Antonovich’s office and serves as the official liaison with community and local business groups.  She has strong ties to them, knows their problems and delivers results. Kathryn is also an expert on healthcare, mental health and children’s issues.

Barger is committed to keeping our neighborhoods and communities safe.   She helped implement Megan’s Law to ensure all residents have information about sex offenders in their neighborhoods.    Her years of service to the LA Board of Supervisors has included a multitude of initiatives to help families and children that provide or expand vital mental health and public health services, housing resources for foster care youth, and anti-fraud policy changes that protect welfare recipient and taxpayer.

The five Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, voted by district, are responsible for roughly $30 billion annual budget covering a wide range of services, which include child services and foster care, the sheriff’s department, jails, transportation, among many others.  Three Board of Supervisor seats are up in the November Elections, though only two, District 4 and 5 will see a new Supervisor, as incumbent Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas from District 2 is running unopposed.

The 5th District, which Barger is the ANCA-WR endorsed candidate in encompasses the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, along with a portion of the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys and the foothills of La Verne and San Dimas.  The district includes the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Bradbury, Burbank, Covina, Duarte, Glendale, Glendora, La Canada-Flintridge, La Verne, Lancaster, Monrovia, Palmdale, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, portions of the City of Los Angeles including Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Porter Ranch, Sunland, Sun Valley, Tujunga, town councils including Altadena, Monrovia / Arcadia / Duarte,Crescenta Valley, and portions of unincorporated areas of LA County including Altadena, East Pasadena, La Crescenta, Montrose, and others.

In order to vote in the 2016 General Elections, you must be registered.  To register to vote online or sign up to receive a vote-by-mail ballot visit www.hyevotes.org or call 818.806.8683.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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