[img]1261|left|Laura Chardiet||no_popup[/img]Scores of supporters came to former City Councilman Scott Malsin’s gala fundraiser at the Elks Lodge on Saturday night for a bouquet of reasons, mainly two:
• Highly personal feelings and/or
• They appreciate the scope of his face-changing efforts during six years on the dais.
Without doubt, the most attractive face in the night club-style house belonged to a pixie’ish flame-haired cigarette girl.
Upon inspection, as she approached a visiting couple with their 5-year-old grandson, she turned out to be Laura Chardiet, 67-day-old member of School Board.
Of course she would be in the corner of the returning Mr. Malsin just as seven months earlier, he and his wife Anne hosted Ms. Chardiet when she made her official mid-summer debut as a School Board candidate.
After negotiating a transaction with 5-year-old Gabriel, the most junior member of the crowd, Ms. Chardiet explained her presence.
“I am here for Scott Malsin,” she said, “because Scott is my neighbor. He lives right around the corner from me.
“He not only did my kickoff event, he was on my campaign committee, he walked (door-to-door campaigning) with me, he gave me good advice and he did my web page for me.”
What was one strand of advice that Mr. Malsin proffered?
A mirthful smile raced across Her face, and she broke into a laugh as she answered.
“Not to wear fish net stockings,” said the fish net stockings-attired Ms. Chardiet.
And then she expanded on the reason she will be voting for him in the April 10 election.
“Let me tell you what Scott has done for the Culver West area,” Ms. Chardiet said, sounding a theme that would be repeated often.
“We all have trees on our streets now because of Scott. He has been a huge help with the redevelopment of the Culver West area, along Washington Boulevard. A lot of new businesses have opened along Washington.
“It is a much nicer part of the city because of Scott.
“But there still are empty lots along Washington Boulevard. We would like to have them filled with businesses.”
In Her Backyard
Like many others, Ms. Chardiet, as a member of the School Board, has been rocked by the abrupt resignations of the School District’s top two officers in less than a week, Supt. Patti Jaffe and Asst. Supt., Business, Ali Delawalla.
Said Ms. Chardiet:
“I am so saddened and dismayed by not one but two departures by CCUSD leaders.
“While I understand the personal reasons for their departures, I know that instability in leadership is not good for student achievement. There is so much uncertainty in education right now because of the budget that to add even more uncertainty puts a lot of pressure on the School Board.”
(To be continued tomorrow)
