Second in a series
Re “McKenna’s Strongest Aug. 12 Weapon Is His Character”
[img]2335|right|George McKenna||no_popup[/img]Six weeks out from the Aug. 12 runoff for the death-vacated seat on the LAUSD School Board, there remains no doubt that the veteran administrator George McKenna is the people’s favorite over much younger Alex Johnson.
A woman almost could have delivered a full term baby from the time the McKenna-for-School Board campaign was mounted, shortly after Marguerite LaMotte’s Dec. 5 death, until this afternoon.
Journalist/activist Larry Aubry may be the 73-year-old Mr. McKenna’s stoutest defender. He can impressively do 15 minutes on the diamond of Mr. McKenna’s candidacy, his sterling character, without pausing or removing his focus from his inquisitor.
[img]2606|right|Larry Aubry||no_popup[/img]Mr. Aubry glances at the record of 40-years-younger Mr. Johnson, a pleasant protégé of County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. He sees nothing he likes.
He had just told a knot of McKenna supporters that 33-year-old Mr. Johnson “is a nice fellow. I have heard him four or five times. He is not saying anything new. Young doesn’t mean that you are qualified.
“This is not an on-the-job training situation,” said Mr. Aubry who admits to being 81 years old, and the sprightliest person in the room. “In George, we have someone who is uniquely qualified for this spot. Age won’t matter. George is extremely energetic at 73.”
On Election Day last month, in a crowded field, there was talk about whether a black or Hispanic was more desirable cultural choice for the LaMotte chair.
“The most important consideration,” Mr. Aubry said, “is where the person is coming from. I am talking about character. I am talking about experience. I am talking about a proven person.”
(To be continued)
