[img]1294|right|Christopher Armenta||no_popup[/img]As he blends a growing number of strands in his busy multi-dimensional public life, Christopher Armenta – now a candidate for new state Sen. Holly Mitchell’s (D-Culver City) vacated state Assembly seat – is the same smiling, accessible greeter he was in his City Hall days.
He surprised many a couple years ago when he declined to run for a second term on the City Council. Mr. Armenta explained that duties with his longtime employer, the state Board of Equalization, were expanding and he was traveling out of town more frequently.
Mr. Armenta’s most discernible trademark has been his genuine smile. It has provided a welcome entryway to him and for him throughout his political career
While he hopes the state Legislature is his next destination, he is a decided underdog to well-funded, widely supported Sebastian Ridley-Thomas in the special election to succeed Ms. Mitchell. The date has yet to be set by Gov. Brown, who is expected to choose December.
“I know very little about Sebastian,” Mr. Armenta said. “I know he is a nice young man, and he is 26 years old,” half the age of his Culver City opponent.
“Right now I am hyper-focused on my agenda, what I need to do to get elected.
“So far, I am the only former elected official in the field, and I think that says a lot. I have a public record, a track record of experience that people can see. They can go to the (City Council) agendas (culvercity.org/agendas) and see how I voted. I was there during the most difficult economic period since the Great Depression.
“We worked together as a Council,” said Mr. Armenta, “and we left the city in fantastic shape. We were able to keep folks employed. Businesses continued to come to Culver City. Housing is fantastic here. Schools are fantastic.”
Mr. Armenta said that when he is campaigning outside of Culver City, the most frequently asked question is, “‘Chris, how do I get my child into Culver City schools?’ It’s a very popular question. That is how much in demand schools here are.
“This has happened because the entire community, the School Board, City Council and everyone else works together. They are quite active. This is just a great community.”
Before moving along, Mr. Armenta was questioned about a decision he made three years ago as a member of the Redevelopment Agency. He was part of a unanimous vote to carve out 12 of 28 housing units in Culver Villas on Irving Place for employees of City Hall and the School District. The special treatment was accorded workers who would quality with Low incomes or moderate incomes.
Why single them out?
“The primary goal was affordable housing,” Mr. Armenta said. “The criteria for who actually got in there is up to… In my opinion, it should be looked at a little closer.”
Yes, but is it fair restrict eligibility to the workers from City Hall and the School District?
“That I will leave up to the current Council,” Mr. Armenta said.
“My focus was on affordable housing. That was our primary goal.”
Mr. Armenta may be contacted at www.ChristopherArmenta.com
