The Culver City Democratic Club interviewed six of the seven candidates for the School Board – the registered Democrats – at last night’s monthly meeting, and two contenders won endorsements:
Karlo Silbiger, former president of the Democratic Club, and Claudia Vizcarra, a first-time candidate.
Here is how the heavily attended evening went in the Rotunda Room at the Vets Auditorium.
On the first ballot, 91 votes were cast, with 60 percent (55 ballots) required for endorsement.
The results:
Dr. Steve Levin, 28
Kathy Paspalis, 31
Karlo Silbiger, 68
Vernon L. Taylor, 25
Claudia Vizcarra, 53
Robert Zirgulis, 17
Mr. Silbiger handily won endorsement on the first ballot, and Ms. Vizcarra fell two votes shy.
On the second ballot, 81 votes were counted, two were dinged for violations, and so, 48 votes were needed for endorsement.
The count:
Dr. Steve Levin, 25
Kathy Paspalis, 25
Vernon L. Taylor, 24
Claudia Vizcarra, 50
Robert Zirgulis, 12
This time, Ms. Vizcarra gained two more votes than required to capture the second and final endorsement of the Democratic Club for the three available Board seats.
Kathy Paspalis, president of the School Board and one of two incumbents competing, was endorsed four years ago by the club when she made her first run.
Robert Zirgulis responded to every question by frequently working his answer back to revival of the Natatorium, a centerpiece of his campaign.
Vernon Taylor, a banker who brings fiscal expertise to the race, spoke concisely, but his observations did not turn into votes.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
