Armenian American Candidates Vying for Hollywood Neighborhood Council Seats

HOLLYWOOD, CA – On March 30, the Armenian American community of Hollywood is urged to participate and vote for candidates running for two Neighborhood Council seats in the Hollywood region: The Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council at 6501 Fountain Avenue and the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council at 4959 Lemon Grove Park.

Through Neighborhood Councils, the City of Los Angeles promotes public participation in government and works to improve government responsiveness to local concerns. Two of the candidates running for Neighborhood Council are Maria Yepremian and Jirair Tossounian.

Ms. Maria Yepremian, running for Youth Governor in the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council is the former valedictorian of Helen Bernstein High School and current University of Southern California student. Ms. Yepremian has been active within the community since her high school days, starting a number of clubs and organizations (Math Club, Astronomy Club and the Bernstein High Robotics Team), as well being part of the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council (HSDNC) and East Hollywood Neighborhood Council (EHNC) respectively. She has also been an active participant in being different stakeholders within the community closer together through the once a year Hollywood Relay for Life event, which brings government officials and residents together to fight against cancer.

“I have been serving on the HSDNC for 2 years now; I love being involved in community events and being a part of aiding community members with available resources provided by the city to live in a safer and better environment,” stated Ms. Yepremian “I would be honored to have the opportunity to once again serve as a board member on the HSDNC.” Ms. Yepremian currently attends the University of Southern California, studying Mechanical Engineering.

Mr. Jirair Tossounian is running for the Property Owners Governors seat in the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council, as well as a Directors seat in the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Mr. Tossounian, a Hollywood native, has been actively involved within the neighborhood, through the Melrose Hill Neighborhood Association as well as the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council, where he Chaired the Bylaws and Elections Committee.

Mr. Tossounian, has been active within the Armenian community since he first co-founded and served as President of the Armenian Club at Downtown Business Magnet High School. He has also been an active member of the Armenian Church Youth Organization at St. John Armenian Church in Hollywood, and currently serves on the Board of the Armenian Council of America. In addition chairing the Bylaws and Elections Committee, Mr. Tossounian has served on the Planning Land Use Management Committee, the Outreach Committee, and the Public Safety Committee for the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council.

“I have had the honor of serving my community within the Neighborhood Council, helping to enhance the quality of my fellow neighbors and community members,” said Mr. Tossounian “It would be an honor to continue working on those enhancements for a greater Hollywood.” Mr. Tossounian graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies, and minors in Psychology and Armenian Studies.

For those interested in meeting the Neighborhood Council candidates, the Hollywood Studio District Neighborhood Council has organized a candidates’ meet and greet on March 22 at 5500 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90028 from 11am-2pm. Refreshments will be served.