Our recommendations

On Tuesday Los Angeles voters will decide who will be our city’s next mayor between two candidates with similar visions, but different backgrounds and styles.

We will also fill several municipal posts and choose several district representatives for both the City Council and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board; as well as determining once and for all the local regulations on medical marijuana.

These are our recommendations:

MAYOR: ERIC GARCETTI

The council member has clear ideas on how to create jobs by taking advantage of the many industries developing throughout Los Angeles including manufacturing, tourism, trade and entertainment. Garcetti’s experience as president of the City Council, together with his plans, represent a great potential for a resurgence of prosperity on solid economic footing. Garcetti has the qualities of a modern, efficient, independent leader who knows how to build consensus while standing his ground.

CITY ATTORNEY: MIKE FEUER

The City Attorney’s Office needs a change to be able operate more efficiently. Feuer has broad experience in a variety of legal fields and has demonstrated a positive style of leadership with a significant capacity for social sensitivity. The former lawmaker is someone who truly wants this job rather than considering it a second choice like current City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

CONTROLLER: RON GALPERIN

Galperin combines knowledge obtained both in the private sector and on various city commissions responsible for governmental efficiency and revenue. This gives him a particularly appropriate profile for this post.

DISTRICT 1: GIL CEDILLO

Throughout his career, this former lawmaker has demonstrated a tenacity that will be very beneficial for the district’s growth potential. Cedillo has all the elements to build coalitions among his many diverse supporters. He represents a unique opportunity for voters with his leadership and experience.

DISTRICT 6: CINDY MONTANEZ

This election pits two candidates against each other, each capable of doing good work: Cindy Montañez and Nury Martínez. Between the two, we lean toward Montañez because of her knowledge and her work in the district during her tenure as state legislator.

DISTRICT 9: ANA CUBAS

Her background provides credibility for her vision of development for a district in need of jobs. Cubas is capable of driving projects forward for the good of the district’s residents thanks to her knowledge and her vast experience in local government.

DISTRICT 13: MITCH O’FARRELL

As a long-term resident of the district—which his rival John Choi is not—O’Farrell has a special knowledge of the district and has worked for many years alongside Council member Garcetti representing the district.

DISTRICT 6 (LAUSD): A. SÁNCHEZ

From the start, Sánchez has held a consistent position with unwavering support for School Superintendent John Deasy’s reform agenda. The support he has earned puts him in the best position to build coalitions on an overly divided school board.

MEASURE C: YES

In practical terms, this measure is an expression of disagreement with several court rulings that led to an indiscriminate increase in funding to promote political causes and candidates.

MEASURE D: YES

This is a reasonable proposal on medical marijuana that balances patients’ interests in access to the medicine and residents’ concerns. It sets a limit on the number of dispensaries and imposes practical regulations.

MEASURE E: NO

This proposal’s proponents have thrown their support behind Measure D.

MEASURE F: NO

This proposal establishes regulations without much clarity on how to implement them. At the same time, it fails to impose limits on the number of dispensaries, opening the door for their proliferation.