BEVY OF CANDIDATES TO PICK FROM GLENDALE ELECTION TO HAVE LARGEST FIELD EVER.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Voters will head to the polls Tuesday in a municipal election that boasts the largest field of candidates in Glendale history.

Forty-two candidates are vying for positions on the City Council, Glendale Unified School District board and Glendale Community College board, as well as the city clerk and city treasurer positions.

Of the city's 102,000 registered voters, about 20,200 have applied to vote via absentee ballot - the city's highest number ever.

``It certainly indicates there's more interest in this election than in prior elections,'' said City Councilman Rafi Manoukian, who is not up for re-election.

``This is an important election. You never know what's going to happen in an election, but there's going to be at least one new member of the City Council and that in itself will probably change the dynamics of the council.''

There are four open council seats after three members' terms expired and former Councilman Gus Gomez left in January when he was elected to the Superior Court bench.

In addition to incumbents Frank Quintero, Dave Weaver and Bob Yousefian, 15 challengers are vying for a seat on the council. John Stevenson's name also will appear on the ballot, but he dropped out of the race to care for his ailing mother.

``The sheer number of candidates and the amount of money being raised by the candidates distinguishes this election from others,'' Manoukian said.

Three candidates have raised more than $100,000; two others have raised more than $70,000.

Nine candidates are vying to replace Doris Twedt, who is retiring as city clerk. The position has not had an open race in 75 years.

Two incumbents and seven challengers are vying for three school board seats, and one challenger and three incumbents are running for three seats on the community college board.

Attorney Phillip Kazanjian is challenging incumbent Ronald Borucki for city treasurer.

Voters also will consider 21 proposed charter amendments - all previously approved by the City Council - which officials say are an effort to ``clean up'' outdated provisions.

``Every election is important,'' city spokesman Ritch Wells said. ``However, this year, with the number of open seats plus the charter amendments, we urge residents to vote.''

Up-to-the-minute returns will be available on the city's Web site - www.ci.glendale.ca.us - as well as on government access Channel 6 on Charter Cable.

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

Polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For a list of sites, see www.ci.glendale.ca.us/polling-place-locations.html. General election information, including candidate statements and charter amendments, is at www.ci.glendale.ca.us/election-information.html. For last-minute election questions, call the City Clerk's Office at [phone].

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