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THE BOTTOM LINE -
Los Angeles City Council District 9 stands at a crossroads.
For years, residents of South Los Angeles have been asked to be patient and patient with slow emergency response times, persistent homelessness, rising rents, deteriorating infrastructure, and a City Hall that too often feels distant and unaccountable. At the same time, public trust in local government has eroded, voter turnout has declined, and communities have grown weary of promises that fail to translate into measurable results.
That frustration and determination were on full display at the recent District 9 City Council candidate forum hosted by The Bottom Line Show. The forum gave voters a rare opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent one of Los Angeles’ most historically significant and underserved districts.
Across the discussion, a clear theme emerged: the status quo is not working.
Public safety was framed as more than policing alone. Candidates spoke about the need for functioning streetlights, safer parks, faster emergency response times, coordinated city services, and alternatives to armed responses for mental health crises. While approaches differed, there was broad agreement that residents do not feel safe and that City Hall cannot credibly claim otherwise. Safety, many argued, begins with trust, responsiveness, and consistent follow-through.
Housing and homelessness dominated much of the discussion, reflecting the reality residents live with every day. District 9 continues to carry a disproportionate share of the city’s homelessness burden, even as billions are spent with limited visible impact. Candidates spoke candidly about the need for faster housing production, stronger tenant protections, greater accountability for homelessness spending, and a shift away from displacement without services.
Several candidates emphasized the importance of coordination between city and county agencies, nonprofit providers, and neighborhood stakeholders. Without alignment and oversight, even well-funded programs risk inefficiency, duplication, and failure to meet the scale of the crisis facing residents.
Youth investment emerged as one of the few areas of broad consensus. District 9 has one of the youngest populations in Los Angeles, yet some of the fewest resources. Candidates emphasized that after-school programs, workforce pipelines, arts funding, mentorship, and access to opportunity are not optional they are preventative public safety strategies that shape long-term outcomes for families and neighborhoods.
Equally critical was the discussion around transparency, ethics, and public trust. Years of scandal, investigations, and internal dysfunction have eroded confidence in District 9’s representation. Candidates acknowledged that restoring trust requires more than rhetoric. It demands clear disclosure, independent oversight, fiscal discipline, and consequences when public trust is violated.
Neighborhood Councils were repeatedly cited as an underused tool for rebuilding public trust. Candidates supported restoring funding, reducing bureaucratic barriers, improving outreach, and involving councils earlier in decision-making before projects and budgets are finalized and positions become entrenched.
THE FORUM:
What emerged from the forum was not uniformity of views, but a shared recognition of urgency.
District 9 is not asking for symbolic gestures or incremental adjustments. It is demanding competence, transparency, and leadership grounded in lived experience. The next City Councilmember will inherit a district rich in culture, resilience, and history but also burdened by years of deferred action. Voters deserve leadership that can navigate City Hall, challenge entrenched systems, and deliver tangible improvements in daily life.
The future of District 9 will not be decided by slogans. It will be decided by whether leadership can turn policy into outcomes cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, affordable housing, engaged youth, responsive services, and a government worthy of public trust.
Thank you to Adriana Cabrera, Chris Martin, Estuardo Mazariegos, Jorge Nuno, Elmer Roldan, and Jose Ugarte for participating in the District 9 City Council candidate forum hosted by The Bottom Line Show. We also extend our appreciation to the candidates who were unable to attend and value their continued engagement in the process.
(Mihran Kalaydjian is a seasoned public affairs and government relations professional with more than twenty years of experience in legislative affairs, public policy, community relations, and strategic communications. A respected civic leader and education advocate, he has spearheaded numerous academic and community initiatives, shaping dialogue and driving reform in local and regional political forums. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and public service across Los Angeles and beyond.)
