Community leader endorses Smith, Lord

Jim Summers, a long-time Granada Hills resident and local business owner, was the first GHSNC president elected by the public after the council was certified by the City of Los Angeles.

"I. . .am co-endorsing Kelly Lord and Brad Smith for CD 12 Councilman based on their previous experience, ethics and the need for change for a councilperson who (is) truly are representative of their constituents," Summers said in a statement released Saturday.

As Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council president, Mr. Summers led the community's sucessful fight against a proposed big-box retail store in the neighorhood supported by incumbent Councilman Greig Smith and the CD 12 staff. Mr. Summers is also a co-founder of the Old Granada Hills Residents' Group.

Mr. Lord and Mr. Smith are also co-endorsees of Los Angeles Clean Sweep, while Mr. Smith has the endorsements of State Sen. Fran Pavley and former Los Angeles Unified School District board member Julie Korenstein. Mr. Smith, a parent of four children in local public schools, including Balboa Elementary, Holmes Middle School, and Granada Hills High School, has also been endorsed by the United Teachers of Los Angeles.