Youth Council Members Share Thoughts on Issues, Political Motivations

Four returning members of the La Cañada Flintridge Youth Council spoke on key issues on their political radar screens in an interview Friday at City Hall, and shed light on what drove them to become a part of their local government.

All council members are students with a penchant for community involvement and learning about the political process.

"The youth should be a little bit more involved in city activities, not just involved in schools, but involved with all of the ages—elementary, junior high and high school—and come together as a community," said Youth Councilwoman Sharon Kim, who also called for the city to promote events and activities that promote cultural awareness and diversity.

"I love the political process, I love the way local government works, I love government on all levels," said Youth Councilman Kevork Kurdoghlian on why he sought a seat on the dais. "So I decided to join because I felt along with student government which I'm involved in, this was another way to be politically involved."

Youth Councilwoman Sierra Katow said after hearing about the council from family friends who in previous years had served as members, "it sounded like an enriching experience and something new, and I'm interested in government and politics. So it sounded like a really good opportunity."

According to the city's website, the City Council appoints youth council members in order to "provide a forum specifically for the discussion of youth issues and to expose youth to the nature and scope of city government."

'Bottom of the Food Chain'

Youth council members propose, develop and recommend programs "intended to provide recreational opportunities, skills development, independence and self-acknowledgement and to promote acceptance of youth in all aspects of community."

Appointees between the ages of 14 and 19 also recommend to the city council "changes in procedure, policies and legislation for the purposes of improving youth involvement in the community," the website states.

Youth Councilman Alexander Keledjian commented on the need for the youth council to have a stronger voice in city policy-making.

"I believe the city does not see the [youth] council as a huge benefactor to the city," Keledjian said. "We are at the bottom of the food chain. ... So it's very hard for the Youth Council to have a major project done that's going to cause a lot of controversy and a lot of success."

Keledjian added that "hopefully the youth council can collaborate with the city council in having our ideas set forth. We could meet with ... [City Councilman] ," the city's youth council advisor. "Hopefully we could work with him and see what it is he expects from us," with the goal of realizing youth council policy suggestions.

The nine-member Youth Council usually meets the first Friday of each month but failed to reach a five-member quorum last week. Another meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12.