VIDEO: Krekorian Begins 'Honeymoon' with Unified NoHo Through CD2 Redistricting

On Wednesday night, , along with two of his staffers, promptly arrived at the Midtown NoHo Neighborhood Council (MTNHNC) meeting, held in its normal location at the North Hollywood Park Senior Citizens Center, to address the board and stakeholders. With him were Bill Hacket and Mshak Ghazarian, his field representatives for the area.

After the MTNHNC came into session, Mary Garcia, MTNHNC's president, welcomed Krekorian, who stepped up to the microphone, with the board members seated to his left, and stakeholders and guests seated on his right.

Krekorian started off by stating how Council District 2 has changed, where he is now the sole councilmember that represents all of North Hollywood.

"One good thing that came out of redistricting is to unify this community once and for all," Krekorian said. "I'm thrilled to come here as your 100 percent representative."

Krekorian said that the area he represents is now a "much more sensible district. The Second Council District now makes sense."

He believed the previous district lines of CD2 were one of the "most gerrymandered districts in the whole city." He illustrated to the audience that some places in the old CD2 were just "one block wide" and to get from south to north there was only one street to take in order to stay inside district lines.

Krekorian also praised the board, telling them, "It's an arduous and often thankless job you all do, and it means the world to your community that you are willing to step up and do it."

Krekorian told the board he intends to continue building relationships in the district areas he didn't previously represent. He stated that he and his staffers are known as an office that "listens carefully."

Krekorian is the chair for the City Council's Budget and Finance committee, so much of his presentation elaborated on economic issues. He acknowledged that Los Angeles is experiencing the worst budget deficit in its history, and he called it "the biggest challenge that we face in our lifetime... It's a gargantuan task and its not going away any time soon."

Krekorian then offered another perspective in terms of the city's budget woes: "We're now at our smallest city workforce that we've had since Tom Bradley was mayor. That's how much we've reduced our workforce."

Krekorian went on to answer questions from the stakeholders and the board, covering the hot issue topics that concern North Hollywood residents, like NoHo's numerous pot dispensaries, , Arts District parking, pedestrian safety and gang crime.

He gave his thoughts on the present , and said that although he is a staunch supporter of medical marijuana as an alternative medication, he wants the City of Los Angeles to focus on marijuana for "true medical needs... less on, essentially retail sales."

Krekorian put most of his attention on the economic problems that plague his district, especially his continued efforts to revitalize , blighted areas that have negatively affected surrounding businesses.

Krekorian promised that Valley Plaza is the number one issue he intends on resolving, "before I leave office or die, whichever comes first." That remark drew laughter from the board and stakeholders.

Krekorian pointed out that not all the sources of the area's economic problems reside in North Hollywood, but come from competing economic developments outside of the district, in Sherman Oaks, and especially Burbank. He connected how Burbank's public services reap the benefits of an attractive shopping destination like Empire Center, which provides the strong tax base that funds them.

"We need to get people buying things here," he said, "Local. To help support not only our local businesses, but out local city government as well."

Download the movie