Three candidates vie for open San Fernando Valley council seat
The race for the 3rd District City Council seat in the southwest San Fernando Valley is heating up. For the first time since 2013, the position is open, drawing three candidates with distinct backgrounds and priorities. The district includes parts of Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, Winnetka, Tarzana, and Warner Center.
Tim Gaspar, a longtime business owner, has entered the race with backing from outgoing councilmember Bob Blumenfield. He has also secured endorsements from prominent local figures. Gaspar supports expanding housing density in Warner Center and along sections of Ventura Boulevard but opposes state lawmakers controlling development permits.
Barri Worth Girvan, currently the district director for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, has gained support from the county’s Democratic Party and the Federation of Labor. While she backs Mayor Karen Bass’s Inside Safe program, she believes it needs more services. On housing, she supports SB 79 but wants changes to address fire department resources and road capacity. Christopher 'C.R.' Celona, a self-described investor and 'compassionate capitalist,' rounds out the field. He aims to revive the city’s entertainment industry and fully supports SB 79 without modifications. All three candidates agree on certain issues. They back Municipal Code section 41.18, which limits homeless encampments near schools, day care centres, and other sensitive areas. They also support Mayor Bass’s plan to restore the Los Angeles Police Department to 9,500 officers, though Gaspar pushes for an even larger force of 10,000. Gaspar, however, criticises the Inside Safe program, calling it a failure. Worth Girvan, in contrast, supports it but insists on additional resources to improve its effectiveness.
The election will determine who represents a district covering key areas of the San Fernando Valley. The winner will take office with a mandate on housing, public safety, and homelessness policies. Each candidate brings a different approach to the challenges facing the community.
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