Vrej Agajanian selected as Glendale mayor amid coronavirus emergency
Vrej Agajanian is taking the reins as Glendale’s new mayor following a unanimous selection by his fellow council members on Monday. He is succeeding outgoing mayor Ara Najarian for a one-year term.
Agajanian, first elected to his council seat in 2017, is stepping up as mayor during a turbulent time, as officials and residents grapple with the health and economic impacts of the deadly novel coronavirus.
It marks Agajanian’s first time serving in the position that is selected by council members every spring.
“I’m humbled, and I will do my best in these unprecedented and challenging times, where the invisible enemy has appeared and turned everything upside down,” said Agajanian, a TV host and former engineer, shortly after thanking his colleagues and Glendale residents for their trust in his abilities.
Glendale has 255 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, and four residents have lost their lives to the virus that causes COVID-19, city officials reported.
Since calling a local state of emergency in mid-March, the city has shuttered nonessential businesses and implemented increasingly stringent social-distancing rules.
Acknowledging the difficulties ahead, Agajanian said it is also an opportunity to restore faith in the government and strengthen community ties.
“Like the enemies of our past, we will be victorious against this one as well. And with this victory, we will emerge with stronger bonds, clear minds and a renewed spirit,” Agajanian said.
“Most of us want to go back to the days without masks, gloves and fear,” he added.
Looking beyond the immediate crisis, Agajanian said he will make increasing and preserving the city’s affordable housing stock a priority during his tenure.
Before leaving the dais, Najarian gave an overview of his accomplishments, as well as shortcomings, as mayor over the past year. It was his fourth time serving in the position.
Najarian said he was proud of leading the charge on ethics reforms, including a recently adopted lobbyist ordinance, as well as affordable housing and transportation initiatives.
Najarian said he would have liked to move the bar further on election reforms, including what he characterized as aggressive vote-getting tactics by campaign workers. A sister city program with Mexico he had hoped to foster was slowed by what he attributed to the election of a new Mexican president.
Najarian said he looked forward to returning to his role as a regular council member.
“Sometimes you can get more done as a council member than a mayor. That’s something I’ve observed” Najarian said during the meeting. First elected to council in 2005, Najarian is the longest serving council member currently on the dais.