By TR Robertson
Sitting down with Shadowridge resident Armen Kurdian over a cup of coffee last week, Kurdian said a commitment to service and giving back to the community he loves has led him to announce his candidacy for the soon to be vacant Vista City Council District 4 position. Deputy Mayor/City Councilman John Franklin, the current District 4 Councilperson, will be running for the soon to be vacated Vista Mayor position, with Mayor Judy Ritter not running for re-election. Armen is married to his wife, Lindi, with their six-year-old son, Gregory, and a cockateel named Oliver, who occasionally sits on his shoulder as he works in his office.
Armen recently retired from the U.S. Navy as a Captain, following a 25-year career as a Naval Flight Officer with two deployments, while also performing a wide spectrum of duties in technical, program management and business fields. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas, a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Business Administration from both Cornell University and Queens University of Canada. One of his proudest achievements, while in the Navy, was the development of a small Global Positioning System anti-jam antenna for Department of Defense (DoD) use. Coordinating with multiple programs across the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, this vital and advanced technological system is in full-rate production with thousands of units being built and delivered to be fielded on military aircraft and ships. During his tenure at Naval Supply Systems Command, he was hand-picked to lead the integration of advance 3-D printing and manufacturing throughout the Navy. He currently works for a major defense contractor as a Senior Systems Engineer. Armen also co-founded Prosiren Inc., a company that designed and produced apparel for the water sport enthusiast.
Armen enjoys serving the community as a volunteer with the Veterans Association of North County assisting with food drives and other functions. He coached Gregory’s Vista Storm Soccer team and serves as the chair for the Policy Roundtable of Lincoln Club of San Diego County. Armen also serves as an Ambassador for the Vista Chamber of Commerce and as the Communications Director for the Veteran’s Writing Group. While at home he said, “My creative outlet is in the kitchen where I look in the pantry and the refrigerator, check my recipe books, put on some music, and get to work making soups, bread, preserves or something else. I find it relaxing.”
Armen says his time in the Navy taught him a lot about leadership. “Empower your team, articulate a clear vision, and make timely and informed decisions.” Armen said his #1 priority, if elected, is Public Safety. He said providing law enforcement, fire and emergency services should be of prime importance to an elected official, and these agencies that protect our community should be supported and fully resourced. “We have a highly trained and internationally accredited fire department; they are one of our city’s crown jewels. And our outstanding sheriff’s deputies put their lives on the line every day, right here in our own neighborhoods.” Secondly, the continued support of local infrastructure projects, like road repair, sidewalks, parks, and traffic flow in the city must progress on pace. Armen says it is vital that the city prioritize those projects most critical to the city’s needs, plus plan for the costs of supporting and maintaining the city’s infrastructure well into the future to avoid blight and disrepair. Also, he strongly believes that small business is Vista’s backbone, and that steady business growth should be fostered and encouraged. “So many entrepreneurs come from outside our city and set up shop here, and that is a testament to our small business and restaurant friendly climate. He cited the recent change allowing outdoor live music in the downtown area as an example.
The third issue he feels is a growing concern for the city is the growing number of homeless here in Vista and throughout the county. Armen stated that we should not confuse compassion with enablement. “We cannot allow behaviors which only serve to facilitate a victim’s addiction in our shelters or as part of any public service. We need to help these people, not accelerate their road to self-destruction.” Armen stated emphatically that he is opposed to drug containment zones, such as those allowed in San Francisco. He believes programs run by local organizations, such as Refuge for Women, Solutions for Change and North County Lifeline, which help people rehabilitate, educate, and turn their life around, is the correct approach. “The city needs to provide a safety net, but also strengthen our partnership with these outstanding non-profits who have demonstrated record of success.” Armen wants to make sure those efforts that have proven and successful outcomes, genuinely turn lives around and keep our citizens out of misery are fully resourced.
Armen Kurdian says making a positive difference in people’s lives is his motivation to run for public office and that this election is about serving the citizens of Vista. He sums up his platform for election with his slogan – “Keep Vista Safe, Clean & Prosperous.” For more information go to www.armen4vista.com or email
armen@armen4vista.com.
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