Rick Otterstrom
AAGLA President |
Politics, Mania & Community...
In March AAGLA's Executive Director Jim Clarke,
Government Affairs Coordinator Alex Comisar, State
Legislative Advocate Steve Carlson, Director and Past President
Larry Cannizzaro and I attended the National Apartment
Association (NAA) Capital Conference in Washington D.C.
We held membership and attended several key national
committees that relate directly to AAGLA and our members.
Some of these included the Independent Rental Owners
Committee (IROC), the National Suppliers Council, the National
Membership Committee, the Government Affairs State and
Local Issues Roundtable, and the National Legislative
Committee. Jim Clarke and I are privileged to be included
in NAA's Leadership Training Program (Lyceum Program).
AAGLA has been a direct affiliate of the National
Apartment Association for the past two years. We were happy
and excited to be welcomed and participate with such a
respected organization. Our affiliation has enabled AAGLA's
legislative influence on a national level.
After several days of business meetings, we spent March
14th on Capitol Hill lobbying several of our local Congressional
Representatives on national issues of importance to
our industry.
To continue this effort, help us, help you! Don't forget
our Presidential Primary Election is on June 5, 2012. All
of the Assembly, Congressional, and half of the Senate offices
will be up for election on this day.
The best way to insure good legislation is to elect good
legislators. At the time, we are still interviewing candidates
for these offices. However, we are currently supporting the
following candidates:
- Raul Bocanegra
- Mike Gatto
- Jeff Gorell
- Bob Blumenfield
- Betsy Butler
- Norma Torres
- John Perez
- Holly Mitchell
- Tom Calderon
- Ian Calderon
- Reggie Jones-Sawyer
- Steve Bradford
- Isadore Hall
- Nathan Mintz
- Tom Daly
- Carol Liu
- Ricardo Lara
- Rod Wright
As a reminder, if you are not registered to vote please
register. We need everyone to help us gear up for Presidential
Primary Election on June 5, 2012. If possible, vote by mail
in May, whichever is easier on you – but don't forget.
AAGLA's Hosts 2nd Annual Maintenance Mania
On March 29th AAGLA, in partnership with the
National Apartment Association, hosted its second annual
"Maintenance Mania" to recognize the crucial importance
of maintenance technicians in the apartment industry.
The event put 18 local maintenance technicians to the
test as they raced against the clock – and each other – to
complete a variety of apartment maintenance challenges.
The winners were presented with cash prizes, and the
top 2 competitors have a chance to battle for the Maintenance
Mania National Championship in Boston later this year.
AAGLA congratulates all of our Maintenance Mania
participants and sincerely thanks our presenting sponsor HD
Supply, as well as:
National Sponsors, Fluidmaster
, General Electric
, Kidde
, Kwikset Smartkey'
, Motorola
, Niagara Conservation
, Ops Technology
, Pfister
, Philips Advance
, Seasons from HD Supply
, Local Sponsors
, Harold Grennberg
, Christian Frere
, Park La Brea
, Able Maintenance
, Fuller Insurance
, Athens Services
, Stater Bros.
, Ferguson Enterprises
, Trevor Grimm
, Maintenance Concierge
AAGLA Helps A Family in Need
On another note, AAGLA began working to raise money
for the family of Jose Chojolan, a West Hollywood high school
student who was paralyzed from the neck down recently
after suffering from a sudden blood clot.
Last week, AAGLA raised more than $10,500 for the
Chojolan family when they learned that Jose would not be
able to leave the hospital and rejoin his family until they
could find an affordable apartment meeting Jose's needs.
Therefore, AAGLA joined a larger coalition of rental housing
providers in this effort, which has raised more than $20,000
for this important cause. The funds will help the Chojolan
family move into a new apartment that will help Jose's
accessibility needs.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jose and his family
during this difficult time.
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