This week on The Signal, Los Angeles City Hall takes center stage as voters prepare to choose the city’s next attorney and a new representative for Council District 3. John McKinney discusses public safety, homelessness, city prosecutions and government accountability. Then Barri Worth Girvan talks about housing, neighborhood services, public safety, homelessness and the West Valley’s relationship with City Hall. Aired live on 90.7 FM KPFK Los Angeles on October 17, 2026.
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TRANSCRIPT
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
00:00:00:00 - 00:00:12:06
MUSIC INTRO
The whole run by a handful of greedy bankers and CEOs who nobody elected. What can't possibly last?
00:00:12:08 - 00:00:14:13
MUSIC INTRO
I'm going to tell you another.
00:00:14:15 - 00:00:40:15
DINO
Ha, ha. Hello, Los Angeles, welcome, L.A.. When I start this, you I think you guys caught me on the cough, right? No. Okay. I just outed myself. Welcome to another, edition of The Signal. News, information and analysis. I'm your host, Dino, coming to you live from Los Angeles. In fact, to be a little bit more, precise from the beautiful studios in Glendale, California, just up the street.
00:00:40:17 - 00:01:25:09
DINO
And, so, hey, listen, today we have a great program lined up. Great conversation. Bringing back our special series. Actually, we haven't left, considering we're, just weeks away from the. What is it, 17 days away from the November 3rd election. So we have our special series, politics. Tacos and beer. Going on. We're still, continue to interview candidates and other, ballot issues that, or political issues that will be on the November ballot, including, some of the ballot initiatives, which will, tease that up a little bit later in the program.
00:01:25:15 - 00:01:49:01
DINO
So, yeah, we're about 17 days away from the November 3rd general election, folks, and things are heating up in some races a lot more than others. And, quite frankly, at this point, all across the country and today we're bringing back again our politics tacos and beer, our ongoing conversation about politics, public policy, the people running for office and what all that means for the communities we live in.
00:01:49:03 - 00:02:14:19
DINO
We've got two great conversations lined up for you today, both involved in positions that have a tremendous amount of influence over the direction Los Angeles, will go in, although very different, issues, that we're going to discuss today. First, we're going to talk with, on the issue of L.A. City attorney. Now, this is one of those positions, folks, that doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but it probably should.
00:02:14:21 - 00:02:42:22
DINO
The city attorney says that the city's chief legal officer and Vice's elected officials and city departments represents the city and legal matters and more importantly, oversees the prosecution of certain misdemeanor offenses. Think about that for a minute. Whether we're talking about public safety, government accountability, housing, worker rights or the legal responsibilities of the city, the city attorney's office is involved in some consequential decisions.
00:02:42:24 - 00:03:11:23
DINO
And this year's race between John McKinney and Marissa Roy has attracted considerable amount of attention for a variety of different reasons. Back in June, both of them finished ahead of the incumbent, Heidi Valentine Soto. And that's the first time in nearly a hundred years that a city L.A. city attorney was knocked out of the primary. And there's a real contrast between the two folks that are here now and that are running for this office.
00:03:12:03 - 00:03:46:13
DINO
Joining us will be John McKinney. We have had Marissa Roy, and some, other episode previously. We now bring in John McKinney. You'll be hearing directly from him. And then in the second half of today's program, we're heading over to the San Fernando Valley, my old stomping ground for a good almost ten years, although I wasn't living in that particular district, but close enough where voters in Los Angeles, L.A. City Council will decide particularly who's going to leave district three and who will be their representative in City Hall.
00:03:46:15 - 00:04:12:17
DINO
So while the race for city attorney involves legal direction for the entire city, city council races bring politics much closer to home. It's on a district by district basis. We're talking about the people who make decisions about neighborhood services, development, housing, infrastructure, public safety and the allocation of city resources decisions that can have a very direct impact on everyday lives.
00:04:12:19 - 00:04:38:09
DINO
Joining us for that conversation will be Barry Ward Galvan, who's running to represent Council District three. We'll hear about her background, her priorities and what she believes needs to change in the Valley as a matter of full transparency. We did reach out to Tim Gaspar, who is the other candidate, and while they did acknowledge and looked at, joining us, I think the interweb on that phone gnome's got to them.
00:04:38:09 - 00:04:58:24
DINO
And as of broadcast time, we had not been able to confirm their participation. As such, we'll be hearing, from only one of the candidates. Now, as always, our objective isn't to tell you who to vote for. It's a give you an opportunity to hear from the candidates themselves, understand their positions, and hopefully walk away a little bit better.
00:04:58:24 - 00:05:25:07
DINO
Inform so that when you do go to the ballot box and that one, that's one thing that we all here on the signal do encourage. We encourage civic participation. We encourage voter participation. We encourage you to get out, get informed and vote so that when you get there, you're ready to do so and do so intelligently. So with that said, this is the signal right here on Kpfk 90.7 FM.
00:05:25:09 - 00:05:43:20
DINO
We want to welcome all our listeners across 98.7 FM in Santa Barbara. 93.7 I'm in San Diego County, 99.5 Ridgecrest, channel eight. Stay with us. We'll be right back with John McCain.
00:05:43:22 - 00:06:05:14
DINO
The concert event you heard right there, just kind of getting teased up. It's going to be our fusion Celebration fundraiser happening next week. Wednesday, October 28th at the Alex Theater here in beautiful Glendale, California with a show start time at 7:30 p.m.. But we welcome you all to come on early, get to know some of the Kpfk fam and folks who are going to be there.
00:06:05:14 - 00:06:34:24
DINO
Some of us will be there, chatting it up with all of you. And, the incredible lineup includes Jackson Browne, Stanley Clark, Danny Carey, Sheila E, Michelle Coltrane, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Peter Hayden, Rudy Sauce, so Martinez, and a lot more. Again, that's, the fusion celebration fundraiser happening this Wednesday, this coming Wednesday, October 28th at the Alex Theater in beautiful Glendale, California.
00:06:35:01 - 00:07:02:24
DINO
So let's get into it, folks. Politics tacos and beer. We are. We're going to get into it. Our first guest is John McKinney, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles county, deputy district attorney, Kennedy. For Los Angeles city attorney, McKinney has built his career in the criminal justice system, and now he's asking voters to give him the responsibility of serving as city's chief legal officer.
00:07:03:03 - 00:07:20:00
DINO
He's running against Marissa Roy in a contest that raises some important questions about public safety, government accountability and the direction of the city attorney's office. Today, we'll hear about his experience, his priorities, and why he believes he's the better choice for L.A.. John, welcome to The Signal.
00:07:20:02 - 00:07:22:12
JOHN MCKINNEY
Oh, thanks for having me, Amanda. Great to be on.
00:07:22:14 - 00:07:45:13
DINO
So, John, let's let's get into it. Just on the basics. Right. This is one thing that, I always enjoy asking this question. And I think in the last almost year, I've asked this question almost of everybody. And I want to talk about your background, and I want to spend a little bit of your time as, as a prosecutor.
00:07:45:15 - 00:08:04:00
DINO
But, you know, give me, give me the moment, John, when you know well, as I like to preface with other folks, the light, the clouds parted, the light came through. You heard that episodic music and it said, John, you need to run for office. What was that? What what was that moment like?
00:08:04:02 - 00:08:14:07
JOHN MCKINNEY
I'm not. I'm not so sure it was that dramatic. Well, for me, Armando, if you don't know, I got into this race on the last possible day to sign up.
00:08:14:09 - 00:08:16:03
DINO
Oh, I did not as of.
00:08:16:05 - 00:08:37:16
JOHN MCKINNEY
Yeah, as of January of this year, I was not looking to run for public office. I'm a deputy district attorney, and I've been helping our Da, Nathan Hoffman, turn the DA's office around after four years of George Gascon. And I was very happy in that role. What happened is people started calling me, asking me to consider it.
00:08:37:22 - 00:09:00:06
JOHN MCKINNEY
Okay. And initially, I didn't take the call seriously. But they kept coming and the people who were calling were more and more significant people in government who felt that the choices for voters at that time, the current city attorney and Marissa Roy and another young lady named to assure me were not, were not the right choices to lead the city going forward.
00:09:00:06 - 00:09:09:03
JOHN MCKINNEY
So I took some time to look at it, and and I agreed that I believe I can do a much better job than all of them. So I got in the race.
00:09:09:05 - 00:09:35:08
DINO
Now, when we look at L.A., John McKinney, you've worked in at the county level with, the district attorney. You've been a prosecutor for many, many years. You navigated, you know, under other administrators in the same office. But when you look at L.A. today, John, what do you see as the biggest legal or public policy challenges facing the city?
00:09:35:08 - 00:09:38:22
DINO
And what is your approach to that as a city attorney?
00:09:38:24 - 00:10:16:19
JOHN MCKINNEY
No doubt, the biggest public policy challenges, homelessness, specifically street habitation, those are people who are living on sidewalks along the river, and sewers and cars and RVs. That's the biggest problem facing the city. It has been for quite some time. I'm looking to, have a real impact on that in a very positive way. As city attorney, I would have tools both as city prosecutor and and the attorney for the city of Los Angeles, to use compassionate accountability to get people in off of the sidewalks into a stabilized environment.
00:10:16:21 - 00:10:34:05
JOHN MCKINNEY
I'll need a lot of help. No one person can do it alone, but somebody has to take the lead and call the problem what it is. It is a severe drug addiction problem, combined with mental illness and some other afflictions that are keeping people living on the street the way they are now.
00:10:34:07 - 00:11:03:12
DINO
You know, John, we recently had the mayor of Santana here, talking about her approach and granite. Look, you know, Santana is, 1/20 the size of not smaller than than L.A.. But you know, her controversial will say approach, for which she's taken a lot of slack is to go into a an encampment, for example. I think is the example she use here in our program.
00:11:03:14 - 00:11:27:12
DINO
They offer services, they offer services, they offer services, and eventually they violate them. And, some of them, will end up in jail. And in one particular case she cited, she said, look, we have folks who just say, look, I don't want to go to a place that can provide a different type of assistance. And of course, her critics are saying, look, you're criminalizing poverty, you're criminalizing homelessness.
00:11:27:14 - 00:11:34:05
DINO
That, what's your take on that particular approach and criticism?
00:11:34:07 - 00:11:56:19
JOHN MCKINNEY
Well, it's a very familiar story that when somebody takes the initiative to try to end homelessness, to end that human suffering that's taking place on the street, others will rise up and say, you're trying to criminalize homelessness or criminalize poverty. We have to get beyond that. We need people to show some real political courage and use compassion the way she did.
00:11:56:19 - 00:12:25:10
JOHN MCKINNEY
She went into the encampment, she extended a helping hand. She extended services. But at the end of the day, it has to be an offer that can't be refused. People are not entitled to live on our sidewalks. They are just not is unacceptable in a civilized society to have people living on sidewalks or in sewers. So while we want to lead with help and make it voluntary at the end of the day, you can't choose to stay where you are.
00:12:25:12 - 00:12:39:07
JOHN MCKINNEY
That's the approach that I'm going to take the city attorney, the encampments are going to come down. They're either going to come down the easy way, which is we extend help and you come in and accept that help or we will take them down.
00:12:39:09 - 00:13:05:21
DINO
Now, John, that kind of crosses over to this bigger, broader issue, right? We're talking about homelessness. But there's also this intersection of public safety and accountability issues. These have dominated the conversation in Los Angeles. I, for one, am sometimes, you know, I wonder if this is one of those issues that no matter how much we throw at it, no matter how much we change the approach, we're always going to have, some element of this.
00:13:05:21 - 00:13:24:04
DINO
We're not going to eliminate it for a variety of different reasons. Am I wrong, John? Am I wrong in thinking that no matter how much we do, there's always going to be some of this left over? How does a city attorney play into this? How do you make a change?
00:13:24:06 - 00:13:44:11
JOHN MCKINNEY
I'm more optimistic. Armando, I grew up in a very low income neighborhood. A lot of people were on public assistance in my neighborhood. I lost my mother at two years old. My father died when I was five years old. I was raised by my sister, who raised five children by herself. So I grew up in that kind of environment.
00:13:44:11 - 00:14:07:00
JOHN MCKINNEY
And I got to tell you, you know what? We didn't have Amanda tell me we didn't have a single person living on our sidewalks. It was a very low income community. Nobody lived on the sidewalk. We live in Los Angeles, one of the richest cities in the world. In the history of mankind. And we have 45,000 people living on our sidewalks.
00:14:07:06 - 00:14:29:17
JOHN MCKINNEY
That's by choice. That's government failure. That's the biggest indictment against the Los Angeles city and county government that I can think of. And it doesn't have to be. It wasn't this way 20 years ago. I mean, we've had Skid Row for a long time, but we didn't have this problem all over the county of Los Angeles. And so it can be fixed.
00:14:29:19 - 00:14:38:22
JOHN MCKINNEY
Will we ever get to zero people living on the street at any given time? Probably not. But we can get those numbers way, way down.
00:14:38:24 - 00:15:07:21
DINO
Now, John, you know, this this phrase has attracted considerable attention, in part because of what we're talking about, but also because your opponent there's a there's a huge contrast between you and your opponent, Marissa Roy, who again, I want to let the audience know it was the two of you who came out ahead. Actually, I think she was, further ahead than you were against Heidi Feldstein, sort of who in almost a hundred years, nobody in her position had lost, in a primary.
00:15:07:21 - 00:15:28:00
DINO
But it happened. You both are there and there is considerable differences. What do you believe are the biggest differences in your approach to this office so far as what you're you know, what you are saying you're going to do and what I'm sure are keeping tabs on what, Miss Roy is saying is her approach to this office.
00:15:28:02 - 00:15:58:13
JOHN MCKINNEY
Right. You're correct to say that, there is a stark difference between myself and Marissa Roy. It starts with experience. I've been a lawyer for almost 30 years. I manage a large team of lawyers, over 300 lawyers and staff. Every day. I make high impact legal decisions every day. Marissa Roy has no management experience at all. And keep in mind, the L.A. City Attorney's Office is an office of over 1000 employees, over 550 lawyers.
00:15:58:13 - 00:16:21:22
JOHN MCKINNEY
She has no management experience. I've also tried over 100 cases to jury verdict and I was successful 97% of the time. Marissa Roy has never tried a case, so already you see a wide gap in experience. And then when it comes to the vision for the city, I have been talking about public safety, ending homelessness and saving tax taxpayer dollars.
00:16:21:24 - 00:16:55:04
JOHN MCKINNEY
And my opponent's platform is sued. Businesses and corporations sue landlords and sue the Trump administration. She has really no interest in, public safety. She has no experience in public safety. She once supported a plan to not prosecute misdemeanor crimes, which is what the city attorney is supposed to do, a city prosecutor. And she's also said that she will not support the enforcement of the anti encampment band around schools, churches, libraries and parks.
00:16:55:06 - 00:17:02:24
JOHN MCKINNEY
So you couldn't have two more different candidates when it comes to experience and what we think the priorities of the city should be.
00:17:03:01 - 00:17:29:22
DINO
Now, I'm glad you brought that up. When I was just looking at, I was actually looking for old notes, for when Marissa Roy was here. And I'm being nudged by, my producer, who reminded me that. Yeah, you're right. She did say that she had, plans to, take on the Trump administration. And, you know, as we opened up, in the segment, the position of the city attorney is more of a civil position.
00:17:29:22 - 00:18:10:02
DINO
It's addresses policies. It addresses local issues. But she's insistent that, she sees an opportunity here to challenge the Trump administration. Is she wrong in the office? Is power in this particular position to be able to challenge the, in this case, Trump administration? Issues like immigration, which I know, Heidi felt same sort of for example, did intervene and the landmark Perdomo Vasquez case to, partially or temporarily halt some of the horrific, raids that were happening in L.A..
00:18:10:04 - 00:18:15:05
DINO
Would you have not done that? Tell me more about that contrast. As far as you're concerned.
00:18:15:07 - 00:18:40:17
JOHN MCKINNEY
The city attorney has an absolute obligation to protect the city and protect all of our people, regardless of immigration status. And that includes suing the president of the United States, if that's what it takes, suing any, federal entity is, in fact, suing any any county or state entity that interferes with the, the well-being of our city and the well-being of our residents.
00:18:40:17 - 00:19:02:10
JOHN MCKINNEY
So she's not wrong to say that, legal action against the Trump administration may be necessary. I think anybody who serves a city attorney would do that. Once you establish that, it's necessary. I do think you have to go the extra step to figure out what the litigation strategy is going to be, because we have a district attorney who can sue, and we also have an attorney general who consume.
00:19:02:16 - 00:19:31:18
JOHN MCKINNEY
And sometimes it's not a matter of if you two, it's who takes the lead. Got it. Now, I think Rob Bonta has been very, very effective as attorney general in suing the Trump administration. I think he sued them over 100 times this term alone. And he's been successful, like in 80 cases. So usually when Trump move against California, our county or one of our cities, the attorney general will be the the entity to take the lead in the litigation.
00:19:31:23 - 00:19:41:16
JOHN MCKINNEY
And then the counties and cities will join in to support. But if that doesn't happen in the city has to go it alone. I certainly will go it alone. And I'll move very quickly in that regard.
00:19:41:18 - 00:20:09:03
DINO
Yeah, indeed. I too saw that news, report that Bonta has been pretty damn successful and has sued, I think, over 100 times now. The Trump administration, John walked me through what is the relationship between, let's say, this position, city attorney and the L.A. County district attorney? How does those how do those two, offices work together, if at all or not?
00:20:09:03 - 00:20:12:07
DINO
I, you know, walk us through that?
00:20:12:09 - 00:20:36:01
JOHN MCKINNEY
Well, the two offices should work very closely together. Let me let him tell people what the respective responsibilities these, the district attorney is the chief law enforcement executive for the county of Los Angeles, and the law gives him power over all felony crimes. Those are the more serious crimes. So all felonies everywhere in the county get prosecuted by the D.A..
00:20:36:03 - 00:21:09:00
JOHN MCKINNEY
He also has jurisdiction over all juvenile crime, whether misdemeanor or felony. The city attorney has jurisdiction over all adult misdemeanor crimes. The D.A. cannot prosecute adult misdemeanor crimes in the city of Los Angeles, and those crimes include things like illegal weapon possession, DUI, vandalism, trespass, some assaults, some domestic violence, depending on how serious it is. Retail theft up to $950.
00:21:09:00 - 00:21:33:11
JOHN MCKINNEY
We call these the quality of life crimes because these crimes actually occur far more often than felonies. So on a day to day basis, in the aggregate, these are the crimes that shape how the city looks and feels on a day to day basis. So it's very important to have a city attorney who has experience prosecuting those crimes, as I do, and who takes those crimes seriously as I do.
00:21:33:13 - 00:21:51:13
JOHN MCKINNEY
Not someone like my opponent, Marissa Roy, who has supported a plan not to prosecute them. And, and, you know, as a member of the DSA, which she is their platform is to defund police and defund our jails. So, again, doesn't take public safety very seriously.
00:21:51:15 - 00:22:19:13
DINO
My guest is John McKinney, a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney and candidate for Los Angeles city attorney, running on the against Marissa Royce. Many of our audience, if you recall, was on the program as well and talked about her candidacy and today's John's opportunity to, tell all our voters, all our constituents, all our listeners why he thinks he's the best choice for this.
00:22:19:15 - 00:22:53:22
DINO
You know, John, your or the now, I guess I don't know. How do you describe it? The soon to be ex, city attorney, Heidi Feldstein sought to during the primary had levied a criticism saying that your experience is too rooted in the criminal justice system, that your experience in the courtroom against particularly, different types of crime doesn't translate to this type of civil engagement, civil litigation.
00:22:54:03 - 00:22:56:02
DINO
What's the you to that?
00:22:56:04 - 00:22:58:21
JOHN MCKINNEY
Well, she had to say something right there.
00:22:58:22 - 00:23:00:10
DINO
And I have to say something.
00:23:00:12 - 00:23:21:07
JOHN MCKINNEY
I've been I've been a litigator for 28 years. And whether it's criminal or civil is just what the case is about. But the skills needed to evaluate a case, to negotiate a settlement, to go into court and stand in front of a jury and win cases, those are what we call litigation skills. And they translate between criminal and civil.
00:23:21:09 - 00:23:52:02
JOHN MCKINNEY
And I have almost three decades of experience doing that. I also have other leadership skills. Like I said, I'm the now director of specialized prosecutions. I advise the district attorney on matters related to the office. I have real management skills, having to do with hiring people. I negotiate with our DA's, union. I engage in performance evaluations, employee discipline, the kinds of things that a manager will actually do on a day to day basis.
00:23:52:02 - 00:24:16:00
JOHN MCKINNEY
The city attorney is a leadership position overseeing, over a thousand employees. And the person who takes that job should not be learning how to manage in real time. Again, Marissa Roy has no experience in management and would be learning those things on the job, so to speak. Another reason I think voters should consider my candidacy very seriously.
00:24:16:02 - 00:24:54:10
DINO
John, as we as we wrap this up, one of the, other criticisms that in our, energy drink fueled, research team handed to me, Ted, Dino, ask him about this. Here's a question. And that is this issue of, being funded, supported by groups like the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Of course, this is relevant, considering just the overwhelming amount of settlements and issues of associated with financing, lawsuits and other challenges in the budget tied to LAPD and law enforcement in general.
00:24:54:12 - 00:25:15:15
DINO
So you've got critics out there saying, rightfully so, perhaps that, when you have a candidate who is so closely tied, including having significant funding coming from this group, that those interests might, peak, or have some additional consideration moving forward. Now, that's not a claim. It's certainly not an accusation. And please let me be clear about that.
00:25:15:15 - 00:25:35:10
DINO
But again, when we look at the ungodly amount of stuff that's out there, I'd say 90% of which is, you know, into a weapon, that bouncer, what say you to those who say you're too close to groups like the LA, Police Protective League and others who are funding your campaign?
00:25:35:12 - 00:26:04:15
JOHN MCKINNEY
Let me parse the question a little bit. Between my relationship with LAPD officers and the the campaign. I've been a Da for 28 years. So in that time, I've worked with agencies all across the county of Los Angeles. We have some 58 police agencies in the county. LAPD is one of the larger ones. I've always had a pretty good working relationship with LAPD rank and file and brass over the years.
00:26:04:17 - 00:26:26:07
JOHN MCKINNEY
I will say the relationship between prosecutors and police is not as cozy as people think. Okay, we have a symbiotic relationship, but we are. We're not always aligned. I'll put it that way. They bring us cases. Sometimes we send them back, we reject them, they get upset about that. So, you know, we have a job to do.
00:26:26:07 - 00:26:45:14
JOHN MCKINNEY
This independent of them. And I've always had a good job of maintaining my own independence and not being a rubber stamp for LAPD or any other agency, for that matter. But when it comes specifically to the campaign I'm on, though, the police union has endorsed me. They haven't given money to my campaign.
00:26:45:16 - 00:26:47:07
DINO
Great. Let me let.
00:26:47:07 - 00:26:53:19
JOHN MCKINNEY
Me. Yeah, let me explain that a little bit though, because I don't I don't want to I want people to understand how this works.
00:26:53:19 - 00:26:55:22
DINO
Please.
00:26:55:24 - 00:27:24:12
JOHN MCKINNEY
Campaigns can raise money up to $1,800 per donor and no more. Nobody can give my campaign more than $1,800. But sometimes there are organizations, whether they be labor unions like LA, the LA people. You have SEIU ask me, these are all labor unions, but you also sometimes have private companies or organizations that decide they want to support a candidate, right?
00:27:24:12 - 00:27:39:00
JOHN MCKINNEY
So they start their own what's called independent expenditure. Sure. And then they spend money in support or against the candidate, but the candidate and the candidate's campaign can have no relationship with that effort at all.
00:27:39:00 - 00:27:39:19
DINO
Indeed.
00:27:39:21 - 00:28:04:09
JOHN MCKINNEY
So, for example, my opponent, Marisa Roy, has received more than half $1 million in support from the billboard lawyers or consumer lawyers, as they call themselves. These are the lawyers who sue the city most often. You've heard about these outrageous lawsuits that the city is facing more than 3000 lawsuits, right? More than a billion and a half dollars likely going to be paid out.
00:28:04:11 - 00:28:38:20
JOHN MCKINNEY
They donated more than half $1 million to an IEP to get her elected. They also held a fundraiser for her, where over 20 of them pulled their money and gave their $1,800 checks, or up to $1,800 checks directly to her campaign. So one might ask, does that cause a conflict of interest for her that the lawyers who are suing the city and will be negotiating, in some cases, multi-million dollar settlements with the city, are all pushing to have her elected a city attorney.
00:28:38:22 - 00:28:41:01
JOHN MCKINNEY
I think that's a that's a question that should be.
00:28:41:05 - 00:29:01:21
DINO
No. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Okay. So, John, as we wrap up one more time, folks, we're speaking with, John McKinney, candidate for L.A. City attorney. John, what's the final pitch? The closing pitch for this, special episode of, politics. Tacos and beer. Give it to us because I got the most important and final question following that.
00:29:01:21 - 00:29:05:11
DINO
But what is the final pitch? And make sure you include the election.
00:29:05:13 - 00:29:09:24
JOHN MCKINNEY
Armando. The final pitch is how come I didn't get included with the tacos and beer part?
00:29:09:24 - 00:29:28:18
DINO
Man, that's. Are you kidding me, John? That's the that's that's the final question I usually like to ask folks. You know, you in LA, there's three things I need to know as the host of this program. You know, I already I think I know what your favorite political topic is, right. Politics and activism. Because I already know that you're you're a man of of of law.
00:29:28:18 - 00:29:33:04
DINO
And of course, what's your favorite taco in in L.A. John.
00:29:33:06 - 00:29:34:11
JOHN MCKINNEY
I like Posadas.
00:29:34:13 - 00:29:51:24
DINO
Okay, okay. Got it. And then my producer always throws a fruit at me when I ask this question, but this is how the program started. Politics was in beer. You'd be surprised how many people disclose what their favorite beer is. But if beer is not your thing, what's your favorite coffee? Drank, juice or otherwise to go with that taco though?
00:29:51:24 - 00:29:59:16
JOHN MCKINNEY
I like beer and I like a good Belgium whit. Okay, any of the Belgium beers, are good with me.
00:29:59:18 - 00:30:02:16
DINO
That's awesome. Well, and John final.
00:30:02:18 - 00:30:28:01
JOHN MCKINNEY
My final pitches, please. Real quick. Armando, to the audience. I'm very honored to be in this position. You know, I started my life under some very humbling circumstances, and my journey has has been blessed to put me in a position to run for city attorney, to bring my over 30, almost 30 years of experience to bear, to fight for this city, to fight for taxpayers in this city, to get L.A. moving again.
00:30:28:01 - 00:30:46:08
JOHN MCKINNEY
It just feels like since Covid, we've been stuck in a rut. We've got this homeless problem that's eating up $1 billion, in the last four years that could have gone into city services, potholes, sidewalks, street life, beautifying our parks and making life better for us. I want to be part of that solution. I want to be part of that change.
00:30:46:08 - 00:30:59:20
JOHN MCKINNEY
And I want to fight for people so folks can learn more about me at my website. It's McKinney. The number for la.com, McKinney for Lakum or on Instagram at John McKinney underscore.
00:30:59:22 - 00:31:16:17
DINO
And John, we're going to have to leave it there. We appreciate you taking the time to join us today. And thanks for sharing your perspective with our listeners. We've been speaking with John McKinney Kennedy for L.A. City Attorney. John, good luck. And, you know, we might see you back when, after the election. All right.
00:31:16:19 - 00:31:19:00
JOHN MCKINNEY
I hope. I hope that's the case. Thank you so much.
00:31:19:00 - 00:31:41:02
DINO
You got it, buddy. Coming up, folks, we're headed to the San Fernando Valley. My old stomping ground, my old home, my neighbor's, district. We're going to be talking, with, our next guest, Barri Worth Girvan, who is running for district three. And, yeah, we'll get to hear a little bit about her and her politics.
00:31:41:02 - 00:31:46:05
DINO
Tacos and beer.
00:31:46:07 - 00:32:03:19
DINO
And. Katy, 90.7 FM, Los Angeles.
00:32:03:21 - 00:32:23:19
DINO
Welcome back, folks. You're listening to The Signal. News, information and analysis. I'm your host, Dino. And you know, for those of you, I think the majority of folks who listen to this radio do know me as Dino. But just so that you know Armando, Dino for Dino, that's the full name. Because, you know, I get it. I always get folks who send little notes or things like that.
00:32:23:19 - 00:32:46:00
DINO
I even got a text message. Who the hell is this? Armando guy? Well, that's. I'm the same one. Okay, folks, I'm the same one. So, listen, in our special series politics, Tacos and Beer, we now head over to my old stomping ground. Now, I look, I got a little special place in my heart for the San Fernando Valley.
00:32:46:02 - 00:33:20:23
DINO
There's always been this. This weird relationship between Valley folks, L.A.. And I'm hoping to really deconstruct this in my next guest. I think is going to help us do that a little bit. We're now talking about particularly City Council District three. This is an open seat. Council member Bob Blumenfield is termed out, and the district takes, takes shape out in the West Valley communities of Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Canoga Park, Winnetka, and even I think parts of Receita.
00:33:20:23 - 00:33:46:16
DINO
We'll get into that detail a little bit further. Now, residents there are dealing with many of the same challenges that we're seeing throughout Los Angeles housing affordability, homelessness, public safety, traffic, neighborhood services, and other issues that ultimately the City of L.A. has to address. My next guest is Barry Worth, given a West Valley native who's running for Los Angeles City Council District three.
00:33:46:18 - 00:34:01:06
DINO
We're going to spend the next 20 minutes or so getting to know her a little bit and talking about what she or why she believes the Valley needs, her as a representative. Barry, welcome to The Signal. Thanks for joining us.
00:34:01:08 - 00:34:04:03
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Thank you so much for having me. It's a pleasure to be with you.
00:34:04:05 - 00:34:26:04
DINO
Hey, listen. Okay, so first things first. You know, if there was an easy way to ask this question so I don't have to repeat it every single time, but it is like my favorite question to ask, especially of candidates. Barry, walk me through it. Right. One day you're sitting there, maybe sipping some coffee and looking out the window, and the clouds parted and the light came through and it shined on you.
00:34:26:04 - 00:34:30:18
DINO
And it said you should run for office. That's like my voice, right?
00:34:30:22 - 00:34:31:16
DINO
You should run for.
00:34:31:16 - 00:34:35:02
DINO
Office, Barry. What were you thinking?
00:34:35:04 - 00:34:54:11
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
So it was shortly after the 2016 election. Actually, I've worked in government. I've been a public servant for 20 years, and I love the work that I do. I feel really passionate about being able to serve our communities, and I've worked at the city and the state and the county, and at the time I had, already worked for the city, and I was working at the state.
00:34:54:11 - 00:35:15:09
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And after the 2016 election, I thought, okay, I'm doing really good work from the position that I'm in, but, I need to elevate this because, our country is at a crossroads right now. And I did a program called Emerge California, which trains Democratic women to run for office. And after that, I thought, this is my community.
00:35:15:09 - 00:35:22:00
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
I have worked at the city, I'm passionate about local issues, and I want to make a difference for our community.
00:35:22:02 - 00:35:39:22
DINO
You know, that kind of job I do, actually, now that I think back and, you know, when I when I'm handed the notes and the research, I do recall now and I probably should have read this, I'm being very transparent. I think I only read it once, but yes, you do have extensive history working with previous administrations in various positions.
00:35:39:23 - 00:36:01:22
DINO
How did that and let us know what some of those key positions were. But how did that help you? You know, really get not just the confidence but the know how side of things. Right? We just talked to, John McKinney. And, you know, one of the things he's saying about the the person he's running against, Maurice Arroyo, he's saying, look, I have experience, John said.
00:36:01:24 - 00:36:09:06
DINO
And this is why I have the experience. Tell me why the experience you acquired? How does that help you for this position?
00:36:09:08 - 00:36:38:05
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Yeah. Thank you. So this has been something that you just wake up one day and decide to do. This is something that I've developed over years of government service and knowing how the programs, the processes work. So for me, my experience, I've worked at the city, at the state, and most recently at the county. And these are, you know, there's major bureaucracies at every level of government and knowing how to navigate those bureaucracies and having the relationships is key to being able to hit the ground running on day one.
00:36:38:07 - 00:37:06:02
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And for me, it's I've learned having worked at every level of government, what it means to work together across jurisdictions and not to pass the buck, because you'll see a lot of offices and a lot of elected officials. They'll say, oh, that's not my district or that's not my jurisdiction. Call this office. And what I've learned over years of working on the front lines with constituents in our community is that they might not know who the best office to call is, but they might call one of their representatives and they just want help.
00:37:06:02 - 00:37:20:24
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Usually by the time they call our office, they're frustrated with a problem and they want help. And so it's up to us to actually not pass the buck and to know how to help hold their hand through the process. And that is something that I have learned and that I take with me every single time I do my work.
00:37:21:03 - 00:37:47:05
DINO
Now, Barry, let's go back to the district. Right. So when you were out there campaigning, when you're out there, you know, knocking on doors or, you know, doing events when you talk to residents, constituents across district three, what are you hearing? What are the biggest concerns people are bringing to you and what how have those led to becoming your priorities for this campaign?
00:37:47:07 - 00:38:11:18
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Yes. So I actually just came back, I was door knocking this morning. I was out at the knockings talking to people who are saying we want change in our in our communities. What I hear every time I talk to residents, I'm, I'm knocking on doors. I'm out in the community talking to people who are helping, you know, make our community what it is is they are so frustrated and tired with it, taking, for example, seven months to get a streetlight fixed.
00:38:11:24 - 00:38:30:12
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
They just want their basic public services that impact their everyday life. You know, their sidewalks fixed, their pothole fixed. You know, they just want when they pick up the phone to call 911, they want actually someone to show up. Or when they call 311 to get government services, they want their services and they don't want to have to get routed through this hamster wheel.
00:38:30:12 - 00:38:50:00
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
You know, of bureaucracy to get anything done. Well, overwhelmingly, what they want is they want somebody to pay attention to them. And certainly out here in the West Valley, as you may know, our community often feels overlooked at City Hall. And so it's not having to wait our turn, wait in line over and over, but it's actually getting prioritized and getting our services prioritized.
00:38:50:00 - 00:39:18:09
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
So it is for me, my priorities have always been, you know, constituent service, as I mentioned, has always been my bread and butter. It is delivering those public services and doing it case by case, person by person, because people have really a lot of times lost their faith in believing in the good that we can do. And what I've learned is that when you can actually fix someone's pothole, fix someone's streetlight, you know, do something that impacts their everyday life, then they actually can believe in the good that we can do.
00:39:18:09 - 00:39:34:07
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And the other thing they talk overwhelmingly about is homelessness. That is one of the big issues that is facing Los Angeles. You can't live in Los Angeles right now with not seeing that this is a you know, it's a crisis on our streets and in our neighborhoods, and people want to see, some real solutions in our community.
00:39:34:07 - 00:39:47:00
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And that's something that I bring in, which is the ability to work together from the city and most recently at the county, and bring those, even at the state, bring those relationships to bear so that we can actually deliver some, real change in our community.
00:39:47:02 - 00:40:15:03
DINO
And very, you know, you touched on the issue of, homelessness, you know, housing affordability continues to be one of these top issues, not just in your district, but across the city, across the county, and indeed across the state. And while we could spend an entire month's worth of episodes of The Signal on what should be the response of City Home, the other issue that comes is this issue of public safety.
00:40:15:03 - 00:40:40:15
DINO
Another right, a major issue. What's your approach to keeping our neighborhoods safe? What do you think is the right balance between you know, law enforcement and community services? We just heard, again, just like me saying, look, you know, it's not that easy. It's a it's a little bit more challenging. Some folks are criticizing issues of criminalization of, of, homelessness, while others are saying, look, it's time.
00:40:40:15 - 00:40:52:00
DINO
Santana's the perfect example. We can offer you help. And if you don't, you were taking you to jail. What's the balance barrier as far as you go with the campaign that you're running?
00:40:52:02 - 00:41:11:10
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Thank you so much for asking that. And you asked previously about how this has led to my priorities. And my priorities for our community are safe, clean, affordable neighborhoods. So to me, that is tackling. My number one priority is public safety and housing. And homelessness. That is how we together and those two things are intricately integrated. We can't separate those out.
00:41:11:12 - 00:41:35:23
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
They are connected. And to me it is taking them together. So first and foremost, my approach to public safety is making sure that our officers have the, staffing and the resources that they need to keep our neighborhood safe. And that every time I'm not on ride alongs, I hear how difficult it is. You know, we recruit in our, in our departments, but then we lose our, our officers to other jurisdictions, and that's happening over and over again.
00:41:36:00 - 00:42:04:09
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
So I want to make sure that we are retaining the officers that we are recruiting in LAPD, and also making sure that we have greater training and oversight so that we have that we're, not, risking the liabilities and the payoffs that the city has been exposing itself to. With that being said, but when we talk about, policing and we talk about homelessness, for me, I will fight to enforce 4118 but I also think enforcement is not enough.
00:42:04:11 - 00:42:28:21
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
We need to make sure that we are bringing people inside and wrapping them in wraparound mental health services. And that, to me, is the key to getting them to not just get into housing but stay housed. We know that housing is more than a roof over someone's head. It is also the services that help get them to stay in permanent housing and get them on the track to, you know, stay off the streets and in housing in our communities.
00:42:28:21 - 00:42:50:01
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And so for me, it is all about those partnerships, those partnerships with the county. And you're never going to see me pass the buck. It's going to be partnerships with the county to do that work, because a lot of that is done in partnership with the Department of Mental Health at the county and organizations in our community that are actually doing this work here in the Valley, we have the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, we have the Tarzana Treatment Center.
00:42:50:01 - 00:43:11:08
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
We have organizations doing work in our community to help people, stay housed and get the services that they need or we need to do a better job of that. Lastly, I'd like to add, when it comes to this issue, the most important piece of this is community policing and unarmed crisis. Response and for me, one of the best examples of this is the LA City Circle program.
00:43:11:10 - 00:43:34:00
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
The city has a program right now that sends trained mental health professionals to help people on the streets having a nonviolent, non-urgent mental health crisis on our streets. And that gives the folks on the streets having those episodes, the services that they need. And it saves our sworn personnel to actually fight the violent crime when they're needed so that they're not stretched even thinner.
00:43:34:02 - 00:43:51:15
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
So it is a realignment of our resources that I think is so important and critical in this moment. And the thing I will say about this program is that it is operating in other parts of the city, but we don't have it here in the West Valley in my community. So that is something when I talk about fighting to make sure we have our fair share of resources, that is critical.
00:43:51:15 - 00:43:58:12
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
That is a critical program that I would like to expand out here in the West Valley into our community, so that we are benefiting from that.
00:43:58:14 - 00:44:24:15
DINO
My guest is Barry with Galvan, who is running for L.A. City Council District three. And Barry brings an extensive experience and public service and a passion for community involvement. For nearly two decades, Barry has worked on behalf of residents in the San Fernando Valley, including in high ranking positions at the State legislature. Worked in the office of former mayor of Los Angeles, and then even in the county board of supervisors.
00:44:24:17 - 00:44:50:24
DINO
And as an impassioned, candidate running for office now, Barry, both you and your opponent and for, as a matter for transparency, we did connect with Tim Gasper, who was the opponent running for the same office. And at first we were having, I think, good conversation about joining the program. And then the interwebs notes took them, and we, as of time of broadcast, had not been able to confirm that.
00:44:51:01 - 00:45:34:23
DINO
That said, you know, Barry, the current position is held by Bob Blumenfield and, you know, he and City Council has for a long time, been known. And this is my description as somewhat of a fiscal hawk, somebody who paid along with other other, officials, including Tim McCosker and a few others, folks who have historically played a big role in, in, issues of fiscal responsibility, ensuring that certain issues or, expenses don't get passed on, without there being a long term sustainable plan.
00:45:35:04 - 00:45:57:10
DINO
All that to say is, you know, your opponent says he considers himself more of a moderate, according to his own website. What is your general approach to these issues, whether it's, you know, being, more of a fiscal hawk, more of a moderate, how would you characterize your candidacy moving forward into the November 3rd election?
00:45:57:12 - 00:46:16:00
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Thank you. So one of the things you're you most of people have seen me fighting for, and you're going to see me continue to fight for once in office is greater accountability. I think that when we ask voters to, invest in programs, we need to have greater accountability to, we need to have accountability for those things.
00:46:16:00 - 00:46:36:09
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
So one example is lahsa. That's the, the joint. You know, it was like the county and the city putting money in. And what we have found is a lack of accountability. When we're talking about investing in public dollars, we need to have accountability for every public dollar because voters aren't going to trust, you know, their government.
00:46:36:09 - 00:47:03:21
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
If we don't have that accountability and they won't agree to invest. So that accountability is something that I have fought for and then I will continue to fight for. Louisa is an example of a lack of accountability where it is failed. And at the county, we actually pulled the county's funding out of Los and stood up, our own department, to make sure that there was, oversight and, transparency to make sure we could track those public dollars and that we knew what's working and what's not working.
00:47:04:02 - 00:47:37:07
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And we will funnel our funding to what's working and re address and, you know, reassess what's not working. So I want to see us do that at the city. That's something I want to take. Make make sure that we take a leadership role in doing and making sure that we have the ability to do that. So, one of the things I did at the county was also help pass measure G in 2024, which was a governance restructure and governance reform effort to bring about greater accountability to the county, even in addition to the, work that we did on Lahsa, I think a lot of the charter reforms that had come before,
00:47:37:09 - 00:47:55:09
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
the city this past round, I think we're really important in terms of increasing accountability for all of those dollars and just for our governance in general. And that is something that I will continue to fight for, is accountability and transparency, particularly when it comes to public funds. Lastly, when we talk about the budget, we know how strapped it is.
00:47:55:09 - 00:48:20:22
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And, you know, that's one of the reasons that there have been, you know, it takes so long, for example, like I said earlier, to get a streetlight fixed, for example. And that's what I when I get in there, I want to make sure that we take a fine tooth comb to that budget and that we are prioritizing those core city services, those public services that no other government provides and that we need, you know, our communities depend on so that when it comes to priorities, I want to make sure that we're prioritizing that.
00:48:20:24 - 00:48:44:04
DINO
Now, let me stay on that for, one more minute if we can. Barry. And by the way, folks, again, my guest is Barry with and running for City Council District three, talking about her priorities, her candidacy, and why she thinks she's the better option. I did reference, the other candidate. Who was unable to, join us to discuss his candidacy.
00:48:44:04 - 00:48:54:15
DINO
But what sets you apart? What sets you apart from Tim Gaspar Why? You know, why are you the better option?
00:48:54:17 - 00:49:18:05
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Thank you. Look, I worked, you know, with businesses. I've worked with, neighborhood groups, I've worked with leaders from every level of government and with city departments to actually deliver results in our neighborhood. And what distinguishes me from my opponent is having 20 years of public service experience on the front lines, delivering for our communities and delivering real results in our communities.
00:49:18:07 - 00:49:39:15
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And then secondly, you know, leading a coalition of endorsements that demonstrate that I will lead with integrity. And I think ethical leadership is one of the things that is so sorely missing in our government right now. And it erodes public trust. But my coalition of endorsements, shows that I am going to lead with integrity. And this is how I've always done my work.
00:49:39:15 - 00:50:00:21
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And with ethical leadership. And lastly, for me, it's a lifetime commitment to democratic values. I don't do things out of political convenience. I have always been who, you know, fighting for these values. I was raised with democratic values, and these are the values that I stand up for and that I have fought for for years. And these are the values that I'm standing up for in this moment, and that I will fight for once.
00:50:00:21 - 00:50:17:07
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
I'm in office. These are these are the values that I will lead with. So I've been transparent from day one and I am ready to lead. Lastly, for me, it's also being ready to hit the ground running on day one. There is no time for on the job training right now. I am ready to hit the ground running on day one.
00:50:17:09 - 00:50:48:19
DINO
Look at you girl. I go for this very. You know, you touched on the business community and you know one thing that, you know, in my ten plus years of living out in the valley, including in areas close to your district or the district you're looking to represent, you know, the business community because of its geographic location, because of its, you know, it's not concentrated in such a large city like, or the other parts of the city, like, downtown L.A. or others.
00:50:48:21 - 00:51:15:04
DINO
I always noticed that there was there seemed to be a much more structured business environment and business coalitions and communities, you know, again, having, navigated as a political scientist, the city of LA as long as I have as well. So, tell me more about what you see. Could be your role in supporting, valley small businesses and the local economy in your district.
00:51:15:06 - 00:51:34:19
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Yeah. Thank you so much for that. Look, I come from a family of small business owners, and I know that how critical these small businesses are and larger ones, to making sure that Los Angeles has a thriving economy. And for me, I've actually every office I've ever worked in, I've sought out opportunities to work with our business community and build those relationships because I know how important they are.
00:51:34:19 - 00:51:52:04
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And if you're over and over again how difficult it is to do business in the city of Los Angeles, and I'm really sensitive to that. So for me, I want to make sure look for, for example, I hear all the time when someone's applying for a permit, they might get one inspector coming out. Give them a list of, you know, things that are a checklist of things they need to do.
00:51:52:10 - 00:52:12:19
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
They do those things, and then they get a whole new inspector that comes out with a whole new checklist and you're like, excuse me, what is this? And people say they want some, you know, some, you know, predictability. And so what I want to do is establish, you know, uniform, you know, checklist uniform, you know, processes and predictable timelines so that businesses do want to operate here and that we're attracting, businesses.
00:52:12:19 - 00:52:34:08
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And I'm going to create a business concierge to guide companies through the processes because we know how difficult it is. I want to modernize our, our, our permitting process with digital platforms so that it's more transparent and people can track where their, you know, their permits are in the process. And, and I want to make sure that business voices are a part of all of our decision making process.
00:52:34:10 - 00:52:55:17
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
But, you know, for me, my, one of my other priorities is revitalizing our local economy. And I talk about doing that with workforce development, with job creations, with infrastructure investment. Because we out here in the West Valley, we are a bit of a transit desert. We have the, the G line, a formerly known as the Orange Line, but it doesn't take you everywhere we need to go.
00:52:55:17 - 00:53:14:03
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And there's, you know, the Rams Village is coming here to our community in Warner Center. There's an opportunity for a lot of great jobs out here. And I want to make sure that we have good, good jobs here, good paying jobs, good union jobs out here. And that, you know, lastly, that we're keeping good entertainment jobs here in LA where they belong.
00:53:14:03 - 00:53:28:10
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And that comes from also partnering with our state, and county representatives who are leading on this work and leading and partnering here in the city of LA to make sure that people can get their permits to film when they need to film, so that we're keeping those jobs.
00:53:28:10 - 00:53:55:20
DINO
Here and there, and so that we can also keep our public radio systems alive. Yes, I'm hoping my producer, I wink wink, I love this idea of a business concierge. I'm thinking the Signal Public Radio concierge will find you and bring in somebody else who can be my support structure here. What? We're talking about one of our production assistants, Barry, we close out this segment with your final pitch, your socials.
00:53:55:20 - 00:54:19:02
DINO
Where do people learn more? But more importantly, the most important question of all ever asked on any level is public radio station. And this program in particular, our series is called politics, Tacos and Beer. Barry. And I always I'm curious, you know, what's your favorite political issue? I might know what yours is, but let us know what's your favorite taco and what's your favorite drink of choice?
00:54:19:08 - 00:54:20:17
DINO
Give it to me.
00:54:20:19 - 00:54:44:03
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
Thank you so much for all you do. As a person who I look, I have a background in journalism and I really appreciate, you know, public radio. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for, you know, connecting my issue. My favorite thing is making sure people have a voice in their government. I'm running to make sure that there is a human connection so that people know that we have a voice and that we get our fair share of resources, and that we're standing up to protect all of our communities in this moment.
00:54:44:05 - 00:55:05:11
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
I'm incredibly passionate about my community out here in the Valley and in terms of, okay, I've got a metropolitan police, some talk I got that talk is okay. If you ever asked me to choose one, it's so, so hard. There's so I always love a good taco, but I will tell you, we just got a local tacos out here in, Woodland Hills, and I'm so excited about it.
00:55:05:11 - 00:55:25:12
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
It's so close. And I have been, a very good customer, so that's very exciting. But that's the plan to go ahead. Yes, yes. And then my, for me, I love a dark beer. Guinness is, you know, give me a dark figure to defend myself, you know? Exactly. And, thank you. But my my, pleased.
00:55:25:12 - 00:55:42:17
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
It's, we have 17 days left until election day, and every vote counts. It is so critical that your voice is heard. So I would ask everybody to please join us. We are canvasing, every weekend now until Election Day, and we need to make sure that we get out every vote. So please follow me on social media.
00:55:42:23 - 00:56:02:07
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
It is Barry for the Valley. It's Barry for not number four, but for the Valley. You can find us on social media and all of our upcoming canvasses. No one does this alone. We do this together. And I am running to make our city more, state safe, clean, affordable, and making sure that we have a voice.
00:56:02:07 - 00:56:08:04
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
And I can't do this without you. So please join me. And I am so looking forward to serving our community.
00:56:08:07 - 00:56:32:07
DINO
And that is Barry with Girvan, candidate for the Los Angeles City Council, District three, in the San Fernando Valley. My old stomping ground, my old horse and and for our listeners, remember, November 3rd is the election day. Take some time to learn about the candidates, listen to the program, go back, to the KPFA, dawg. Listen to the many, many, many candidates we've had on for the last years, almost 12 months.
00:56:32:09 - 00:56:37:22
DINO
And make your choice. Barry, thank you for joining us here on The Signal. We wish you the best of luck.
00:56:37:24 - 00:56:44:18
BARRI WORTH GIRVAN
I'm so proud to be with you. And I was the officially endorsed candidate of the Democratic Party. Thank you. And please vote. Have a great day everyone and folks.
00:56:44:18 - 00:57:08:12
DINO
With that, we wrap up this week's episode of The Signal. News, information and analysis. I want I want to remind everybody, look, two candidates, two very different positions, but both with the potential to influence the direction of Los Angeles for years to come. And I think that's something worth remembering as we approach this election. We spend an enormous amount of time talking about what's happening in Washington, and understandably so.
00:57:08:14 - 00:57:32:21
DINO
But the decision, folks, the decision that is being made at the local level at City Hall have real impact on all of our neighborhoods, all of our families, our businesses, and everyday lives. Whether we're talking about legal direction or what representative will take your district to the next level. It all happens at the local level. As much as it happens at the federal level.
00:57:32:23 - 00:57:55:23
DINO
So with that said, I want to thank all of my guests. I want to thank Barry. I want to thank John, the production team here, Sly at Behind the Board, my producer in LA, Barbara, production support staff, Fabian and Oliver and everybody who tunes in every Saturday at 12. Thank you for being with us. Remember the Kings, protest is happening now in some areas.
00:57:55:23 - 00:58:01:08
DINO
It's our number. It's going on now, so stay with us. I live.
00:58:01:08 - 00:58:09:16
MUSIC INTRO
In Beaumont. That same year got some staff in June, and I said, I cannot get inside.
