LOCAL elections are being held today throughout the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier areas in our community college districts, in races for school boards and for city councils.

It's one of those election days in which there are no statewide or national issues or candidates on the ballot. But it's just as important - we might argue that it's more important - that voters make the effort to get to the polls today as in any presidential or gubernatorial race.

Your local representatives are the ones who make a real difference in your communities and in your children's education. Plus they are the ones you can run into in the supermarket-checkout lines and go lobby during public comment-periods. They are your neighbors and your fellow citizens. Get out today and help make a difference.

If you're not sure where your polling place is, go to www.lavote.net, the Web site of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, for help.

Our choices in today's elections:

 

• Citrus College District

Area No. 1

Gary Woods

 

Area No. 3

Edward C. Ortell

 

• Mt. SAC College District

Judy Chen Haggerty

David K. Hall

 

Pasadena City College

Area No. 1

Geoffrey L. Baum

 

Area No. 3

Connie Rey Castro

 

Area No. 7

Beth Wells-Miller

 

• Rio Hondo College District

Area No. 1

Norma Edith Garcia

 

Area No. 3

Angela Acosta-Salazar

 

Area No. 5

Madeline Shapiro

 

• Duarte Unified School District

Ken Bell

Reyna Diaz

 

• Garvey School District

Bob Bruesch

Antonio "Tony" Ramos

John Yuen

 

• La Canada Unified School District

Susan Boyd

Joel Peterson

Scott Tracy

 

• Montebello Unified School District

Edwin "Ed" Chau

Gerri Guzman

Carlos Morales Illingworth

 

• Rosemead School District

Rhonda A. Harmon

Fred S. Mascorro

Dennis McDonald

 

• San Gabriel Unified School District

Denise Menchaca

Philip Hu

Matthew Stadtler

 

• San Marino Unified School District

Joseph Chang

Jeng Yen

Nam Jack

 

• Temple City Unified School District

Matt W. Smith

Joe Walker

 

 

• Duarte City Council

Margaret Finlay

Tzeitel Paras-Caracci

 

• Montebello City Council

Richard Garcia

William M. "Bill" Molinari

Giuseppe "Joe" Veneziano

 

• South Pasadena City Council

Michael A. Cacciotti

Philip C. Putnam

 

• South Pasadena Measure L:

Yes