Tensions mounting in council race

On the surface, there are few differences between businesswoman Christine Essel and Assemblyman Paul Krekorian, who face off Tuesday in the special election for the 2nd City Council District seat. Daily News.

Both agree on the need to boost business development, deal with runaway film production and pay more attention to neighborhood needs in a district that stretches from Studio City to Sun Valley.

"This election is about an opportunity to restructure government, to put together reforms to make the city more efficient," Essel said at a recent debate.

Krekorian has tried to tap into voter anger.

Mailer causes controversy
A last minute mailing by the Essel campaign created a weekend controversy with accusations of sexism and anti-semitism.
Essel sent out a picture of City Hall with barbed wire wrapped around it an a headline: "'Intolerance has no place at City Hall."
It goes on to campaign about a website for an Armenian newspaper that contained harshly critical comments about Essel and featrured a picture of her in ropes. Theorigianl Krekorian mailing said it was to show she is :"the puppet" of special interests.
Both campaigns responded quicklyu,k with Krekorian bringing out Jewish supporters and the Essel forces saying it showed they had touched a nerve,.