--- [ LOS ANGELES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312) # The Most Meaningful Thing You Can Do in this Age of Trump RESISTANCE WATCH--Feeling bad? First take care of yourself, of course. I like this a lot: [Ways to Stay Motivated in this Shit-Shellacked Era of Epic Stupid](http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2017/06/27/ways-to-stay-motivated-in-this-shit-shellacked-era-of-epic-stupid/) which begins: Written by Julie Butcher on July 13 2017. ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2017/056o.png) [](https://www.addtoany.com/share) [Comments](#disqus_thread) RESISTANCE WATCH--Feeling bad? First take care of yourself, of course. I like this a lot: [Ways to Stay Motivated in this Shit-Shellacked Era of Epic Stupid](http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2017/06/27/ways-to-stay-motivated-in-this-shit-shellacked-era-of-epic-stupid/) which begins: “Everything is dumb right now.” “From nose to tail, we have become the dumbest, saddest pig at the county fair.” The best counter to fret, worry, anxiety, and depression is action, connection, involvement, and optimism. Feeling bad? Do something! Volunteer, join your closest [Indivisible](https://www.indivisibleguide.com/guide/organize-locally/) group and [Neighborhood Council](http://empowerla.org/find-your-council/). Take action! Run for office? Yes! Run for office! Local office! Not everybody, of course. But more than do now. [Osita Nwanevu](https://twitter.com/OsitaNwanevu) says it with outstanding precision in a piece called [Run for Office](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/cover_story/2017/01/how_to_run_for_office.html) in [Slate](http://www.slate.com/) (January 16, 2017): “The most meaningful thing you can do in the age of Trump, for your community, for your country, is run for office. Across America, Republican politicians stand ready to do their part in the implementation of the Trump and GOP agenda. Beat them. Across America, Democrats blind to the stakes of the moment, comfortable in their positions or too timid to fight effectively against the Republican Party, stand, like bowling pins, ready to be knocked down again. Replace them. Not with some milquetoast professional or former lobbyist groomed by the state party. *You*. *You*, with the undocumented parents; *you*, who remembers when your town was a steel town; *you*, PTA regular; *you,* professor; *you*, concerned citizen, should run.” [Generation Progress](http://genprogress.org/) offers solid resources available to anyone prepared to do the work here in [So, You Want To Run For Local Office](http://genprogress.org/voices/2016/12/01/44996/want-run-local-office/): These are just a few organizations dedicated to this mission: - [League of Women Voters](http://lwv.org/): Dedicated to helping women get involved in the election process, LWV offers resources that explain how to run for local office. This includes step by step instructions that applies to multiple states. - [Latino Center for Leadership Development](http://www.latinocld.com/): This organization focused on lifting up Latinos who are interested in getting involved in leadership positions. The center holds leadership courses and seminars that can help any potential elected official. - [Victory Fund](https://www.victoryfund.org/get-involved/run-office): Primarily focusing on LGBTQ+ advocates, the Victory Fund informs voters on these issues and supports those who want to run for office. - [She Should Run](http://www.sheshouldrun.org/): Much like LWV, She Should Run also focuses on involving women in the political process. However, its specific target is having women elected into office on local, state and federal levels. - [Vote Run Lead](https://voterunlead.org/): This organization also offers support for women running for elections. It has special training sessions and events to teach members about leadership. - [Off the Sidelines](http://offthesidelines.org/): Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has created this organization to encourage women and girls to make their voices heard. It includes multiple resources for women who want to run for office. In Los Angeles County – in 2017 (this year, that is) – there are elections set in 11 local school districts, four water districts, two recreation districts, five irrigation districts, one community service district, one library district, and seven local municipalities. (I’ve made a list. See below.) The list for 2018 is longer. Additionally, [LAFCO](http://lalafco.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=33) (remember them?) lists even more special districts: trash, cemeteries, lots of water. Wherever you are, there’s a local entity in need of community involvement and oversight. So many resources: ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2017/056p.png)Start with [Run for Office](https://www.runforoffice.org/): “Our democracy depends upon citizens deeply engaging in the democratic process and choosing to lead by [running for office](http://www.runforoffice.org/about).” They’re partnering with [NationBuilder](http://nationbuilder.com/course_how_to_run_for_office/?recruiter_id=969659) for detailed campaign assistance and have begun to build a [good database of Los Angeles elections](https://www.runforoffice.org/districts/3562-los-angeles-county). [She Should Run](http://www.sheshouldrun.org/) – “Our commitment starts with asking women to run and continues along their journey towards public office by demystifying the experience and empowering them to unleash their leadership potential. We ask, encourage, and connect.” Emily’s List [Run to Win](http://www.emilyslist.org/run-to-win) excellent step-by-step League of Women Voters’ [How & Why to Run for Local Elected Office](http://lwvwra.org/Booklet.pdf) detailed guidebook Centrist Project’s [Run for Office](http://www.centristproject.org/runforoffice) – “Our movement to break through political dysfunction begins with you.” Great guide and resources from Slate [If You Want to Run for Office (and You Should), Start With These Resources](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/01/a_guide_to_resources_for_running_for_office.html) I like this one: [Is My Name Too Long to Run for Political Office?](http://www.politicalcampaigningtips.com/is-my-name-too-long-to-run-for-political-office/) and this [Learn How to Run and Win Your Local Election](http://www.politicalcampaigningtips.com/) Again, this guide from Generation Progress: [So, You Want To Run For Local Office](http://genprogress.org/voices/2016/12/01/44996/want-run-local-office/) And finally, [Aristotle's](http://aristotle.com/) [So you want to Run for Office?](http://aristotle.com/blog/2014/09/so-you-want-to-run-for-office-2/) ***“You*. *You*, with the undocumented parents; *you*, who remembers when your town was a steel town; *you*, PTA regular; *you,* professor; *you*, concerned citizen, should run.”** Here’s the list of upcoming local elections in Los Angeles County in 2017 and 2018. It is a work in progress as many agencies are in the process of changing the dates of their elections. Some are moving from at-large to district elections. Many of these offices are currently held by longtime incumbents, and many of these elections will go unchallenged unless you run for office! --- **ELECTION: November 7, 2017** **\# Seats Specific Trustee Area or Seat #s open** *SCHOOL DISTRICTS* ABC Unified 3 Trustee Areas 2, 3, 6 Compton Unified 4 Seats 2, 3, 6 Downey Unified 3 Trustee Areas 1, 5, 7 El Monte Union High 3 Seats 2, 3, 5 Garvey 3 Seats 2, 3, 4 Glendora Unified 3 Seats 3, 4, 5 Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union 3 Seats 1, 3, 4 La Cañada Unified 3 Seats 3, 4, 5 Montebello 3 Seats 2, 3, 4 Whittier City 3 Seats 2, 4, 5 Whittier Union High 3 Seats 1, 2, 3 *COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT* Point Dume 2 Seats 2 & 4 *COUNTY WATER DISTRICTS* Green Valley 3 Seats 3, 4, 5 Quartz Hill Water 3 Seats 1, 2, 4 Sativa 2 Seats 1 & 2 West Valley 3 Seats 1, 3, 4 *IRRIGATION DISTRICTS* [Kinneloa](http://www.kinneloairrigationdistrict.info/about/about.html) 2 Seats 2 & 3 La Cañada 2 Seats 1 & 4 Littlerock Creek 3 Seats 2, 3, 5 Palm Ranch 2 Seats 2 & 4 South Montebello 2 Seats 1 & 2 *LIBRARY DISTRICTS* Palos Verdes 2 Seats 2 & 3 *RECREATION & PARK DISTRICTS* Miraleste 2 Seats 2 & 3 Ridgecrest Ranchos 3 Seats 3, 4, 5 *GENERAL & SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS* Hermosa Beach 3 Council Seats 2, 3, 4 Long Beach 3 Council Seats 1, 2, 3 Montebello 3 Council Seats 2, 4, 5 Rancho Palos Verdes 2 Council Seats 3 & 5 Rolling Hills Estates 2 Council Seats 2 & 3 San Marino 3 Council Seats 2, 4, 5 South El Monte 2 Council Seats 2 & 3 **ELECTION: April 10, 2018** GENERAL LAW & CHARTER CITIES Arcadia 3 Council Seats 3, 4, 5 Avalon 2 Council Seats 4 & 5 Bradbury Culver City 3 Council Seats 3, 4, 5 El Segundo 2 Council Seats 1 & 5 Lancaster 2 Lawndale 3 Seats 1 & 3 + City Clerk Long Beach – primary 6 City Attorney, Auditor, Mayor, Prosecutor, Council Seats 1 & 5 Long Beach USD 2 Areas 1 & 3 [Long Beach CC District](http://www.lbcc.edu/boardcandidates.cfm) 3 Areas 1, 3, & 5 Sierra Madre 3 Seats 2, 3, 5 Vernon 1 Seat 2 Walnut 2 Seats 3 & 4 Whittier 2 Mayor & Seat 4 **ELECTION: November 6, 2018** GENERAL ELECTION | *WATER DISTRICT* | | |---|---| | [Walnut Valley](http://wvwd.com/) | | | *COUNTY WATER DISTRICTS* | | | | Crescenta Valley | | | | La Habra Heights | | | | La Puente Valley | | | | Newhall | | | | Orchard Dale | | | | Pico | | | | Rowland | | | | San Gabriel | | | | Valley | | | | *IRRIGATION DISTRICT* | | | | Palmdale Water | | | | *LIBRARY DISTRICT* | | | | Altadena | | | | *MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICTS* | | | | [Central Basin](https://www.centralbasin.org/) | | | | [Foothill](https://www.fmwd.com/#Who_We_Are) | | | | [Las Virgenes](http://www.lvmwd.com/) | | | | [San Gabriel Valley](http://sgcwd.com/) | | | | [Three Valleys](http://threevalleys.com/) | | | | [Upper San Gabriel Valley](http://upperdistrict.org/) | | | | [West Basin](http://www.westbasin.org/) | | | | *HEALTH CARE DISTRICTS* | | | | Antelope Valley | 2 | Seats 1 & 4 | | Beach Cities | 2 | Seats 1 & 4 | | *RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT* | | | | Westfield | 3 | Seats 3, 4, 5 | | *WATER AGENCIES* | | | | [Antelope Valley – East Kern](http://www.avek.org/) | 3 | Seats 1, 3, 5 | | [Castaic Lake](https://clwa.org/) (shared with Ventura County) | | | | WATER REPLENISHMENT DISTRICT | | | | [Water Replenishment District of Southern California](http://www.wrd.org/) | | | | *SCHOOL DISTRICTS* | | | | Acton-Agua Dulce Unified | | | | [Antelope Valley Community College](https://www.avc.edu/) (shared with Kern County) | 3 | | | [Antelope Valley Joint Union High](http://www.avdistrict.org/) | | | | Alhambra Unified | 2 | Seats 4 & 5 | | Azusa Unified | | | | Baldwin Park Unified | | | | Bassett Unified | | | | Bellflower Unified | | | | Beverly Hills Unified | | | | Bonita Unified | | | | [Castaic Union](http://www.castaicusd.com/) | | | | [Centinela Valley Union High](http://www.centinela.k12.ca.us/) | | | | [Cerritos Community College](http://cms.cerritos.edu/board/) | | | | Charter Oak Unified | | | | Citrus Community College | | | | Claremont Unified | | | | Compton Community College | | | | Covina-Valley Unified | | | | Culver City Unified | | | | Duarte Unified | | | | East Whittier City School District | | | | Eastside Union | | | | El Camino Community College | | | | El Monte City School District | | | | El Rancho Unified | | | | El Segundo Unified | | | | Fullerton Joint Union High School (shared with Orange County) | | | | Gorman Joint (shared with Kern County) | | | | Hacienda La Puente Unified | | | | Hawthorne | | | | Hermosa Beach City School District | | | | Keppel Union School District | | | | Lancaster School District | | | | Las Virgenes Unified (shared with Ventura County) | | | | Lawndale | | | | Lennox | | | | Little Lake City | | | | Los Nietos | | | | [Lowell Joint School District](https://www.ljsd.org/) | | | | Lynwood Unified | | | | Manhattan Beach Unified | | | | Monrovia Unified | | | | Mountain View | | | | Mt. San Antonio Community College | | | | Newhall School District | | | | North Orange County Community College (shared with Orange County) | | | | Norwalk-La Mirada Unified | | | | Palmdale | | | | Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified | | | | Paramount Unified | | | | Pomona Unified | | | | Rio Hondo Community College | | | | Rosemead | | | | Rowland Unified (shared with Orange County) | | | | San Gabriel Unified | | | | San Marino Unified | | | | Santa Clarita Community College | | | | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified | 4 | Seats 1, 3, 4, 6 | | Santa Monica Community College | 2 | Seats 3 & 4 | | Saugus Unified | | | | [Snowline Joint Unified](http://www.snowlineschools.com/) (shared with San Bernardino) | | | | South Pasadena Unified | | | | South Whittier | | | | [Sulphur Springs Union](http://sulphursprings.agendaonline.net/public/) | | | | Temple City Unified | | | | Torrance Unified | | | | [Valle Lindo](http://www.vallelindo.k12.ca.us/) | | | | Victor Valley Community College (shared with San Bernardino) | | | | Walnut Valley Unified | | | | West Covina Unified | | | | Westside Union | | | | [William S. Hart Union High](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=17&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwijs_uBjIPVAhVBymMKHdNeADsQ-TAIigEoADAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hartdistrict.org%2F&usg=AFQjCNFnttRAXiZGJWTEBE54mjL9SMv5rA) | | | | [Wilsona](http://www.wilsonasd.net/) | | | | [Wiseburn Unified](http://www.wiseburn.k12.ca.us/) | | | | *MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS* | | | | Agoura Hills | | | | Alhambra | | | | Artesia | | | | Baldwin Park | | | | Bell Gardens | | | | Bellflower | | | | Calabasas | | | | Carson | | | | Diamond Bar | | | | Downey | | | | Duarte | | | | El Monte | | | | Hawaiian Gardens | | | | Hawthorne | | | | Irwindale | | | | La Puente | | | | Lomita | | | | Lynwood | | | | Malibu | | | | Montebello | | | | Palmdale | | | | Pico Rivera | | | | Pomona | | | | Santa Clarita | | | | Santa Fe Springs | | | | Santa Monica | | | | South Pasadena | | | | West Covina | | | | Westlake Village | | | *(Julie Butcher writes for CityWatch and is a retired union leader now enjoying her new La Crescenta home and her first grandchild. She can be reached at* [*juliejbutcher@gmail.com*](mailto:juliejbutcher@gmail.com) *or on her new blog ‘The Butcher Shop - No Bones about It.’)* *-cw* [![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/) ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png) ## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays Email [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)") [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2") --- ## Featured CityWatch Stories [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/bb/062a-bb8ffb47.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33163:4-4-billion-later-inside-the-broken-machinery-of-los-angeles-homelessness-system&catid=312) ### [ $4.4 Billion Later: Inside the Broken Machinery of Los Angeles’ Homelessness System](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33163:4-4-billion-later-inside-the-broken-machinery-of-los-angeles-homelessness-system&catid=312) THE BOTTOM LINE - When Karen Bass became mayor of Los Angeles in December 2022, she declared a state of emergency on ho… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fd/064h-fdb0b507.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12) ### [Remembering Ken Draper: CityWatch and Transparency Are his Legacy](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12) LA WATCHDOG - Ken Draper, the editor and publisher of CityWatch for more than 20 years, passed away on August 8, 2022… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398) ### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398) PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/04/063g-04ad33d5.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33173:netanyahus-challengers-are-selling-the-same-poison&catid=332) ### [Netanyahu’s Challengers Are Selling The Same Poison](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33173:netanyahus-challengers-are-selling-the-same-poison&catid=332) SPEAKING OUT - One would think that after October 7 and the Gaza war that followed, the leaders from the main oppositio… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/19/062f-19a66144.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33162:prolonged-ignorance-of-a-ticking-bomb-does-not-neutralize-it&catid=9) ### [Prolonged Ignorance Of A Ticking Bomb Does Not Neutralize It](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33162:prolonged-ignorance-of-a-ticking-bomb-does-not-neutralize-it&catid=9) OP/ED - The recent landslide of chemical leaks, fires and extremely dangerous events have proven, without any doubt, th… --- ## [ LOS ANGELES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/063j.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33170:will-the-mayor-city-council-and-school-board-find-boldness-to-convert-empty-schools&catid=312)### [Will the Mayor, City Council and School Board Find Boldness to Convert Empty Schools?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33170:will-the-mayor-city-council-and-school-board-find-boldness-to-convert-empty-schools&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/062g.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33166:la-county-executive-job-candidates-new-and-old-sincere-and-opportunistic-are-lining-up&catid=312)### [LA County Executive Job: Candidates New and Old, Sincere and Opportunistic, are Lining Up](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33166:la-county-executive-job-candidates-new-and-old-sincere-and-opportunistic-are-lining-up&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/062n.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33169:shame-on-da-nathan-hochman-the-prosecution-of-lapd-officer-daniel-flores&catid=312)### [Shame on DA Nathan Hochman: The Prosecution of LAPD Officer Daniel Flores](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33169:shame-on-da-nathan-hochman-the-prosecution-of-lapd-officer-daniel-flores&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/061k.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33147:boyle-heights-warehouse-fire-lessons-learned&catid=312)### [Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire: Lessons Learned](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33147:boyle-heights-warehouse-fire-lessons-learned&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/061e.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33144:candidate-sara-rascon-takes-corporate-pac-check-breaks-promise&catid=312)### [Candidate Sarah Rascón Takes Corporate PAC Check, Breaks Promise ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33144:candidate-sara-rascon-takes-corporate-pac-check-breaks-promise&catid=312)