I am James Bozajian and I am running for re-election to serve as your City Councilman for the City of Calabasas this November 8, 2022

About

Education: James Bozajian was raised locally. After graduating from W.H. Taft High School in Woodland Hills, James received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from UCLA and a Juris Doctor degree from USC School of Law.

Employment: James Bozajian has been an attorney since 1990. He has worked for various government agencies, including the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and State Compensation Insurance Fund.

Experience: James Bozajian has served on the Calabasas City Council since 1997, including six terms as Mayor.

Leadership

  • Board of Directors, Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center Joint Powers Authority (1999 to present). Chairman (2000-2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021).
  • Board of Directors, Calabasas-Las Virgenes Historical Society (2001 to present). President (2015-2016).
  • Board of Directors, California Contract Cities Association (2008 to present). President (2011-2012).
  • Board of Directors, League of California Cities, Los Angeles County Division (2019 to present). President (2021-22).
  • Board of Directors, Los Angeles County Contract Cities Liability Trust Fund Claims Board & Oversight Committee (2016 to present). Chairman (2021).
    Board of Directors, Los Angeles County West Vector Control District (2018 to present).
  • Board of Directors, Los Angeles County Association of Deputy District Attorneys (1993-2014). President (1996, 1997).
  • Community Policing Commission, City of Calabasas (1993-1997).
  • Board of Directors, USC School of Law Alumni Association (1995-1997).
  • Board of Governors, UCLA John Wooden Center (1994-1997).
  • Camp Hye Sierra Committee & Board of Directors (1995-1997, 2019 to present).
  • USC Student Senate (1989-1990).
  • UCLA Daily Bruin (1984-1987). Administration Editor, Political Columnist, Staff Writer, Editorial Board.
  • Student Council, W.H Taft High School (1982-1983).

Awards & Honors

  • Author, “Calabasas: 1991 to 2016″ (2016).
  • Contributor, “Images of America: Calabasas” (2015).
  • Recipient, Los Angeles County Association of Deputy District Attorneys’ “Presidents’ Award” (2013).
  • Recipient, California Contract Cities Association’s “El Matador Grande Award” (2012).
  • Recipient, Calabasas Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Calabasas Award” (2009).
  • Recipient, Calabasas-Las Virgenes Historical Society’s “Living History Award” (2005).
  • Author, “Citizens’ Guide to Calabasas” (2000).

Ballot statement

I was first elected to the Calabasas City Council in 1997, and have served six terms as your Mayor. Prior to my election, the City Council appointed me to two terms on the Calabasas Community Policing Commission.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from UCLA, and graduated from USC School of Law. My professional career includes working as a prosecutor at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and as an attorney at State Compensation Insurance Fund.

During my tenure in office, I have served on the governing boards of the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center; the League of California Cities (Los Angeles County Division); the California Contract Cities Association; the Los Angeles County Association of Deputy District Attorneys; and the Calabasas Historical Society. I have been President/Chairman of each of these organizations.

Calabasas remains financially secure. By prudently managing fiscal resources, the City Council has approved balanced budgets while accumulating a healthy reserve fund. The city has attracted appropriate private enterprises to maintain its solid economic base.

I have consistently demonstrated my dedication to preserving our unique environment and quality of life by striving to control growth both in and around Calabasas. I helped lead the successful efforts to acquire and permanently designate Ahmanson Ranch (2003) and King Gillette Ranch (2005) as public parkland. I was the primary author and sponsor of the two voter-approved Calabasas Open Space Initiatives (Measure D, 2005; Measure O, 2015) and the Calabasas Historic Preservation Ordinance (2008). More recently, I opposed developer-sponsored proposals for expansive, oversized projects in the Las Virgenes Valley — Canyon Oaks (Measure F, 2016) and Avalon Bay (Measure N, 2020), both of which were soundly defeated.

Calabasas owns a diverse array of properties, including our wonderful Civic Center (City Hall, Municipal Library, Senior Center) and 10 other parks and recreational facilities. We have made vast improvements to our roadways to alleviate traffic congestion and beautify our neighborhoods. The city operates a network of shuttles and trolleys to offer better public transportation services.

I have worked hard to forge strong, cooperative relationships with other government agencies, including the Las Virgenes Unified School District; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District; and the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

I bring to the City Council a deep institutional knowledge of municipal government and local history. I have a long and established record of working well with other elected officials, and am proud to be endorsed by my two colleagues who are not up for re-election in this cycle: Councilmembers Alicia Weintraub and Peter Kraut.

I have greatly enjoyed being a part of the Calabasas City Council, during which time I have never missed a meeting and never missed a vote. I respectfully request your support so that I may have the honor of serving you again

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Please join these community leaders in supporting Councilman James R. Bozajian for re-election to the Calabasas City Council

"I have had the honor to serve with James Bozajian, and he exemplifies what you want in a local elected official. He is honest and puts Calabasas residents first when making every decision. He is truly committed to Calabasas and ensuring that we remain a premier City that is safe, fiscally sound, and where we can continue to enjoy protected open space.”
- Alicia Weintraub, Calabasas City Councilwoman
“James was a contributor to the ‘Images of America: Calabasas’ book, writing and editing chapters and accompanying me to various book signings. This project was where I truly saw his passion and commitment to preserving the historical story of Calabasas. I admire his loyal dedication to a dynamic city, and appreciate his special efforts to ensure the city is rich in culture.”
- Cimberly Castellon, Author, “Images of America: Calabasas”
“As a career prosecutor and long-time City Councilmember, James Bozajian brings valuable experience to his role as an elected official. At the statewide level, he used his leadership skills to capably represent the City of Calabasas as President of the California Contract Cities Association and the Los Angeles County Division of the League of California Cities. James is a strong advocate for public safety in his community and a good friend to law enforcement.”
- James Wheeler, President, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)
“When I think of leadership in Calabasas, I think of James Bozajian. James is ethical and consistent. These attributes have been his hallmark as a Calabasas City Councilman. James does what every excellent leader does — he gets input from the community by attending homeowner meetings to hear our concerns and address our questions. Please make sure you vote for James to continue clear, unbiased, consistent and ethical leadership, with no ties to special interests.”
- Candice Weber, President, Community Association of Saratoga Hills
“James is a man of his word... a rare commodity in today’s day and age. His continued support of the Savvy Seniors over the last 11 years has helped our program become a two-time national award winner. His long term commitment to public service in Calabasas speaks volumes. He has my vote and continued support.”
- Carol Davis, Calabasas Resident
“The partnership with the City of Calabasas and the Las Virgenes Unified School District is an integral part of the success of our entire community. James is engaged, informed and accessible. We all benefit from his service on the Council.”
- Lesli Stein, Trustee, Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education​
“James is a uniquely sharp, educated and effective ambassador for his constituents. He has an extensive background in municipal government and a rare ability to understand the complex legislative issues currently threatening the quality of life in our region. He’s one of the rare ones who uses his acumen to represent Calabasas on a regional level.”
- Laura McCorkindale, Mayor, City of Hidden Hills
“Councilmember James Bozajian has an incredible knowledge of the workings of the City of Calabasas and thoroughly understands the issues. He is committed to the well-being of all our residents. I appreciate his integrity, values, honesty, and dedicated leadership. With continued enthusiasm, he provides a steady, thoughtful voice on City Council. I am proud to support his re-election.”
- Richard Sherman, President, Calabasas Park Homeowners Association
“James Bozajian cares about Calabasas: its people, parks, special places, history, grand plans, conservation, beauty, infrastructure, schools, seniors, youth, families, security, identity, image and success. He’s experienced, dedicated, fair, and in touch with almost everybody --- from his neighbors, to the city, county, state and national policy makers --- and he knows most of them by name and position. His long and productive past service to Calabasas is the best promise for the future of our City and citizens.”
- Dennis Washburn, Founding Calabasas City Councilman & First Mayor
“James Bozajian is Calabasas’ hardest working Councilmember. Now, more than ever, we need his institutional knowledge, thoughtful decisions and strong leadership.”
- Peter Kraut, Calabasas City Councilman

Contact Us

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James Bozajian for Calabasas City Council 2022
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