The Mid-City West Community Council elected three new members to its executive board on Tuesday, filling positions vacated when former chair Tim Deegan and treasurer Robert Graham resigned in June.

Scott Epstein

A third seat became vacant on Tuesday when Scott Epstein, who was formerly the board’s first vice chair, was elected as the council’s new chair. Andrew Jhun was elected as the new first vice chair, and Matt Lazansky was elected as treasurer.

Epstein said he was one of three candidates, along with Jhun and council member Charles Lindenblatt, who were nominated by the full council to become the chair. He had served as interim chair since Deegan resigned on June 10.  Although the council has 35 members, two seats are open and eight members were absent on Tuesday. Epstein received 14 votes, while Jhun received nine votes and Lindenblatt garnered two votes.

After the chair’s position was filled on Tuesday evening, the council nominated Jhun and Lindenblatt as first vice chair. Jhun received 18 votes, while Lindenblatt garnered eight votes. Lazansky was elected as treasurer after no other candidates were nominated.

Deegan cited his busy schedule as director of guest services at LACMA as the reason for his resignation. He had served on the council for five years, and was elected as chair during the past four terms.

Graham stepped down from the executive board on June 10 because he believed serving as treasurer conflicted with his job at a financial institution. He retained his position as a renter’s representative on the general council.

Epstein has served as a renter’s representative on the council for two years, and was first elected as second vice chair in 2013. He was elected as first vice chair in April.

Epstein grew up in New York and moved to Los Angeles seven years ago. He currently lives in the Fairfax District. Epstein said he was surprised by Deegan’s resignation, but is excited to move forward as the council’s new chair.

“I didn’t see that happening as fast as it has,” Epstein said. “It’s very rewarding. I have enjoyed being on the council, and it has been a very interesting experience.”

Epstein added that the council’s role is to serve “as a bridge” between city government and the community, and he plans to build on connections that the council has established over the years. Epstein said he is interested in expanding the council’s social media outreach, and continuing events such as the council’s Fall Harvest, which was held in Pan Pacific Park last year, as well as other opportunities for people to get involved. He added that he loves the local area.

“It’s a very diverse area with a historical character that is very unique,” Epstein said. “There are wonderful restaurants and cultural resources available to us. I want to bring more resources to the table. We will be working on issues that are important to [the community]. We want to be a voice for the community about how we protect historic resources, design streets and how development looks in our neighborhood.”

Epstein said the full council will fill the two vacant seats on the general board with an election at its meeting on Aug. 12. He encouraged stakeholders in the community to apply. The open positions are Deegan’s former seat as a renter’s representative and a nonprofit representative position that was vacated by former council member Heather Cochran, who stepped down because she moved away from the area.

Anyone who lives, works, owns property or can demonstrate a vested interest in the local area is welcome to apply for the open positions. For information, visit www.midcitywest.org.