I'm
feeling confident about Luis Lopez, but I figure since I've come this
far I might as well check out the other two candidates for the 51st
assembly. Unfortunately Oscar Gutierrez isn't running any events, and
Arturo Chavez only wants me to help him walk the precincts. I do the
only thing I can do short of calling each candidate directly for an
interview/introduction; I go to the Glassell Park Improvement
Association(GPIA) meeting where all four candidates will be having a
forum.
I
drag my cousin out of her house and take her along for company. She
doesn't have any interest in this process, but I think she should get
out of her house more. We arrive at the Glassell Park Senior And
Community Center a few minutes before the event is set to begin and I
have a cigarette and observe the people walking into the event. I wave
and greet Hans as he drives into the parking lot. Most of the people I
see walking inside are older and whiter. I tell my cousin that she's
likely the youngest person attending this forum.
We
walk into the space and sign in with GPIA. I'm not sure why they need
all of this information from me; it's not like I'm a resident of
Glassell Park or anything. I'm here to hear the candidates and nothing
more. I lead my cousin to a pair of seats in the far corner of the
room. There we settle in and wait for the forum to begin.