Echo Park Election Certified

It took some counting--and recounting.

But last week's election for new members on the Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council is officially certified.

The Department of Neighborhood Empowerment, which runs the elections, posted the Final Canvass of Results on its site Saturday night.

DONE had quickly certified the five other elections held in the East Region last week.

The tightness of the race between newcomer Ari Bessendorf and Francisco Torrero required the multiple countings, according to Stephen Box, who oversees the elections for DONE.

Bessendorf has been active in efforts to protect Elysian Park from development.

Torrero was previously vice president of the council.

Other winning candidates included former treasurer Gustavo Moreno, who moves into the vice president seat,and Ava Shire, daughter of Echo Park artist and landlord Peter Shire, who runs a salon on Echo Park Avenue.

For a full list of candidates and victors, see the official canvass of votes in the attached media gallery.