June 15, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Venice Shorts: Brian Averill Unopposed for Second Term as VNC President

Thirty-Four Candidates File for Twenty-One Spots, as Several Incumbents Are Seeking Another Two-Year Stint 

By Nick Antonicello

The filing deadline for the 2025 Venice Neighborhood Council elections has passed with 34 candidates competing for 21 positions on this all-volunteer unit of city government.

Venice has historically had the largest number of candidates with multiple contested elections as well as leading the city in voter participation and turnout.

In 2023 there was a sharp drop in interest as Venice was largely involved in the 2022 municipal elections that saw two Venice attorneys, Traci Park & Erin Darling compete for an open seat on the LA City Council.

Both first time candidates, Park bested Darling by a 52%-48% margin.

Incumbent President Brian Averill, a longtime local activist, will seek reelection unopposed.

This will be Averill’s third run for the presidency as he lost a razor close campaign four years ago only to coast to victory in 2023. 

Longtime board member and Vice-President Jim Robb is not seeking another term and two new faces will compete for the position in Gary Pearl and Danielle Leilani.

Incumbent Secretary Tima Bell will run unopposed.

For the position of Treasurer, first-term incumbent Helen Fallon finds herself in a three-way race for reelection. The canal resident is being challenged by Crystal Lopez and board incumbent Deborah Keaton, who serves as chair of the Oceanfront Walk Committee while Fallon chairs Finance.

There will be a new chair of the Land Use & Planning Committee, more commonly referred to as “LUPC,” as longtime Venetian Mark Mack and Ted Henderson will compete for probably the most important and technical of board posts.

Incumbent Steve Bradbury will switch gears and is running for the position of Communications Officer unopposed.

Bradbury is a Marina del Rey resident who currently serves as a community officer.

Erica Moore who filled an unexpired term as Outreach Chair after being originally elected as a community officer, has two challengers in Brandon Gibbins and Alex Neiman, a former board member who ran for VP with Brian Averill four years ago.

There will be 19 candidates seeking 13 spots as at-large, Community Officers this year with eight incumbents seeking another term of office.

They are:

  • Yolanda Gonzalez (Inc.)
  • Mehrnoosh Mojallali
  • Michael Levy
  • Fran Solomon (Inc.)
  • Susan Hewitt
  • Kenya Lee
  • Gina Hardin
  • Gabriella Baracchini Ross
  • Christopher Lee (Inc.)
  • Brennan Lawson
  • Clark Brown (Inc.)
  • Jim Fitzgerald
  • Joe Friend
  • Joseph Garcia
  • Jason Sugars (Inc.)
  • Nico Ruderman (Inc.)
  • Alley Mills Bean (Inc.)
  • Lisa Redmond (Inc.)
  • Richard Stanger

For the position of Community Interest Officer, longtime incumbent Bruno Hernandez will not be seeking reelection and there will be a race between Mary Barbour and Sarah Mahir, a longtime Venice activist.

Nick Antonicello is a thirty-three year resident of the Venice community and extensively covers the deliberations of the Venice Neighborhood Council. Yo! Venice will be interviewing all interested candidates and to arrange a time, please contact Antonicello via e-mail at nantoni@mindspring.com. You will be sent a series of questions or set a time to discuss your campaign. A headshot is requested along with a candidate profile or resume to participate.

in Hard, News
Related Posts

THIS WEEKEND: Santa Monica Hosts 33rd Annual Juneteenth Celebration

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The event, which draws over 2,000 attendees annually from Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and beyond, was first funded by...

SMPD Announces Safety Measures Ahead of Upcoming ‘No Kings’ Rally on Westside

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Enhanced patrols, rapid-response teams, and advanced technology for situational awareness are part of a detailed operational plan The Santa Monica...

Venice Heritage Museum and Venice Arts Hosts Exhibit on Internment of Japanese Americans

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The exhibition, housed in the museum’s back gallery, features the students’ work alongside a zine that ties the past to...

THIS WEEKEND: Skate Series Hits Venice with $25K Top Prize

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

The Venice Beach event will showcase street-level action, judged on amplitude, trick difficulty, execution, style, and overall impression Skateboarders are...

Mastro’s Malibu Reopens With Ocean Views, Signature Steaks, and Nearly Entire Staff Intact

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Iconic Oceanfront Steakhouse Returns With Its Beloved Butter Cake, Nightly Live Music, and Sunset Glamour After a five-month closure due...

Grass Fire Extinguished in Palisades

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Firefighters remained on scene to conduct mop-up operations, ensuring no hot spots persisted Firefighters extinguished a small grass fire in...

L.A. Louver Extends 50th Anniversary Exhibit

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Located on the same block as its original 1970s site, L.A. Louver has hosted over 660 exhibitions since its founding...

Third Annual Rosé on Rose Wine Fest Comes to Venice Beach This Weekend

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Rosé offerings priced between $8 and $10 per glass at various Rose Avenue establishments The third annual Rosé on Rose...

Rodeo Realty’s Palisades Office Becomes First Rebuild Post-Fire

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

The structure, now fully framed, is set to reopen this year Rodeo Realty announced that the reconstruction of its Pacific...

ICE Detentions Confirmed in Culver City and Westchester Car Washes Amid Federal Raids

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Families Say Loved Ones Taken Without Warning; Viral Video Shows Teen Screaming  While the focus has been on cities such...

Santa Monica ‘Pier 360’ Beach Festival Returns June 28–29 with Two Days of Surf, Sports, and SoCal Vibes

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Free All-Ages Event Features Ocean Races, Skate Competitions, Roller Rink, Beer Garden, Live Music, Kids Activities, And More The Santa...

Grunion Party Set for This Weekend in Venice

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Grunion runs occur along the coasts of Southern California and Baja, Mexico, during spring and summer, aligning with full and...

Congregation and Family Fight to Stop Sale of Historic Venice Church

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Descendants and supporters rally against alleged unlawful sale, seeking historic status and legal action Members of Friendship Baptist Church and...

Parents Protest Removal of Beloved Principal at Broadway Elementary School

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

The decision, announced less than two weeks before the end of the school year, has sparked protests, and a petition...

SMC to Showcase Sustainability-Focused Student Fashion Show

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Student Designers Present 25 Collections at June 20 Event Santa Monica College’s Fashion Program will host LA Mode 2025, its...