The city of Los Alamitos interview two qualified candidates before deciding to select a local attorney to fill a vacant seat on the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission.
In a special session Feb. 18, the city questioned both qualified candidates, Jeffrey Glaubensklee, a local accountant, mathematician and musician, and Jordan Nefulda, a local attorney.
Glaubensklee described himself as somewhat of a renaissance man, an accomplished attorney, accountant and even once trying to make it in the music business.
He holds degrees in accounting and math, and “likes to work with numbers to make sure everything is in balance.”
Moreover, Glaubensklee said during a long career, he’s worked with major companies like Disney, Price Waterhouse Coopers, MGM and others, but now he wants to “give back to the city.
“I would like to make a difference,” he said, adding that he would be a great asset working with the Council to give rise to the “voice of the people” they represent. Also, Glaubensklee said he would be unafraid to do what’s in the best interest of the city even when it may go against his own interests.
Glaubensklee said he and his wife have their family in Los Alamitos and have grown very fond of the city. “Hopefully, I can be of service,” he said.
The council also heard from Jordan Nefulda, a local attorney, who said he and his wife moved to Los Alamitos for the schools but “fell in love with the city.”
Nefulda said his two children are active in the recreational leagues and that his work on the commission would be prioritize “events and activities” in the best interest of residents.
A former teacher who has served in the armed forces, Nefulda said the city’s recreation, parks and cultural arts commission offers wonderful programming and that he would work hard to ensure they retain the current level of excellence.
As an attorney, Nefulda said he is able “to absorb an enormous amount of facts,” a trait that would serve him well on the commission. Nefulda said he would work to “balance the perspectives of all stakeholders” to create the “level of service most meaningful to the city.”
“I consider this public service, not friends and family service,” said Nefulda, saying he would always default to what’s best for the people in the city as he worked with the Council to solve problems.
Mayor Richard Murphy said picking candidates to serve is the “coolest but hardest” part of a council member’s job.
After city clerk Windy Quintanar polled the council for ‘indications of support,’ the council selected Nefulda to serve on the commission. Murphy, however, encouraged Glaubensklee to continue in his efforts to serve the city at some point.
During the regular session, the city also officially welcomed two new commission members, including William Bandak, who will serve on the city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission and Bruce Murphy, who will serve on the city’s Traffic Commission.