Ross Selvidge Squeaks By Dianne Philibosian to Win PCC Board Seat

Ross Selvidge of Pasadena won a close election against fellow Pasadenan Dianne Philibosian while Alexander Keledjian of La Cañada Flintridge trailed far behind in the race for the vacant seat at Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees on Tuesday night.

The Los Angeles County Registrar’s semi-final official election results as of Tuesday morning showed that Selvidge received 2,430 votes or 45.96 percent of the voter turnout, followed by Philibosian with 2,221 votes (42.01 percent) and Keledjian with 636 votes (12.03 percent).

The unofficial count is based on the 24 total reporting precincts. Only 5,287 voters out of 42,293 registered voters cast their votes, showing a very low voter turnout of 12.5 percent.

Selvidge is set to take the Board of Trustees’ Area 1 seat, which represents West Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge and the western portion of Altadena. He will replace Geoffrey Baum of Pasadena who is not seeking reelection.

Furing the campaign Selvidge noted that PCC is currently facing difficult fiscal and operational challenges and said that he is fit to help solve these problems.

“I have a Ph.D. in finance and was a USC faculty member for more than 15 years. I also have 30 years experience as a government/private industry financial consultant.” Selvidge said. “With careful budgeting, I will work to increase the number of classes at PCC.”

“We must keep our students moving forward,” he added.

Selvidge served as the chairman of the City Charter Reform Task Force, Planning Commissioner, Recreation and Parks Commissioner, and Member of the City Hall Renovation Financing Task Force.

He graduated from Pasadena’s John Muir High School in 1964 and was a member of Pasadena City College’s 1965 championship gymnastics team. He also served four years on active duty and 22 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring as a Commander.

Meanwhile, Philibosian thanked her supporters as she awaited the result of the election.

“We have had tremendous teamwork. We have had wonderful volunteers, supporters, donors who have come from all over the area, from La Canada Flintridge all the way south to the South Pasadena border, all the way west and east to our borders and beyond,” Philibosian said. “People have really come out of the woodwork to be a part of this wonderful coming together on behalf of PCC. I am delighted with the effort.”