Application for Appointment to
CITY CLERK City Board or Commission
2023 FEB 22 AM 7:58
Please provide the following information and return this application to the Office of the City Clerk by:
• EMAIL to Renia Shahnazarian at [email protected]; • U.S.MAIL MAIL to Office of the City Clerk, E. Broadway Suite 110, Glendale, CA 91206-4308; or • FAX to (818) 241-5386
Applicant must be a Glendale resident and registered to vote in the city.
PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE
Name of Board or Commission:_LA COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL COMMISSION Date: 12/30/2022 I. Personal
Name: STEPHEN RYFLE
Home Address:
sulte /uni # city zip code
Home Phone Number: Cell Phone Number: (_ )same
Email Address
Number of years lived in Glendale: 50 523311762 RS
Are you a registered voter in the City of Glendale? (required) @ Yes O No II. Education
College: California State Univ Northridge Degree: BA, Journalism College: Fort Hays State Univ Degree: MBA, Health Care Admin. (in progress) III. Business / Professional Experience
Position: Sr. Communications Lead Company Name: Kaiser Permanente School of Med.
Address:
street address city zip code
Telephone Number: (- Email:
Lead communications and marketing initatives and projects for a major Job Description Southern California medical school.
Design Review Board Candidates Only
Are you a registered architect? DYes D No Registration Number:
IV. Organizations / Civic Activities
List Affiliations:
Alex Film Society, Crescenta Valley High School PTA, Adams Hill Neighborhood Association, Special Olympics, Walk/Bike Glendale K-506 (8/22) (over)
V. Qualifications / Experience
List relevant experience and skills:
Former journalist covering environmental issues and politics for LA Times, Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader, and San
Gabriel Valley Tribune
More than 10 years experience in health and health care information and communications for Kaiser Permanente; have VI. Other Information
(A) Attach a current resume.
(B) Include a brief written statement outlining your views on the roles and responsibilities of this Board or Commission, its key issues, and your goals if appointed. (attach an additional sheet if necessary) (C) If applicable, include the commission(s) on which you have served previously and include the time frame.
The Greater LA County Vector Control District's stated mission is "to reduce populations of public health vectors below nuisance levels, prevent human infection associated with mosquito-transmitted diseases, and prevent the loss of property values and commercial enterprise as the result of vector occurrence and activity." The Board plays a vital role in setting policies that support protective measures to uphold this mission. While the public may consider mosquitoes merely a nuisance (particularly the otherwise harmless Aedes mosquito, the "ankle biter" variety that has become very common in local areas in recent years), the CDC notes that mosquitos continue to pose a threat to spread viruses such as zika, west nile (the most common mosquito-borne illness in the US), cytomegalovirus, and dengue, as well as parasites such as malaria. Although one might assume that mosquito populations are highest in more humid climates, a 2021 survey by the pest control company Orkin named Los Angeles as the mosquito "capital" of the United States. West Nile continues to be the most prevalent and serious vector-borne disease in California, having been detected in all 58 counties since 2004. There have been over 7,300 human cases reported in California and more than 330 deaths since 2003. It remains prevalent in Los Angeles County; according to the district, mosquitoes carrying the virus are typically detected each year in varying parts of the county during "mosquito season," summer and fall. In summer 2022, residents the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Antelope valleys were hospitalized for illnesses assocated with west nile. Everyone is at risk of west nile virus infection, but people over 50 and those with underlying conditions are most vulnerable.
We must remain vigilant to protect public health. As a board member, I would work not only to represent the interests and input of the city on the commission but also to apply my skills as a communications professional toward public education and information to mitigate the health threat. As there is no vaccine or treatment for west nile, nor for many other vector- borne illnesses, the best protection is to reduce mosquito populations and protect the public from bites. We will apply the latest information and bring it to the people of Glendale.
NOTE: THIS FORM BECOMES PUBLIC INFORMATION. INFORM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT THAT YOU DO NOT WANT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
K-506 (8/22)