Who is Highland Park-Mount Washington's Person of the Year: Voting Closes Today!

Update:

Have you voted for Highland Park-Mount Washington's person of the year yet? The deadline is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, January 6. Pick the person you believe deserves the distinction and post their comments section.

We'll tally the votes over the weekend and reveal the winner on Monday.

Update:

We've got a close race for Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch's "Person of the Year." Rather than rush the vote, we'll keep the polls open until Friday, January 6.

As we've previously reported, after the votes are counted we'll feature the winner with a story on Patch.

Update:

Last night, a few readers expressed concerns to me that there might be some funny business going in the voting system--and at first I was disinclined to believe them.

I took a look at the stats for this story this afternoon, though, and it's hard to deny that some folks are trying to take advantage of the voting system; there are about five times as many votes in the poll as there are page views. It's simple math, some folks are voting more than once.

I'd like to believe that we can all trust each other to vote just once and get a true sense of who we think really made a great contribution to our community this year. With that in mind, I've taken down the poll, and I'm asking voters to instead place their vote in the comments section.

Our purpose here is honor the leading lights in our community; folks who do things right. So, let's do this right.

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, we asked you to submit your nominations for Highland Park-Mount Washington's person(s) of the year, and you responded with a long list of locals who have made valuable and lasting contributions to our neighborhoods.

Nominations closed at 5 p.m. on Monday; the time to vote is here.

Use to the poll below to cast your ballot for the individual (or duos) who have played the greatest role in making the Arroyo a better place to live over the last twelve months.

The nominees are:

Angelina Saenz: Teacher,

"She is a dual language kindergarten teacher at Aldama Elementary school. Not only is she a dedicated teacher, she is a Highland Park resident too!" -  Kay Osorio

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Janet Dodson: Member, 

"I nominate Janet Alvarado Dodson for her vision of what the community can be, for working tirelessly with several committees, rounding up other volunteers, thinking hard, bringing people together, never giving up hope and writing excellent articles for The Patch." --  Heidi Lesemann

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Brian Mallman: Former Director, NELA Art

- "The second Saturday art night changed the face of York Boulevard and Highland Park." - Marino Pascal

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Judy Knapton: Member,

"It should be someone who did something to affect the most people. Judy Knapton sounds like a good candidate." - Joe Walker

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Jerry Schneider: member, Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council and Lynette Kampe: Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants

"For their work on preserving and restoring our natural spaces in Mount Washington, Highland Park, the Arroyo Seco and beyond." - Rob Schraff

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Kay Osorio: owner,

"I nominate Kay Osorio from Awesome Playground. Her business is inclusive of all the kids in the neighborhood with bilingual signs and bilingual employees. It is the closest "park" to our house and I think it adds some great variety to York Boulevard. I also really appreciate her willingness to offer different programs including things from music to parenting classes. It is great to have someone with a business like that committed to offering things that serve and better the community in addition to hosting birthday parties! Thanks for choosing to shine your talents in Highland Park!" - Jen MacLean

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Nicole Possert: member, Friends of the Southwest Museum, Highland Park Heritage Trust

"For her tireless work to reopen the and also on the Arroyo Parkway?" - Alice M.

Click here for stories about the Friends efforts to reopen the .

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Jon Murga and Helna Jubany: owners,

"I recommend the owner(s) of Fresco Community Market. They give back to the community on a regular basis. They hire the homeless and give to charities within a three  mile radius of our community." - Cheryl Hansen

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Luis Antezana: member, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council

"Resident of HLP, a student at Cal-State L.A. (political science major), Graduate of (football team), serves on the Historic Highland Park neighborhood council; Luis is a student who rallies his peers for the political causes he believes in (hosts a politically oriented Facebook group) and plays guitar. Its young people like him that will be our leaders of the future who could use our support, so I nominate him." - Alisa

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Pat Griffith: Board Chair, Mount Washington Pre-schools (La Casita Verde) 

"Pat Griffith, for her selfless and untiring work for some two decades on and the other locations of the Mount Washington Preschool and Child Care Centers?" - Rob Schraff

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Paul and Teri Bonsell: member/stakeholder, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council

"In the short time (approximately 1 year) that I have come to know them, they have re-ignited in me, the meaning of community, cooperation, and care." - Teri Lloyd