Calabasas Mayor James Bozajian
Mayor James Bozajian entered his sixth term in office as mayor of Calabasas with a brave face and positive outlook for the future of his beloved city. “Because I have spent the totality of my life in this region, I care deeply about Calabasas,” says Mayor Bozajian. Bozajian first joined the City Council only six years after Calabasas was incorporated in 1991, allowing him the opportunity to cement the framework of the city’s infrastructure—most notably, the establishment of the Calabasas Civic Center, which he considers one of his most significant accomplishments for the city thus far.
After being sworn in during a virtual reorganization ceremony in December 2020, Bozajian laid the groundwork for his tenure in office by sharing his top-10 priorities. With the city still in the throes of one of the most challenging times during its 30-year history, the mayor first noted that he would work as quickly as possible to safely re-open society with Calabasas municipal facilities being at the forefront of his focus. Also spotlighted were his goals to keep the city’s budget balanced, improve city infrastructure, advocate for Calabasas during the political redistricting process, make significant progress on the Craftsman’s Corner annexation,
celebrate the city’s 30th anniversary, and re-open the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center.
Bozajian wasted no time in accomplishing another main objective named during his swearing-in ceremony—hiring a permanent city manager—with Kindon Meik formally beginning his service on March 15. “Without a doubt, the appointment of a City Manager has the potential to guide the City’s direction for years to come; it is one of the most important things a City Council undertakes; and the hiring decision was not one that was taken without due consideration,” shares the Mayor.
Over the past 24 years, Mayor Bozajian shares that the most rewarding aspect of his work by far involves the many wonderful experiences he has had interacting directly with his constituents. “Having the ability to make a positive difference in people’s lives is probably the most rewarding thing a person could ask for,” he remarks of his long-term career in local government.
Looking toward the future, the mayor anticipates working closely with the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses navigate through what he recognizes as “the worst economic crisis since the city incorporated.”
Bozajian expresses deep gratitude to the citizens of Calabasas first and foremost for their continued compliance and enormous patience navigating tough pandemic-related regulations, in addition to their confidence in him to guide the city during his current mayoral term.