A producer on two successful nighttime network television shows is running for public office in Santa Clarita.
Laurie Ender, Chairman of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission has announced that she will run for a seat on the Santa Clarita City Council in April 2008.
Ender declared her candidacy to a large group of supporters during a press conference at Valencia Heritage Park last month.
Ender has served on the Parks Commission since 2003, playing a role in the expansion of the Santa Clarita Athletic Complex and the design and construction of Todd Longshore Park in Canyon Country, among other Commission projects. She also recently served as President of the Santa Clarita Valley Council PTA, providing leadership for its 30,000 members and its individual school chapters, which span from Castaic to Canyon Country. Under her guidance, the SCV Council PTA was awarded the top honor in the state from the California State PTA in 2005.
Ender lives in Santa Clarita with her husband Chris and 3 children; Jason, Griffin and Davis.
Before leaving the workplace to raise her children and become a community advocate, Ender was one of the original producers for the NBC’s nationally syndicated television series Access Hollywood which she also helped develop. Prior to that, she was a supervising producer for Entertainment Tonight. She is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting.
Ender has served as a community advocate on several key educational issues that have helped shape the current Santa Clarita Valley school landscape. She co-chaired, along with former mayor Clyde Smyth, the Measure V Bond effort that earmarked $152 million for the Hart District, helping to pay for construction of Golden Valley and West Ranch High Schools and other extensive modernization projects. She also chaired the Measure E Bond campaign for the Saugus Union School District, which raised $48 million toward construction of new schools and the upgrade of existing facilities.
“It has been a passion, a privilege and a pleasure to become involved in the many unique issues that impact Santa Clarita, a city that prides itself on a small-town atmosphere but recognizes the needs for added services to support a growing population,” said Ender, “Like many, I came to Santa Clarita drawn by the vision of a safe community, excellent local parks and services and good schools.”
Throughout her years as an advocate and volunteer in the community, Ender has received many awards and accolades. She received Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Howard “Buck” McKeon for outstanding and valuable service to the community in 2006. Additionally, Ender was named Outstanding Parent Volunteer by the William S. Hart Union High School District and received the Golden Apple Award from the Santa Clarita Valley School Administrators Association.