Nir Zilberman, owner of LA Jock, is staging what’s likely to be the last debate among candidates in the March 5 election for the West Hollywood City Council.
Zilberman has invited all nine candidates to appear at the clothing store at 7978 Santa Monica Blvd. near North Laurel at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. After opening the event with an introduction, he will ask each candidate to briefly introduce himself then will offer up questions solicited from small local businesses and local residents.
Zilberman said he intends to focus on civic issues and will discourage candidates from engaging in personal attacks. Among the subjects he wants the candidates to address are why so many small business owners are going out of business, what they would do about hate crimes, traffic and parking issues, communication with the community, city support for people in need such as those with AIDS, the homeless and senior citizens, and children’s activities and education.
“I believe it’s the only fair way for all of you to let our community know what are you all about as a person and why we as the residents of our city should vote for you,” Zilberman said in his invitation to the candidates.
All nine candidates participated in a debate earlier in the month sponsored by a group of neighborhood associations. All but the two incumbents, John Duran and Jeffrey Prang, participated in a debate last week hosted by students at West Hollywood College Preparatory School. The West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which traditionally hosts a council candidate debate, has not done so this year.
i know because they told me its just a publicity stunt. nobody is attending. maybe you get it now, the guy got free press.
Just wondering, Anonymous, how you know Prang and Duran are not attending? Is that posted publicly somewhere? This article doesn’t say they aren’t attending. And FYI, there have only been 2 debates to date. The 2nd, sponsored by students, was not attended by the incumbents… so there has only been 1 debate with all the candidates.
HA, anonymous has certainly been trying HARD to get an anti-incumbent reaction today, huh?…..ok, here it is….YAWN
Prang and Duran who are not attending look like they have discretion. This is just a Super Bowl after party for 2nd tier candidates who are desperate for one vote each. Kudos to Prang and Duran for using their time more wisely on the last Sunday before the election. Beyond that I agree, a photo of Steve Martin in his jockstrap will make him look very ‘unpresidential’ and not worthy of the being on the council. LOL.. i bet Duran and Prang knew how to box up all the incumbants and blow their last Sunday night politicing while they are… Read more »
Ive seen enough debates, those questions have been asked or answered, why dont they do it at West Hollywood park instead of a tiny shop with jockstraps in the background, very undignified of these challengers…. cant wait to see the pics of the day after the debate with sam borelli next to some jockstraps.. none of these guys can win an election if they dont value they are casting themselves in the image of underwear instead of something like the prep school, or a normal forum..
Does this guy even live in West Hollywood? I dont know who he is, he is not on a board or commission, has not spoken at a council meeting, and did not attend any of the other 3 debates.. what a farce.
Wow another debate, maybe the next one can be at Pleasure Chest! It belittles the candidates to speak at any single business the challengers (and Nir Zilberman) as desperate for attention.
Would love to see Nir Zilberman take an interest in the community where his store is and attend our monthly neighborhood meetings at the Hudson.