“WeHo United for John Heilman for City Council 2015,” to date the only independent expenditure committee to emerge in the June 2 Council election, has more than doubled its fundraising in the past few weeks.
The committee, which by law is not allowed to coordinate its spending with that of Heilman’s campaign, had reported contributions of $40,012 as of April 14. They were included in the pre-election campaign report filed April 18.
But more recent reports of individual contributions have boosted that figure to $97,512. As was the case with the donations reported April 18, most of the money is from real estate development interests.
The donors include BMB Commercial Corp. ($15,000), Excel Property Management Services ($15,000), Washington-Western LLC ($10,000), Townscape Management ($10,000), James. R. Zarian ($10,000) and E.T. Legg & Associates ($2,500).
BMB Commercial is a firm controlled by Benjamin Soleimani, a developer with major interests on Melrose Avenue. Excel Property Management Services is controlled by Arman Gabay of the Charles Group, which is the developer of the Melrose Triangle project. Washington-Western occupies the same office on Melrose Avenue as developer Jerry Illoulian’s Aga John. Townscape Management is owned by John Irwin and Tyler Siegel, developers involved in the 8899 Beverly and 8150 Sunset projects. James R. Zarian is an inventor of various commercial lighting and fiber optic products. E.T. Legg & Associates is a billboard company.
Heilman, a 30-year Council member who lost his bid for re-election in the March 3 election, is one of four candidates in the special election on June 1 to fill one Council seat. Others are Larry Block, Cole Ettman and Heidi Shink.
@Steve Martin: As a lawyer, one would think you would focus on facts rather than conjecture or just plain made up stuff. The pastiche you present in denigrating John Heilman is simply that, a pastiche.
There is life beyond the ditch of negativity and sarcasm which you appear to feel regularly compelled to present in front of city council. Surely, as an intelligent person you must have some constructive ideas that could be implemented through the council member of your choice.
Developers don’t throw around that sort of cash because they love West Hollywood’s progressive politics. Heilman may not be a puppet of developers but he has a vision of West Hollywood of glass and steel that is hardly in keeping with our pride in living in an “urban village”. John’s loss in May was not a repudiation of his progressive ideas but rather a reflection that a large number of people don’t agree with his vision for the future and that he is out of touch with the aspirations of many in our community. Obviously big developers believe he needs… Read more »
Steve,
Are you really supporting someone who is or has been investigated due to campaign laws being broken. Then there is a candidate who’s business is failing. I think John is a far better candidate at this time.
JacobD, no, it’s not just you. I’d even say you’re not giving the man enough credit. What about all the food we can enjoy thanks to him, the drinks he allows us to savor, the pets we get to keep, the sidewalks we are allowed to walk on that were his idea, buses with wheels which he invented, air travel, modern medicine, dare I say the internet?
Everyone wants to attack John Heilman. Many say he’s done a great job but should go. There are four candidates running. One has a failing business, do we really want his expertise on the council. Another is under investigation for mishandling donations and paying herself out of said donations. The third it is reported has engaged in illegal activity on the east coast and there is still some issues he never resolved while running for office there. And then we have John. Yes, he’s a good fund raiser and for being good he is attacked. He has helped lead our… Read more »
These unregulated money PACs are shameful. If West Hollywood had any vision they would pass an anti-PAC law, one in direct contrast to the Citizens United ruling, and use this as a means to challenge the ruling making PACs people. And not limited by finance laws. WEHO has the money to pay attorney’s to champion this fight for ALL of America. Or, you could pull a Heilman and take the money and run. (Twice in one year).
Power corrupts. John Heilman was one of the best leaders of the 20th century for WEHO. It is 2015 and the art end of town has been HEILMANIZED. In their grab for more tax revenue by virtue of more property taxes (because there is more property to tax (every floor, every square foot of very floor is more tax revenue) We need to STOP and take a breath (The same way WEHO did on DAY ONE and a 9 month building moratorium was put in place in 1985.) Let’s see how much traffic and such is impacted by the yet… Read more »
I’d thank Dwight Eisenhower for the interstate highway system; that does not mean that were he alive he should be President-for-Life. New ideas and and fresh, creative thinking is needed. By all means, Heilman should be thanked for the good in his tenure. The bad in his tenure (wanton over-development, ridiculous parking shakedowns) indicate that it is time for him to go. He should retire with dignity rather than reappearing like a zombie election after election — a relic of the past not knowing when to call it quits is rather sad.
Is it just me, or is it ironic to hear people hating on Heilman from their rent controlled apartments (thank you Heilman); within walking distance of the award winning remodel of Santa Monica Blvd, arguably the most walkable major artery in Los Angeles (thank you Heilman); while frequenting restaurants, gyms, and grocery stores built in developments approved during Heilman’s tenure (thank you Heilman).
As residents we owe Heilman a collective thank you for the leadership and vision that has resulted in the quality of life and city which we cherish so much.
I’m not against development; however, I am concerned about over-development. Apart from the east side, which is a hot mess of Soviet era inspired retail/residential boxes, the area west of La Cienega, Melrose is fast becoming a canyon with walls of concrete and glass. We have large projects proposed or in development on Melrose at Westmount, Westborne, Norwich and La Cienega, not to mention the recently completed and oversized Restoration Hardware. Waterworks is fleeing to Melrose Place, which has been able to maintain its charm, and there are a number of empty storefronts on this small stretch of Melrose. Slated… Read more »
The above comment is mine and mine alone lest anyone thinks I’m trying to hide now.
I got the “Weho United” mailer today, very informative! Someone thanks John Heilman for creating “more park space” for what appears to be a child with an off leash dog. I wonder what that could be referring to? Manny, can you enlighten us on the rationale of your committee’s mailer? To my knowledge Mr. Heilman (who looks 20 years old in the depiction) was against a dog park in WeHo park and was against the creation of King’s Rd Park. And what is his “solid plan for fighting traffic”??? Judging by the first 30 years it must be fighting traffic… Read more »
Heidi will be the second disaster D’Amico will have leveled on our city. Heilman is the only, and BEST choice if we want our city to continue to thrive. Heilman has historic knowledge of our city that is unique to him alone. Outside of Lindsay Horvath and John Duran, the council of today is a scary, backward thinking group that doesn’t represent the West Hollywood that I love, the West Hollywood that I moved to 24 years ago. This city was, and continues to be the best place to live, and the new agenda of egocentric agenda driven council people… Read more »
So let me get this straight Woody, you’re NOT voting for John Heilman?
LOL