City Councilmember Lauren Meister is West Hollywood’s new mayor and Councilmember John Heilman is mayor pro tem.
The West Hollywood City Council named Meister and Heilman to those positions at its meeting last night. They will be formally installed in the new positions at the Council’s April 18 meeting.
The role of mayor in a city with a City Manager-Council form of government such as West Hollywood is largely ceremonial, although she is the person required to sign certain official documents and represent the city at certain events. However it also can be an influential role if its occupant chooses to actively represent the city.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story erred in stating that the City Council delayed naming the mayor and mayor pro tem until April 18. As the story above notes, Meister and Heilman were named to those respective positions last night and will be formally installed on April 18.
Congratulations Lauren. Wow. It’s been a long time coming. Of all the elections in West Hollywood that I’ve voted in since the 1996 General, when Proposition 215 passed, the two 2015 City Council Elections struck the deepest note of satisfaction and assurance that democracy in America — at least at the local level — can still deliver elected officials with a history of tireless community service and an abiding dedication to the common values on which West Hollywood was founded. The next year will be full of unprecedented challenges, beyond both our imaginings and direct control. It will require the… Read more »
Good news.
Lauren Meister has one of the most balanced level headed and common sense approaches in every communication I have listened with in her many years on other seats including Planning Commissioner. Her sense of being approachable like Lindsey Horvath is a plus, however we need some very strong leaders today to address ethics and financial issues to extend into many areas of our city today. How can we allow 200 million dollar libraries from large corporate architect firms overbidding and refuse the support to lower the city bonds and refuse to address senior housing today. I believe those over 35… Read more »
Oh, it started out so well! Isn’t this supposed to be a simple congratulatory blog?
You’re over-thinking pal.
Not sure where previous comment regarding “exceptionalism” is coming from. “Exceptionalism” in American historiography asserts that the United States from its Founding is unique in world history, a Puritan City on the Hill first founded and then secondly re-established under Jeffersonian (albeit slaveholding) democratic Deist Constitutional Democracy. (See: Sacvan Bercovitch “The Puritan Origins of the American Self”, Yale, 1975).
My proposal for District Representation is precisely meant to give each person in WeHo a respected vote, from a rep who can be held responsible minus this odd “One City” fakery of being all in together under cults of personality.
Mr. Geltmaker: Exceptionalism seems antithetical to harmony. Are we not a city embracing respect for all? Having city leaders and electing those aspiring to a position of leadership is the responsibility of the voting residents. It is up to us to step up to the challenge of inclusiveness and alignment in selecting those most appropriate and those that conduct themselves in a respectful manner in every setting.
Aside from proposing the drastic solution of annexing West Hollywood into the City of Los Angeles (with all the historical baggage implied) thus ending the economic apartheid as this past week was evidenced in the minimum wage debate wherein it was shamefully stated that 80% of WeHo workers don’t live here and therefore don’t need a raise since (as it was implied) they reside in cheaper areas, it may be time to enact district representation, thus ensuring a more responsive Council member within each area of this pumpernickel principality. This would also reduce the cults of personality and sordid political… Read more »
I’m surprised Heilman was designated Mayor Pro Tem since I believe he said he would not be a candidate again after losing his seat last March, but only serving out the remainder of Jeffrey Prang’s term
@robert…..I’m glad you mentioned “pedestrians” in your comment about the council working for the community.
With bicycles and skateboards on sidewalks, over grown vegetation and zero visibility to driveways among other obstacles, it seems pedestrians don’t always get the safety consideration and respect they deserve…..Thanks for mentioning them/us.
But “Mayor Schmayor”?, haha…..Actually the Mayor is the leader of the Council meeting and the one who sets the tone and manages the procedures. Mayor Horvath did a great job representing and should be commended for a very full year of important community service under her leadership.
Mayor Schmayor…….It really means nothing. As long as progressive and smart decisions by the entire Council and City Management are going to be made you can give the title of Mayor to the trash collector. Enough with the ceremonial mutual admiration society…get some real work done for the community….ALL OF THE COMMUNITY, seniors, disabled, low income, hard working, pedestrians…..not just the developers.
Mayor Horvath, Lindsey, a model for anyone to follow, a new mold. You have raised the bar for all West Hollywood candidates. Exemplary in your inclusive, kindness, and just an all-around admired progressive leader. Thank you.
Congratulations to our new Mayor elect, Lauren Meister. I wish you all the best.
Of course to our Councilmember John Heilman. Remains the pinnacle for reasons that spell success. Truth, honesty, and intelligent from the start and hope for more. Congratulations to our new Mayor Pro Tem.
Honored to be a colleague, your commissioner, and friend. Simply the best.