OpEd: The left is starting to look like the right.

During last week’s City Council meeting, Councilmembers John Erickson and Sepi Shyne both denied taking donations from the UNITE HERE Local 11 just before casting their votes against the Hotel Ordinance.

Council member Ericsson went first: “I think we have to stick to the facts. I have seen things that said the hotel workers are filling up my coffers. I haven’t taken anything from the hotel workers.”

Council member Shyne also echoed that she too did not receive support from the UNITE HERE Local 11. “None of us serving on this council have received even a penny from UNITE HERE local 11.” That is another piece of misinformation spread by the Chamber.” she said.

It is clear from the donation reports that both Erickson and Shyne have accepted donations and campaign support from the UNITE HERE Local 11.

Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union Back Erickson and Shyne for West Hollywood City Council

But here in West Hollywood the hypocrisy of our politicians is very clear.

UNITED HERE LOCAL 11’S DONATIONS to JOHN ERICKSON

When politicians dismiss the facts to our faces it is not honest or transparent. In fact its Trumpian!

UNITED HERE LOCAL 11’S DONATIONS to SEPI SHYNE

The irony of what is happening in West Hollywood with the new majority is frightening. As Horvath, Shyne and Erickson sharply criticized former President Trump for his ‘cronyism’ they have given unprecedented access to one special interest group. The UNITE HERE Local 11 Union.

If you watched the discussions on the Hotel Ordinance when presented Horvath, Shyne and Erickson dismissed public input, denying their colleagues Councilmember D’Amico and Mayor Pro Tem Meister the respect or their experience in requesting a study session. They also dismissed the recommendation of David Wilson, the new City Manager and Chief Risk Officer. Three council members bullying things through without data, berating the media reports as happened during the Hotel Ordinance Vote. Council member Erickson and Shyne attacking the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce the way Trump dismissed Comey and the CIA. A reminder of Council member John Erickson and Council member Horvath’s vote against Council member Meister during the SCAG vote for West Hollywood’s seat on the County board. Putting their personal interests ahead of West Hollywood’s interest. It’s not fake news. Erickson and Horvath voted against West Hollywood’s seat on the board. Reminds us of Trump taking Putin’s side. A traitor to our country many said.

Shyne dismissed the lack of proof by hotels to the potential losses but unwilling to allow a recommended study. Both these council members giving undue influence and inappropriate access to huge special interests groups who are their political donors.

These council members completely ignored or acknowledge the many media reports documenting labor shortages while playing with West Hollywood’s number one source of ‘variable’ revenue’ .

The hotel ordinance as written guarantees all hotel workers ‘double the day’s pay’ if they work over 8 hours or clean more than 3500 square feet in a non-union hotel. If a worker works 9 hours they do not get 1 hour overtime, they get ‘double the days pay’, so that means shorter shifts for all. More union members. It means less hours for the current workers. Plus, West Hollywood hotel rooms are larger than many other cities so it means that a worker cleans less rooms for the day. Our city council is telling the hotels how many rooms their maids can clean? Whats next? How many dishes in the dishwasher, or how many meals a cook prepares?

There are 2 unionized hotels in West Hollywood. The Andaz and The One hotel. There are 20 non-union hotels. If this ordinance passes the 2 union hotels do not have to play by the same rules. Their workers do not get ‘double the day pay’ or have square foot limitations. Can you imagine Erickson and Shyne and Horvath screaming foul when Donald Trump used taxpayer dollars to support his special interest groups?

We need to hold this council accountable. They are not business experts. Look at the blind foolish decisions on the ‘Out on Robertson’ with no public input at a cost of $200,000. They are squandering the success over the last years built by many councils. Reminds us of the way Bush blew Clinton’s surplus or Trump rode Obama’s recovery and squandered the surplus. West Hollywood has dipped deep into its reserves using up over 30 million dollars out of our 100 million dollars in unallocated reserves. And we have issued over 100 million dollars in new debt.

How is this council protecting our economy by mandating gender neutral bathrooms with no public input? Are gyms going to now have co-ed bathrooms? How is removing the rainbow flag to replace it with a new flag more inclusive? How is taking our proud West Hollywood library and naming it after somebody who never stepped foot in West Hollywood good for WeHo? How is negotiating with the MTA for a homeless shelter without public input transparent policy? How are scooters and outzones compatible for a city with many disabled residents? How can you pass a hotel ordinance and run a hotel when you can barely open city hall?

Our city council is now a majority of professional politicians who behave like Trumpers wrapped in blue with an agenda that has less to do with the city, its residents or its businesses than their pursuit of personal ambitions and relationships with county and state politicians.

It’s up to all of us to hold our city council accountable before it’s too late.

Just the facts ma’am.