The WeHo PAC announced its endorsements for West Hollywood City Council today.
After much deliberation, based on private one-on–one interviews with all twelve candidates, as well as a public candidate forum, hosted by the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and nine neighborhood associations, the PAC Trustees have reached a decision to endorse five candidates all who share a vision for West Hollywood which aligns with the business community.
The decision was made based on a candidate’s experience and understanding of government process, their representation for the business community, positions taken on various business issues, as well as the challenges that face the business community and their ability to outline strategic solutions to these issues.
All candidates share the community’s concerns for public safety and economic stability.
Endorsed by the WeHo PAC are:
● Lauren Meister is a woman of integrity who has consistently stayed true to representing the interests of the community;
● John Heilman, one of the founding fathers of West Hollywood who has been instrumental in developing its thriving metropolis;
● Marquita Thomas, a leader who understands the importance of economic development;
● John Duran, an experienced former Councilmember who brings common sense back to governance; and
● Sarah Adolphson, a refreshing newcomer who owns and operates a business and wants to set the City back on a path to retain our unique city of small creative businesses.
The five PAC Trustees are comprised of Chamber Members, appointed by the Chair of the Board for the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (WHCC). “I would like to thank the members of the PAC committee as well as the candidates, each of whom came prepared and responded to our questions and enabling us to engage in a healthy and productive dialogue”, said Nick Rimedio, WHCC Chair.
Sherri Franklin, PAC Chair, said, “Among a strong group of candidates, we chose to endorse five who demonstrated the requisite understanding of how to best represent the West Hollywood business community and to effectively address the concerns of residents. Our objective is to promote leadership with the commitment to balance the needs of all stakeholders, drive the development of the economy and to ensure that all aspects of the city’s social fabric thrive. We are endorsing a slate of candidates that we are confident can represent the city today as well position to lead in the future. West Hollywood is so fortunate to have so many great candidates step forward to run for Council and bring leadership and diversity to the bigger conversation of what West Hollywood means to its constituents and the world at large. We look forward to watching them thrive and develop a voice for our future.”
All candidates were asked the same questions in the private PAC interviews conducted this past August:
1. How do you feel our current council is doing?
2. What policies have they implemented which you feel are good for the community and what do you feel is detrimental to the community wellbeing?
3. What new policies would you propose to make West Hollywood more business-friendly and more attractive to investors?
4. Do you support Unite Here Local 11? If yes, what tactics used in government are effective and benefit the community?
5. Do you believe we need to find new funding for Public Safety Ambassadors and “Block by Block”, or do you have another strategy for helping to promote safety for businesses and residents?
6. Lack of affordability is a major driver of homelessness. a. What types of subsidies and cost reduction measures would you work to implement to help landlords and developers deliver more affordable rental and homeownership opportunities? b. How can the city take an active role in the development of affordable and workforce housing?
7. Do you think our current policies of rent stabilization are sustainable and are they effectively serving the needs of the resident and helping seniors age in place.
8. Do you support commercial building moratoriums for developments such as hotels?
ABOUT THE WEHO PAC
The purpose of the PAC is to engage in activities and funding to support or oppose candidates within the State of California and especially the County of Los Angeles and City of West Hollywood, consistent with the stated goals and objectives of its sponsor, the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Hilarious. I can see from the mixed reactions and this particular batch of endorsements that no matter what happens and who is elected, nothing is actually going to notably change in West Hollywood and the people who comment here are still going to have the same personal problems they do right now. If you’re not happy, you might as well make plans to move elsewhere.
Compare the BH city council to these people. The results speak for themselves. No drama, no painted sidewalks. no sleeping on the streets, no silly parades, active police presence and a government that focuses on nailing the basics. No task forces for nutty people.
West Hollywood was founded by LGBT people. They will always have a strong presence in this city.
You don’t even live here though- why do you care so much?
Yes, too many LGBTQ etc people that would rather bitch to the death and try to make the world conform to their personal identities rather than straightening up and flying right. You are a person before you are a label.
What a stupid “insight” you offer. LGBT people are not trying to turn straight people, we just want a place where we can be free of persecution from idiots like you.
“Silly parades”? West Hollywood has enough homophobes. Go live somewhere else if you have a problem with gay people which you clearly do.
Steve Martin!
And John Duran who exposed the insanity with plans to take two lanes away on Fountain.
The endorsement of Marquita Thomas could be construed as some type of “professional nod” since she is Exec. Dir. of the LGBTQ Chamber downtown. Until deciding to run for CC last term and this there has not been one iota of effort towards the community other than well timed comments at CC to garner her visibility but nothing substantive. As a Planning Commissioner has nary shown any skills or knowledge other than praising affordable housing.
Not one iota of effort towards the community? Ms. Thomas has served on Planning Commission, Human Services, LGAB, the LA Pride Board, the Lesbian Visibility Committee, produced a LGBTQ music festival in West Hollywood and is the ED of an LGBTQ chamber servicing many LGBT businesses in the City. She also got an award from the LGBTCenter. She has shown more than an iota of effort towards the community.
Marquita’s politics may not align with some, but her history of service in the community is definitely felt and appreciated
Positioning one’s self does not public service make.
It’s beyond that. Character, integrity and authenticity are the most important. We are already suffering through the mirage of folks without these qualities. The city does not need to be sliding further downhill.
Heilman, Duran and Mister have been around too long. They are not middle aged but over the hill. They all live west of La Cienaga and took money from the racist murderer Ed Buck.
Oliver has my vote! An honest new face.
Thought you were adamantly against SHE.
Yes, adamantly against them. We are exploring a citizen class action breach of public trust lawsuit against the SHE West Hollywood et al. Obviously it could be very negative for any supporters, contributors or political candidates associated with them. Unless they distance themselves like Steve Martin did with Lindsey’ Horvette in withdrawing his support for her bid for supervisor. To be associated With the defendants in a breach of public trust lawsuit isn’t going to help their political careers. Especially in this climate, in West Hollywood and nationally. Just look at Lindsey Horvath now being associated with Sheila kuhl in… Read more »
“We are exploring a citizen class action breach of public trust lawsuit against the SHE West Hollywood et al.”
You’ve been saying this for over a year now. We are waiting! Come on, when are you going to serve papers?
I understand the issues with SHE, my point is that Oliver will be more of the same, so can’t understand why he would get your vote. Voting for Oliver, Byers or Wright, should be a NO, for anyone that doesn’t support SHE.
Robert Oliver was silent for years and did absolutely nothing to get Ed Buck arrested while he was on PSC. He only knows how to make it about himself, feigning outrage about small time MeToo drama and leaving his post on PSC for attention.
While he was on vacation, real community leaders stepped up and got that sick f%#% off our streets.. When Oliver returned to his PSC (kept warm by the mean girls), he resumed his self serving politicking like we wouldn’t remember.
We remember, Robert.
Also…Robert Oliver not only voted to defund the sheriff, but seconded the motion! Then when there was a lot of backlash, he lamely reversed his decision and said he had made a mistake. Robert Oliver certainly will NOT get my vote!
Robert Oliver another weathervane.
Reversing his decision would mean that he voted to rescind the motion. Bobby merely engaged in some double-speak to suggest that maybe, kinda, sorta it wasn’t the right decision. His equivocation and double-speak render him unworthy of holding another office of public trust. When I asked Nika Soon-Shiong if she would entertain a revote given Bobby’s half-hearted change of heart, and Hallman’s who-knows-what attempt at backtracking, she emphatically said no. Interesting. Bobby and Tod own their support for the motion that set in place a period of angst and division in this city that continues to this day. Just say… Read more »
Robert Oliver was not on the CC, so he did not have a vote.
Heilman and Duran? No. No way.
Great to See … I can certainly pick three candidates from these suggestions for this November City Council election that I trust. Thanks to the teams involved in this WeHo PAC.
Wow Duran and Heilman, who paid them off? I will ignore them.
O my.