Former Councilmember Steve Martin is the last thing we need on City Council — another politician with extremist ideas masquerading as a moderate voice.
Today, Martin casts himself as the nemesis of the movement to defund the Sheriff, regularly attacking its ringleader, Nika Soon-Shiong — strange to say the least, considering he was pushing the very same plans two years ago in an opinion piece he wrote for Wehoville:
“West Hollywood is in a unique position to experiment with a new type of community-based law enforcement. We are a relatively safe community where people walk their dogs after 11 p.m. Not to make light of our issues, but often they are more quality of life than public safety. We don’t have to get rid of the Sheriff, at least not immediately.”
He proposed handing law enforcement over to “professionals that are lightly armed or even unarmed” e.g. the security ambassadors, and figured they could handle “over 90 percent” of the calls to the sheriff.
“Rather than going through a boot camp style police academy, our new patrol members would have degrees in sociology or mental health.”
Well, you’re getting what you wanted, Steve. Why aren’t you celebrating?
More recently, he wrote “There is virtually no reason for having an elected Sheriff. There would be more responsive service and a change in the Department’s culture if the Sheriff was simply another department head working for the Board of Supes.”
These are not the ideas of a moderate. These quotes could easily have come out of Sepi Shyne’s or Lindsey Horvath’s mouth. They are the same kind of fringe thinking that has jeopardized our way of life here in WeHo.
Martin claims he turned his back on UNITE HERE Local 11 because of their efforts to defund the sheriff.
That’s baloney. He wanted their endorsement but they didn’t give it to him — which is sort of sad, because he has been an official volunteer for them, and he’s been singing their praises for years:
● “I am glad that Unite Here is willing to invest in our local democracy to try to give a more balanced view of where our City is headed.”
● “Unite Here is lambasted by the Chamber of Commerce and many at City Hall because they have often questioned the status quo. If Unite Here can help make our City Council more accountable and responsive, then we should welcome them as allies.”
● “I don’t see Unite Here as a threat; it may help level the playing field.”
● “Rather than question the motives of Unite Here Local 11, we should be grateful that they are forcing a community discussion.”
All direct quotes from Steve Martin.
Compare that with what he’s saying today: “When I found out Unite Here commended the City Council for cutting deputies I contacted them and questioned if ‘de-funding’ law enforcement was their official position. I was told that it was. After a long conversation with their political director, I decided to decline an invitation for their endorsement interview. I could not be on a slate that supports de-funding after fighting against it.”
Bogus.
We have Steve Martin to thank for UNITE HERE’s tyranny over City Hall. He was their biggest cheerleader.
More recently Martin professes to be a huge champion of the Chamber of Commerce, citing a longstanding partnership with vocal accolades given to Chamber programs and efforts. Really???
In the Oct. 18, 2021 city council meeting he spoke in support of Unite Here 11 and directly in opposition to the Chamber of Commerce when he urged council to move forward with the minimum wage ordinance and said that restaurants in hotels should be under the same minimum wage guidelines as hotels themselves because “businesses play shell games”. And if you look through footage of past council meetings or read past op-eds written by Mr. Martin you will find more specific call-outs with rather unflattering overtones targeting local businesses as well as Chamber leadership directly. That’s some strange idea of “partnership” Steve!
Then there’s the claim he made in a recent email blast to his supporters that the reason he did not receive the WeHo PAC endorsement is that he refused to take money from developers. It is hard to imagine there was a lineup of developers, checkbooks open and ready to write checks to him. But even if there had been, given his outright opposition to the Chamber and so many of their positions on key issues did they really need any other reason not to endorse Mr. Martin? Besides, it is worth noting that Lauren Meister who, it is well-known has not taken money from developers did receive the WeHo Chamber PAC endorsement. Once again Steve, I call BOGUS.
Across the board on so many of the key issues currently facing West Hollywood Steve Martin has proven himself to be the consummate flip-flopper, saying whatever he feels he needs to say to whomever he feels he needs to say it to in order to win their vote. Worse, he has proven himself to be an outright liar.
Who is Steve Martin and what does he really stand for? With his history of contradictory statements, actions and positions it is time to invoke the line made famous by Joe Garagiola in the original “To Tell The Truth” (recently re-introduced by Anthony Anderson): “Will the Real Steve Martin Please Stand Up.”
Defunding the police when violent crime is at a all time high in Los Angeles is a recipe for disaster! More law enforcement is needed by well trained police officers. It took years for law enforce to accept the gay community. Turning them away now with things the way they are is ONLY going to allow more crime. You can have the community organizers also representing different communities to work with law enforcement.
Whatever this is makes no sense.
I wish that the ABOUT Mylena Christina actually contained some information. Who are you? Here is some re LASD – training: The Academy | Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (lasd.org) The Recruit Training Staff leads, mentors, and counsels recruits through a rigorous 22-week POST certified Academy Program, as well as an 8-week Standard and Training for Corrections, certified Custody Assistant Academy program. The training program encompasses intense physical training, conditioning, defensive tactics, leadership, criminal law, law enforcement tactics, vehicle operations, weapons training, policy and procedures. There ought to be some focus on emotional and psychological training as well. A barber academy… Read more »
Google her. I did. She has had a rather predictable career history. I suspect what isn’t mentioned may be far more entertaining.
Thank you, Chloe Ross.
Mylena Christina’s Linkedin profile shows her reimagined image but it is easy to read between the lines.
Beautifully said.
This bizarre rant actually motivates me even more to vote for Steve Martin (no relation) as well as Lauren Meister.
I have the impression she was actually doing some self promo. She is not exactly a household name.
No politician is perfectly consistent.
In this article, I hardly recognize the Steve Martin who has been periodically engaged in West Hollywood politics for decades.
This seems to be an nothing less than attempt to undermine his campaign.
At the very least, this piece could have been written with far greater clarity.
I have heard of Steve. Met him in fact and liked him. Shared a chat or two with him. I have lived in WeHo for 30+ years. I am not acquainted with the byline of Mylena Christina. Anyone who know me over the past 30 years knows exactly what this comment means. Anyone who doesn’t – including Ms. Christina, doesn’t’t matter to me. I have been an informed voter since my very first ballot. And BTW – fact checking is such a basic part of journalism that I am trying to figure out why her piece wasn’t. Perhaps she should… Read more »
Why use your 5th Amendment rights to lambast Steve Martin? He is an experienced and able candidate; someone beyond competent who can be counted on to be on the right side of issues. ‘Right side’ meaning humane and sensible for we the people of West Hollywood. So glad he is back in the fray to be our Council person!
Meant 1st Amendment. Although concerning this reportage the 5th twisted around could work.
I guess my first comment got lost. I’ll comment again. Who is this woman? Steve has dedicated decades of his life to public service, and has never been afraid to challenge the status quo. Perhaps this woman doesn’t know steve and his community activism, as she isn’t involved to the level he is. Or as best i know..AT ALL.. Or….perhaps someone else wrote this hit piece.
Mylena is actually quite involved in the City and has been for quite some time. She may not provide public comments at every Council meeting but she is very involved with the business community.
I literally kicked Mylena Christina out of my condo when she tried to convince me that it was a worthless piece of crap that should be sold for $100,000 less than market value.
I understand that it’s easier for her to get her commission if the price is low, but I believe her to be less than credible.
All real estate people are that way. Just look at Dumpy Donnie!
Well golly gee, Mylena…thx for the ignorance of your opinion. You know there is enough rancor in our national politics without bringing unfounded hit pieces to West Hollywood. Steve Martin is an extraordinarily qualified candidate…intelligent, reasonable and connected to all of us. I have lived on Kings Road since 1993, if you and your friends are so upset you don’t know where to retire or if you want to stay here…I’d be happy to recommend places where you could go. Your rancid, and unfounded opinion aimed unjustly at Steve Martin, a decent man, a candidate who has earned a place… Read more »
Yes, let the voters discover for themselves the true cunning baffling insidious person that defines Steve Martin, this substandard and completely unsatisfactory candidate. There is no decency about this blog and the candidate it refers to. I’m not going to Blatter on and on. Look down to the blog, Enough!
They are the three Candidates that have earned a place on the City Council. The only three with prover leadership and vision to set right our City.
Extremely biased opinion here from a perpetual echo chamber that does not recognize reality.
Not just that, but a John Heilman lapdog. I’ve never seen a person in this city who had his nose so far up anyone’s a**, as Dolan has for Heilman.
Steve Martin has my vote as does Lauren Meister. My third is still undecided. All I know is that at this age I have changed my mind on many subjects over the course of my being lucky enough to still be here. Our city has changed more in the past four years than any time in my 20 years as a resident. My free love, wear my heart on my sleeve, way liberal idealism has given way to a local-centric liberal conservatism. I believe that to keep the freedom we need some boundaries, policing and rules in order to maintain… Read more »
I like Martin & Meister the BEST! They actually care and live in WH for a long time!
When I read where somebody like this guy wised up and changed his mind about some topics, it makes me pay attention to that person who was brave enough to mention that they finally saw the light. So, thanks for this article that turned me on to the politics of Steve Martin. Plus I loved him in “Bowfinger,” so, of course, he’s got my vote.