I am an 18-year resident, union member and concerned citizen. I believe West Hollywood is being underserved by its current leadership and I want to give a voice back to the residents, businesses and workers who make up this wonderful city. Our community is facing serious challenges around public safety, struggling businesses, the cost of housing, protecting renters’ rights and concern for our seniors. WeHo needs new, energetic and dynamic leaders with a fresh perspective who are ready to begin tackling these issues.
It is a basic duty of government to keep the public safe. WeHo deserves a robust public safety presence to keep the community secure and vibrant. That means supporting law enforcement officers and providing them with all the resources they need to keep residents and businesses safe. My neighbors have shared that they no longer feel comfortable leaving their houses at night or walking WeHo streets alone. Many of them are seniors and can’t fend for themselves, particularly in an emergency.
Public safety should also include increased funding for community safety partners like Block by Block, MET teams, health services and clinical case workers.
Supporting local businesses, the backbone of our economy, should also be a top priority. Throughout this campaign, local businesses have shared that they no longer feel protected by the city. Many who have invested blood, sweat and tears into opening their businesses feel under attack. That needs to change and that starts with a new tone from the City Council.
Defending seniors and renters is also a major concern. It’s a tragedy that seniors who have been so integral in helping grow the city are being forced out due to rising rents and housing costs. We should be doing everything possible to allow seniors to age in place and stay in WeHo.
As a councilmember, I will be honest and strong and never back down from doing what is right for the people of West Hollywood. I know how deeply people care for this community. I want to see a safe and thriving West Hollywood that embraces the diversity of identity, faith and experience that makes us who we are.
And finally, let’s bring back WeHo Carnaval! Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
*ED’S NOTE: We’re pausing the poll for the mean time in order to give candidates more time to submit their “Why You Should Vote For Me” essays.
You have my vote Ben – thank you for running!
I voted for you. You are not one of old political hacks running (backed by every developer) or the three Sepi Shyne addicts: Oliver, Buyers and Wright addicts. Good luck!
Ben, you seem like a good guy with your priorities straight. I am not voting for you this time (this time it’s Meister, Duran and Heilman) but I’m hoping you’ll run in 2 years to unseat Erickson and Shyne. I’d vote for you, Sarah and Jordan!
More Block by Block?! We already got 30 more of them at the expense of the Sheriff. Hard pass on this one!
He says he wants to restore funding to sheriffs first.. Savage has the correct approach. Restore funding to sheriff + increase funding for community safety partners. It’s that simple. We don’t need to reimagine the sheriffs department and public safety. This is not a game.
Sounds like a whole lotta spending and taxes going on in his limousine liberal mind.
I would rather see the spending go towards public safety than rainbow sidewalks
Thank you, Ben. I love that you’re not a career politician trying to turn West Hollywood into an activist utopia. You’re like a best neighbor friend who loves our city and understands what is truly on our community’s mind. Plus, you’re coming in fresh with a great sense of humor and tons of optimism that will cheer up the City Council meetings.
I voted for you, along with M&M (Meister & Martin). Who knows, maybe you could be the one to save this place. Couldn’t create any more turmoil than already exists, that’s for sure