County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, while serving as a West Hollywood councilmember, pre-planned the press conference prior to the city council’s vote on the minimum wage ordinance.
Details have emerged about the rush to push though the minimum wage and hotel worker ordinance on Nov. 4, 2021. Horvath was pushing the vote in order to secure the support of UNITE HERE Local 11 in her quest to compete in a competitive field to win the open seat left by former County Supervisor Sheila Keuhl.
One month later, Lisa Belsanti, Director of Communications for the City of West Hollywood, was terminated two weeks before Christmas. The abrupt firing of Belsanti by new City Manager David Wilson left many unanswered questions.
The rush to implement the highest-in-the-nation minimum wage ordinance was pushed by Horvath, along with her close colleagues, Mayor Pro Tem Erickson and current Mayor Sepi Shyne. All received the support of the UNITE HERE Local 11 union.
A press conference was quick to follow the vote with Horvath in the spot light. Sources indicate that Horvath approached communications Director Belsanti to pre-arrange the press conference prior to the vote by the full council.
A source with close knowledge of the incident reported that Belsanti refused to adhere to Horvath’s demands. Horvath told Belsanti, “Then, fine, I will do it myself’, and then arranged the press conference prior to the deliberations and her vote. Previous reports had pointed to Belsanti’s collusion with Horvath to use the city apparatus for her own campaign for County Supervisor.
It is not clear why this would have prompted Wilson to fire Belsanti, but the same source pointed to the ‘tip of the iceburg,’ as reasoning while Wilson was forced to relieve Belsanti less than a year before her full retirement benefits.
WEHOville reached out to Supervisor Horvath for her side of the story. Public records requests for details regarding the termination of Lisa Belsanti were denied as confidential personnel matters.
Thank you Larry for your work! We didn’t realize how bad and toxic our council it is.
I wonder why this wasn’t uncovered or unearthed almost two years ago. It seems people are so secretive or afraid of political retaliation. most staff are told to remain silent to ensure their jobs or retirement pensions. political operatives or organizations who created spin and held details private during the election cycle or Allies staff in city hall who tried to cover this up. The Unite Here 11 lobbyist group tried to intimidate Weho hotels and businesses and dupe Wehoans about its agenda 3 years ago! In general this union determined and decided political outcomes—not us. They decided the city… Read more »
Not quite sure what the point of this post is about, given it’s talking about things which happened nearly two years ago. Loyal readers of WeHoVille are quite knowledgeable about our City having been taken over by Unite Here Local 11, and all the past and on-going political grifting of our electeds who are using our city as stepping stones, regardless of the true cost to businesses and residents.
Lisa was a great asset to the City. I’m hard pressed to believe she would compromise her integrity or work ethic. Will be interesting to see how this unfolds.
It unfolded. She was terminated months before getting her full retirement.
I did see that – which seems suspect. I was referring to whether or not it’s been established (or can be) that her termination was proper or a form of slick retaliation.
I’d venture to say that she worked out her retirement benefits and shook hands on an amicable settlement. And also that say that she was fired for cause, – as she did much of Horvath’s dirty work for the year putting Horvath’s needs above her independent role and that was why she was terminated.
Rainbow masked plebs used as props as Lindsey’s sociopathic smirk peeks through. This image says it all.
Used as props? Or maybe they supported the minimum wage hike and were happy to celebrate this achievement?
Yup. Celebrating a policy that will inevitably lead to the elimination of low skill jobs as more and will be automated.
“more and will be automated.” that was already happening for the past decade.
What’s the point of this article. Politician grandstanding and patronage hires being let go happen literally every hour everyday everywhere. If the people of West Hollywood don’t support current policies they can vote for new elected officials.
Jobs at city hall are not political patronage jobs. Grandstanding is not the issue; the issue is the abuse of city resources in grandstanding. Ethics matter.
“it may be that we have become so feckless as a people that we no longer care how things do work but only what quick, easy outer impression they give.”
JANE JACOBS 1961
“The Death & Life of Great American Cities”
All criticisms of Horvath should be couched in the understanding that women shouldn’t be allowed in government – for every Meister theres 3 or 4 demons run amok (Shyne, Byers, Keuhl, Horvath, …).
Thats a ridiculous generalization and you can say the same things about men, Trump, McConnell, Graham…
Second that.
The degradation of the political class closely trends with it’s increasing inclusiveness, yes. It is a historical anomaly however and will come to pass with many a stark anecdotal reminder of why women shouldn’t be in politics.
Ridiculous? Aren’t there prohibitions against attacks?
You have an interesting observation and I believe it has its roots in rabid feminism exhibited by these four individuals. The goal for them seems not to participate in affairs and collaborate with men but to ultimately “best” the men. It is a wretched characteristic that has progressively and exponentially diminished their character and effectiveness and caused society in general to be emerged in unnecessary conflict.
“Rabid feminism?” Lol! You sound like such a collaborator. The worst human in the history of American government in the last 100 years is Donald Trump who you probably support and will support all the way to prison…but yeah those darn feminists!
Completely wrong as you often miss the point. Have never supported Trump or feminism. Always felt it was a self defeating proposition and it never interested me. Have been competitive with men in various fields and never felt challenged.
Cesspool of people we have at the helm.
Could not have said it any better.
All elected by a majority of the city’s voters.
And so? Doesn’t make it okay.
Lindsey Horvath drives around town in a $100,000 foreign made SUV, and still lives in a rent controlled apartment in West Hollywood. Her new government salary has to be in the $300,000 plus perks range, per year. Crime in Weho skyrocketed just after she defunded the police, along with her L.A. Times endorsement BFF billionaire gal-pal. Since she left Weho office, I haven’t heard a peep out of her still spouting her “defund the police” nonsense. I’ve said many times she is the worst thing to ever happen to West Hollywood, and that includes the current City Manager, City Attorney,… Read more »
“Crime in Weho skyrocketed just after she defunded the police,…”
Let’s see some proof, WHQ.
your either blind, deaf, or not paying attention.
Skyrocketed just after she defunded?
Some proof, as I said.
there have been a series of violent crimes such as the robbery at La Bohome, the muggings at Le Petit Flour, shootings in front of my house with cops chasing the suspect, in front of craigs, and all around. your looking to compare numbers instead of addressing the increase intensity of the crimes.
If you look through Wehoville (before you bought it), you can see articles about gun robberies going back to 2013 and 2014.
And we already discussed every restaurant around LA raising their prices.
Sheesh! It’s the MAYOR’S fault.
You want proof? Look out your window. The defenders of Lindsey and her failed policies can’t be swayed. They are more loyal than the Trump sycophants.
Big salary and a rent controlled apartment
That’s the whole idea of John Heilman’s rent control: everyone can get it, no matter how rich and powerful you are. Who cares about the landlords and those who risked investment, let’s reward the freeloaders.
“risked investment”
Lol yeah such a big risk on property in Los Angeles lol.
Clearly she cares more about her career then the City of West Hollywood and her citizens.
It sure does smell like Belsanti was kicked out for political retribution, doesn’t it?
Ethics matter.
Incredibly harsh and vindictive! 😱Has anyone looked into this on behalf of Lisa Belsanti? Seems as if this might be actionable.
Make that unmitigated ruthlessness dressed in a pink sweater..
LindseyHorvath/HillaryClinton!
This woman is dangerous!