‘The people’s deputy’: Donna Saur 1946-2023

It is with a heavy heart that I share news of the passing of Donna Saur.

Donna was one of the pillars of a young new city called West Hollywood. She and her husband, Gene are long term residents on Gardner Ave. where they raised their daughter Dena.  Sadly Dena passed away sixteen months ago.  Donna and Gene Saur were married over 55 years.

The history of West Hollywood could not be told without calling attention to Donna’s accomplishments and input. Shortly after cityhood in 1984, Donna formed the first Neighborhood Watch Group in the city on the east side. She then served as Captain of the Eastside Neighborhood Watch Group for many years.

Not long after, Donna was appointed to the Public Safety Commission. She was named Crime Fighter of the Year by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Dept., and the City of West Hollywood.

Donna was elected and served on the first Project Area Committee to oversee the redevelopment of the east side of West Hollywood. And then she was a member of the East Side task force working on reducing crime and prostitution. She served on the Public Safety Commission from 1992-1999.

In 1999, then Council member Sal Guariello chose Donna Saur to be his deputy liaison to the residents of West Hollywood. Donna was known as the ‘people’s deputy’ because of her warm relationship and helpfulness to many residents. Saur served as Guariello’s deputy from 1999-2009. Council member Lindsey Horvath replaced Guariello after her appointment in 2009.

Some of Donna’s ideas to reduce drunk driving in West Hollywood included the Don’t Drink and Drive napkin campaign and distributions to WeHo’s bars and restaurants. It was her idea to place a holiday crash car from an actual driving accident outside the West Hollywood Sheriff headquarters.

The death of Sal Guariello, a veteran of the second World War, motivated Donna to push for the creation of the Sal Guariello Veteran’s Memorial Park which is located on Santa Monica Blvd. @ Holloway. Donna teamed with Andy Harland and others to oversee the development, design, and completion of West Hollywood’s first park dedicated to veterans and raised almost $100,000 to forge its completion.

After her replacement as deputy, Donna was appointed to the Public Facilities Commission as the direct appointee of Council member John D’Amico. Saur served as Chair of the Commission until the time her cancer returned. When she needed some time away, she called Council member D’Amico and asked him to appoint me to the Public Facilities Commission. D’Amico obliged her request and we both hoped she would return to the Commission. The green city awards were established in her honor but have since been disbanded by the current Public Facilities Commission.

Donna served on the Board of Directors of the West Hollywood’s College Preparatory School, which is a private school for the Russian Community. She was a proud member of the West Hollywood Democratic Club. During the implementation of the Cannabis ordinance, Saur was named as the social equity partner for the Artist’s Tree. Her name gave a boost to the winning application. She received a one-time payment and there was no ongoing ‘social equity’.

This past Tuesday I spent time with Donna at her bedside. Her still body came alive as she tried to talk to me through her oxygen mask. She reached out and we held hands. I told her miracles happen so she might have hope and that I loved her.  She passed comfortably at her home.

Donna Saur was known to all as a warm and loving friend. Her laughter was abundant and her love for the City of West Hollywood infinite.

Services will be held at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Details to follow.