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City Council on Monday committed to funding a popular New Year’s Event for the sober community after interactions with city staff left organizer Jimmy Palmieri fearing it wouldn’t be approved.
VIBEZ, an offshoot of the similar #BOOM event which was held annually before the COVID pandemic, will include a DJ, dancing, tarot card readings and other alcohol- and drug-free entertainment.Â
The organizers had requested $15,000 in funds set aside for sponsorship of #BOOM be transferred to VIBEZ.Â
“An additional allocation of $1,395 is being requested to cover the City’s public safety costs, which will involve having Block by Block Security Ambassadors present at Plummer Park during the event, and janitorial costs before and after the event,” staff’s report read. “The City will need to provide staffing for this event because it is taking place at a City facility.”
In their analysis, they noted that “this event is expected to have a high impact on staff time and current departmental workplans. If this item is approved, it would require additional staff time throughout the planning phase and leading up to day-of coordination of the event.”
Palmieri spoke during Public Comment at Monday night’s City Council meeting to thank the councilmembers and express his frustration with City Hall.Â
“I want to thank you for putting VIBEZ on the consent calendar,” Palmieri said. “It was not a slam dunk, as far as I was looking at it. I hope you have read the staff analysis. I’ve been around here for a very long time, since 1994. I started around here, and I’ve never seen a recommendation come with such ominous warnings. Now, they’re telling you about all of this overtime and all of this blah, blah, blah, and blah, blah. Well, it’s because they didn’t do anything until the 11th month.
“We had to prepare a program that takes seven months in one month. Staff’s indifference towards this VIBEZ program, which used to be #Boom, is now VIBEZ, is not only sad, it’s hurtful, and it does not meld with the core values of this city at all. Newspapers were calling me, asking me if staff was taking this off of your agenda, if staff was getting rid of this event — not City Council.”
“Who runs the show here?”
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Jimmy has long been a West Hollywood activist and advocate for sobriety, for making treatment and sober support actions available to those seeking to amend their health. With the proper City support, it’s possible that we could clear the City’s streets of some whose afflictions could be treated. He understands the issues and has the knowledge required to improve lives. Let’s put the money where our mouths are to alleviate real suffering and put Jimmy’s knowledge into action. True improvements will result.
Is there going to be another City-sponsored event for the people who aren’t drunks and who aren’t drug addicts, who also never were drunks, and who never were drug addicts? Or do we just cater to the ones “in (permanent) recovery”? This is another example of rewarding people who made bad life choices with free parties.
Staying on brand of perpetually punching down, keep making the world a better place. Hope you had a happy thanksgiving.
Dude, your comprehension and reasoning skills are truly astounding. I guess you have lived a perfect existence without any mistakes which would have fed your empathy for others. That you continually assault persons here with your moral superiority and pristine plan for living leads me to believe you need a spin around the dance floor at VIBEZ more than most. Put the crack pipe down and come down from your damn throne.
Let me see if I have this right: you want to take taxpayer money and use it to reward those who made bad life choices, at the expense of people who made better life choices who might want their tax money used for things like more police, fixing potholes, longer library hours etc. Did I get that right?
There are quite a few people who NEVER drink alcohol or do drugs.🕌 They tend to look like me, with last names like mine and, we are now the 21st century’s single most persecuted group of people❗
You’re not Jewish
They’re NOT the ones being persecuted during the 21st century in Palestine, the Donbas and Azerbaijan. The good news is major victories against the oppressors in the Donbas and big winner 🎉 Azerbaijan in regaining the Karabakh ❗ 👏🏽
Dear queen,
At this program, are not only folks in recovery, but disabled, seniors and people that want to be in an alcohol and drug free environment. It is not for just one demographic. Perhaps you might expand your horizons and attend so that you might find out. And add some joy to your life.
Well I was born before 1994 or 1986 and, newspaper reporters have been getting it wrong about who runs things throughout the country for as far back as I can remember. Don’t blame state or local government for reporters NOT knowing the mode of political organization that unites separate states or other polities within an overarching political system that allows each to maintain its own integrity. The “staff” DON’T play any role in this ❗ 🤣
I have been in West Hollywood since 1986, Suddenly, the staff has its eyes wide shut. Oh late, I have been increasingly concerned about our city’s direction, and seems it is less concerned with the human condition. Vote.