Councilmember Lauren Meister offered some advice to incoming Mayor John M. Erickson and Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers at their installation Tuesday night in West Hollywood:
“I want to welcome John’s family and Chelsea’s family, coming from Arizona and Wisconsin through snow, sleet, and ice. It’s very important to me, and it’s really lovely to see you all here to support John and Chelsea. Sepy, I hope your mayoral term was a rewarding one for you. Chelsea, congratulations on becoming the city’s first Vice Mayor. Be careful how people interpret that emphasis, you know, whether it’s on ‘vice’ or ‘mayor.’ Also, I’ll miss not having you next to me. It was nice getting to know you last year.
John, Mayor Dr. John. John, in your holiday card, you included a lovely note saying that you appreciate my advice, so now you’re going to be sorry because I’m going to take advantage of that sentiment and offer a few words of wisdom as you embark on your first term as mayor. As you know, being mayor is an honor and a privilege. I was lucky enough to have two opportunities to be Mayor, John, even more so with my second term, which felt like it lasted forever. So I know firsthand that it can definitely be a weight on your shoulders, but mostly in a good way.
My first piece of advice is to be present, mentally as well as physically. If your mind or your heart is somewhere else, you’re not really present, and you could miss out on all the wonderful moments that are in the here and now. And those moments can’t be regained, so I know you will appreciate all those memories. Second, try to minimize the drama that sometimes comes with being a mayor. The truth is people like to know that things are under control, especially when it comes to local government, because local is where people live.
And then, last but not least, I wish for you what I would hope for all leaders: grace under pressure, understanding before judgment, humility over arrogance, unity over divisiveness, and city before self. You will be the face of this body; wear it well, my friend. Congratulations, Mayor John.
@wehoonline♬ original sound – WEHOonline
I love Lauren! She’s so articulate!
Lauren is a wonderful person. She is respectful and a good listener. Her common sense will be missed when her term is up.
Lauren Meister should be running the WeHo Show. She has an abundance of common sense. She listens and answers to the words of her community as well as her own conscience. She does not grandstand or commercialize her position to gain attention or further her ambitions This woman is a balanced yet agile communicator and seems to hear both sides of story before she speaks to either one. I have watched her for years… weighing the ups and the downs of this small city with intelligence, humor and fairness that is something many candidates for any office lack. She answers… Read more »
Ditto
Lauren Meister provides steady, measured, diplomatic, and much-needed advice that should be heeded. Lauren is the most effective practitioner of the nuts and bolts of sound municipal governance that we have on council. She does so through authentic selflessness and humility.
Miester’s advise to him was spot on. Unfortunately, Erickson is a self-promoting narcissistic Buffoon. Just look at his Instagram posts regarding his elevation as mayor. Goodbye Boys Town, Hello NellyVille.
Lauren was the best mayor West Hollywood has ever been honored with. The Three Stooges on our current council are unworthy and have been on the wrong side of every vote that has mattered to me, at least.
👏👏👏👏👏 Brava Lauren! you were brutally honest, and yet incredibly diplomatic! You nailed it!