Candidates debate WeHo’s pressing issues at Kol Ami forum

Congregation Kol Ami this weekend hosted eight of the 10 candidates running for West Hollywood City Council in November — George Nickle, Larry Block, Mayor John M. Erickson, Dorian Jackson, West Seegmiller, Danny Hang, Zekiah Wright and Jordan Cockeram.

Erickson, who lives on Fountain Avenue, addressed the unsafe conditions of the city’s streets, including Fountain. He emphasized the need for community input and comprehensive street updates, mentioning a recent tragic accident as evidence of the urgency. Erickson acknowledged the popularity of e-scooters among residents, despite concerns about their use, and noted that the city had reduced the number of scooters to 200 to ensure better regulation and safety.

Nickle expressed strong opposition to protected bike lanes on Fountain Avenue, citing a lack of proper outreach to residents. He argued that reducing lanes and adding bike paths could cause traffic jams and hinder emergency services. He also called for making the street ADA accessible, adding lighting, and improving crosswalks to increase pedestrian safety.

Cockeram supported Nickle’s stance, reiterating that the proposal to add protected bike lanes on Fountain Avenue is highly unpopular among residents. He argued that there are better locations for bike lanes, like Santa Monica Boulevard, and pointed out the impracticality of riding a bike on Fountain, given the steep hills and dangerous intersections.

Jackson focused on the broader issues of parking and pedestrian safety, noting that speeding is a constant problem. She suggested traffic-calming measures like bulb-outs and speed bumps and called for greater efforts to educate drivers and pedestrians about safety, emphasizing that West Hollywood is a walkable city.

Hang, who lives near Fountain, spoke about the street’s dangerous conditions, with cars frequently speeding and crashing into buildings. He highlighted the lack of ADA compliance and advocated for a redesign of Fountain to prioritize the safety of residents, especially those with mobility challenges.

Block drew on his experience with the Cross Safe WeHo campaign to improve pedestrian safety on Santa Monica Boulevard. He expressed his opposition to on-demand scooters but supported the idea of finding a way to balance the addition of bike lanes on Fountain with the needs of drivers and emergency services. He proposed creative solutions, such as using flexible lanes depending on the time of day.

Wright acknowledged the controversy surrounding Fountain Avenue and clarified that many residents who were consulted about the project opposed it. They criticized the plan as impractical, citing the failure of a previous bike-sharing program, and argued that the city needs to invest in basic infrastructure for bike usage before undertaking such large-scale projects.

Zekiah Wright:
“The argument that if we build it, they will come? We know that’s false. Mayor Erickson had a pilot bike program where they gave 50 bikes to people in the city to use, and all they had to do was ride 20 miles a month. By the end of the program, there were only 10 participants left. What they said was there aren’t enough places to park bikes in their houses or on the streets, there’s theft, and nowhere to repair the bikes. So, we’re trying to build off this grandiose scheme and spend all of this money when we don’t even have the basic infrastructure in place.”

Q: What would you do to protect disabled community members and people with special needs?

Block began by emphasizing the need to prioritize support for seniors in West Hollywood, noting that they make up about 40% of the population. He expressed concern that seniors are being overlooked in favor of other issues, particularly homelessness. Block proposed turning Fairfax Avenue into a hub for senior and assisted living facilities, ensuring that residents can age in place within the city.

Cockeram acknowledged that he does not have a disability and does not fully understand the struggles that people with disabilities face. He emphasized his desire to listen to the community and hear directly from those with special needs about what they require in the city. Jordan positioned himself as a candidate who would be an advocate for residents by taking their concerns seriously.

Seegmiller shared his personal experience living with a chronic medical disability, which stemmed from a pharmaceutical injury. He criticized the presence of e-scooters and delivery robots on sidewalks, calling them a liability for people with disabilities and pets. Seegmiller also expressed frustration with what he viewed as medical discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic and vowed to protect against similar instances in the future.

Jackson challenged the notion that aging seniors should be viewed as “disabled” or in need of being “fixed.” Instead, she argued that they should be supported in living full and active lives. She stressed the importance of creating an environment that allows all individuals, regardless of ability, to participate equally in the community.

Nickle turned the conversation to e-scooters, sharing a personal story about encountering a scooter blocking a sidewalk. He pointed out that such obstacles are particularly dangerous for older adults and people with disabilities. Nickle argued that the city’s focus on e-scooters as a way to reduce carbon emissions is flawed, as many users would otherwise walk — the most environmentally friendly option.

Hang advocated for infrastructure redesign to make West Hollywood more accessible for people with disabilities and older adults. He used the example of Fountain Boulevard’s redesign to emphasize the importance of ADA compliance. Hang also suggested that the city should invest more in partner organizations like the Disability Community Resource Center, which provides services to help individuals live independently.

Erickson highlighted predatory actions by landlords trying to evict tenants from rent-controlled units and emphasized the importance of the city’s Tenant Harassment Protection Ordinance. He also mentioned working with organizations like the Coalition for Economic Survival to protect tenants’ rights.

Q: How will you balance historic preservation and property development?

Nickle criticized developers for leaving buildings incomplete after gaining city approval, particularly on the East Side. He also emphasized the importance of preserving historically significant buildings, such as the French Market, which has been boarded up for years. Nickle expressed frustration with the impact of these unfinished projects on public safety.

Cockeram echoed George’s concerns and expressed skepticism about City Council members who might be influenced by developers. While admitting he’s not an expert on historic preservation, Cockeram emphasized the importance of protecting the city’s historic buildings from unnecessary demolition.

Jackson stressed the importance of preserving West Hollywood’s history and identity. She pointed out that over-modernization could cause the city to lose its character, citing the sad state of the French Market as an example. Jackson argued that restoring historical sites should be done with integrity rather than replacing them with new developments.

Dorian J. Jackson:
“I live right by the French Market, and every day I see it, and it’s sad — what it used to be and what it’s become. It’s a very sad thing, and we just need to hold people accountable. I think if you restore something, it should be done with grace and integrity, rather than just tearing it down and starting new.”

Block pointed out that major developments like the Melrose Triangle and the French Market were supported by the Chamber of Commerce, which he said receives backing from developers. He suggested that projects that have stalled for years should be given deadlines to either be completed or sold. Block also shared his conversation with developer Jason Illoulian about the difficulties of advancing projects in West Hollywood due to economic factors like rising interest rates.

Nickle responded to Block’s comments, explaining that although someone from the Viper Room attended an event for him, he returned the $100 donation because of transparency concerns. Nickle reaffirmed that he doesn’t take money from developers but emphasized that he would still engage with them if elected.

Jackson added that she supports balanced development, as long as it includes meaningful input from the community. She stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between growth and preserving the city’s identity.

Erickson returned to the topic of historic preservation, mentioning that West Hollywood’s historic resource survey is due for an update. He emphasized the need to look closely at historic structures and ensure they are properly protected as development continues in the city.

Jordan criticized what he described as excuses from City Council members for stalled projects, calling for a more active, problem-solving approach. He argued that council members should focus on delivering results for residents instead of justifying delays.

Q: How to deal with anti-Semitism in West Hollywood?

Nickle highlighted the rise in anti-Semitic incidents, including graffiti and vandalism. He shared his personal experience working with Rabbi Eger to ensure the Jewish community’s safety and criticized the City Council for cutting sheriff’s deputies despite warnings from Homeland Security about increased threats.

Cockeram shared his family’s experiences with anti-Semitism, noting that while he didn’t face it directly, his Jewish mother did. He emphasized the importance of publicizing instances of anti-Semitism and standing against it, reminding the audience that this hatred has been around for over 2,000 years.

Block shared personal stories of encountering anti-Semitism, both in his childhood in New York and now in West Hollywood. He recounted anti-Semitic symbols being painted on his store windows and mezuzahs being torn down. Block called for finding common ground through education and a two-state solution in Israel to address the root of the tensions.

Seegmiller expressed concern about the West Hollywood City Council weighing in on international conflicts, like the Israel-Palestine issue, which he said could escalate local tensions. He also stressed the importance of distinguishing between legitimate political criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism. He warned against conflating the two, noting that protests and political statements do not always represent threats of violence against the Jewish community.

Wright emphasized the need for city leaders to be competent and culturally sensitive, particularly on divisive issues. They highlighted the importance of proactively reaching out to synagogues during the High Holy Days to ensure they have the necessary resources and security.

Hang followed by condemning anti-Semitism and calling for stronger collaboration with Jewish organizations and law enforcement to protect the Jewish community. He suggested working with Jewish leaders and the sheriff’s department to develop a security plan, particularly around synagogues during significant holidays.

Jackson spoke about West Hollywood’s history as a refuge for immigrants, particularly those fleeing anti-Semitism, and emphasized the need for education and safety measures to combat hatred. She also mentioned new public safety technology, such as drones, as a way to monitor areas without physically policing them.

Cockeram responded by calling for action rather than just invitations to the Jewish community. He pointed out the presence of deputies at the temple, arguing that such security measures would not be provided for churches. Cockeram’s urged the city to take proactive steps to protect the Jewish community rather than relying on discussions.

JORDAN COCKERAM: “An invitation for what the Jewish community needs isn’t what’s needed — action is what’s needed. The fact that we have two sheriff’s deputies at the back of a temple is only because this is a Jewish congregation. We need action, not just dialogue.”

Erickson responded to Cockeram’s comments, clarifying that the deputies were present due to death threats, not the nature of the location. He outlined the city’s ongoing efforts to protect the Jewish community, including a Jewish community safety plan that had been recently reinstated and updated. Erickson also spoke about his involvement in discussions with Jewish leaders and his efforts to promote legislative changes to combat anti-Semitism.

WEST SEEGMILLER: “When West Hollywood city council weighs in on international issues, it sets a tone and can actually escalate tensions within our community locally.”

Cockeram questioned the frequency of security measures at other religious institutions, such as Catholic and Lutheran churches, compared to synagogues, suggesting an imbalance in protection based on the type of congregation.

DANNY HANG:
“Anti-Semitism is wrong. Any forms of hate are wrong, and they should not happen in West Hollywood. We are an inclusive city, and everyone here should be loved and accepted.”

MISCELLANY 

Block advocated for a new city manager, criticizing the current leadership as a “COVID Band-Aid.” He argued that City Hall is dysfunctional, citing whistleblowers and calling for an independent city manager to ensure fairness and end the existing “clique.”

Erickson followed by discussing a project with developer Steve Kalish to revitalize a corner in the city. He described efforts to balance development and make sure it benefits the community. Erickson emphasized the importance of having a streamlined process for developers to navigate City Hall efficiently.

Jackson, speaking from her experience in local government, highlighted the challenges faced by city staff. She urged people to consider the workload and complexities city employees face before blaming them for issues like lost paperwork. Jackson stressed that, as a representative, she would always consider both sides of a situation before making decisions.

The next audience member, Peter Adams, raised concerns about proposed changes to Fountain Avenue, particularly the addition of bike lanes and the reduction of parking. The moderator asked each candidate for their stance on this issue, beginning with Block, who opposed the changes.

Nickle also expressed strong opposition, having spoken against them for over a year. Jackson supported bike lanes in general but believed that fixing sidewalks should be the priority. Hang was cautious, stating there is no finalized plan but emphasized the need to prioritize safety on Fountain. Erickson stressed that safety is paramount but explained there was no concrete proposal for the changes yet and said he would evaluate the issue when a plan is in place.

Block reiterated his opposition to reducing parking without a one-to-one replacement plan involving side streets, indicating he would only support the changes if parking could be preserved. The moderator clarified that the discussion around bike lanes and parking reductions was nuanced and required a concrete plan before full opinions could be formed.

Another audience member asked about the hiring process for the next city manager, questioning whether the candidates would commit to a national, robust search focused solely on professional competence. Block, Nickle, Jackson, Hang and Erickson answered “yes” in support of a thorough hiring process.

All active registered voters in West Hollywood will receive a vote-by-mail ballot starting October 7.

Ballot drop-off locations open October 8, 2024. Vote-by-mail ballots can be returned by mail, at a drop-off location, or your county elections office.

The last day to register to vote is October 21.

Vote centers open for early in-person voting beginning on October 26.

Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by November 12.