As a 37-year resident, I feel that it is important to rise to the level of community leader, not simply “claim it” and then run with it — especially in an area like Los Angeles, where so many individuals consider themselves celebrities or influencers.
We have had community leaders since the city’s inception. Many of them have died or gotten very old. Their ideas are now dismissed in favor of those with personal agenda items.
“Personal” is the key. The new ones believe that their view of changing the world is far more important than the “wants and needs” of the current residents. Not for the good of the overall community, but just for themselves.
When we look at “real” community leaders in other cities, they all have one thing in common: They do things for the good of the public and their city. They contribute assets, time, expertise, and ability. They contribute these things while actually doing their day jobs, be that lawyers, teachers, actors, etc. They do not do these things in furtherance of their careers.
This is not the case in West Hollywood.
Our self-anointed community leaders take action or try to become popular to further their careers (and egos) whether that be in real estate, development, or even future political positions in higher government.
Examples of real community leaders are people like Barry Diller, who donated $260 million and created Little Island in NYC for public use. Strangely he was able to do this for only 18 percent more money than West Hollywood spent upgrading an existing park, but that is a discussion for another day. Incidentally, he will be doing the same thing in Los Angeles at Franklin Heights.
In Philadelphia, Richardson Dilworth, Esq. (attorney to the Annenberg Family) led the creation of the public use park named Dilworth Park. The list goes on and on, including in small and large cities up and down California.
A city of only two square miles such as WeHo should be able to create “Community Leaders” that do REAL things rather than espouse points of view meant only to cause disruption without a solution. We recently had a US President like that.
We need to stop heightening the notoriety of fake community leaders until such time that they have proven that they have the overall community interest at heart, and not simply a cause to promote.
You whining people have a problem with progressive ideas and helping people not in your class. Not that I agree w/everything the CC does but your complaints are generally ideological and meritless.
The sooner those climbing, selfish, grandiose egomaniacs of Shyne, Horvath, and Erickson are out of West Hollywood for good, the better. They are obnoxious, unqualified, arrogant, dismissive, ignorant, useless, exploitive, and civically tone-deaf to the needs and well-being of their constituents of our City currently and respecting its progressive heritage. Shame on the voters of West Hollywood for falling for their public masturbation of their narcissistic egos and superficial, manipulative “campaigns” (like Horvath sending out huge posterboard mailers, one day I got 12 IN ONE DAY; so much for environmental responsibility). Do better. Vote, and use your heads this time.… Read more »
Ms. Rosenberg eloquently and succinctly voices the increasing discussion in this city about the state of civic affairs and the general consensus that the Reign of Error must end. More and more residents are engaged in the civic discussion. We see it at supermarkets, gyms, coffee shops and in discussions on social media. It would be naive of any incumbent or candidate for office to think that the public is not paying attention. Leader is not a self-proclaimed title, it is the result of work and listening. It is about where we are now and how actions result in better circumstances for all people, it… Read more »
It’s BARRY Diller not Darry. Again, who is responsible for proofing these articles? Garcia? If so, he’s doing, at best, a mediocre job. I previously submitted a comment about his use of the word HEIR when it shoud have been AIR. Plus PODIUM should have be reffered to as DAIS. While my comment was published, the corrections were not made. What does this say about the “professionalism” of (fill in the blank).
Nit pick nit pic Wehoville should get a Pulitzer Prize for the reporting on this City Counsel.
Excellent piece Joan and in total agreement. 👍
This started with the Bernie left against the Clinton left. Then Trump style politics creating a cancer of blatant deceit, self entitlement into progressive politics. On top of George Soros funding to a wrongful cause that emboldens criminal activity without the cure.
And here we all are holding the trick bag with Horvath, Ericsson, Shayne, Gascon.
At least San Francisco is trying.
Well expressed, Ms. Rosenberg. I’m currently reading Lakota Way: Stories & Lessons For Living, which reminds us that the Native American Lakota tradition sought its leaders by asking the best among them to lead rather than choosing as we do from those who volunteer. This is a tradition worth examining.
Thank you for that. It is also believed to be true that The Lakota and other tribes had no written laws. They depended on the integrity of the participants to stand for virtue and employed public censure to those out of line.
Elections are coming. Time to unseat as many of the “Unholy Three” (or Four) as possible.
You obviously are not aware that John D’Amico is retiring (termed out?) and Lindsay Horvath is vacating her seat in her quest to become an LA County Supervisor. John Erickson and Sepi Shyne have two more years into their current terms. I’m amazed as to how many prople are ignorant of what is going on in West Hollywood.
Indeed.
Second that.
Civilly engaged residents quickly learn that “formal” influence is shamelessly guarded by the clique in power, leaving us with astroturfed fake “resistance” figures.
But genuine leaders don’t expect awards from the government. Keep doing the work. Screw the gatekeepers.
I think the beginnings of a community leader starts with them having a personal stake in the city.Owning a home in the city where a citizen cares about the overall health and vitality of that city is a good example. As the city population is mostly tenants in multi-unit buildings,chances are those tenants won’t care about the city in general.They know where to find the best restaurants or hot hangouts for their friends,but could care less about the pothole down the street from where they live.Those tenants are busy building their careers,not really caring about the older tenants who are… Read more »
As one of those “older tenants” to which you refer, I know from experience that WeHo does have a very good selection of transit options available. You can check them out here: https://www.weho.org/services/public-transportation-transit-options
As a long time renter in WeHo, I can assure you that we (renters) do care about the city in general. We participate in Council meetings as well as attending Board and Commission meetings. We try to stay current with whatever is going on in our city. Don’t sell us or short or, worse, just dismiss us bcause we rent. Thank you.
Much of our country was built on a sense if integrity and stewardship both of which are in short supply in West Hollywood. Lack of these attributes destroys the foundation s and creates a wild free for all amongst people with no responsibility to the whole.
Thanks for speaking up. We need adults, mature, well-rounded people who can see more than one issue at a time. The only person currently on the Council too fit that need is Lauren Meister. There are others in the wings who need to be brought center stage. VOTE!!