Council Candidate
I envision West Hollywood as special place that treasures the uniqueness of our community and enhances our neighborhoods.
I am opposed to the “bigger is better” philosophy that has resulted in irresponsible development, more gridlock and the destruction of the West Hollywood we love.
I will provide leadership to protect rental housing from demolition and create an inclusive vision for our future that does not destroy our neighborhoods or drive out the very people who give West Hollywood our celebrated diversity. We need leaders who will foster dialogue to build consensus to preserve our community character and make everyone feel included in our City’s future.
I have a long history of commitment to our community. In 1984 I was part of the grassroots coalition that incorporated this City. We believed that West Hollywood could be a special place where empowered citizens would decide our City’s future. We need to return to that vision.
As a Council member from 1994 to 2003 I worked to make West Hollywood a better place to live. I led the efforts to create Kings Road Park. I chaired the Santa Monica Boulevard Re-Design Committee. I was instrumental in creating the Eastside Redevelopment Agency which led to the creation of hundreds of units of affordable housing while enhancing the City’s financial standing. I lobbied for funding for Plummer Park improvements and to create our community computer lab and renovate our only pool. I created one of the nation’s first programs to help people with methamphetamine abuse.
In 2000 I was one of the first elected officials in the nation to publicly endorse marriage equality and I served on the Board of Directors of Marriage Equality California. In 2002 I received the Harvey Milk Award from Christopher Street West in recognition for my long time activism for LGBT rights.
I have worked with residents across the City to protect our neighborhoods. I supported the campaign to “Save Tara” and successfully organized against the City’s attempts to allow developments up to ten stories along Santa Monica Boulevard. I objected to the poorly conceived designs for Plummer Park and opposed outsized developments such as the ten story Casden project at Movie Town Plaza.
I will provide responsive leadership at City Hall that respects and empowers the people who live here. Together we can write a brighter chapter in our City’s history.
Steve is a devoted member of the community, who truly cares about the city’s Destiny. I was a candidate too, in 1984. Those were heady times where Steve provided leadership. Steve was particularly determined to plant the SMB abandoned railroad tracks with greenery; It was accomplished pronto, without waiting for a formal bidding process. He warned then that this would be the exception to the rule. He was with me as a founding charter member of the West Hollywood Democratic Club. I’d trust him with my vote.