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Duran’s sleazy politics infect George Nickle campaign
George Urch (left in photo) is an Orange County longtime political consultant for former Council member John Duran. Duran is the Chair of the WEHO PAC. ,the political action committee of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Two weeks ago, the WEHO PAC held interviews with candidates who answered questions and revealed the most sensitive details of their campaigns. The PAC has yet to make any endorsements.
Council will get update on Historian Laureate program
City Council is set to receive an update Monday on the City Historian Laureate program staff members are currently developing. The City Historian Laureate Program aims to explore and publicize key historical moments and connect with existing resources to deepen the understanding of the city’s past. Various local and historical organizations, such as the West Hollywood Preservation Alliance and the LA County Historical Society, will support these efforts. The program is also linked to the WeHo Stories Project, which archives the city’s oral history, and a new 40th Anniversary Cultural History Grant from the City’s Arts Division to fund projects in 2025 that celebrate and investigate the city’s unique cultural and policy-driven milestones.
WeHo playhouse might be named in honor of Andrew Campbell
West Hollywood is poised to name its new City Playhouse after a beloved trailblazer in the city’s arts community. City Council on Monday will decide whether to waive the customary two-year waiting period following an individual’s death before a naming can occur in order to honor Andrew Campbell, a revered figure in West Hollywood’s cultural community, who passed away on December 19, 2023, following an 18-month fight with ALS. Born in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 15, 1952, Campbell’s diverse experiences ranged from acting in regional theaters in Minnesota and Illinois to teaching in Northern California, and eventually pursuing higher education with a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from UCLA.
WEHO TOWN HALL brings the community conversation to the people
On Saturday, August 3, the WEHO TOWN HALL, located at 8594 Santa Monica Blvd., will open its doors. While this location serves as my campaign office, it is also available to all other candidates for holding community conversations. One of my goals in running for the city council is to elevate the conversation and include all of you.
Newsom’s rosy portrait of economy glosses over deeper problems
Gov. Gavin Newsom often promotes California’s economy as a national leader, particularly highlighting job creation figures but despite these assertions, the state’s May employment report reveals a more challenging economic situation, a new analysis by CalMatters reports. In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, Newsom claimed the...
WeHo wants to speed up demolition of risky vacant lots
City Council is looking to fast-track demolition permits for certain vacant properties that are putting their neighbors at risk. Vacant properties in question are defined by the West Hollywood Municipal Code as those substantially vacant, unoccupied, or abandoned for more than 45 days, or properties where no construction or building safety inspections have occurred within the last 90 days. The city has faced challenges with such properties, which often become targets for trespassing and other public safety issues, prompting calls for an expedited process to address these concerns.
New permitting system launches this month
West Hollywood will launch a new enterprise permitting and licensing management system in August 2024. This software aims to improve the city’s permitting, planning, regulatory licensing, and code enforcement processes. The new system will replace multiple isolated software platforms, streamlining operations and enhancing service delivery for residents, businesses, vendors,...
No limit to how small apartments can be in WeHo’s new rules
Skyrocketing rent has pushed WeHo residents into smaller and smaller living spaces — but how small is too small?. Tonight, the Planning Commission will review new definitions and standards for studio apartments and “micro-units,” which according to the proposal, are any apartments smaller than 425 square feet. West Hollywood hopes the new regulations will help diversify its housing stock, promoting the development of new accommodations that support various household sizes, types and incomes.
Fred Segal closes, The Gleamery opens
Fred Segal in West Hollywood shut down this week after six years in operation at its location on the Sunset Strip. Born in 1933, Segal founded his original namesake boutique in 1961 on Melrose Avenue, introducing a revolutionary retail concept that blended multiple shops within a single store environment. This shop-in-shop model allowed independent labels to maintain their unique branding while benefiting from being part of a larger, high-traffic location. Segal’s innovation turned casual denim into a luxury item and created a new fashion hub that attracted celebrities and style influencers. He passed away in 2021.
OpEd: Understanding the Pavilions transaction
The Pavilions market is located at 8969 Santa Monica Blvd. It is the largest supermarket in the West Hollywood vicinity. The location is slated to be sold off if the merger between Kroger and Albertsons receives approval from the Federal Trade Commission. While the deal is on hold due to antitrust considerations, City Council recently offered its opposition to the merger in the form a letter.
RACHEL SCHMEIDLER: Ensuring a safe, inclusive, thriving WeHo
As a devoted resident of West Hollywood for nearly a quarter of a century, I’ve seen our city evolve into a vibrant, diverse community. As a candidate for the City Council, I’m committed to addressing the key issues that impact our daily lives: safety, economic sustainability, and robust community services. My background, experiences, and values uniquely position me to serve our community with dedication and insight.
OPINION: WeHo is planning your future without you
The consultants in charge of envisioning West Hollywood’s next 20 years wrapped up a crucial stretch of public outreach for this highly consequential project with a Zoom call Monday night attended by about 35 people, including residents, as well as city commissioners, staffers and the consultants themselves. Their mandate...
Jeff Jones, City Hall employee alleges Disability Discrimination and violations of the American with Disabilities Act.
My name is Jeff Jones. I am a 59-year-old man with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which the City of West Hollywood has known about for at least a decade. I have worked for the City since April of 2009. I have been a hardworking dedicated employee with a good record. I started as a Code Compliance Officer and was promoted to Senior Code Enforcement Officer in April 2018. Click here to read the full story.
I’m Jeff Jones, a City Hall employee who was bullied and deprived my rights
My name is Jeff Jones. I am a 59-year-old man with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which the City of West Hollywood has known about for at least a decade. I have worked for the City since April of 2009. I have been a hardworking dedicated employee with a good record. I started as a Code Compliance Officer and was promoted to Senior Code Enforcement Officer in April 2018.
Kamala’s husband was at SoulCycle in WeHo when he learned Biden dropped out
Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was attending a SoulCycle class with gay friends in West Hollywood’s Sunset Plaza on July 21 when he learned President Biden was dropping his re-election bid, putting his wife on a path to the presidency. “We’re out there having coffee, messing...
UPDATE: Sale of Pavilions in WeHo on hold as Kroger/Albertsons merger delayed
UPDATE 7/27/2024: The merger between Albertsons and Kroger has been put on hold, delaying the sale of nearly 600 stores, including the Pavilions in West Hollywood along with 62 other stores in California. A Colorado judge issued an order on Thursday temporarily halting the $24.6 billion merger following a challenge by the state attorney general, according to Bloomberg. The judge canceled an August 12 hearing and scheduled a trial on the merits of the merger for September 30. Kroger and Albertsons, the parent companies of Food 4 Less, Vons, and Pavilions, have agreed not to finalize the deal until the judge rules.
OpEd: Moving WeHo Forward
After this weekend, the YMLA store will close. For the next 100 days we will open the WEHO TOWN HALL. A community space and my campaign headquarters. After two years, a $200,000 investment, and mostly free rent offsets, we could barely break even with just one employee. The first $100 per hour in sales covers the cost of one employee, the lights, and the cost of goods but not rent or any profit. When we opened over two years ago, there was a big gay Starbucks across the street, Kitchen24, and Sprouts Market. There was a WING upstairs. Across the street the Subway, Cousins Lobster, and many other stores that use to shape our community are gone. The vacant storefronts and how we rebuild WeHo is my number one priority.
OPINION: Political propaganda has no place on Sunset Strip
Visitors eager to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sunset Strip will soon be greeted with overtly political, IMAX-sized propaganda disguised as art paid for and promoted by the City of West Hollywood right in the midst of presidential elections. As part of the city’s Moving Image Media Artworks...
ALAN STRASBURG: Election season starts on a low
West Hollywood politics, already a province of amateurish antics, were made ugly on Saturday when a friend contacted me about a vile email that went out under my name to untold numbers of people. This is clearly the work of someone impersonating me. The fake email address from which this missive was sent is the same email that has been used to submit commentary under my name to this publication.
How extending the Metro will impact WeHo
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has unveiled a draft environmental study for the K Line’s proposed northern extension to Hollywood, detailing pivotal aspects of design and cost, officials said Wednesday. The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), offers a...
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