Developer-Backed Group Attacks Candidate Martin for Supporting Development

The anti-Martin/Pro Duran mailers all seem to be financed by organizations & people outside West Hollywood, all with self serving reasons that have nothing to do with what’s best for the city but for their pocketbooks. What speaks for itself in volumes is the fact that Steve Martin is campaigning on money, time, talent, & endorsement that are all coming from inside the immediate community, people who know that Steve is in it for the people & not the profit. Steve Martin’s supporters are well aware of his background, his experiences on the City Council & as a community leader, and we think Steve is the best choice among all the candidates, including both incumbents.. The hit pieces will keep coming, and will probably only get worse, top-heavy with deceit & fraud, financed by developers & others who consider their support of this City Council an investment from which they expect a very sizeable return and has nothing to do with civic duty or democracy, & especially has nothing to do with the wants & needs of the people. Money as a political candidate lost in the 2012 Presidential election, & money as a candidate will lose the West Hollywood election of 2013 as well.

Sheila LightfootTue, Feb 26 at 11:32 am

Well, here is comes, folks… the onslaught. Big Developers and Big Business, petrified that Steve Martin’s election will mean the end of their gravy train, pour bucket loads of money into hit pieces that try to paint “Steve” as the big money guy. Now, that’s Chutzpah! They bend and twist and turn everything inside out to make it look like Steve… is what? To make it look like Steve is on THEIR side.

Well, if Steve was actually on their side (which the attacks say he is)… why, oh, why aren’t they donating their tens of thousands of dollars to support Steve instead of the committee supporting John Duran that is attacking Steve? That’s the only question anyone needs to ask about these attacks being funded by Big Development and Big Business. Wake up, people, this is how their money buys votes and why they own our City.

Chloe RossTue, Feb 26 at 12:05 pm

I suspect when you have just enough mud for one good sling – you don’t make mudpies and waste it chucking little gobs here and there. Time to duck.

The high road is to run on your own merits. The high road is not to attack your opponents with play for pay vitriol as your only campaign message. As adults we must all have events and behavior in our pasts that hindsight would have stopped cold. I do. But what we are looking at here and now is really this: what do any of these men (and yes – they are ALL men) bring to our city NOW that acts in the best interests of the city – individually and as a whole.

There are people who will argue that both incumbents are user friendly and in some cases that may be so – but one is an entrenched, but amiable seat filler and the other is, in my opinion, a creep. Laddies – you should run on your own merits and stop buying mud to sling. Politicians who run clean and honest campaigns may not retire on the largesse of businesses who unload lots of money on them – but neither will they be caught in Faustian scenarios they know are wrong. As it stands now – my best advice is to buy lots of soap – just as one hopes mud will stick where it’s thrown – it will also stick on the slingers as well.

AnonymousTue, Feb 26 at 12:58 pm

Duran owes too many favors.. no wonder the MTA/PDC didnt have to consult him.. his vote was in the bag! He has so much baggage from money laundering to other things.. wondering how many of those donations came from people who he took to lunch on the city credit card?

Chris BrayTue, Feb 26 at 1:18 pm

Par for the course, and don’t forget the comparable sleaze from the last election:

http://www.wehodaily.com/2011/03/11/election-mailing-traced-trash-sex-offender-address/

Our mail on Saturday had nine campaign mailers — they went straight in the trash, unread. An onslaught of meaningless garbage.

meister4wehoTue, Feb 26 at 1:21 pm

The Sunset Millenium was contentious – but mostly because City of LA residents overlooking the project were not happy about it. The only council member who did not vote for it was Heilman and that’s because he couldn’t vote on it — he lived within the 500 ft radius. As we all know, John Duran, who implied at the forum that he voted against the project, wasn’t on Council at the time, so, he didn’t vote on it, period…

Now, how did Mayor Prang vote? It was a 4-0 vote for the project. So, I guess he voted for the project too. Yep, just checked the minutes — Jeff Prang voted for it.

http://www.weho.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=8896

meister4wehoTue, Feb 26 at 1:33 pm

Forgot to point out that on the more recent vote RE: Sunset Millennium — the one where the Council approved decreasing the amount of parking by nearly 400 spaces, John Duran did vote — and he voted yes, Jeff Prang voted yes. Since Steve Martin was not on Council, wonder how they’ll blame him for that one?

Folks, vote YES on Measure C. And vote for the two NON-incumbents of your choice.

TMSTue, Feb 26 at 3:37 pm

I’m concerned that some of the money to fund Measure C is coming from an Orange County republican who was a major contributor to Prop 8. That makes me question where the motives for Measure C come from. Aren’t was as legal, educated adults smart enough to decide who we want on our City Council? I hate the idea of being told who I can vote for.

TMSTue, Feb 26 at 3:38 pm

Sorry for the typo above. I meant “Aren’t WE as legal, educated adults….”

Allegra AllisonTue, Feb 26 at 7:36 pm

The Gateway attack, is particularly funny since the Gateway is two stories tall.
Not exactly gigantic over development & Target has been a huge plus for the Eastside.

It really is all lies & bull..& at times, pretty hysterical.

Todays mail has Heilman accusing Steve of killing an affordable housing project.
That was Tara…where Steve Martin supported a park & preservation.

The hoot here is….
that, in the very same piece of mail,
we have a quote from Ed Buck saying how great Duran is for (finally)
supporting preserving Tara & making it a Park.
What?
Then, Buck lists his accomplishments as
“founding member of Save Tara” (and WEHONA).

Aside from this non sense, if a founding member joined a year after the inception of Save Tara, does anybody think that qualifies as “founding”?
I don’t think so.

When Buck did join, he did us more harm than good with his Dump Duran campaign
because we appeared to be associated with him.
He lost us a good five years.

Michael MooneyTue, Feb 26 at 8:49 pm

Dear TMS, That flier that says that Measure C comes from an Orange County Republican – major contributor to Prop 8 is a lie.

The fact is Measure C was started by two West Hollywood resident Democrats, Sheila Lightfoot and Elyse Eisenberg and a West Hollywood resident Republican, Scott Schmidt, so it’s a West Hollywood citizen’s issue, and is fully non-partisan.

It has nothing to do with Orange County, Yes on 8, or Tea Party Republicans.

That this group is using Karl Rovian deceptive tactics to get people to vote against Measure C should tell you something about their endorsing Duran and Prang.

Term limits are set for the United States presidency. That should tell you something.

Term limits would help to keep council people from being around so long that they can game the system, as has happened.

Our city council does not truly represent the citizens, especially when what the citizens want goes against what a rich developer wants.

A majority of our council are in the pockets of the rich developers, as you can see by the developer’s donations.

That’s why we need term limits and new council members.

MeTue, Feb 26 at 8:52 pm

does anyone remember when the CITY had to pay-out a settlement for JEFF PRANG because he SEXUALLY HARASSED a city staffer when they were up north on business?????….the staffer is still at city hall, which was probably part of the deal….as for why he wasn’t forced to resign, i have no idea….. Activist James Fuhrman, using public records requests, publicizes that the City paid $30,000.00 in damages to the victim of the Portland gay pride sexual harassment incident. (source: weho news)

http://articles.latimes.com/1999/oct/05/local/me-18851

Rudolf MartinTue, Feb 26 at 9:30 pm

Athens Services is up for a major major contract with the city, no wonder they’re coughing up the dough! Ironic that trash haulers are paying to produce this garbage and then get paid (by us) to haul it away again. Now, I’m curious who their lobbyist might be?

meister4wehoTue, Feb 26 at 9:37 pm

Take a look at the campaign finance statements – visit weho.org. You’ll see that most of WeHo Term Limits (Yes on C) donations are from West Hollywood residents.

What concerns me is all the outside special interest money being donated to oppose Measure C – mostly from developers and their lawyers and lobbyists. And, particularly disturbing is all of the outside special interest money funding the “Friends of West Hollywood, a Committee Supporting John Duran for City Council.” It’s all online.

MeWed, Feb 27 at 11:26 am

DON’T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT, SEE FOR YOURSELF WHO IS DONATING TO THEIR CAMPAIGNS:
DURAN: http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=1120
PRANG: http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=1065
NO ON C CAMPAIGN: http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=1210

Don NorteWed, Feb 27 at 3:26 pm

The proposed legislation to eliminate the CEQA review process in Oakland is irresponsible and dangerous to communities throughout California. Potential developments are going to miss a much needed effort to evaluate environmental impacts that are cumulative and often require interagency coordination based on criteria set forth in the law. Doing away with the process of environmental review that is comprehensive is dangerous and poses risk to communities that are dependent on the oversight of government. Doing away with this process clearly favors developement and takes away the mechanism for the public to be informed. The future of California is not headed in the right direction and the action of Senators Noreen Evans and Darrell Steinberg to support this legislation is deceptive and biased at the expense of communities that depend on government to guide and approve projects that fit with the scale and protect the public from harm.

http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/CEQA-future-tied-to-Oakland-s-experience-4308007.php#page-2

voolavexWed, Feb 27 at 3:36 pm

Rudolf Martin – FYI – the waste management business; hauling and rubbish removal and related companies are usually managed/owned by companies that are depicted in HBO original series as fiction. There is some confusion if these shows are in fact fiction and by extension – whether the real companies are genuine inspiration for such shows. I hope this gives you some idea of how and who the lobby operates for companies such as waste haulers.

Sheila LightfootWed, Feb 27 at 4:17 pm

Dear TMS, Are you concerned about the motives of all those big contributors from outside West Hollywood to the incumbent Council members? Why do you think they’re spending all that money to try to keep Steve Martin off the Council? Do you really think they’re doing it because they care about West Hollywood residents? Boy, do I have a bridge I want to sell you!

Rudolf MartinThu, Feb 28 at 8:51 pm

“TMS”, have you voiced those concerns about the presidential election? do you feel you are being told who you can vote for in a presidential election? would you like a president that can stay in office for life?

“Voolavex” are you suggesting that the Athens guys are depicted in “Big Love”? are you calling them mormon polygamists?

So who is the lobbyist for Athens? Lobbying for the big contract the city will give out before 2016? Anyone?

AnonymousThu, Feb 28 at 9:43 pm

@Don Norte – you are correct. Sacramento is trying to do away with CEQA as we know it (“reform it”) and that would be a big mistake. Wish more people were aware of this very serious issue. Maybe if we had council members who really cared about environmental issues, our City would be lobbying Sacramento to save CEQA… as is.

Chloe RossSat, Mar 02 at 12:42 pm

@Anonymous – Well, that might be one way of looking at Athens. I thought more that the owners had a blue moon in their eye.

Lynn RussellSat, Mar 02 at 3:47 pm

@Rudolph Martin. Your analogy of a president staying in power for life is highly unlikely on several levels. A review of the history of how it is that Roosevelt was to able to accrue successive terms illustrates several issues in play at that time. A movement following his presidency drew several factions into the two term outcome. It is interesting to review exactly how this came about. There is no easy link to connect you to the answer and a bit complicated to explain in this forum.

West Hollywood City Council does not appear a fair comparison as the City Manager has an opportunity to put many issues into motion before they either pass muster by the council or even appear on their radar. Full time council members might afford a more even balance.

Campaign contributions have a perplexing influence on our national elections down to our municipal ones and until this wild swing of financial influence is reduced to provide an even playing field folks will spend untold energy getting items like Measure C on the ballot but in the end will not yield the desired outcome. Access to funds to stay in power will still be the artillery subsequently clouding visibility of and real time solutions to issues.

Chloe RossSat, Mar 02 at 4:11 pm

@ Rudolf: if they are Mormon polygamists it could be the FLDS or even former candidate Mitt but I suspect more likely a group who like watering holes like the Bada Bing.

Lynn RussellSat, Mar 02 at 4:17 pm

@ Rudolph Martin. When I posed the question of campaign finance reform to Steve Martin recently he responded by saying “I think we may need to consider having public financing if incumbents spend more than $60 k or if there are active Independent expenditure campaigns. Just an unformulated idea so far”.

The answer surprised me in that although Steve is obviously able and intelligent he was not particularly smart about solutions to his objectives. With all these many years devoured by a personal need to be on the council, I believe Steve failed to see or lost sight of the big picture and got mired in inflammatory issues delivered in a nearly continuous rant against the city, its personnel and the council members. The rant was supported by countless angry disgruntled folks all echoing the same tone. He could have achieved a method of curbing campaign spending. Steve could have helped to positively mentor one of the fresh new faces running and been invaluable. One can hardly win every issue but it seems to me if one doesn’t extend a factual argument in a respectful manner to forge a solution, one is undermining one’s self and supporters. Continuing a disparaging and defensive campaign wears out issues and residents. Eventually one needs to be able to work with other council members and city staff if elected otherwise it is a failed effort before even getting started.

voolavexSun, Mar 03 at 3:15 pm

I truly dislike our political seasons. When I open the mail there are always expensive looking fliers (4 color seps and heavy, glossy stock) and they are usually crap. I know who I support on every voting level and with this in mind I find the waste of money and paper aggravating. Having made this clear, today was huge example of this waste. When I opened my mailbox I found not one, but four pieces of political “information” – two of which were “guides” and the other two were from the “Friends of West Hollywood” – not any friends of mine. I am sorry and sad that one of the incumbents feels the needs to launch a smear campaign against a candidate not on the council. I am sad and sorry that one of the incumbents seems so insecure and afraid of losing a job that pays $10K a year that he has yanked out all the stops in glossy mailers that denigrate another candidate. The material I got today has taken as its playbook the one used (and to no avail by the GOP). I have no use for the GOP.

I have addressed the CC as a public commenter numerous times and I have listened to the remarks made by the author of this mudslinging marathon. I took issue with his attitude and told him so. If I didn’t shake my finger, I should have. This was during his stint as Mayor and he mistook that title for Oligarch, Boy King or Despot as he disparaged just about anything and anyone he did not like. It got my goat and instead of the little speech I had planned addressing some other agenda item – I let fly.

I would dearly love to do it again – but I was raised with far better home training. I would simply like to share this feeling – a personal one not prompted or encouraged by another soul.

There are two incumbents running to keep themselves in situ and continue their known behavior. The field is huge however and we each have two votes – I suggest that we all take a higher road and vote for smarter and better blood, fresher blood, kinder blood. It is time for a serious change in City Hall. The buck stops at the voting booth – a private process. Use your own minds. Take a chance. And if you would like to see more diversity in our little burg – consider Measure C as well.

Bronwen McGarvaMon, Mar 04 at 6:20 pm

I think Steve would make a great addition to City Council — a second time. It is time again for his moderation, his sensitivity to pets, to seniors and the disabled, and to renters. I mean, do we really need another development in West Hollywood, or the destruction of any more rent-controlled apartments (granted some heinous ’70s design) in favor of Live-Work-Lofts? Do we need another car in this small but fabulous city? Let’s bring Steve back and keep West Hollywood politically uber-progressive, but livable. We working class residents don’t want to be kicked to the curb. Bring back Steve!

Chloe RossMon, Mar 04 at 6:30 pm

Bronwen – I agree with you.