Bond Measure Had Support of Developers, Waste Firms

Out-of-town developers and waste disposal companies were among the big contributors to a group that supported an $8-million bond issue, rejected by voters in April, to build a new library and fire station in West Hollywood, financial records show.

In records filed with the city clerk last week, West Hollywood Residents for Proposition A reported having spent $11,720 in its losing bid to promote the bond measure.

The group, which closed its books on June 1, had as its treasurer Councilman John Heilman. Mayor Abbe Land was listed as the only other controlling officer.

Meanwhile, an official of Fair Representation for West Hollywood, which led the fight against the measure, and whose organizers included Councilman Steve Schulte, said this week that the group raised $11,199 in contributions--more than half of it from landlords.

$100 in Debt

Treasurer David Gould said his group, which is $100 in debt, plans “to close its books as soon as we raise the $100.” By law, it has until June 30 to submit its final campaign disclosure, he said.

Of the contributions to the group headed by Heilman and Land, $2,500 came from people associated with Rossmoor Regency, the Laguna Hills-based real estate company that developed Leisure World, which wants to build a luxury residential complex for senior citizens in West Hollywood.

Rossmoor and a sister company each contributed $500. Three other $500 contributions came from individuals associated with the firm: developer Ross Cortese; accountant Mary Kettle Larkin, and project manager Lewis Davis and his wife, Carol Davis.

Among the other contributors were a couple of waste disposal companies that are among a handful still in the running for a piece of the residential garbage business, once city officials reduce the number of firms that haul West Hollywood’s trash from 23 to one or two.

Waste Disposal Firms

Records show that John Mardichian, who heads Murcole Disposal Co. of Compton, donated $950, and served as an intermediary for another $950 contribution from a Palm Desert man. Consolidated Disposal Service of Santa Fe Springs gave the group $750.

Despite the endorsement of four members of the City Council and support from the politically influential Coalition for Economic Survival, a renters’ rights group, voters opposed the measure by a margin of 52% to 48%. A two-thirds vote was needed for passage.

Opponents of the measure portrayed the election as a referendum on the city’s long-planned civic center in West Hollywood Park. They claimed the bond issue was a backhand attempt to squeeze more money for the center, because the library and fire station were originally part of the center’s design.

Fair Representation for West Hollywood received $4,500 from West Hollywood Concerned Citizens, and $1,500 from the Greater Los Angeles Apartment Assn., Gould said. Both are landlord organizations.

Gould said that $3,000 of the group’s donations came “from about 20 contributors” and that the remainder of the money was from West Hollywood residents who gave $100 or less to help defeat the bond issue.

Other contributors to the pro-Proposition A campaign included Gruen Associates of Los Angeles, architectural engineers for the civic center project, $900; Raleigh Enterprises of Los Angeles, $900, and Pomona Enterprises of Cypress, $900.

The campaign organization of Councilwoman Helen Albert donated $900, and the Pacific Design Center gave $500 to the pro-proposition group. All 19 other entities it listed as contributors were from outside West Hollywood.