Candidates for West Hollywood City Council

PAUL KORETZ

Background: 36; incumbent running for second term; current mayor; former Southern California director of California League of Conservation Voters. Why are you running? I bring a unique background of government, business, environmental and neighborhood-watch experience to the council. I also play a unique role as an independent council member who listens, comes to council meetings with an open mind, and is willing to admit mistakes when I make them.

Should the city have its own police force? I have probably been the sheriff’s most severe critic on the council. Cities such as Long Beach are switching to the sheriff to save money. Our budget shortfall clearly does not allow for a costly move in the opposite direction. We still have some problems with the sheriff, but they are effective crime-fighters.

How would you solve the city’s budget crisis? I would look first to cut the fluff. Items like conferences, travel, memberships and subscriptions total over $200,000. I propose cutting these items by over 50%. I would then cut 10% to 15% across the board in routine service areas. I will not propose such cuts in social services or law enforcement.

How should the city grow? what development and limits would you pursue to strike a better balance? To a great degree, the west side of West Hollywood mirrors Beverly Hills, and the east side resembles Hollywood--more an accident of geography than a result of policy. To deal with overdevelopment, we down-zoned the west side; the east end needs anchors like the Warner studios expansion, more crime control, major cleanup efforts.

ABBE LAND

Background: 36; incumbent running for second full term; field consultant for L.A. chapter of Hadassah; former member of Planning Commission. Why are you running? I’ve demonstrated leadership on business and crime issues and played an essential role in creating a strong rent-control ordinance, affordable housing, services for seniors and people with AIDS, a Head Start program, better parks and hate-crime abatement measures.

Should the city have its own police force? If we had our own police force, we’d initially have to recruit from other law enforcement agencies. We’d also have large start-up costs (that) might necessitate reducing essential services, raising taxes or reducing the level of law enforcement. I would demand to see a thorough analysis before making a final decision.

How would you solve the city’s budget crisis? We must reduce operating costs by $300,000 or more to achieve a balanced budget. To achieve that, I will consider freezing cost-of-living expenses for contract services, scaling back non-essential services and reducing overhead costs. To assure new revenues, I am working on a business retention and expansion program.

How should the city grow? what development and limits would you pursue to strike a better balance? Prior to cityhood, much of the west side was already developed. Now, the Warner expansion and a mixed-use project on La Brea and Santa Monica boulevards are planned for the east end. I helped make this possible by voting to increase density allotments on the east end and exempt first-year businesses from the business license tax.

ROBERT J. PIERSON

Background: 37; administrator and urban-planning professor at USC; served two years on committee that helped prepare General Plan fot city land use. (Photo not available at press time.) Why are you running? Since cityhood I have been a quiet volunteer on numerous task forces and advisory councils. But now I can be quiet no longer. The “Creative City” has become the “Dysfunctional City.” It’s time for new leadership, renewed vision and pro-active planning.

Should the city have its own police force? We must have a comprehensive analysis of whether we are getting the best police service for our money. The sheriff still has no openly gay or lesbian deputies serving in the city, contrary to the city’s contract. If we consider beginning our own department, it can be used as a negotiating leverage in making the sheriff live up to the city’s contract.

How would you solve the city’s budget crisis? The fairest short-term solution is to cut all services 10%. Before making permanent cuts or raising taxes, long-term solutions must be identified. Staffing and services must be cost-effective. Businesses must be boosted with an aggressive specific plan for Santa Monica Boulevard. Social services must directly serve residents.

How should the city grow? what development and limits would you pursue to strike a better balance? The inequities in private investment and public services between the east end and the west end represent a larger problem. Neighborhood quality of life is diminishing while businesses leave the city. We need greater collaboration between residents and businesses. Decision-making must be based more on neighborhood consensus and less on staff reports.

GEORGE RUMANES

Background: 66; Studio lighting director. Why are you running? To free the city from drug pushers, roving gangs, graffiti vandals, boulevard prostitutes, gay-bashers, car thieves, burglars, robbers, con artists and muggers. To cleanse the streets and parks from tramps; to clean front yards and alleys from junk and create a friendly city, a free-from-fear and enjoy-life community. A safe city.

Should the city have its own police force? The cost for creating and maintaining a city police department is prohibitive. The Sheriff’s Department is the best trained law enforcement agency in the country. The sheriffs are independent crime fighters who answer only to the needs of the citizens and who do not owe gratitude to special-interest groups.

How would you solve the city’s budget crisis? Streamline and combine departments and department operations. Reduce 25% of personnel through attrition. Freeze hiring for three years. Investigate and eliminate any featherbedding. Reduce the need for the highly paid consulting firms. Reduce the operating budget by 10%.

How should the city grow? what development and limits would you pursue to strike a better balance? To bring a balance to the community, the east side has to be protected, purged from crime and spruced up. The city will grow and flourish only when the citizens feel safe (and) when all neighborhoods are recognized as equal by the City Council.

RACHELLE S. SMITH

Background: 50; publicist; served on rent stabilization, business license commissions. Why are you running? City Council can be as indifferent and aloof as the former (county) government. After seven years, we have no City Hall, no fire house, no parking structures, $1.75 million spent in legal fees and useless consultant studies, a $1.5-million budget deficit and an unresponsive council majority.

Should the city have its own police force? No! Until we eliminate the projected shortfall for this fiscal year and the deficit projected for fiscal 1992-93, I would not be in favor of starting any project of this magnitude. Estimates for the establishment of a West Hollywood Police Department range from $40-50 million.

How would you solve the city’s budget crisis? I am adamantly opposed to raising taxes. I favor 10% across-the-board cuts to all department budgets without cutting essential human services and the Sheriff’s Department. I would seek a hiring freeze on all governmental operations while we determine what efficiencies we could implement.

How should the city grow? what development and limits would you pursue to strike a better balance? Most of our future growth should be on the east side. I would be in favor of siting City Hall and any other municipal building in this area. We must encourage firms similar to Warner Brothers and Westlake Properties to undertake more projects to enhance the urban village concept in this area of our city.