John Heilman

Will California Officials Derail West Hollywood's Plans to Tear Down Great Hall-Long Hall?

It's been ongoing saga for a while now, and West Hollywood City Council's plans to demolish the WPA-era Great Hall-Long Hall buildings in Plummer Park may be derailed -- one way or another. It brings back memories of when the West Hollywood City Council pushed hard to mess with the old Tara mansio ... More >>

West Hollywood Municipal Election Results: Voters Defy Political Establishment and Approve Term Limits for City Council

In one of those odd twists on election night, West Hollywood voters gave City Council incumbents Jeff Prang and John Duran another four years, but then solidly approved a term limits ballot measure for the City Council by more than 1,000 votes. The passage of Measure C is a major blow to the West H ... More >>

Are Term Limits Good For West Hollywood? Voters to Decide in Upcoming Election

The Los Angeles Times ran a piece about West Hollywood terms limits today. It's filled with the usual, and very simplified, arguments by City Council members John Heilman and Jeff Prang about why terms limits are bad. "The people in West Hollywood are smart enough to know that if there's a council ... More >>

West Hollywood Activists 'Fed Up,' Look to Pass Term Limits For City Council Members

In a town where City Council members are almost never voted out of office, West Hollywood community activists have reached a boiling point -- and they're pushing hard to place a term limits initiative on the March 2013 ballot. "It's very hard for a grassroots activist to raise over $100,000 and bea ... More >>

Future of West Hollywood's Historic El Mirador Apartment Building Still Uncertain

The future of one of the most iconic buildings in West Hollywood -- and possibly in Los Angeles County -- is still uncertain. On Monday night, West Hollywood City Council members John Heilman, Abbe Land, John D'Amico and John Duran were unable to agree on plans for the historic El Mirardor apartmen ... More >>

West Hollywood City Council: Will John Duran and John D'Amico Bring Change in 2012?

Ted SoquiWeHo City Council member John D'Amico​We're all for protecting bicyclists, the humane treatment of puppies, reasonably guarding the health of restaurant and bar workers against second-hand smoke, and many of the other feel-good, headline-grabbing ordinances the five members of the We ... More >>

Fury over Plummer Park Historic Destruction

West Hollywood politicians set to destroy historic buildings for Jetsons look

West Hollywood Fur Ban Passed by Council: WeHo to Become Nation's First Fur-Free City

Oh no you didn't.​Fancy L.A. ladies looking to add some baby seal to their fall collections, or hipsters sniffing out their own clip-on foxtail in the Burning Man/Wiz Khalifa tradition, won't be welcome in West Hollywood anymore. The city tentatively approved an ordinance last night that will ... More >>

Despite Claims By 'Family-Friendly' Forces, West Hollywood is Getting Older (Older!), Not Younger

Ted SoquiWeHo City Councilman John Heilman​Update: NBCLosAngeles.com runs with WeHo Patch billboard story with no hard facts. More after jump. We keep hearing how West Hollywood needs to be more "family-friendly" -- from WeHo's Arts and Cultural Affairs commissioners to West Hollywood City C ... More >>

With Cultural War Brewing in West Hollywood, Will Mayor John Duran Shake Up Status Quo?

Ted SoquiWest Hollywood Mayor John Duran​Will John Duran, who was installed last night as the new mayor of West Hollywood, shake up the status quo with the help of recently elected City Councilman John D'Amico? That's the big question in West Hollywood political circles these days -- in 2010 ... More >>

West Hollywood vs. Lakeview, Chicago: Will the Real 'Boystown' Please Stand Up?

WeHo NewsCan we out-rainbow Chicago?​There's a battle of the gayborhoods going down between West Hollywood and Lakeview, and we're all invited! The territorial blog-off started when West Hollywood resident Larry Block proposed that the city officially designate the stretch of Santa Monica Bou ... More >>

Despite Controversy, No Children Harmed at Tom of Finland's West Hollywood Erotic Art Fair

Issues of "Physique Pictorial" were sold at WeHo-LA Erotic Art Fair​The 16th Annual West Hollywood - Los Angeles Erotic Art Fair went off without a hitch this past weekend, and the kids, as far as we know, are perfectly alright. Earlier in the year, members of the West Hollywood Arts and Cult ... More >>

West Hollywood 2011 City Council Election: John D'Amico Sworn In, Says WeHo Starts 'New Spring'

Ted SoquiWest Hollywood City Councilman John D'Amico​John D'Amico, the challenging candidate who placed first in the hotly contested West Hollywood City Council election two weeks ago and ousted incumbent Lindsey Horvath, was sworn into office on Monday night at West Hollywood Park Auditorium ... More >>

West Hollywood Spending

West Hollywood 2011 City Council Election: John D'Amico Ousts Lindsey Horvath, Abbe Land and John Heilman Likely Win - By Few Hundred Votes

Jennie WarrenWeHo City Council candidate John D'Amico​Even with some 930 provisional ballots that still need to be counted, West Hollywood City Council challenging candidate John D'Amico has ousted appointed council member Lindsey Horvath, according to political consultants who talked with L. ... More >>

West Hollywood City Manager Paul Arevalo Appears To Be Second Big Spender in City Credit Card Scandal

City of West HollywoodWeHo City Manager Paul Arevalo made $309,186 in 2009 -- apparently not enough to cover meals​Updated after the jump: Fran Solomon, the other cardholder, was so not having us at last night's City Council meeting. Also, the candidates' final words! Update: West Hollywood e ... More >>

West Hollywood 2011 City Council Election: Challenging Candidates Cast Ballots, Urge Voters To Do Same

​UPDATE: Voter turnout may be much higher than in 2009. Polls in WeHo are closed. More after jump. UPDATE: Steady flow of voters at WeHo polling stations, with turnout expected to pick up after 5:30 p.m. More after jump. West Hollywood City Council candidates Mito Aviles and Scott Schmidt h ... More >>

West Hollywood 2011 City Council Election: Street Artist Plasters Warhol-inspired 'Vote Mito' Stickers on Santa Monica Boulevard

Unknown artist"Vote Mito" sticker in WeHo, photos by Patrick Range McDonald​In 2008, there was the iconic Obama "Hope" poster by L.A. street artist Shepard Fairey. Three years later, there's the "Vote Mito" stickers (as translated into English) by an unknown, apparently Russian-speaking arti ... More >>

Lucas John, West Hollywood Candidate: Running Underdog Campaign, John Seeks Term Limits and Better Ways to Engage Residents

Jennie WarrenWeHo City Council candidate Lucas John​Read the latest L.A. Weekly news story about WeHo's hotly contested City Council race: "West Hollywood Incumbents Dig In." West Hollywood City Council candidate Lucas John, a 28-year-old public relations consultant and co-founder of the gay ... More >>

Mark Gonzaga, West Hollywood Candidate: Renters' Rights Advocate Seeks to Pull Off Major Upset Victory

WeHo City Council candidate Mark Gonzaga​Read the latest L.A. Weekly news story about WeHo's hotly contested City Council race: "West Hollywood Incumbents Dig In." As an apartment renter in West Hollywood, City Council candidate Mark Gonzaga knows what it's like to deal with difficult landlo ... More >>

West Hollywood Incumbents Dig In

A surprisingly pitched City Council battle for control of a town without term limits

John D'Amico, West Hollywood Candidate: City Hall Needs New Ideas and Resident-Friendly Policies

Jennie WarrenWest Hollywood candidate John D'Amico​Read the latest L.A. Weekly news story about the West Hollywood City Council race: "West Hollywood Incumbents Dig In." After raising around $105,000 for his campaign, City Council candidate John D'Amico realizes he's not exactly the kind of ... More >>

Steve Martin, West Hollywood Candidate: Former Councilman Promises Change, Says Voters Feel 'Heilman Fatigue'

Jennie WarrenWeHo City Council candidate Steve Martin​Attorney and community activist Steve Martin loves a good fight, and, this year, he's sticking himself smack in the middle of one -- the highly contested race for West Hollywood City Council, which features six challengers and longtime inc ... More >>

Scott Schmidt, West Hollywood Candidate: Gay Republican Tried to Stop Prop. 8, Now Aims to Unseat Incumbent John Heilman

WeHo City Council candidate Scott Schmidt​In West Hollywood, City Council candidate Scott Schmidt is apparently getting the reputation as the guy who worked harder to try to defeat Proposition 8 than incumbents John Heilman, Abbe Land, and Lindsey Horvath -- combined. Schmidt sent out a camp ... More >>

West Hollywood Revolt

Democratic Boss Eric Bauman to L.A. Weekly: Your Paper is 'Trash'

Democratic boss Eric Bauman​Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman ripped into L.A. Weekly at a West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club meeting last night. He was apparently steaming over our cover story, "Dethroning West Hollywood's Martinets." According to West Holly ... More >>

Starting To Look a Lot Like Egypt: West Hollywood City Council Candidates Try To Oust Stubborn Dictator With Social-Media Uprising

PHOTO BY JENNIE WARRENWeHo City Council candidate Mito Aviles wants to send the Mubarak -- er, mayor -- packing on a private jet​In this week's cover story, "Dethroning West Hollywood's Martinets," Patrick Range McDonald documents three underdog WeHo City Council candidates who are taking a st ... More >>

Dante Atkins, WeHo City Council Campaign Manager, Spotted Texting Answers to Candidate Lindsey Horvath During Debate

Atkins Research Group IncDante Atkins dutifully oils the incumbency machine​Updated after the jump: Mito Aviles, another candidate, says he noticed the same damn thing. This makes yesterday's LA Weekly cover, on which two West Hollywood City Council incumbents hang from puppet strings, so muc ... More >>

Dethroning West Hollywood's Martinets

Can five intriguing gay men upset the City Council's 26-year dynasty?

West Hollywood City Council Candidates Debate Again, Challengers Seek to Unseat Longtime Incumbents

Ted SoquiWest Hollywood candidate John D'Amico​West Hollywood candidates meet up for another debate tonight at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium, where hard-charging challengers seek to unseat longtime incumbents John Heilman, Abbe Land, and Lindsey Horvath. Heilman and Land have served a c ... More >>

West Hollywood Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath Invokes Arizona Shootings To Win Votes?

West Hollywood City Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath​West Hollywood City Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath apparently thinks that West Hollywood's lively political culture is destined for a major tragedy if she's not elected and can help tone things down. During a West Hollywood candidate's forum on ... More >>

Term Limits Hot Button Issue at West Hollywood City Council Debate, Incumbents Oppose Them

West Hollywood City Council candidate Mito Aviles​Term limits for West Hollywood City Council members was the hot button issue at a candidates' forum held at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium last night. Nearly all challenging candidates supported term limits while incumbents Abbe Land and ... More >>

West Hollywood City Council Candidates Square Off in First Debate, Challengers Say Time for Change

Ted SoquiWest Hollywood Mayor John Heilman​A long-anticipated debate will take place in West Hollywood tonight between all of the candidates running for City Council, including several hard-charging challengers and incumbents John Heilman, Abbe Land, and Lindsey Horvath. The challengers will ... More >>

West Hollywood City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath, Appointed By Friends On Council, Illegally Used City Stamp, Listserv To Beg 2011 Campaign Support

WeHo NewsSilly ethics laws don't apply to the WeHo City Council's golden girl​New: Horvath's campaign manager explains that the listserv was a private (albeit gigantic) one. Updated after the jump with Horvath's public Facebook profile pic and more juicy links from the over-zealous editor of ... More >>

Wanna Be a West Hollywood City Council Member? Get 20 or 30 Signatures and You Can Sling Mud All Day on Campaign Trail

West Hollywood City Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath​West Hollywood's campaign season officially begins today, with a nomination period for City Council candidates that lasts through December 10. Apparently, you don't need millions of dollars to get your name on the ballot. According to official ... More >>

West Hollywood City Council's Big Dreams of Subway-Oriented Development Goes Down in Flames, Traffic Destined to be a Nightmare

West Hollywood City Councilwoman Abbe Land​When the Metropolitan Transportation Authority shot down a subway route through West Hollywood a few weeks ago, it probably shook up no group of people harder than West Hollywood City Council members John Heilman, Abbe Land, Lindsey Horvath, Jeff Pra ... More >>

West Hollywood's John Heilman and Abbe Land Beg Voters To Keep Gerrymandered Districts in 'Yes on 27' TV Ad

Ted SoquiWest Hollywood City Councilman John Heilman​West Hollywood City Council members John Heilman, Abbe Land, Lindsey Horvath, and Jeff Prang star in a "Yes on Prop. 27" TV ad, begging voters to maintain the supremely shady practice called "gerrymandering." Few, if any, major politicians ... More >>

West Hollywood Councilman John Duran Slams Colleagues, Says There's a 'Cultural Battle' for City's 'Soul'

Ted SoquiWest Hollywood City Council John Duran​West Hollywood Councilman John Duran wrote a whopper of an op-ed piece in the WeHo News on Thursday, describing himself as the "lone dissenting voice" on a City Council that's engaged in a "cultural battle" for the city's "soul." Whoa! Duran d ... More >>

2011 Political Candidates Already Battling in West Hollywood

E. DunnA cartoon on the web site of political canddiate Mito Aviles​ The municipal election doesn't arrive in West Hollywood until March, 2011, but candidates looking to defeat City Council incumbents John Heilman, Abbe Land, and Lindsey Horvath are already gearing up for a major battle. Form ... More >>

Will More West Hollywood News Outlets Mean Increased Scrutiny for Local Politicians?

The Sunset Strip in West Hollywood​LAist noted the other day that West Hollywood now has three "media outlets" training their eyes exclusively on the small, 1.9-square-mile city. It's the kind of thing that makes one wonder if West Hollywood politicians will now come under more scrutiny? At ... More >>

West Hollywood Pushes For Any Kind of Outdoor Smoking Ban

Abbeland.comWest Hollywood City Councilwoman Abbe Land​The West Hollywood Outdoor Smoking Task Force met again last Friday, and it seems that West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman and Councilwoman Abbe Land, who first proposed an outdoor smoking ban at bars and nightclubs, are pushing behind the ... More >>

Does West Hollywood Want Wide-Sweeping Smoking Ban?

While West Hollywood City Council members have been considering such highly-publicized measures as boycotting Arizona due to its controversial immigration law and taking a stand against commercial whaling, some of those same politicians seem to be quietly pushing a wide-sweeping, anti-smoking agenda ... More >>

Will West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Need A Bail Out?

In the WeHo News yesterday, columnist and former West Hollywood City Councilman Steve Martin predicts the Creative City may need to "bail out" the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with taxpayer dollars.WeHo NewsFormer West Hollywoood City Councilman Steve Martin​Why? Martin writes that it all st ... More >>

West Hollywood 'Art Attack' Ringleaders Revealed

Who were those masked men and women?Sky Yim"Art attack" protesters assemble near the Pacific Design Center on Monday night.​That's been the question of the week in West Hollywood, where some 20 people, wearing masks of longtime City Council members John Heilman and Abbe Land, and holding placards ... More >>

West Hollywood City Council Awash in Controversy and Protest

The West Hollywood City Council was awash in controversy and protest at its annual "reorganization" ceremony on Monday, where longtime Councilman John Heilman became West Hollywood's newest mayor -- for the seventh time.Ted SoquiWest Hollywood Mayor John Heilman​Heilman, who's sat on the City Coun ... More >>

John Heilman Takes the Helm in West Hollywood

West Hollywood will get a not very new mayor on Monday -- longtime City Councilman John Heilman, who's been no stranger to controversy lately.Ted SoquiWest Hollywood City Councilman John Heilman​In a recent L.A. Weekly cover story, titled "West Follywood," critics of Heilman say he's been selling ... More >>

Say It Ain't So, WeHo!

West Follywood

How a progressive town founded on renters' rights and diversity ended up gridlocked, angry and elitist

Local Heroes

The Graying of West Hollywood

Election could chart course as city matures