STEVE MARTIN: Why you should vote for me

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I am a firm believer that you should vote for your dreams, not your fears. I am in the best position to get our City back on track and move us forward. I am the only experienced candidate that will offer fresh leadership.

We are told that this election offers us stark choices, neither of which are particularly encouraging. The current Council majority and Unite Here is pushing an inexperienced slate of idealogues who, if elected, will continue the divisive and disconnected policies we have been subjected to over the last two years. Or we can accept the Chamber of Commerce’s position that we need to restore recently repudiated leaders who have a “proven” track record.

WeHo voted for change in 2020. Voters were tired of disconnected government, pay to play politics, dysfunctional Council deputies and negative headlines. Unfortunately, the change we got in 2020 simply brought in a generation of disconnected and arrogant leaders who are determined to impose their sanctimonious brand of woke politics on our community.

Today we complain about a City Council that does not listen to the residents, which is the same refrain we heard in 2020. The pre-2020 years were only a “golden era” if you were a developer or well-connected lobbyist.

As an activist in the City since the incorporation campaign, I have served on both sides of the podium. As an effective Council member, I led the efforts to take over Santa Monica Boulevard and turn it into a beautiful throughfare. I worked with residents to create Kings Road Park. I was responsible for passing the Eastside Re-Development Agency that laid the foundation for the City’s now flourishing economy. After two terms I left the City noticeably safer, greener and prosperous.

But I never let go of my grass roots activism. After my time on City Council, I did not simply disappear. I love this City and I love working with the residents to make it better. I served six years as a block captain of the Eastside Neighborhood Watch. I am a proven “community organizer” who has worked to fight over-development,

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protect tenants from displacement and make West Hollywood a safer place to live.

In 2022, when the Public Safety Commission voted to cut ten of our sixty deputies, I immediately began mobilizing the community against the cuts. While every non-incumbent candidate claims to be concerned about public safety, only Marquita Thomas and I testified before the City Council in June, when the deputy cuts were finalized, stating we needed more, not fewer deputies. While other candidates had the same opportunity to appear to oppose the cuts, apparently some candidates felt it was beneath their dignity.

We are faced with a crisis in public safety and homelessness, but our biggest challenge to move the City forward, is the public’s lack of trust in City Hall.

I am not taking money from developers and I am not beholden to any special interest group. I will be a truly independent City Council member.

Because I am the candidate with a history of taking on City Hall on behalf of the residents, I am in the best position to restore credibility to City Hall and ensure that the residents have a real voice in City government.

Contact me at Martin4Weho.com and let’s put West Hollywood back on track.

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About Steve Martin
Steve Martin is a former West Hollywood City Council member and mayor, former president of the Stonewall Democratic Club and author of West Hollywood's successful term limits initiative, Prop. C.

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Stephen
Stephen
1 year ago

This guy does seem like an easy choice for getting my vote. As others here have said, Steve Martin’s been a longtime advocate for WeHo improvement even when he was not in a position of authority, he didn’t just pop up five minutes ago pretending like he’s been here forever. It’s tough to trust politicians but he seems like the real deal, I hope he wins

Toms
Toms
1 year ago

You have my vote he is endorsed by Meister. Stop the ignorant progressives, destroying the Democratic Party.

Mike G
Mike G
1 year ago
Reply to  Toms

You can be a progressive and support both Steve Martin and Lauren Meister. The problem is not with progressives, but with ideologues who kowtow to the likes of those supported by UNITE HERE.

Cathy Blaivas
Cathy Blaivas
1 year ago

I say this in a good way. Unlike the majority of people who have run for council in the past, or those who are no longer on commissions, Steve has not gone away. He continued to speak out, to be involved, to comment in person at council meetings, commission/advisory board meeting and in writing for various publications.

He clearly loves our city and has and will continue, to speak up, ideally as a council member.

Stephanie Harker
Stephanie Harker
1 year ago

It will be great to have Steve Martin back “officially” on the Council. He has participated in the city as an all important community activist for the years he was “just a citizen”. As an Eastside resident he understands what needs to be done over here as well as the rest of West Hollywood. Vote on Nov 8,2022

George Nickle
George Nickle
1 year ago

Steve has my vote! He knows what’s going on in our city and what matters to us. He never went away because he cares. We need him now more than ever!

Davedi
Davedi
1 year ago

You got my vote Steve. Time for real change.

Mikie Friedman
Mikie Friedman
1 year ago

You have my vote, Steve!

:dpb
:dpb
1 year ago

I am hopeful like so many residents I have spoken with, that Steve Martin, Lauren Meister and John Duran will be elected to the city council this coming November 8. We must build a coalition inside the council that will restore the sheriff department to pre-COVID levels, address the homeless crisis and rebuild small business in Weho. Let’s put common sense back in place on the dais and remove the strong hold of special interests from the council.

Enough Already
Enough Already
1 year ago
Reply to  :dpb

And get rid of that ridiculous depressing desecration of the sacred Rainbow Flag. Please!

Joey Nilson
Joey Nilson
1 year ago
Reply to  Enough Already

Yes. That thing on the crosswalks – the Rainbow basically wiped out – is such a ridiculous visual eyesore and embarrasement to the community.

Virginia Gillick
Virginia Gillick
1 year ago

I have lived and voted in West Hollywood for 33 years. I have watched you at City Council meetings month after month presenting new ideas, suggestions for crafting already existing ideas, speaking for the betterment of our fair city. I am always amazed by your fortitude, wisdom and so much more. You have my vote!

Eric
Eric
1 year ago

What a relief it will be to have Steve on council.

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