Short-term effort eyeing long-term change
By Edwin Folven, 10/11/2012
Signatures being verified for WeHo term limits proposal
A group seeking to put term limits for the West Hollywood City Council on the March ballot has moved a step closer to allowing voters to decide the issue.
The group, which calls itself West Hollywood Term Limits 2013 and was founded by three longtime residents of the city, turned in 3,452 signatures last week that, if verified, could pave the way for a ballot initiative.
West Hollywood City Clerk Corey Schaffer forwarded the signatures to the Los Angeles Registrar-Recorder’s Office for verification. Schaffer said the county has until mid-November to verify whether enough signatures were collected from West Hollywood residents who are registered voters, but the process could be completed sooner. Proponents of the ballot measure needed approximately 2,340 signatures to qualify for the ballot, but gathered approximately 1,100 more during a grassroots effort that began in August to ensure they would meet the requirements. The group also registered more than 400 people to vote during the signature gathering drive.
“I think it is a testament to the fact that the people of West Hollywood are open to change,” said Scott Schmidt, a founder of West Hollywood Term Limits 2013. “Most of the signatures were gathered in a volunteer effort, which is something you don’t see that often. We had around thirty people who volunteered, and around eighty people signed on as supporters through our website.”
Sheila Lightfoot, who along with Schmidt and resident Elyse Eisenberg founded West Hollywood Term Limits 2013, said she is highly optimistic voters will opt for term limits. The group’s proposal would limit council members to three terms, or 12 years in office. The incumbent council members could remain in office for three additional terms after the measure is approved, because term limits are not retroactive under state law. Current councilman John Heilman has served for 28 years, Abbe Land has been in office for 19 years, Jeffrey Prang has served for 15 years and John Duran for 11 years. Councilmember John D’Amico was elected in 2011.
“Because so many council members have served for such a long time, it is difficult for new people to come in and challenge the incumbents,” Lightfoot said. “New people should have the opportunity to represent their friends and neighbors on the council, and term limits level the playing field.”
Prang, West Hollywood’s mayor, said if the signatures are verified, the measure would be placed on the March ballot.
The city council could also decide to enact the term limits law without putting the issue before voters, but Prang said there is no support on the council for such a decision.
“The people have voted on this in the past, and progressive voters like we have in this city recognize the terribly destructive effect term limits have had on California, particularly in Sacramento. It’s not a model we want to duplicate,” Prang said. “I think the people of West Hollywood have been generally supportive of the work that has been done, and I think the people in the end will express support for those efforts and accomplishments.”
Schaffer said he might have a better idea next week about exactly when the signatures will be verified. Once they are approved, the city council must make a decision by Dec. 7, the last date to have the measure placed on the upcoming March ballot.
Schmidt added that proponents are currently waiting to see what happens, but remain confident.
“It’s like that Tom Petty song goes,” he added. “The waiting is the hardest part.”
As an update to this story, I finally found the time to count the number of volunteers who helped collect signatures. It was 65. As anyone who has ever tried to get 5 or 10 people to show up for even a single meeting can tell you, having 65 people volunteer to participate in such a sustained and arduous task is pretty incredible. Beyond the 65 who actually collected signatures, others helped by making contributions, spreading the word via facebook and email and sending friends and neighbors to signing locations and events. If we succeed, the credit will go to each and every one of those volunteers who actively contributed to this effort. I’m proud just to count myself among their ranks. Most spent long hours and many days during a punishing heat wave to try to give their fellow residents an opportunity to vote on this issue.
That is an opportunity that Mayor Jeff Prang and Council members Heilman, Land and Duran weren’t willing to give their fellow residents with the simple act of taking a council vote in their air conditioned chambers. For the record, although Council member D’Amico has said he doesn’t personally agree with term limits, he was not only willing to vote to put it on the ballot, he signed the petition to show his support for residents in their heroic efforts to put it on the ballot themselves.
At least Mayor Prang didn’t try to oversell his reasoning for wanting to protect his council seat for life. He said, “I think the people of West Hollywood have been generally supportive of the work that has been done.” Boy, there’s a great campaign slogan for you. I wonder how far that slogan would get him in the upcoming election if he changed his last name and didn’t have built-in financial support from all the insiders who have an interest in maintaining the status quo at City Hall? Apparently he doesn’t even feel the need to make the case that he’s the best candidate to represent the people anymore. I guess being generally ok is good enough when you have the money and name recognition on your side.
quite honestly, i’v e lost ALL respect for prang….what is he worried about???….if he’s done a good job, he’ll be voted back in……does he seriously wanna be a “lifer” in that job too????…does he wanna join the heilman 30 year club???…..i say they ALL should be voted OUT as they are ALL in bed with developers and no good…..the city is in a constant state of GRIDLOCK thanks to the fools on the council and their pro-development stance….wasteful spending on the 16 MILLION dollar robo parking garage behind city hall that will NEVER EVER pay for itself is just one example…..heilman’s ASSistant fran solomon is trying to get the king’s name (heilman) on the new over-the-top library, council chambers, mausoleum…..heilman believes he OWNS the city since he’s been running things for so long…..lastly, the secretary of state needs to investigate all of the many wrong-doings at city hall!!!!!
Everyone loves it when folks get together and share views. Great website, keep it up!