For three decades, West Hollywood was a place where we welcomed and encouraged individuals to dream, to create and to flourish. That is why so many of us were drawn to the City.
Unfortunately, many in our City feel we have lost our way. This election offers a choice: to double down on the policies of the last couple years, or to go back to our roots and bet on what made West Hollywood such a special place to begin with.
I believe we can bring West Hollywood back, and I am asking for your vote. I have the leadership and experience of others on the ballot, without the baggage. I understand the challenges facing our City and what it will take to address them…
West Hollywood is facing challenges unlike anything it has ever experienced before and we are on the precipice of tremendous change. The City needs new leadership with knowledge and vision.
The first challenge we are facing is a housing crisis. The City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals have quadrupled, creating aspirational goals around housing that will call for City Councilmembers who understand housing and land use as well as the City’s zoning code, but who also have a level of compassion and care and will weigh in on whether the project is aligned with the needs of all including our seniors. Additionally, we need City Councilmembers who have forward-thinking ideas on how to increase affordable units and who will reduce the barriers to getting additional affordable housing built. As a West Hollywood Planning Commissioner, I have demonstrated an ability to do all these things.
Another challenge we will face is pandemic relief. We may no longer be sheltering in place, but the impact of the pandemic can still be felt in the business community. As someone who has fought to increase opportunities for small businesses for 13 years, I understand the unique challenges of the business community and will work to provide businesses with the resources they need to thrive, not impose additional regulation. Our business community are equal stakeholders in West Hollywood and deserve our support.
Public safety is of course an issue that will require particular attention with the new Council, but we need leaders who will not simply focus on the enforcement end of public safety. I would rather not be the victim of a crime at all than argue over who shows up when the crime is committed. Not enough candidates are focusing on mitigation and preventative measures regarding public safety, but these are the things that reduce crime and while I support foot patrols in residential areas, business hardening with additional cameras and security guards and providing our Sheriff’s department and safety ambassadors with the resources they need, I also know that if we de-stigmatize mental health, and protect our social services programs, we can stop a lot of crime before it starts.
And finally, on the issue of homelessness, we must see our unhoused population as human beings, not nuisances. I believe in addressing homelessness with overwhelming compassion while also providing real, effective solutions, not lip service. We are all one crisis away from homelessness, how would you want to be treated in that situation and how do you feel most of the current candidates would treat you if you unfortunately found yourself on the street? Homelessness is a humanitarian crisis, and we need to treat our unhoused with respect while enforcing realistic measures that get individuals off the street and connected to housing and resources. I know we can eliminate homelessness in our City. My relationships with several asset management executives in supportive housing help me understand the barriers to connecting more individuals to housing and I will work to address and reduce those barriers. We not only can but must get people off the street, but our work must be ongoing and when our budget surplus reaches pre-pandemic levels, we should dedicate half of that surplus to housing and homelessness.
In 2020, the voters made their voices heard, they want NEW leadership. I am a new leader who is an independent voice not beholden to any special interest groups whatsoever. I have also served the City as a member of the Lesbian Visibility Committee, the LGBTQ advisory board, Human Services Commission and now I serve as Vice-Chair of the West Hollywood Planning Commission. I know how the City works and I am ready to get to work on Day One making West Hollywood a safer, more affordable City. I hope that I can earn your vote and I would love to talk to anyone with questions. You can reach me directly at marquita@marquita4weho.com or you can contact me directly at ‪(323) 686-8347.
No.
Wrong, the first challenge is public safety.
Read this mornings news about the attack on Sunset. It’s all most of us who live here really care about.
Hello, Peter, thank you for comment. Public safety is listed as a priority in my comments.
To summarize my above remarks on public safety, I support increased foot patrols in residential areas as well as our commercial corridors, cameras and security guards at our businesses (cameras were essential in capturing the horrific attack on Sunset), and maintaining the resources of our sheriff department and safety ambassadors as well as prioritizing mental health and social services.
Yep, public safety is governments number one responsibility.