Meet Alissa Roston, Candidate For Beverly Hills City Council

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Alissa Roston is vying for one of two open seats on the Beverly Hills City Council.

Mail-in ballots have already been sent out for the March 5 election, in which voters will decide between 10 candidates running for the council seats being vacated by Mayor Julian Gold and Councilmember Lili Bosse.

Learn more about Roston's goals for Beverly Hills:

Party affiliation:
Democrat

Education:
Pitzer College, B.A., International Studies; Johns Hopkins University, M.A., International Studies

Occupation:
Financial Analyst

Family:
I have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Age:
66

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
I was elected to the Beverly Hills Unified School District twice and served as president of the board. My term was from 1999-2006.

I have served the city of Beverly Hills in a number of appointed positions, including city commissions and other non-elected service positions.

Why are you seeking a seat on the City Council?
I am running because as a resident, mother, grandmother and active member in Beverly Hills, I strongly believe we need to set a course for a more responsive, transparent and collaborative future. I am committed to making Beverly Hills an even better place to live, work, and raise families for generations to come.

What do you think are the top three issues for voters in this election, and how do you plan to address them?
Community safety is a top priority for me. I aim to address property crimes by advocating to enhance the utilization of technology. With two new Metro stops, Beverly Hills must prepare itself for a daily influx of visitors, including tourists, employees and transit riders. Preparation includes having a Beverly Hills Police substation at the La Cienega Metro stop and a presence at the Rodeo Drive stop. Beverly Hills must continue to fully resource our police and fire departments while requiring training to meet community standards.

Transparent financial accountability: I expect to increase accountability and transparency in how the city involves the community in our budget and finance process. I plan to take a close look at outsourced contracts, vendor agreements, external expenditures, check spending and mandate accountability with vendors and contractors. Additionally, I support reinstating the auditor as a city position, not a contractor working for the city. This person would be looking at our finances as well as operational risks and opportunities.

Collaborative city planning: I am keenly aware of the impact of state mandates on housing and transportation in our City. I will prioritize the modernization of planning, transportation, and infrastructure policies that align with our community’s standards and interests. We must ensure retail space is filled, that our transportation network meets future demands, that our streets are walkable and that our policies protect our environment.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Running for City Council demands a comprehensive grasp of governance, policy, and finance. I bring that insight and experience, cultivated over my years of service. While understanding public safety, planning, and public finance is crucial, effective leadership requires intangible skills.

What sets me apart as the ideal choice for the council are those intangible skills, my collaborative approach, and the ability to connect with people with diverse interests. Furthermore, I am committed to fostering greater transparency, dialogue, and collaboration among all residents, business owners, and stakeholders.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I really believe the city needs to ensure residents are fully engaged in our decision-making process. For me, that means ensuring there is ample opportunity for public engagement, discourse and yes, opposition. We need to ensure civic participation captures younger families and others to give everyone a seat at the table that have been turned off by politics.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I think my 40-year record of community involvement prepares me to serve the city as a councilwoman. I have additional information on my webpage, but over the years, I have served as an elected Beverly Hills Unified School District board member and president, Recreation and Parks commissioner and chair, Charitable Solicitations commissioner and chair, Rotary Club president, Temple Emanuel board member, V.P. Budget and Finance and a member of various city and school committees.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
To trust myself.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
In addition to the highlights above, I have been active in various City and school committees, including:

Recreation and Parks commissioner and chair, Charitable Solicitations commissioner and chair, the Climate Action and Adaptation Committee, Citizen’s Police Academy, PACT: Police and Community Together Steering Committee, Planning Committee for the creation of a Human Relations Commission, Centennial Anniversary Public Arts Program: “Arts of Palm,” co-chair, Special Olympics Hometown co-chair for Beverly Hills, CERT, Sunshine Task Force, and Team Beverly Hills.

Beyond my local community involvement, I currently serve as a trustee of Pitzer College and am an esteemed member of the Rotary Club

Roston's campaign website