Meet Darian Bojeaux, Candidate For Beverly Hills City Council

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Darian Bojeaux is vying for one of three open seats on the Beverly Hills City Council.

Come June 7, voters will decide between 11 candidates including three incumbents: Bob Wunderlich, Lester Friedman and John Mirisch.

Candidates have faced off at multiple forums since their campaigns officially kicked off.

Learn more about Bojeaux's goals for Beverly Hills:

Age (as of Election Day)

I object to the question on the basis that it may engender age discrimination. However, in the spirit of cooperation, I am a young 75, who wishes to serve only one term on the Beverly Hills City Council.

Party Affiliation

Democrat, but this is a non-partisan position, as it should be, and given the divisiveness which has occurred between the political parties, I did not seek endorsements from democratic organizations. I have both democrat and republican supporters. Further, the local Beverly Hills/West Hollywood democrat group was replete with pro-over-development people who would likely and did endorse pro-over development candidates, and I am not one.

Family

My husband, Lee, and I have lived in Beverly Hills over 36 years. Our daughters attended Temple Emanuel Pre-School, Beverly Vista, and Beverly High.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA, with a major in Psychobiology, and a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School.

Occupation

Attorney, over 30 years of experience with the highest Avvo.com rating, Superb, and a community activist for over 15 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Not applicable.

Campaign website

DarianBojeaux.net

Why are you seeking elective office?

Because the current city council majority has approved increased building height limits, decreased parking requirements, and large over-developments, without regard to what the residents want. We need to preserve the beautify and quality of life in our city, as well as follow the wishes of our residents rather than a few city officials.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I want to preserve the city and I oppose increased height limits, decreased parking requirements, and large over-development projects which the present city council intends to approve, despite what residents want, I am in favor of increasing housing through adaptive re-use of existing large buildings with adequate parking, and through the city making it easier for residents to build guest houses and ADU's, which the city has delayed and failed to complete. This should have been completed back in 2019 when new state housing requirements became known. I also want the city to drill more water wells because we only produce about 20% of our water needs and we need to become more water independent. I also would like residents to be able to enjoy free or reduced cost internet. The city started this project and then halted it.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The city council majority, excepting John Mirisch, approved the mixed use ordinance which unnecessarily re-zoned for about three times the state's new housing requirements, and raised building heights and decreased parking requirements. In this manner, the city council majority, excepting John Mirisch, sought to increase density in the areas where they did not live, along the main streets in our city, close to where many residents live. The city council majority also failed to make it easier for residents to build guest houses and ADU's which would have spread increased density evenly and fairly throughout the entire city. Basically, the city council majority, excepting John Mirisch, rezoned extensively without regard to what residents wanted.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Putting residents first; being a residents' candidate rather than a developers' candidate; caring about the rights and welfare of renters; and of course increasing security and improving our schools.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I am an accomplished attorney. Practicing law is difficult, complicated, and challenging, and requires that a great deal of research and legal knowledge. I have that experience and skill set. With my desire to preserve the city, my legal knowledge, and the ability to dig in and research, I would be able to handle the duties of a city council member expertly. I have also been at the forefront of fighting over-development in the city for years. I was one of the top signature gatherers for the H initiative against the initial Hilton expansion, and produced a video opposing the Hilton expansion with Terre Thomas Gordon and Deborah Blum. I produced a video which helped get John Mirisch elected the first time. I led the residents' side of No on HH, opposing Hilton's initiative when it attempted to have a large project approved through an initiative as opposed to the proper city procedures. Our side won with the financial help and work of Wanda, the owner of an adjacent property (No No on HH is still one of my Facebook pages. I also successfully led residents' groups against adding two stories to the historically significant 100 N. Crescent Drive building. I served on the Board of the Municipal League of Beverly Hills for about two years. I participated in the enactment of the Beverly Hills Hobbs-Bojeaux TNR ordinance (trap, neuter, and release of feral cats). Also, during the last couple of years, I have written numerous op-ed letters to the editor of the Weekly, and the Beverly Press on development issues, among other things. I have also weighed in many times at council meetings, and developed a large e-mailing list of over 500 residents to inform them on development and other important matters.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

In order to achieve something, one must believe she can (and visualize it), and having courage does not mean one is unafraid. (from Maxwell Maltz for the first part and from Maya Angelou for the last part.)

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

All of my views on development projects, etc., and my qualifications may be found at my website at DarianBojeaux.net

Read more:

• City Council Candidates Talk Public Safety, Development At Tense Forum
• Human Relations Commission Prompts Tanenbaum To Apologize For Forum
• Mayor Lili Bosse Won't Endorse Any City Council Candidates
• Who Will Represent Beverly Hills? District 3 Candidates On Priorities