Meet Sharona Nazarian, Candidate For Beverly Hills City Council

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Sharona Nazarian 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 Nazarian's goals for Beverly Hills:

Age (as of Election Day)

49

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Daniel Nazarian (Husband); Noah, Aaron and Jonah (Sons)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

University of Southern California, BA in Sociology andPsychology, 1995; California School of Professional Psychology, MA, 1997; California School of Professional Psychology, PsyD, 1999;

Occupation

Businesswoman/Public Works Commissioner

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Los Angeles County Commissioner for Alcohol and Other Drugs, Beverly Hills Public Works Commissioner, Former Beverly Hills Commissioner Chair

Campaign website

www.SharonaNazarian.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for Beverly Hills City Council to bring a much needed fresh perspective to resolve issues, because I am a problem solver who gets things done! I am accessible, creative, and innovative. I will govern with the highest level of ethics and do what is right. I want to unify our community through a residents first approach. I am experienced, have energy and will work hard to be an advocate for our residents, small businesses and community.

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

I get things done because I am proactive not reactive. I am a clinical psychologist by education so listening to people is at my core. I am also a unique candidate because I have worked in LA County and Beverly Hills as a Commissioner. I understand governance at different levels and the issues we are facing today such as homelessness, the mental health and substance abuse crisis, and public safety. I am able to build consensus and unity around issues and policies because I am a proven and effective leader as well as a mental health professional. I act locally but think regionally.

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

The current City Council needs to be more proactive instead of reactive especially with crime. Plans and policies need to be implemented instead of only being discussed or voted upon with no follow-up. We need more oversight and need to see more results.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Residents First Approach
I am a Community Unifier: I AM Pro-Residents +I AM Pro-Local Business because I AM Pro-Beverly Hills. I want to prioritize a local sense of community in all decision making. Continue our historical Beverly Hills lifestyle to live, work, shop, walk and dine in Beverly Hills
and if we can’t walk there, I want to create more parking and improve traffic flow to ensure easier mobility through our city.

Improving our Quality of Life and Planning for the Future.
We need to Update Beverly Hills’ Strategic Plan so we can be more effective and efficient.
We need to have more innovative policies yet still be fiscally accountable, so projects don’t go over budget. Also, focus on sustainability efforts, especially around WATER. We need to be better prepared for an earthquake, drought or emergency so we can protect lives and property. We need to have a plan. Sustainability is the wave of the future. We need to reduce before we recycle or reuse. Invest in new technology to maximize city operations: whether it’s cameras in our sewers that can immediately detect a break in our sewer lines or energy efficiency technology for our facilities. We live in a global era, as a Public Works Commissioner, I requested bringing the best practices from around the world so we can learn from other countries and make it even better for OUR community.

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

I helped spearhead the Disposable Foodware Accessories Ordinance, which the Council passed in November, 2021. By asking consumers to request disposable foodware accessories (plastic cutlery, paper goods, and condiments), and aims to create a culture to reduce first, before having to reuse or recycle. Another initiative I supported is RethinkBHTap, which not only promotes the city’s high quality drinking water, but also helps reduce the use of plastic bottles. I was recently appointed to the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Community Task Force. I am the former Chair and Boardmember for the Beverly Hills Human Relations Commission and I helped adopt the Civility Statement that is read before all Beverly Hills Commission meetings. I am the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills. I have a track record of making every organization I am involved with stronger.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To always give back. This advice is from my beloved mother who passed away and this is how I always choose to honor her. Giving back is the most important think one can do to improve their community.

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

I have lived in Beverly Hills for over 30 years and a thoughtful, trusted, and balanced leader with over 20 years of dedicated community and civic experience. I am a clinical psychologist by education so listening to people is at my core. I am also a unique candidate because I have worked in LA County and Beverly Hills as a Commissioner. I understand governance at different levels and the issues we are facing today such as homelessness, the mental health and substance abuse crisis, and public safety. I am able to build consensus and unity around issues and policies because I am a proven and effective leader as well as a mental health professional. I listen, I evaluate and I find solutions, working collaboratively with the community as much as possible. I will bring much needed diversity to the City Council in thought, action and representation. I am thorough, thoughtful, and best of all, I get things done! I'd be honored to have your vote! You can visón my website at www.sharonanazarian.com for more information or follow me on social media @sharona4BH.

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