Letter to the Editor: Weho Mayor Supports Sandra Fluke

It is time for West Hollywood to have actual representation again in the CA state government. This is our chance to put a resident and actual leader in a position to pursue what’s best for California’s 26th District and for West Hollywood.

Most of us know the story of how Sandra Fluke gained notoriety with her Congressional testimony about access to women’s comprehensive health care and the media storm that transpired when Rush Limbaugh attacked her. But while the press dissected her arguments and the insults and accolades were hurled her way, they didn’t talk much about the fact that West Hollywood was her home. And it’s no surprise to any of us, that once again it is a West Hollywood resident that leads the way in discussions of personal freedoms, civil rights and community. We are still the place that invents the culture that other places consume.

As I’ve gotten to know Sandra as a committed member of the community, I know that she is someone who cares deeply about the issues WEHO cares about and the values WEHO shares. That is why I’m wholeheartedly endorsing Sandra for the State Senate seat that Ted Lieu has vacated to run for Congress. This election we have to seize the opportunity to elect Sandra to be our new State Senator.

West Hollywood needs to regain its place as a leader in California politics. For so long our community was influential in Sacramento – setting the agenda in so many ways - but we’ve lost some of that ground. I want us to regain it. I want to see West Hollywood setting the political agenda, the social agenda and if we send Sandra to Sacramento as our State Senator, I have no doubt that will happen. She is the type of public servant I can work with and the type of partner we can depend on, always looking out for our needs and elevating our community.

Sandra’s commitment to returning tax and Redevelopment dollars to West Hollywood will ensure that we can renovate Plummer Park and continually upgrade our municipal infrastructure. Sandra’s commitment to renters rights and updating and improving the aging rental housing in our community will mean that we’ll live in safer, greener, cleaner housing that can carry us into the middle of the century and beyond. Sandra’s commitment to the environment will mean new opportunities for water conservation, building greener buildings, additional EV charging opportunities, urban forestry gains, and more. Our city needs a leader like Sandra who knows our community and understands the opportunities and concerns of urban living.

This midterm election may not be the most inspiring. Governor Jerry Brown will likely win by a landslide and it looks like Ted Lieu will replace Congressman Henry Waxman. Motivating voters to turnout this year is tough and predictions are that voter turnout could be a record low. But we in West Hollywood need to remember we do have someone worth going to the polls for on November 4th – that someone is Sandra Fluke. We have a great opportunity to vote for a true champion. And a vote for Sandra is a vote for West Hollywood.

West Hollywood Mayor John D’Amico

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