Mike Bonin

Swearing-In Ceremony

Team Mike — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:39:53 +0000

You're invited to join us on July 13 for Mike Bonin's Swearing-In Ceremony. The Ceremony will be held at the Google offices in Venice, CA. Date: July 13, 2013 Time: 6:00-9:00 PM Location: Google Venice -- 340 Main St, Venice, CA 90291 Loading...

Council District 11 — Job Openings

Team Mike — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:17:09 +0000

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 11: DISTRICT DIRECTOR I’m looking for an experienced manager and a supercharged, savvy, political person to serve as the District Director for my office. I want someone who is smart, creative, and self-aware. I want the person who will walk in every morning, build people up, bring them together, and help get things done. My District Director will be my lead staff in the field, and I need that person to love the job, build trusting and positive relationships, and treat my constituents with total respect. I need her or him to think strategically, act decisively, and always be fair and responsible. This is not a 9-5 job. There will be work to do on nights and weekends, and it will require strong commitment and dedication. But if you join my team, I can promise you that we'll learn together, grow together, and do a lot of good. The ideal candidate should have done some of the following:

Managed a team of 3 or more people in a high-stakes, political environment that demanded results.
Been the lead organizer on a political or advocacy campaign where she or he had a chance to build a grassroots movement from the ground up.
Developed an innovative use of technology to significantly improve efficiency or a customer service experience.
Sat at a table with a group of angry stakeholders to negotiate a dispute, where everyone walked away satisfied with a resolution.
Worked in a position that required interaction with Council District 11 neighborhoods, including building relationships with community leaders.
Conceived of, organized, and managed an event with over one hundred participants, moving the project from a big idea through to the smallest details.
Developed and implemented a strategic plan to transform or revitalize a nonprofit, small business, or other organization.

Main duties include, but are not limited to:

Managing and supervising all field office staff and operations.
Developing and implementing a strategic plan for achieving key district objectives, and following through on critical projects.
Maintaining exceptional constituent services.
Creating a cohesive field team, and a positive, creative, work atmosphere.
Ensuring that the Councilmember is staffed and briefed for all district meetings.
Supervising the “Access 11” program to bring City Hall closer to residents of Council District 11.

Compensation based on experience. Application deadline is May 24, at 5 pm. We’re looking for someone to start on July 1. Contact: Chad Molnar at chad.molnar@lacity.org.

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 11: COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR I’m looking for a fast-paced, multimedia communications strategist to serve as the Communications Director for my office. I want someone who is smart, articulate, and gets the politics. I need someone with a great eye for the story; someone who can walk into a public event, set up, and capture exactly the right image that will communicate a strategic narrative to a broader audience. My district is home to Google, YouTube, Amplify, and dozens of other high-tech groups and businesses, and its residents are brilliant and forward-thinking. My Communications Director needs to be every bit as tech and media-savvy, and must be able to utilize technology and social media to effectively and frequently communicate with my constituents. This is not a 9-5 job. There will be work to do on nights and weekends, and it will require strong commitment and dedication. But the position provides a lot of room to grow, and a lot of opportunity to do some great things for the City of Los Angeles. The ideal candidate should have done some of the following:

Quickly shot, edited, and widely distributed a video in connection with a public relations event, for the purpose of communicating a strategic message.
Developed and implemented a multimedia communications plan that was intended to reach and motivate a target audience.
Worked as a reporter at a local news station, where she or he was required to produce her or his own video segment.
Conceived of, organized, and managed a press conference with multiple speakers and participants, where images or graphics were used to tell a story.
Utilized existing relationships with media and reporters to pitch a story in support of a political or public advocacy campaign.
Developed and implemented a social media strategy to dramatically expand a base of online followers or fans.
Maintained a content-driven website for a political or public advocacy organization.

Main duties include, but are not limited to:

Development and implementation of a comprehensive, strategic, multimedia communications plan.
Production, editing, and distribution of videos and photos, as part of the communications plan.
Serving as lead spokesperson for council office; media liaison for all media and reporters.
Organizing press conferences and public relations events.
Preparing talking points, press releases, blog and social media posts, letters to the editor, and other communications.
Strategic development and updating of website content; and maintenance of all multimedia files, including photos, clippings, and videos.
Staying informed of City of Los Angeles current events and distributing all relevant media stories to Councilmember and staff.
Recruiting, training, and managing office interns.

Compensation based on experience. Application deadline is May 24, at 5 pm. We’re looking for someone to start on July 1. Contact: Chad Molnar at chad.molnar@lacity.org.

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 11: LAX-COMMUNITY LIAISON I’m looking for a smart, politically-savy person with some planning experience to serve as the LAX-Community Liaison for my office. I want someone who is relationship-driven and loves working with constituents. I need someone who can be the teacher, can digest and understand complex technical details, and explain them to community stakeholders. This position is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding between Los Angeles World Airports and Council District 11, for the purpose of providing airport-specific community outreach to Council District 11 neighborhoods. Maintaining a positive and constructive relationship with both LAWA and the local community is critical, and it takes a lot of listening, understanding, and hard work. The LAX-Community Liaison needs to be as comfortable in the halls of government as she or he is in a community leader’s living room. This is not a 9-5 job. There will be work to do on nights and weekends, and it will require strong commitment and dedication. But the position provides a lot of room to grow, and a lot of opportunity to do some great things for the City of Los Angeles. The ideal candidate should have done some of the following:

Demonstrated the ability to quickly develop a complete understanding of a complex, technical issue or program, where he or she was later expected to educate a community group regarding those details.
Interacted in a positive and constructive way with a government agency to solve a major constituent concern.
Worked in a high-stakes, political environment that demanded results.
Served in a position that required applying knowledge of land use issues, entitlements, and the environmental review process to achieve a desired outcome.
Assisted with negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement, or some other contract between a developer and a group of stakeholders.
Conceived of, organized, and managed an event with over one hundred participants, moving the project from a big idea through to the smallest details.
Worked in a position that required interaction with the Westchester and Playa del Rey neighborhoods, including building relationships with community leaders.

Main duties include:

Provide airport-specific community outreach services as stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding between LAWA and Council District 11, including producing reports to LAWA as required in the MOU.
Attend public outreach meetings, neighborhood council meetings and maintain open communication with constituents of Council District 11 regarding LAWA improvement programs and outreach services.
Remain current on various complex programs, policies, legislation, studies and mitigation commitments including LAX modernization efforts substantially impacting communities within CD-11, Stipulated Settlement Agreement, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Community Benefits Agreement, Environmental Justice, LAX Specific Plan Amendment Study, regionalization efforts, LAX Noise Round Table, Part 161 study, and Air Source Apportionment Study.
Communicate with the public through presentations, publications, social media, and websites on LAWA’s implementation of the various outreach programs.
Assist LAWA planning staff by identifying the concerns of the surrounding communities, coordinating with various LAWA staff to respond to community complaints, and discussing ways to resolve LAX-related problems experienced by the communities.
Brief Councilmember and staff on topics including Specific Plan Study, master plan approval process, programmatic environmental approval process, project-specific environmental approval, entitlements, collateral land use, and funding of capital improvement and federal transportation projects.

Compensation based on experience. Application deadline is May 24, at 5 pm. We’re looking for someone to start on July 1. Contact: Chad Molnar at chad.molnar@lacity.org.

L.A. CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 11: PLANNING DIRECTOR I’m looking for a seasoned planner and a tough, fair-minded, and pragmatic person to serve as the Planning Director for my office. I want someone who is creative and smart, who can wow me with forward-thinking ideas for implementing a cohesive and consistent land use strategy for the Westside. I need someone who is passionate about this job, who is hard-working, and who will eat, sleep, and breathe planning. I consider this the most important job in my office. The Planning Director needs to be my partner in moving Los Angeles forward, doing good, and getting things done. I represent a district where traffic, housing, and development issues are at the forefront of almost every public discussion, and my Planning Director will be at the heart of my efforts to create strong and vital neighborhoods. I want someone who brings with them a breadth and depth of planning knowledge, and who is particularly motivated by the environmental and transportation policy angles of land use and development issues. There is so much opportunity to do a lot of good in this job, but it will take a strong, smart, and determined planner to get it done. The ideal candidate should have done some of the following:

Successfully negotiated a major settlement between a developer and a group of stakeholders to significantly reduce the density of a proposed residential development, where traffic concerns were an issue.
Worked in a high-stakes, political environment that demanded results.
Organized neighborhood support for a project to bring economic development to a blighted area.
Convinced a planning decision-making body to insist on additional environmental mitigation for a proposed project.
Have a law degree and practiced law, including handling complex litigation and negotiation.
Successfully negotiated a Community Benefits Agreement, Project Labor Agreement, or other contracts between a developer and project stakeholders.

Main duties include, but are not limited to:

Primary responsibility for all issues related to the city’s land use plans, zoning, municipal land decisions, building and safety, and environmental studies.
Understanding environmental clearance analysis and processing requirements, and identifying additional or required mitigations.
Establishing a consistent set of priorities and ground rules for all district projects.
Attending and reporting to planning hearings and community meetings, including those that occur during nights and weekends.
Forming and implementing a cohesive land use strategy with a strong focus on creating jobs through sustainable, neighborhood-friendly, transit-oriented development.
Drafting letters, motions, policies, and briefing memos.
Conducting “Planning 101” trainings for community groups and other Council office staff.
Coordinating interdepartmental planning efforts.
Communicate regularly with thought leaders in the fields of planning, transportation, and environment.

Compensation based on experience. Application deadline is May 17, at 5 pm. We’re looking for someone to start on July 1. Contact: Chad Molnar at chad.molnar@lacity.org.

Bonin Announces Top Staffers

Team Mike — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:43:33 +0000

Councilmember-elect Names Chad Molnar as Chief of Staff, Laura McLennan as Deputy Chief of Staff

LOS ANGELES – Councilmember-elect Mike Bonin today announced the hiring of two seasoned and accomplished political staffers to guide his administration and manage his staff when he takes office July 1.

Bonin, who was elected in March to succeed Bill Rosendahl as representative for the Westside’s 11^th District , named Chad Molnar as his chief of staff and Laura McLennan as his deputy chief of staff. “I need a smart, experienced, top-flight leadership team to help me move Los Angeles forward, do good, and get things done.” said Bonin, who has served as Rosendahl’s chief of staff since 2005. “With Chad and Laura, I have a savvy A-Team who know how to make things happen.” Bonin and Molnar have a strong, decade-long professional partnership. They began working together in 2003 in the office of U.S. Rep. Jane Harman. Bonin hired Molnar as a field representative and as Harman’s top advisor on port issues. Molnar later succeeded Bonin as Harman’s district director. In 2007, Bonin recruited Molnar to join Rosendahl’s staff as the LAX-Community Liaison for District 11. Molnar ran Bonin’s City Council campaign, orchestrating strategy, messaging, budgeting and staffing. “There is a reason I keep hiring Chad. He is incredibly smart, and he has a great heart,” Bonin said. “I trust him fully, and I rely tremendously on his judgment and counsel. He is particularly well-suited to be my chief of staff. In his previous roles, he has operated at the intersection of policy, politics and community -- and he knows this district, its issues, and its leaders.” The first in his Cuban family to be born in the United States, Molnar is fluent in Spanish and a transplant from the East Coast. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in Political Science. McLennan is one of the smartest and most well-respected staff members in City Hall. Bonin personally recruited her as Rosendahl’s deputy chief of staff in 2007, and she has been the councilman’s senior policy advisor, with a keen focus on major issues, such as budget, transportation, public works, and legislative support for district initiatives. Before joining Rosendahl’s staff, McLennan worked for over seven years as Legislative Director to City Council President Alex Padilla, overseeing the operation of City Council meetings, managing the council agenda and steering Padilla’s legislative agenda. Prior to working in City Hall, McLennan worked as a Field Representative for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in her West Los Angeles district office. “Laura is one of the sharpest and most knowledgeable people in City government.” Bonin said. “As my partner on Bill’s staff for seven years, she kept us focused, made us smart, and moved us forward. She has won the respect of general managers and elected officials, and knows better than anyone which levers to pull to get things done.” McLennan is an active Board Member for the Los Angeles chapter of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and serves as Chair of the Advocacy Committee. As Chair, Laura leads the grassroots effort to meet the mission of the ADA, which is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. A native of Southern California, McLennan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego. “I have been very fortunate to have worked with Chad and Laura for so many years,” Bonin said. “I’ve learned from them daily, and I am enormously grateful to have them leading my team.”

Bonin Campaign Pulled Out All The Stops

Team Mike — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:06:47 +0000

Running Like the Underdog, First-Time Candidate Drew On Obama Spirit, Grassroots Ties & Political Savvy to Boost Turnout and Win by Huge Margins

LOS ANGELES – Fueled by grassroots energy and a team of field organizers with national experience, Mike Bonin’s successful campaign to represent the Westside on the City Council racked up record numbers and exceeded expectations. Bonin, a first-time candidate, won victory outright in the primary, garnering more than 61% of the vote in a field of four candidates. The campaign relied heavily on a sharp, well-oiled field operation coordinated by veterans of the Obama presidential campaign and staffed by hundreds of community leaders and neighborhood activists. Bonin’s team canvassed the district repeatedly, focused on key precincts, and drove turnout to levels well above the city average. Some key statistics:

Bonin won every precinct in the district.
Bonin carried 119 of 124 precincts with more than 50% of the vote.
While citywide voter turnout was only 16%, District 11 saw nearly 20% turnout.
Thirty-one precincts in CD11 had turnout greater than 30%.
Sixty precincts in CD11 had more than 20% turnout.
One precinct in Del Rey had a turnout of 34%, more than doubling the citywide rate.
Bonin won 17566 votes, more than any other council candidate in Los Angeles.
Bonin finished with the highest proportion of the vote of any non-incumbent this cycle.
Bonin won the highest proportion of the vote that any first-time candidate has obtained in a council primary in ten years.

Bonin attributed his overwhelming win to a positive, inclusive, and well-organized campaign. “I am incredibly proud of our campaign,” said Bonin. “We set a tone that was positive, optimistic, and substantive. We created a movement that was inclusive, empowering, and remarkably diverse. We ran a field operation that was stunningly powerful. We also took absolutely nothing for granted, ran like underdogs, and worked our tails off.” Bonin’s campaign started strong in mid-October, raising its first $50,000 in just nine days, faster than any other City Council campaign in Los Angeles history. Bonin quickly announced the endorsements of hundreds of neighborhood leaders, environmentalists, elected officials, and respected civic leaders. He later won the support of the labor organizations, major business organizations, and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. A key move was hiring Lisa Conn, the former field director for Organizing for America (OFA) in Broward County, Florida, as his campaign manager. Conn joined an impressive team that included: Chad Molnar, senior advisor; Courtney Chesla Torres of Shallman Communications; pollster John Fairbank; and fundraiser Leilani Sinclair of Niko Consulting. Together, they built a remarkably effective campaign operation that stunned observers for its ability to engage and motivate the voters. Bonin continued, “Kudos and much, much love to Lisa Conn, my campaign manager, and Chad Molnar, my brilliant senior advisor and most trusted friend. They wove together a movement that included community leaders, neighborhood activists, friends, and a new generation of organizers trained on the Obama campaign.” Bonin, who worked on the 2008 Obama campaign and co-founded and led a community organizing academy for activists seeking to secure marriage equality, insisted on a powerful grassroots field campaign. Conn developed an “Organizing Fellows Program” that brought in young talent from all over the district and the city to help communicate with voters and get them to the polls. On the weekend before the election, the campaign knocked on over 10,000 doors, and made countless more phone calls. Bonin said he hoped his campaign would be a model for how he would govern and represent the district. “One of the greatest challenges for a candidate is to build an organization and create a culture,” he said. “I think we succeeded in building an organization that was smart, strategic and disciplined, while being open, inclusive and empowering. Lisa and Chad helped me build a community that stayed focused and positive and got results. That is how I want to govern, so we can move Los Angeles forward, do good, and get things done.” Bonin will take office July 1, succeeding Councilmember Bill Rosendahl. He will represent the 11^th District, which includes Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, West LA, Mar Vista, Venice, Del Rey, Playa Vista, Playa del Rey, and Westchester.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Wild Mad Crazy THANKS

Team Mike — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:45:09 +0000

THANK YOU. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your trust, and your vote. The final results are in. I am grateful, relieved and thrilled to report that I won an outright victory yesterday, winning 61% of the vote. I am truly humbled to have earned 17,566 votes -- more votes than any other city council candidate in the City of LA! Public service is an immense privilege, and representing our neighborhoods on the Los Angeles City Council is a tremendous honor. The grassroots power of our neighborhoods fueled this campaign, and it will keep me focused on improving quality of life, enhancing public safety, combating traffic, protecting the environment, creating jobs, and housing the homeless. I am incredibly proud of our campaign. We set a tone that was positive, optimistic, and substantive. We created a movement that was inclusive, empowering, and remarkably diverse. We ran a field operation that was stunningly powerful. Kudos and much, much love to Lisa Conn, my campaign manager, and Chad Molnar, my senior advisor and most trusted friend. They wove together a movement that included community leaders, neighborhood activists, friends, and a new generation of organizers trained on the Obama campaign. Special thanks to my friends, family, and wonderful partner, Sean Arian. Much gratitude to my campaign co-chairs, Steve Soboroff and Sheila Kuehl, and to my friend, mentor and inspiration – Bill Rosendahl. Bill has a bigger heart and a more expansive vision than anyone I have ever met, and working at his side has been an immense privilege. Suitably, the Los Angeles Times has a Q&A today of this most happy warrior. Mostly importantly, I want to thank YOU. If you donated, if you called or walked, if you posted a lawn sign, if you offered an idea or a constructive criticism, if you cheered at a candidate’s forum or house party, or if you voted, this victory belongs to you. Please stick with me in the weeks to come, and after I take office July 1. Working together, I know that we will move Los Angeles forward, do good, and get things done. THANK YOU. Mike

Why Mike?

Team Mike — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:33:54 +0000

One of the greatest joys of being an elected official has been working with you. Together, we’ve made a lot of progress. Together, we’ve made government work for the people. Together, we’ve put our neighborhoods first. Before I retire June 30, there is one more thing I would like us to do together. I want to make sure we pick the right person to fill my shoes and be your next partner in moving our neighborhoods in a positive direction. Will you please vote for Mike Bonin for City Council in Tuesday’s election? Mike has been my chief deputy for 8 years. He has brains, heart, and tremendous integrity. He shares our values and our commitment to bringing government closer to the people. He knows this district and its neighborhoods; he knows city government; and he knows how to get things done. Mike has helped put more cops on our streets, synchronize traffic lights, build new playgrounds, create new jobs and deliver city services. He has brokered consensus to modernize, not expand, LAX and has fought to bring the Expo Line to the Westside. If you want a City Councilperson who will put our neighborhoods first, please vote for Mike Bonin. Mike believes in our neighborhoods. That’s why he has the support of more than 600 local community leaders, small business owners, and neighborhood activists. Mike has been endorsed by the Sierra Club, the LA League of Conservation Voters, and most of the region’s environmental leaders. He has the endorsements of police officers, firefighters, school teachers, and entertainment industry workers. The election is this Tuesday. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you need to find your polling location, you can look it up right here. If you need a ride to the polls, one of Mike’s campaign volunteers will be happy to drive you. Call (310) 912-3055 or email campaign@mikebonin.com. If you can spare a few hours and would like to help the campaign get out the vote, please sign up here. Thank you so much. Bill Rosendahl

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Mike Bonin Election Day Plans

Team Mike — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:11:11 +0000

LOS ANGELES, CA – On March 5th, Mike Bonin will be voting with his parents and his partner, Sean Arian, at 8:30 A.M. at Penmar Recreation Center in Venice. Bonin's campaign will be conducting field operations all day until polls close. At 9:00 P.M., Bonin will be holding an election night party at the campaign's headquarters: 12222 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066. VOTING WHO: Los Angeles City Council Candidate Mike Bonin WHAT: Bonin's trip to the polls to cast his ballot WHEN: Tuesday, March 5^th, at 8:30 A.M. WHERE: Penmar Recreation Center 1341 Lake Street Venice, CA ELECTION NIGHT PARTY WHO: Los angeles City Council Candidate Mike Bonin's election night party WHAT: Bonin's election night gathering WHEN: TUESDAY, March 5^th, at 9:00PM WHERE: Mike Bonin Campaign Headquarters 12222 Venice Blvd. Mar Vista For any related questions, please contact Courtney Chesla Torres at 818-804-1079

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Del Rey Residents Support Mike Bonin

Team Mike — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 02:08:08 +0000

Local activists, leaders, and neighbors coalesce around Bonin for City Council LOS ANGELES – Residents of Del Rey are joining together to support Mike Bonin for City Council, saying he is the most qualified candidate to give voice to neighborhoods and protect public safety. Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl on the City Council, has picked up exceptionally broad and deep support in Del Rey – from local neighborhood leaders, prominent civic leaders, and elected officials. They all agree that Bonin has the vision and the know-how to deliver crucial services for Del Rey. Bonin has picked up an impressive array of local endorsements, including local residents Marlene Savage, Lisa Farris, Eric DeSobe, Marlene Bane, Elizabeth Zamora, and Chris Nevil. Eric DeSobe, who has called Del Rey his home for many years, discussed Bonin’s work to help establish neighborhood councils in her endorsement. "I believe Mike will continue to support the work of neighborhood councils, including ours in Del Rey,” Said DeSobe. “During his time with Councilman Rosendahl he's valued the neighborhood council's perspective on the issues most important to Del Rey. That earns him my vote." "I think Mike Bonin is the perfect amalgam of someone who knows City Hall from the inside, but sees the issues and bottlenecks with the same passion as the rank and file residents of this district,” added resident Chris Nevil. “He listens, he cares, and he will work to improve our communities and our City." For the past eight years, Mike Bonin and Bill Rosendahl have fought for Del Rey. On the City Council, Bonin will:

Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Combat increasing commuter traffic on residential streets
Increase police patrols in our neighborhoods
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Insist on proper mitigations for the Expo Line project
Improve programming, services and maintenances in our parks
Fight noise, pollution and traffic
Crack down on neighborhood blight

Bonin has also won the support of our local firefighters and police officers, the Sierra Club, and current and former elected officials who have represented and fought for Del Rey: U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman; U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; former State Senator Sheila J. Kuehl, Bonin’s campaign co-chair; Rosendahl; and former Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

West L.A. Residents Support Mike Bonin

Team Mike — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:53:49 +0000

Local activists, leaders, and neighbors coalesce around Bonin for City Council

LOS ANGELES – Residents of West Los Angeles are joining together to support Mike Bonin for City Council, saying he is the most qualified candidate to give voice to neighborhoods and protect public safety. Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl on the City Council, has picked up exceptionally broad and deep support in West L.A. – from local neighborhood leaders, prominent civic leaders, and elected officials. They all agree that Bonin has the vision and the know-how to deliver crucial services for West L.A. “A vote for Mike is a vote for a better Los Angeles,” said Jay Handal, a long-time resident of West Los Angeles. “He is a sincere candidate who isn't afraid to talk about the important issues facing Los Angeles. No other candidate will do more to advance the needs of the neighborhoods he represents.” Bonin has picked up an impressive array of local endorsements, including local residents Jay Handal, Jean Shigernatsu, Mary Misorio, Lillian Laskin, Marty & Joan Rubin, Ger-Bei Lee, Jerry Hornof, Jonathan Kramer, Daniel Osztreicher, Channa & Jim Horwitz, Sarah Stone, Janine Smith, Andy Shrader, John Buckley, and David Gordon. Rubin, who has called West Los Angeles his home for years, cited Bonin’s nuanced understanding of the Santa Monica Airport issue in explaining his support of Bonin. "Mike Bonin knows the community concerns that surround Santa Monica Airport (SMO), and he has proactively helped to have these concerns heard,” Rubin averred. “Along with his knowledge and experience Mike has the integrity to best represent CD 11." For the past eight years, Mike Bonin has fought for West LA, stopping the Wilshire Bus Only Lane, supporting the West LA Farmer’s Market, contributing to efforts to beautify Pico Boulevard, and fighting for mitigations for the I-405 windening project. On the City Council, Bonin will:

Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Combat increasing commuter traffic on residential streets
Increase police patrols in our neighborhoods
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Insist on proper mitigations for the Expo Line project
Improve programming, services and maintenances in our parks
Work to revitalize the WLA Municipal Center to provide enhanced community resources and economic opportunities
Fight noise, pollution and traffic from Santa Monica Airport
Crack down on billboards and other signs of neighborhood blight

Bonin has also won the support of our local firefighters and police officers, the Sierra Club, and current and former elected officials who have represented and fought for West Los Angeles: U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman; U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; former State Senator Sheila J. Kuehl, Bonin’s campaign co-chair; Rosendahl; and former Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Venice Residents Support Mike Bonin

Team Mike — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:37:36 +0000

Neighborhood Leaders Say Bonin is Best Candidate to Succeed Rosendahl LOS ANGELES – Venice may be a diverse and eclectic community with many opinions, but Ventians agree on one thing – they support Mike Bonin for City Council. Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl on the City Council, has picked up broad and deep support in Venice – a community he has served consistently since 1996. Residents agree that Bonin understands the community and its challenge, and has the vision and the know-how to deliver crucial services for Venice. “Our community deserves another Councilmember who knows how to get results. That’s why I strongly believe Mike is the right person to represent us on the City Council. Having worked with him for six years, I know he’s got experience and know-how when it comes to the issues we care about most,” said Mike Newhouse, former president of the Venice Neighborhood Council. “As the district’s Chief Deputy, Mike has always worked tirelessly to help our neighborhoods fight for our fair share of city services, and I know he will continue to do so as our Councilman.” “Mike Bonin is a leader who gets things done. I worked with Mike on projects like the Venice Sign when he was Bill Rosendahl’s chief deputy. His contributions made a positive difference in Venice,” added Danny Samakow. “Mike’s experience, innovative thinking, and ability to bring people together were what it took to succeed. It’s also what we need in a leader and that’s why I’m supporting Mike Bonin for City Council.” Bonin has picked up an impressive array of local endorsements, including DeDe Audet, Scott Mayers, Marta Evry, Warren Bowman, James Evans, Linda Lucks, Jim Hubbard, Lynn Warshavsky, Mindy Meyer, Theo & Todd Von Hoffman, David & Sandy Moring, Suzanne Thompson, Steve Clare, Darryl Barnett, David Ewing, Clabe & Thea Hartley, Don Novak, Carol Tantau, Edizen Stowell, LJ Carusone, Ana Petrova, Bert Ball, Carl Lambert, Emily Winters, Judy Baca, Stan Muhammad, Melvyn Hawyard Jr., Debra Padilla, Jake Kaufman, Jeff Solomon, Kristopher Valentine, Matt Kline, Kimberly Fowler, Sherri Rosen, Marc Saltzberg, Mark Galanty, Mike Ryan, Francisco Letelier, and Kelley Willis. Mike Bonin moved to Venice in 1992 and has been fighting for it ever since. He spearheaded the Venice Beach improvements, and helped create the Venice Art Walls, Venice Poetry Monument, and the Venice Beach Police Substation. He has fought to secure additional law enforcement resources and community improvements to combat crime, and spearheaded a Rosendahl program that has housed more than 100 homeless people. Working with Rosendahl over the past 8 years, Bonin secured additional police patrols, built new parking, helped lure high-end businesses and employers like Whole Foods and Google, opened a new skate park, and improved the Ballona Lagoon and Grand Canal. When he is elected to the City Council, Mike will work to:

Increase parking for residents and local businesses
Champion the emerging Renaissance of Rose Avenue
Implement a ban on chain stores that threaten neighborhood characterand small businesses
Promote the emerging Silicon Beach tech sector
Install more bicycle lanes and bicycle parking
Return revenue from city-owned parking lots back to Venice for local community improvements
Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Combat increasing commuter traffic on residential streets
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Improve park programming and maintenance
Crack down on illegal billboards and signs of blight
Fight noise, pollution and traffic from Santa Monica Airport

Before joining with Rosendahl, Bonin worked for U.S. Rep. Jane Harman and Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, meaning he has been fighting for and delivering for Venice for 17 years. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Brentwood Residents Support Mike Bonin For City Council

Team Mike — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:22:31 +0000

Neighbors Say Bonin Will Fight for Public Safety, Combat Traffic

LOS ANGELES – Residents of Brentwood are rallying together to support Mike Bonin for City Council, saying he is the best candidate to give voice to neighborhoods and protect public safety. Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl on the City Council, has picked up wide-ranging and passionate support in Brentwood – from local neighborhood leaders, prominent civic leaders, and elected officials. They all agree that Bonin has the vision and the know-how to deliver crucial services for Brentwood. “I am proud to endorse Mike Bonin to be our next City Councilmember,” said longtime resident Nancy Freedman. “Mike brings a balanced, inclusive approach that builds consensus. He has been a presence for many years and has prior experience that allows him to start on day one with an understanding of what our community needs. I respect his abilities and I have confidence that he will promote neighborhood engagement.” Liza Braude-Glidden, a longtime resident of Brentwood and daughter of legendary former Councilman Marvin Braude, cited Bonin’s dedication public service. “Mike Bonin comes from a tradition I understand through my dad, Marvin Braude and his friend, the current Councilman, Bill Rosendahl,” Said Braude-Glidden. “In Mike’s decades of public service and as in his work as Bill’s chief of staff, Mike has established himself in a tradition of consummate skill, deep civic engagement and sustainable progressive values. We are so lucky to have this long and unbroken legacy in our district. My sister Ann and I are supporting Mike.” Bonin has picked up an impressive array of local endorsements, including Liza, Reed, and Ann Braude-Glidden; ; Flora Gil Krisiloff; Jackie Raymond; Nancy Freedman; Leeor Alpern; Ray Klein; Bryan Gordon; Cori Solomon; Marilyn Krell; Pamela & Jarl Mohn; Ray Keller; Jackie Raymond; Christian Irwin; Josh Stephens; Jim McDermott; Deborah Cincotta; George & Judith Keiffer; Andrea Epstein; Nancy-Sue Rosen; Tom Freeman; Gil & Sukey Garcetti; Thierry Leduc; Leigh Williams; Tsilah Burman; Toni Antoci; Robert Coleman; Robert Shipp; James Redden; Maria & Brett Messing; Marc Wishingrad; Linda Daly; Mark & Kate Mullen; Jamie Lynton; Tom Safran; and Jim Rosenfeld. For the past eight years, Bonin has served as chief deputy to Rosendahl, and has helped the councilman fight for Brentwood, pulling out all the stops to combat cuts in local fire department resources, securing mitigations for and improvements to the I-405 project, insisting on adherence to community design standards, cleaning up blight in Brentwood Village, and fighting traffic and overdevelopment. Bonin’s agenda includes:

Restore LAFD resources to full capacity and improve 911 response times
Increase police patrols in our neighborhoods to crack down on property crimes
Combat traffic on Sunset Boulevard, and reduce cut-through traffic on residential streets
Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Respect community plans, zoning restrictions, and community design standards
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Integrate local bus lines and shuttles into convenient mass transit
Preserve Brentwood’s signature coral trees

Bonin has also won the support of our local firefighters and police officers, the Sierra Club, and current and former elected officials who have represented and fought for Brentwood: Rosendahl; U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman; Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; State Senator Ted Lieu; former State Senator Sheila J. Kuehl, Bonin’s campaign co-chair; former State Assemblyman Mike Feuer; and former Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Mar Vista Residents Support Mar Vista Neighbor, Bonin

Team Mike — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:49:12 +0000

Neighborhood Leaders Say Bonin is Best Candidate to Succeed Rosendahl

LOS ANGELES – Residents of Mar Vista are rallying together to support Mike Bonin, saying that their fellow Mar Vista resident will put neighborhoods first and champion the area on the City Council.

Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl, has picked up expansive and energetic support in Mar Vista – from local neighborhood leaders, prominent civic leaders, and elected officials. They all agree that Bonin, who lives in the community, has the vision and the know-how to deliver crucial services for Mar Vista. “It’s not often that we have the privilege of casting a fully informed vote. This is one of those rare opportunities for me. The Mike that I am voting for is a true public servant who gives eagerly because he has a passion for making this a better city,” said Sherri Akers. “He embraces grass roots democracy and believes that we make the most progress when we get to know each other and have the chance to listen and share. I am not just voting for the positions and values that he will bring to the office – but the ones that I know he will form as we face new challenges together. It will be an honor to have Mike as our voice in the city of Los Angeles.” "We have needed Mike's help a number of times and he has always come through with flying colors,” added community member Bill Koontz. “He is always quick with an answer and fantastic about following through with what he says he will do." Bonin has picked up an impressive array of local endorsements, including Sharon Commins, Tom & Pam Ponton, Demetrios Mavromichalis, Chuck Ray, Alan Bail, Lorraine Wells, Susan & Bill Scheding, Bob Fitzpatrick, Nancy & Glen Howell, Bob Zaugh, Jeanne Kuntz, Jerry Hornof, Joe Treves, Michael Millman, Maritza Przekop, Tony Navarro, Diana Rodgers, Rob Kadota, Chelsea & Rob McFarland, Marilyn Marble, Stephen Boskin, Ken Alpern, Rose Herman, Melissa Stoller, Phyllis Hayashibara, Curt Steindler, Frank Fisher, Laurence Cohen, Carol Finley, Joan Ling, and Bill Duckett &Jesus Jornacion. For the past eight years, Bonin has served as chief deputy to Rosendahl, and has helped the councilman by supporting our popular Farmer’s Market, making improvements at Mar Vista Recreation Center, earmarking funds for improvements to Venice Boulevard, opening a new Fire Station, and installing left-turn signals. Before working for Rosendahl, Bonin held senior positions with U.S. Rep. Jane Harman and Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, meaning he has been fighting for and delivering services to Mar Vista for 17 years. When Mike is elected to the City Council, his agenda will be working to:

Landscape and beautify Venice Boulevard
Help grow the emerging small business corridors on Venice, Grandview, Centinela and Inglewood
Support efforts to convert the former Mar Vista Fire Station into a community center
Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Combat increasing commuter traffic on residential streets
Increase police patrols in our neighborhoods
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Improve park programming and maintenance
Crack down on illegal billboards and other blight
Fight noise, pollution and traffic from Santa Monica Airport

Bonin has also won the support of our local firefighters and police officers, more than 600 community and neighborhood leaders, and current and former elected officials who have represented and fought for Mar Vista: U.S. Rep. Karen Bass; former U.S. Rep. Jane Harman; state Senator Ted Lieu; Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe; Rosendahl; former Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, and former Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Palisades Residents Support Mike Bonin

Team Mike — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:19:27 +0000

Neighborhood Leaders Say Bonin is Best Candidate to Succeed Rosendahl

LOS ANGELES – Residents of Pacific Palisades are rallying together to support Mike Bonin for City Council, saying he is the best candidate to give voice to neighborhoods and protect public safety. Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl on the City Council, has picked up wide, deep and vigorous support in Pacific Palisades – from local neighborhood leaders, prominent civic leaders, and elected officials. They all agree that Bonin has the vision and the know-how to deliver crucial services for Pacific Palisades. “Mike Bonin is an innovative thinker, a thoughtful problem solver and a very bright light in the darkness of our city's future,” said longtime resident Laurie Sale. “His experience, vision, honesty, and passion for our district, is what we need to keep our city and our communities vital. I urge you to support and vote without reservation for Mike Bonin.” “I am supporting Mike Bonin for City Council because he has a passion for local government and a passionate commitment to the Palisades and the Westside,” said Melissa Grant. “He is as much a policy wonk as he is practical; he listens and directly answers questions--those are unusual traits for a politician.” Bonin has picked up an impressive array of local endorsements, including Steve & Patti Soboroff; Joe & Arline Halper; Susan Haskell; Laurie Sale; Melissa Grant; Norman Kulla; Mario & Carol Smolinisky; Steve Cron; Bill Simon; Alice Lynn; Cheyim Frankel; Lanette Phillips; Rick Lynch; Christine & David Card; Haldis & Kurt Toppel; Dick Littlestone; Dodi Fromson; Peter Scolney; Max & Vicki Strauss Kennedy; Francyne Lambert; Marguerite Perkins-Mautner; Richard Wulliger; Robert Ramsdell; Stuart Muller; Austin Beutner; Quay Hays; Mark E Pollack; and Elliott Zorensky. Soboroff, a longtime resident of Palisades, said he jumped at the chance to co-chair Bonin’s campaign: “I have known and worked with Mike for nearly twenty years,” he said. “Mike Bonin cares deeply about our neighborhoods – and he knows how to get things done. Mike has helped put more cops on our streets, synchronize traffic lights, build new playgrounds, and deliver city services. We need his kind of leadership on the City Council.” For the past eight years, Bonin has served as chief deputy to Rosendahl, and has helped the councilman fight for Pacific Palisades, pulling out all the stops to combat cuts in local fire department resources, supporting community beautification efforts, improving parks, stabilizing the failing slopes of Potrero Canyon, restoring public open space, and fighting traffic and overdevelopment. Bonin’s agenda includes:

Restore fire department resources to full capacity and improve 911 response times
Increase police patrols in our neighborhoods to crack down on property crimes
Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Respect community plans and zoning restrictions
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Integrate local bus lines and shuttles into convenient mass transit
Protect and preserve the Santa Monica Mountains and open space
Complete the Potrero Canyon stabilization and park project
Increase support for local beautification efforts, such as Palisades P.R.I.D.E, Palisades Beautiful, Village Green and Palisades Garden Club

Bonin has also won the support of our local firefighters and police officers, the Sierra Club, the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club, and current and former elected officials who have represented and fought for Pacific Palisades: U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman; U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; former State Senator Sheila J. Kuehl, Bonins other campaign co-chair; Rosendahl; and former Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Bonin Says No To “Political Blight”

Team Mike — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:15:57 +0000

Campaign Will Refrain from Posting Signs on Public Property

LOS ANGELES – As municipal elections near, City Council candidate Mike Bonin today pledged not to add visual blight in our neighborhoods by posting illegal campaign signs. Bonin promised that his campaign would not violate city law by placing campaign signs on public property – such as sidewalks, medians, trees and utility poles. While common in some political campaigns, the activity upsets neighborhood leaders and violates Los Angeles Municipal Code. “I take seriously the public trust and feel and I must obey the law if I seek the honor of representing the public in making the law,” Bonin said. “It has been and will continue to my policy that my campaign signs will be placed only on private property and with permission of the property owner or tenant. I hope candidates citywide direct their campaigns to do the same.” In recent years, the illegal placement of signs on public property has been an issue of growing concern for residents of the 11^th District. Community leaders upset about visual blight in our neighborhoods have objected to signs advertising concerts, sporting events, topless nightclubs, and political candidates. In response, city officials have passed ordinances, specifically outlawing such signage. Campaigns signs tend to proliferate in the final week of an election, and many pop up on public property. Bonin said he is urging his supporters and volunteers to refrain from such activity. If anyone spots a Bonin campaign sign on public property, Bonin encouraged them to call his campaign at (310) 912-3055 and the campaign will remove the signs. Bonin said he hoped candidates citywide would follow suit. “Our goal as candidates and as elected officials should be to help beautify our neighborhoods,” Bonin said. “We should not make public sidewalks look like the floor of a political convention. We should be planting trees on our medians, not planting political ads.” Bonin currently serves as chief deputy to Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who is retiring and has endorsed Bonin to succeed him. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Westchester & Playa del Rey Neighbors Endorse Bonin

Team Mike — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 23:41:00 +0000

Residents Trust Bonin to Improve Neighborhoods, Fight LAX Expansion, Protect Public Safety

LOS ANGELES – Residents of Westchester and Playa del Rey are rallying together to support Mike Bonin for City Council, saying he is the best candidate to give voice to neighborhoods and halt LAX expansion. Bonin, running to succeed Bill Rosendahl on the City Council, has picked up wide, deep and vigorous support in Westchester and Playa del Rey – neighborhoods he has worked in and championed for 17 years, during stints with Rosendahl, U.S. Rep. Jane Harman and Councilwoman Ruth Galanter. “Mike Bonin has been a strong and effective advocate for our neighborhoods,” said longtime Westchester resident Geoff Maleman. “He is a straight shooter who is always willing to listen to divergent points of view and bring people together.” “Mike Bonin has been and I look forward to him continuing to be the strongest champion for our community,” said Nora MacLellan, a Playa del Rey resident with whom Bonin has worked on LAX and homeless issues. “I trust him to continue the process of empowering communities and giving all of us a strong voice on the City Council.” Bonin has a long track record fighting for Westchester and Playa del Rey, working since the mid-1990s to increase police patrols, build playgrounds, clean-up neighborhoods, more efficiently deliver city services, and stand up to overdevelopment. Local leaders said Bonin has a stand-out record on promoting LAX modernization while defending airport neighbors from expansion. In 2009, he co-chaired the panel that hired NASA Ames and debunked the “safety” argument in favor of moving the north runway. In 2005-2006, he helped broker a legal settlement that ended plans to construct a remote check-in center in Manchester Square. In the 1990s, he worked with Galanter and El Segundo Mayor Mike Gordon to build a coalition in favor of regional aviation. "Mike has my unwavering support,” said Denny Schneider, president of the Alliance for Regional Solutions to Airport Congestion. “I've worked with Mike for over fifteen years. He has been relentless in his support for the community, and an architect of many successful challenges to the expansionist special interests." Others said Bonin has been equally vigorous in standing up for community beautification efforts. “Mike has been invaluable to the Westchester Streetscape Improvement Association with his support for our beautification efforts,” said John Ruhlen. “He has helped facilitate the process required by City Hall in making things happen and Westchester is all the better for it.” As a candidate, Bonin has outlined a Westchester-Playa del Rey agenda that includes:

Promote “Modernization YES/Expansion NO” at LAX, improving our airport and building mass transit connections that reduce automobile traffic and fighting plans to move the runways north
Support efforts to beautify Sepulveda Boulevard, Lincoln Boulevard and Manchester Avenue
Expand and restore services at Westchester Senior Center
Improve conditions of the Sepulveda Tunnel running under LAX
Protect quality of life in our neighborhoods
Combat increasing commuter traffic on residential streets
Increase police patrols in our neighborhoods
Increase and expand street resurfacing, tree trimming, and sidewalk repair
Improve park programming and maintenance
Crack down on illegal billboards and other blight
Defend downtown Playa del Rey from overdevelopment
Preserve open space adjacent to Del Rey Lagoon
Protect the Ballona Wetlands
Combat increasing commuter traffic and promote pedestrian and bicycle safety on Culver Boulevard

Bonin has secured the endorsements of local firefighters and police officers, Rosendahl, Harman, Galanter, County Supervisor Don Knabe, and more than 600 neighborhood leaders, including Geoff Maleman; Denny & Nan Schneider Karen Dial; John Ruhlen; Don Duckworth’; Sheila Mickelsen; Mike Arias; Alan & Mary Ellen Cassman; David & Nathalie Herbst; Rowena Ake; Lloyd & Renata Hild; Cara Robin; Craig Eggers; Danna Cope; Elle Holm; Greg Dina & Travis Pham; Terry & Jill Marcellus; Miki Payne; Pat & David Lyon; Rebecca Lyon; Mark Reddick, Bob Hughes; Karen Kanter; Dan Sharkey; Kevin Walsh; Val & Frank Velasco; Nora & Douglas MacLellan; Dominique & Booker Pearson; Willie & Carol Davis; Marcia Hanscom; Robert “Roy” Van de Hoek; Jennifer Dakoske-Koslu; Heather Lemmon; John Cross; Bill & Ruth Lansford; William Ballough; and Lisa Farris. For additional information about Mike Bonin for City Council, please visit: www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Mike Bonin Rolls Out Transportation & Traffic Relief Plan

Team Mike — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:35:35 +0000

Bonin Says Traffic Congestion is District’s Top Priority

LOS ANGELES – Continuing to promote an agenda of “Putting Neighborhoods First,” Mike Bonin today outlined a detailed plan to promote mass transit and reduce traffic gridlock on the Westside. Bonin called for measures big and small to build a system of alternative transportation to provide relief to neighborhoods choked by increasing traffic. “Traffic congestion is this district’s top priority, uniting all of our neighborhoods in common frustration,” Bonin said. “The situation is long past intolerable, and government and residents alike need to think and act differently to solve the problem. We need to imagine, create and live the transportation system of the future.” Bonin, a member of the Expo Metro Line Construction Authority, said he would promote a combination of mass transit, alternative transportation, and common-sense traffic-relief measures to improve the situation. “Repeated studies have shown that small steps can bring big results,” Bonin said. “Reducing the number of cars on a freeway at peak travel times by just 2 to 3 percent can reduce congestion by 10 to 15 percent.” Bonin said he would work to:

Secure more funding to add left-turn signals to improve traffic on local streets.
Promote neighborhood traffic calming measures, such as “road diets,” and speed humps.
Promote, where appropriate, one-way traffic on paired streets.
Complete the extension the Expo Line to the Westside on schedule by 2015.
Lead the fight to get Green Line to LAX, to include a Westchester stop on the Crenshaw line, and to build the Subway to the Sea.
Promote a public-private partnership to build a rail line from LAX into the San Fernando Valley.
Integrate and coordinate existing bus lines, and expand local shuttle bus service, to make it easier for people to use mass transit.
Encourage bicycling by building out the Citywide Bicycle Master Plan, promoting and expanding the city’s network of bike lanes and bike paths, creating more and better bicycle parking, and fighting for bicycle safety laws.
Protect our neighborhoods from overdevelopment, while promoting smart growth, that does not increase traffic, near transit stops and transit corridors.
Make neighborhoods more walkable and promote pedestrian-friendly commercial districts.

“It is imperative to create a transportation system for Los Angeles that does not rely solely on the automobile,” Bonin said. “We need to create a menu of choices for everyone in Los Angeles.” Bonin said he will frequently take public transportation to work, and will commute to City Hall for his first day of work on the Expo Line. Bonin is running to succeed Bill Rosendahl, who is retiring and has endorsed Mike to succeed him. Rosendahl has chaired the council’s Transportation Committee for several years, and has been a vocal advocate for cycling, mass transit and traffic relief. The 11^th district includes Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, West LA, Mar Vista, Venice, Del Rey, Playa Vista, Playa del Rey, and Westchester. The election is March 5. For more information about Mike, visit www.mikebonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Councilman’s preferred successor holds edge in Westside district

Team Mike — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:26:33 +0000

Mike Bonin, Councilman Bill Rosendahl's longtime chief of staff, has raised the most money of four candidates. But rivals say he represents politics as usual. By Martha Groves, Los Angeles Times February 22, 2013, 5:39 p.m. When Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl decided in October to retire and focus on battling cancer, he anointed Mike Bonin, his longtime chief of staff, as his preferred successor. The March 5 primary election now seems Bonin's to lose. Of four candidates seeking to represent Council District 11 — which includes Brentwood, Mar Vista, Venice and Westchester — Bonin has raised the most money ($380,000, including matching funds, more than four times the amount amassed by his nearest rival). The self-avowed "progressive activist" has also received hundreds of endorsements from politicians, business and labor leaders, environmental groups and residents. "He's smart, he's a doer, and he's solution-oriented," said Austin Beutner, a conservative businessman and former mayoral hopeful who recently held a meet-and-greet event for Bonin in Pacific Palisades. "He's not an ideologue." Bonin's three opponents — Frederick Sutton, 28, a part-time bartender and community activist; Tina Hess, 52, a prosecutor with the city attorney's office; and Odysseus Bostick, 36, a Westchester teacher and parent — all acknowledge the financial leader's sizable edge. But they say they're fed up with pothole-riddled streets, homeless encampments and out-of-control municipal expenditures. Bonin, they say, represents a politics-as-usual bureaucracy that has turned the City Council into what Sutton calls "a merry-go-round of lifetime politicians." Having received $87,000 in donations and matching funds, Sutton sees his immediate goal as keeping Bonin from getting the simple majority of votes needed to seal victory in March. "Once you get into a runoff," Sutton said, "suddenly everything changes." Bonin, 45, has unveiled plans to make Los Angeles more employer-friendly (extend the Internet tax exemption for Silicon Beach companies, support tax credits and reduce red tape for film operations) and to improve residents' access to City Hall through regular community meetings and technology ("Hikes with Mike" and "Mayberry meets the iPhone") After receiving his bachelor's degree in U.S. history at Harvard University, Bonin worked as a newspaper reporter before entering politics. The Massachusetts native moved to the Los Angeles area in the early 1990s. He lives in Mar Vista with his partner, Sean Arian, a consultant. A Gold's Gym regular who eats mostly raw foods, Bonin sports five tattoos, including a recycling symbol on his left shoulder that serves partly "as a symbol of getting sober and taking a life that had been trash and making it productive again." After long overdoing it on drugs and alcohol, Bonin said, he has been sober for 18 years. The diverse Westside sector he seeks to represent is rife with vocal activists and hot-button issues: congestion, transit construction, an imbalance between jobs and housing, transients and the modernization of Los Angeles International Airport. Like Rosendahl, Bonin opposes separating the northern runways but is all for updating the airport. Bonin said his 17 years in public service have prepared him. He first worked in city government as legislative deputy, district director and deputy chief of staff for former Councilwoman Ruth Galanter. He then became deputy chief of staff and district director for Rep. Jane Harman, who represented many 11th district neighborhoods before retiring from Congress. He has been Rosendahl's chief deputy since 2005. Elected in 2005 and 2009, Rosendahl, 67, was favored to win a third and final term before being diagnosed with advanced cancer last summer. Bonin said he has been inspired by his boss' spirit and resilience after months of grueling cancer treatments. "He's got the level of energy back that most of the staff finds exhausting to be around," Bonin told a group of elderly residents one recent afternoon. Marcia Hanscom, a wetlands activist, said she endorsed Bonin after hearing his ideas for bringing government closer to the people and promoting nature in the city. "He's got good values and instincts, and he also knows the inner workings of City Hall and its bureaucracy," she said in an email. "If he does as he says — getting and staying close to the constituents — he will not be so captured by City Hall as some think he is." martha.groves@latimes.com Times researcher Maloy Moore contributed to this report. Article Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-westside-council-race-20130221,0,1936231.story

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

Henry Waxman Endorses Mike Bonin

Team Mike — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:13:24 +0000

Influential Lawmaker Says Bonin Will Be Advocate for Our Neighborhoods

LOS ANGELES – Heading into the final stretch of his campaign for the City Council, Mike Bonin today announced the head-turning endorsement of U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman. Waxman, one of the Westside’s most prominent, popular and effective political figures, rarely endorses in local races. One of the most influential members of the California congressional delegation, Waxman said Bonin will be a powerful advocate for neighborhoods who can broker solutions to long-standing problems and move Los Angeles forward. "I am pleased to endorse Mike Bonin for the Los Angeles City Council,” Waxman said. “Mike knows his district, champions its neighborhoods, and shares its values. Mike has the energy, experience and skills to get things done. I am looking forward to working with him, and partnering on a range of issues, including environmental stewardship, job creation, Santa Monica Airport, and providing more services for our veterans at the West LA VA.” Waxman is one of the most influential progressives on Capitol Hill. A leader on health and environmental issues, he has fought for universal health insurance, comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid coverage, tobacco regulation, AIDS research and treatment, air and water quality standards, pesticide regulations, nursing home quality standards, women's health research and reproductive rights, affordable prescription drugs, and community rights to know about pollution levels. Waxman represents California's 33rd Congressional District, which large parts of the 11th District, including the Brentwood, Marina Del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Venice and West LA. He joins an endorsement list that also includes U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn, former U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, the Sierra Club, and Los Angeles firefighters and police officers. “I am genuinely humbled by Congressman Waxman’s endorsement,” Bonin said. “He is a homegrown leader with national stature. His legislative achievements have touched people’s lives, improved the quality of their health care, and improved our environment. I am eager to be his local partner in improving the quality of life for all our constituents.” Bonin currently serves as Chief Deputy to retiring Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, who has strongly endorsed Bonin to succeed him. For additional information about Mike Bonin, visit www.MikeBonin.com.

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org.

LA Times Endorses Mike Bonin in Council District 11

Team Mike — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:44:02 +0000

He is a student of the district, well-versed on issues of traffic, homelessness and development. Los Angeles City Council District 11 begins at the bluffs of Pacific Palisades and crosses the coral tree-lined median of San Vicente Boulevard. It includes Westchester bungalows in the shadow of jets rumbling into LAX, and the homeless in Venice who bed down blocks away from expensive single-family houses. Apartment buildings — rentals and condos — tower across the region. The district's popular council member, Bill Rosendahl, has decided not to seek reelection as he battles cancer. His successor should be tough-minded and creative enough to work with the rest of the council on finding solutions to the city's financial crisis, while also focusing on critical issues in the district itself, including development, the treatment of the homeless and the street-choking afternoon and evening traffic that has residents feeling trapped in their homes until it subsides. Of the four candidates on the March 5 ballot, the best choice is Mike Bonin, Rosendahl's current chief deputy. Frederick Sutton, at 27, is the youngest contender. He has worked in corporate office leasing and marketing, he has acted, and he is currently a bartender. He was a board member of the West L.A. Neighborhood Council. He is affable, energetic and quick on his feet. But he needs a little more experience in community politics and issues before he is ready to step up to a council seat. Tina Hess, a prosecutor in the city attorney's office for 25 years, is sharp-minded and savvy about Los Angeles' political system and bureaucracy. She correctly criticizes the Veterans Administration for doing an abysmal job of housing needy veterans in Los Angeles. She says she understands that homelessness is a complex issue that requires balancing the interests of the homeless and homeowners. But she supports a proposed city ordinance restricting group homes that this page opposed because it could create difficulties for groups such as the United Way that do responsible residential social service work. And although her plan to bring together teams of people from inside and outside government to address issues of development and traffic is an interesting one, some of Bonin's proposals were more specific and more likely to lead to concrete fixes. Odysseus Bostick, a middle school teacher, is straightforward, outspoken and independent-minded. He has a website brimming with ideas on how to solve the city's economic problems, not all of them new but most of them sensible. More than any other candidate, he seems willing to zealously guard against poorly planned development that overburdens the local infrastructure. Bostick's willingness to speak his mind is refreshing, but as a council member, he couldn't be just a flame-thrower. To win battles for his district, he would have to cooperate and compromise with other council members and with residents, not all of whom would agree with him all the time. It's unclear that he has the temperament for the job. The best choice is Bonin, who has been Rosendahl's top aide for eight years and previously worked for then-Councilwoman Ruth Galanter and then-Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice). For what it's worth, Bonin has their endorsements, plus those of more than a dozen top labor groups and numerous community and environmental leaders. Outsider candidates often criticize opponents who serve in high-ranking staff jobs in City Hall, arguing that they are part of the system that landed the city in its current financial predicament. But being a City Council staffer is not the same thing as being a member of the council. Bonin seems ready and able to take the politicking skills he learned from his bosses and use them as well as — if not better than — they did. He is a student of the district, well-versed on issues of traffic, homelessness and development. He knows that the homeless need permanent supportive housing and knows how to get projects into the pipeline. He understands that it has to be relatively easy for people to travel to the Expo rail line for them to take advantage of it, and he has some ideas for that. He pushed to bring to congested Venice a pilot program (already in use in Hollywood) for smartphone apps that tell drivers where a parking space is. He doesn't exhibit the same level of passion for the issues and the people (and the animals) that Rosendahl does, but none of the candidates do. Bonin has a calm and genial manner and offers a nuanced overview of the city as well as the competing interests in his district. Yes, sometimes he's a little too politically slick. (At a recent forum, he unnecessarily praised Rosendahl so lavishly that even Rosendahl might have found it treacly.) But we are banking on Bonin to be a proponent of careful development. He unapologetically says the city needs someone labor trusts — like himself — at the negotiating table more than someone it despises. We don't care, as long as he doesn't give away the store or put the interests of public employees ahead of the fiscal health of the city and the legitimate needs of his constituents. If we could meld some of Bostick's pluck with Bonin's skill, we'd have a perfect candidate. Failing that, The Times endorses Bonin. Article Source: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/endorsements/la-ed-end-cd11-city-council-district-11-20130221,0,7820084.story

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org

Argonaut: Bonin looks to be the public face of District 11

Team Mike — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:00:05 +0000

Working for a legislator is one thing, but running for office yourself is quite another. Mike Bonin is learning that on the campaign trail as he goes from one community to another in his quest to succeed his boss, Councilman Bill Rosendahl, in representing District 11 on the Los Angeles City Council next month. Other challengers for Rosendahl’s seat in the March 5 primary include former teacher Odysseus Bostick, city attorney Tina Hess and community advocate Frederick Sutton. Bonin has worked under two members of the Los Angeles City Council and a former United States congresswoman as chief of staff and as a field deputy. He believes that his experience at different levels of government gives him an understanding of how those in public service can improve the lives of their constituents, and now he is taking his maiden voyage into electoral politics himself for the first time as a candidate. He had planned to continue working with his boss again at City Hall through the next election when Rosendahl revealed late last year that he was ill with cancer of the ureter and would not be seeking a third term. The councilman then tapped Bonin as his preferred successor. “I never grew up wanting to do this. I always wanted to be a reporter,” Bonin began on a recent day in Mar Vista at his campaign office. It was during his tenure reporting on corruption in local government in Compton nearly 20 years ago that Bonin decided a career change was in order. “I felt a call to public service after watching so many good people in Compton with a government that had failed them,” Bonin recalled. His first job was working with former Councilwoman Ruth Galanter as legislative deputy, district director, and deputy chief of staff. “Mike Bonin knows this district and has a history of fighting for it and delivering for it,” Galanter said. “He sees public service as a mission, and he approaches it with heart, energy and passion.” Bonin has racked up a slew of endorsements, from labor to businesses leaders, including Steve Soboroff, the former president of Playa Capital. Soboroff’s support is significant due to the fact that Rosendahl butted heads with Playa Vista officials over their second stage of development, which he voted against in 2010. As Rosendahl’s chief of staff, Bonin has been involved at some level of the district’s most important – and often – controversial topics. Some of Bonin’s opponents have stated that the council office has failed Venice residents on the matter of homelessness. Bostick accuses Rosendahl, and by extension Bonin, of “dropping the ball” after implementing the “Roadmap to Housing” initiative, an effort by Rosendahl to move homeless individuals and families living in RVs to temporary and eventually permanent housing. “Through the ‘Roadmap to Housing,’ we have placed over 100 people from Venice and Westchester in temporary and permanent housing and several more who were living in their vehicles,” Bonin countered. The community care facilities ordinance is another hot-button topic that has generated a great deal of heat and one that the next person to represent District 11 could vote on later this year. The ordinance would prohibit sober living homes in residential areas. But a former Department of Housing and Urban Development official told the City Council last month that the proposed ordinance could violate federal housing laws. Bonin is clear on how he would vote on the proposal if it were to come before the council and he were elected. “I could not in good conscience vote for something that could be unconstitutional,” the candidate said. Not surprisingly, Bonin does not support the position of Los Angeles World Airports and the LAX Coastal Chamber of Commerce regarding moving the northernmost runway of Los Angeles International Airport 260 feet towards Westchester and Playa del Rey, a position that Rosendahl has long held. Hundreds of residents in both communities have also spoken against moving the runway and in favor of another alternative, which improves the infrastructure around the runway and nearby Westchester. Bonin says that despite what some of his detractors say, he has been heavily involved on airport matters since Rosendahl was elected in 2005. “I was in the meetings where the city settled lawsuits that would have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars in 2005,” the councilman’s chief of staff said. One of his ideas for reducing overtime costs for police officers is by using technology. Bonin said he would recommend giving police officers in the field iPads where they could file reports onsite, and this would reduce the time spent writing field reports at the precinct. Galanter remembers Bonin as a member of her staff who not only wanted to learn the inner workings of government but also as someone who wanted to work directly in the neighborhoods. “Mike had worked for me for about a year when he came into my office, sat down and said ‘I want you to send me out to the district so I can make things happen,’” recalled the former councilwoman, now a professor at Loyola Marymount University. “And whether it was renovating Venice Beach, creating anti-crime programs, or cleaning up Santa Monica Bay, Mike made things happen. He is a passionate advocate for our neighborhoods.” Bonin said he hopes to incorporate a little of what he has learned from the three legislators with whom he has worked and hopes to be seen as a public figure that is accessible like Rosendahl, who is well known throughout the district for his weekend visits to community gatherings and holding office hours for constituents during the week. “He’s created a level of visibility and access, and it’s a high bar to reach,” Bonin admitted. “I hope to continue that aspect as well as all of the good work that we’ve done in District 11, but I want to do it with my own style.” Article Source: http://argonautnews.com/candidate-profile-mike-bonin-looks-to-be-the-public-face-of-district-11/

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org

Daily Breeze: Bonin considered favorite in CD11 race

Team Mike — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:00:04 +0000

If there is a theme to Mike Bonin's campaign for Los Angeles City Council, it is this: The longtime City Hall insider does not want to take anything for granted. There is no public polling in the city's 11th Council District, which includes Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Venice, Brentwood, Mar Vista and Pacific Palisades. But Bonin is considered the heavy favorite, in part because of the vocal support he has received from his current boss, incumbent Councilman Bill Rosendahl. Battling cancer, Rosendahl declined to run for a third term and Bonin said he is doing everything he can to introduce himself to voters in the district, from billboards to lawn signs to glossy brochures. He has raised almost $200,000 and qualified for $100,000 in city matching funds, finance records show. "Bill's decision not to run was surprising and sad and unexpected," Bonin said. "He definitely has unfinished business that we started together." Bonin faces three relative political newcomers, all of whom say the council needs fresh faces and ideas. One, Odysseus Bostick, a schoolteacher for most of his career, lives in Westchester. Another, Tina Hess, is a senior lawyer in the City Attorney's Office and a Del Rey resident. The third, Frederick Sutton, works in commercial real estate and lives in West Los Angeles. All seek to win enough votes in the March 5 nonpartisan election to earn a spot in a two-candidate runoff, which would be necessary if none of the four receives 50 percent or more of the vote. Bonin, Rosendahl's chief deputy, is portraying himself as the logical successor to his boss. His stances are often identical to Rosendahl's - from Los Angeles International Airport issues (both favor modernization but not expansion) to the importance of public transit to the city. Saying he wants no other City Council members to outwork him, Bonin has pledged to go door to door in the district at least once a month. He also said he will hold open office hours on evenings and weekends in public places like city libraries. On the council, Bonin said he hopes to convince colleagues to better nurture technological companies, like Google, that have large operations in the Los Angeles area. He said many of those companies can help city government become more efficient and technologically sound. "We need to get us out of operating like we're in the '70s," he said. Unlike Bonin, Bostick has little experience with city government. He said he was driven to run because he feels the current crop of council members has not done a good job of fiscal stewardship. Bostick, who has raised a little more than $30,000, said too many politicians feel beholden to labor unions. "My feeling is the current political clique that has been running L.A. has created the culture where all the politicians that are successful rise up to power by indebting themselves to the union political arms," he said. Bostick said he would focus on two main issues to keep city costs down. One is city employee pension costs, which Bostick said must be kept lower. The other is employee health insurance premiums, also a large part of the city's budget. "I'm against any revenue increase until we deal with the pension system, especially the police and fire pensions," he said. "I completely respect their sacrifices. We just can't afford as a city to pay 90 percent pension after age 50." Hess, meanwhile, said she was driven to run after she realized that, if the established favorites win election, there would be no women on the city council. "I found that rather unacceptable," she said. As a prosecutor in the City Attorney's Office, Hess said she has more experience than her opponents. Among other duties, she has drafted state and municipal legislation and supervised the city attorney's neighborhood prosecutor program. "I have spent the better part of 20 years solving neighborhood problems in terms of public safety and community engagement," said Hess, who has raised about $14,000 for the race, records show. Hess said she would focus on helping homeless residents, fixing the city's fiscal problems, and balancing the needs of developers with the concern that neighborhoods could become overcrowded. "The city is in a financial pickle," she said. "We need to look at ways ... to spend our money more wisely." Sutton, who calls himself a lifelong political junkie and policy wonk, grew up in Brentwood and now lives in West Los Angeles. His most unique campaign promise is a pledge to donate 20 percent of his council salary to help pay for sidewalk repairs. "I want to raise awareness to the failing infrastructure in Los Angeles," said Sutton, who has raised about $35,000 and has qualified for city matching funds. "People can send me pictures of the worse sidewalks they can find. At the end of the year, we will go fix them." He, too, said the city must improve its budgeting process and negotiate with municipal unions to lower pension and health-care costs. "There is no funding for anything that is being promised," Sutton said. "I want to have serious budget reform." brian.sumers@dailybreeze.com Follow Brian Sumers on Twitter at http://twitter.com/briansumers Article Source: http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_22623968/mike-bonin-considered-favorite-los-angeles-city-council

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Paid for by Mike Bonin for City Council 2013 • 777 S. S. Figueroa Street, Ste. 4050 • Los Angeles, CA 90017. Additional information is available at ethics.lacity.org