BHCourier E-edition 041318

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Visit The “Complete Streets” Booth Sunday at the Farmers’ Market Earth Day Event

BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME: LIII

NUMBER 15

THIS ISSUE

Long John is a 3-year-old terrier chi mix in search of his forever home. 3

El Rodeo’s “Kind Club” visited the Board of Education on Tuesday. 4

The man responsible for the death of a woman in Beverly Hills was sentenced to rehab. 4

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SINCE 1965

April 13, 2018

Branden Williams Still Enmeshed In Effort To Kill Basement Ordinance Despite Statements, Letters, Promises By Victoria Talbot Realtor Branden Williams is still the man behind the signature-gathering effort for a referendum to repeal the Basement Ordinance, despite a purported apology and resignation letter sent to the Courier by Hilton & Hyland only minutes before this paper went to press last week. In his supposed resignation letter, Williams claimed he resigned from his position on the committee for the “Beverly Hills Residents for Preserving Property Values.” The sole purpose of that organization is to rescind the Basement Ordinance. The ordinance would preserve the value of homes, property and neighborhoods, as well as preserve the hillsides as a valuable and precious resource.

On Wednesday, Bradley Hertz, an attorney, registered lobbyist and Woodland Hills resident, brought City Clerk Byron Pope 2,966 signatures, according to the count made at City Hall Wednesday afternoon. The required number of signatures is 10 percent of the registered voters in Beverly Hills, about 2,049 signatures. Despite Williams’ resignation letter, an undated letter accompanying the signatures authorized Hertz to submit the signatures to Pope for a “Referendum Against an Ordinance Passed by the City Council…,” and directed all correspondence to be addressed to Bradley Hertz. The letter was signed by Williams.

The Election Code requires the signature be submitted by an elector. An elector is a voter in the City. Absent Williams’ authorization letter for Hertz to submit the signatures on his behalf, there would have not have been a valid referendum petition. Hertz is the only known remaining officer of the committee, as an assistant treasurer, since Williams resigned his position as principal and treasurer. Hertz is not an elector and could not submit the signatures alone. Williams said to the community in his statement: “When I became aware that my efforts were a concern to some homeowners, I decided that resigning from the committee was in the best interests of everyone. I am

resigning, effective today… A recent article in the Beverly Hills Courier detailed some incidents… I learned from my mistakes… Today I am a respected and reputable member of the Los Angeles real estate community… I regret any misunderstanding related to my opposition to the Basement Ordinance and look forward to continuing to work with, and for, members of the Beverly Hills community in the future,” wrote Williams. Williams’ letter came after Hilton & Hyland learned of his actions in a letter from resident Debbie Weiss, signed by over 100 residents from every section of the City, that demanded to know Hilton & Hyland’s position (see ‘BASEMENT ORDINANCE’ page 11)

The BHEF has announced its 2018 Apple Award honorees. 5

Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance Celebrates 25 Years On June 17

SWING FOR THE FENCES — Dodgers star Yasiel Puig visited Beverly Hills Little League on Monday at the Roxbury Park Community Center for an event benefitting his Wild Horse Children’s Foundation. Pictured, from left: San New LACMA exhibit of David Fernando Mayor Robert Gonzalez (Gonzalez connected Puig with the BHLL Hockney portraits includes local Joan Quinn. 12 after working with him to rehabilitate a park in San Fernando), Puig, Mayor Julian Gold and Vice Mayor John Mirisch. For more, see page 16. 10 18 27

George Christy, Page 6 Music Rekindles Memories Of Special Moments From The Past, As They Did At This Year’s Greek Easter Picnic Hosted By Jim And Ann Gianopulos, An Annual Event Of 25 Years

CLASSIFIEDS • Announcements • Real Estate • Rentals • Sales • and More

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By Matt Lopez Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines – and get ready to park them on Rodeo Drive. The Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance is set to return to Beverly Hills on Sunday, June 17 to celebrate

BHUSD Facilities Chief Donald Blake Becomes A Key To Security At Schools By Laura Coleman Beverly Hills Unified School District Facilities Chief Donald Blake is increasingly proving to be quite the asset for the district. Reporting directly to the Board of Education, Blake, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of TCDS, Inc., has 45 years of experience in construction and ranks among the top executives in his field. Drawn out of retirement last July to work for the school district, Blake said he was committed to seeing through the reconstruction of the school district – a feat that no one has yet been able to accomplish. However, his role has become so much more than just managing the school-building

bond. Using his personal connections to former special operatives who have been responsible for the highest levels of security in the county, Blake advised the district last month to contract with a team of experts to provide specialized recommendations on how best to shore up security to prepare for known and unknown safety threats. These consultants have now completed their assessment and are poised to make a presentation (in closed session) to the Board of Education. Subsequently, Blake said, they will then make a presentation to the City Council. “There are perceptions of (see ‘DONALD BLAKE’ page 19)

Celebrity Photo Agency/Scott Downie

• Real Estate • Birthdays • Letters to the Editor

25 years of the popular Father’s Day tradition. The event – which remains free for spectators - is expected to welcome more than 30,000 guests to Beverly Hills, offering dads and their (see ‘CONCOURS’ page 12)

LOOK OUT, DWAYNE — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson attended the Rampage world premiere presented by New Line Cinema in association with ASAP Entertainment, at the Microsoft Theater. For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.


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