(Editor’s note: Dana Miller is my colleague at Frontiers In LA, where he is a popular columnist who often raises controversial issues. He also lives in and loves West Hollywood where he has produced successful AIDS fundraisers and challenged the LGBT community and WeHo public officials to do better. This post is intended to spark civic discussion well in advance of the next city election – March 2011 – to hopefully increase the usually low voter turnout. Of particular interest to a national audience is that John D’Amico, a respected WeHo politico, calls for the ouster of longtime gay politico John Heilman, past co-chair of the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials, in this email interview with Dana. – Karen Ocamb)
JOHN D’AMICO – DISSIDENT, CHALLENGER OR BOTH?
By: Dana Miller
A sleepy West Hollywood City Council meeting woke with a jolt during public comments the other day. John D’Amico, who sat on the West Hollywood Planning Commission for five years, took to the stage to declare it was high time for Mayor Abbe Land and Mayor Pro Tem John Heilman to go. This isn’t some kook rattling about. D’Amico is a well-respected, highly credible gent who has fired a shot heard round the hamlet. I caught up with John D’Amico a few days after his assault.
Dana Miller: Why did you specifically focus on Heilman and Land for ouster?
John D’Amico: Mayor Land and Councilmember John Heilman as 16 and 25 year incumbents [respectively], are regarded by nearly everyone as having a complete lock on power and by direct extension, most critical decision making…..
Please click inside to read the rest of Dana’s interview with John D’Amico.
Read More →
Longtime HIV/AIDS Activist Howard Jacobs Dies
Subscribe to RSS
