Category: Mike Bonin

Triathlon Athletes Ride Past Homeless Encampments in Venice Beach

VENICE BEACH, Calif.—Homeless encampments outside of the Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library were a cause of concern for organizers of the Herbalife24 Los Angeles Triathlon on May 15, as thousands of athletes and spectators participated in the 22-mile course that stretched through parts of Venice. The encampments popped up outside of the library after officials…


Los Angeles Seeks Enforcement Against Illegal Short-Term Rentals

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles City Council approved on April 29 a motion aimed at strengthening enforcement of a city ordinance prohibiting unpermitted and non-compliant Airbnbs and other short-term rental operations. “In our city, we cannot afford the consequences of losing any more affordable housing units from a supply that is already in a desperate deficiency,”…


Recall Organizer ‘Not Surprised’ by Bonin’s Decision Not to Run for Re-Election

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin announced he will not be running for re-election in the upcoming race for Council District 11—less than two weeks after his near escape from a recall campaign that was short of about 1,400 validated signatures. Bonin, who was first elected to District 11’s council seat in 2013, was reelected…


LA City Clerk: Bonin Recall Campaign Signatures ‘Insufficient’

LOS ANGELES—The efforts to recall Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin screeched to a halt after the city clerk announced on Jan. 18 the verified signatures filed by the campaign are insufficient. City Clerk Holly Wolcott said in a press release that the petition was found to have a total of 25,965 valid signatures—1,352 less…


LA City to Verify Signatures for Bonin Recall Campaign This Week Amid Growing Homeless Population

LOS ANGELES—The signatures collected by the recall campaign against Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, whose district includes Venice Beach and West Los Angeles, are expected to be verified on Jan. 18. Venice Beach residents Nico Ruderman and Katrina Schmitt initiated the recall campaign in June and submitted 39,188 signatures—well over 27,400, the number required…


LA City Council Enforces Anti-Camping Law at 58 Locations

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles City Council voted on Jan. 12 to enforce its anti-camping law at 58 new locations, including MacArthur Park, with two council members voting against the resolutions. The five resolutions passed on Thursday will allow enforcement at MacArthur Park’s north and south side, as well as 27 other locations in Councilman Gil…


Homeless Tents Pop up Near Schools Despite LA Encampment Ban

LOS ANGELES—Despite an ordinance prohibiting homeless encampments near schools and other public areas, some unhoused Angelenos have been camping out near schools, causing concern for student safety among educators and parents. Some Los Angeles residents have noted several encampments near schools in various parts of the city, including a Catholic elementary school in Venice Beach…


Homeless Tents Pop up Near LA Schools Despite Encampment Ban

LOS ANGELES—Despite an ordinance prohibiting homeless encampments near schools and other public areas, some unhoused Angelenos have been camping out near schools, causing concern for student safety among educators and parents. Some Los Angeles residents have noted several encampments near schools in various parts of the city, including a Catholic elementary school in Venice Beach…


Californians Lead Recall Campaigns Against Local Officials

California’s recent gubernatorial recall election set off a wave of efforts to recall local officials in the state. This week, the recall campaigns of several notable California local officials earned enough signatures to trigger a recall election. There were nearly 60 recall bids this year, more than double the number of bids in the past…


Bonin Recall Effort Turns in Petitions, Says It Has Enough Signatures

The organizers of the recall of Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin claim to have submitted more than enough signatures to the city clerk Nov. 10 to trigger a recall election. The recall campaign was initiated in June by Nico Ruderman and Katrina Schmitt, both Venice Beach residents. Bonin was served with a Notice of Intent…