Candidate Profile: Aimee Zeltzer For Beverly Hills City Council

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — There are five candidates and one write-in candidate vying for two City Council positions in Beverly Hills for the election on March 3.

Patch asked them to describe their qualifications and visions for Beverly Hills.

Aimee Zeltzer, 52, is running for a spot on the Beverly Hills City Council as a write-in candidate.

Town/City of Residence

Los Angeles

Office Sought

City Council

Family

Bambi, 8, my service dog, is a beautiful Pomeranian rescue and my best friend. Mother, Helene Frances, star of "Helene Frances in Hollywood," is a life-long resident of Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley. Brother Ari Zeltzer, is an attorney, formerly at SAF-AFTRA, and is now practicing law in Florida. Gregory Scott, a Beverly Hills High School grad, is a motivational speaker, surfer and snowboarder. Sister Chaviva Zeltzer is a singer-songwriter, artist and social justice warrior living in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My dad ran for Mayor of Miami Beach and was a municipal judge in Miami Beach.

Education

Georgetown University Law Center, Georgetown University (BA, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa), The American University (MA), CCSF, ECE Core, and currently a student at SMC.

Occupation

Licensed Attorney 20 years, (Practiced in New Jersey and New York, and now California), educator and author.

Campaign website

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-jill-zeltzer-esq-02406412/

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

South Robertson Neighborhood Council from 2014-2018 and re-elected but declined this past election. Served as Green Team (Sustainability) Co-Chair and Chair, was also on Quality of Life, Land Use and Public Safety Committees.

The single most pressing issue facing our (state, district, community, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Sustainability — Includes need for public transportation now, replanting a thriving business around metro stops, green spaces, solar panels on Fire and Police Department, and tax incentives for drought-resistant lawns.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring 20 years experience as a lawyer and educator to the job — no one else running has this training. Also, I have been a public servant since I graduated law school where I participated in Americorps. In New York, I worked at a law firm that helped people with disabilities. Recently, I worked at Beit Tzedek Legal Services to help the elderly and low-income clients. In my own practice, I have represented many clients in business and real property transactions and also helped them mediate and resolve disputes. I served on SORO which includes Beverly Hills stakeholders and organized the Water Town Hall, SORO Street Festival and International Day with other Board members. I taught Street Law to high school students, tutored and created special courses for third graders in Americorps, and tutored Bar students. I also lived in Washington D.C., New York, and San Francisco and thus am familiar with how a city can run without cars. I have many new ideas and energy to bring to the job. I don't just say things I "do" things.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I believe that people in leadership positions should not be in office for more than eight years, or two consecutive terms. George Washington, the first president declined a third term because he thought the longer he (or anyone for that matter) retained his power, the less democratic the country would be. His declining the office showed Americans that in order to have a potent, thriving democracy, leadership should change over every eight years and not become stagnate. The current incumbents have done a great job during their appointed time, however, it is imperative that new people to have the opportunity to lead.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Closing the toxic Pico Oil Refinery which affects our children and families who go to schools, houses of worship, or restaurants and shopping in Pico Robertson and Beverly Hills. Keep the Log Cabin open that serves about 35,000—40,000 people in the recovery population, and start an Auxiliary (all volunteer) Police Department (which they have in NYC and I was a part of after 9/11) for extra security to protect synagogues, schools, and houses of worship, as well as pedestrian business venues.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

See my linked in page at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-jill-zeltzer-esq-02406412/

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Leading Beverly Hills to be the flagship city on sustainability and have a plethora of Green/LEED buildings, keeping the log cabin open, closing down the Pico Oil Refinery and creating the Auxiliary Police force.

Why should voters trust you?

I was an at-large representative for SORO NC, and was I re-elected by my constituents and stakeholders. I also have been vetted by three state bars and passed three character examinations regarding, which included but were not limited to, investigating every job, every residence, every school, every name and of course, "any time not otherwise accounted for", and additionally provide numerous personal character references. Also, I am a practicing orthodox Jewish person who reports to a higher authority.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Find ways to give tax credits to developers, businesses and homeowners to become more sustainable/green. Redistribute funds to provide more community services for the elderly, disabled, and low income persons. Attract new businesses. Examine the budget and see how and where we can trim down the excess.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Limits exist only in the mind.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Please feel free to send me a message on LinkedIn and I'm happy to discuss.

Related >>

Candidate Profile: Robin Rowe For Beverly Hills City Council

Candidate Profile: Julian Gold For Beverly Hills City Council

Candidate Profile: Lori Greene Gordon, Beverly Hills City Council

Candidate Profile: Rabbi Wants Medical Pot Sold In Beverly Hills