What distinguished yesterday’s overflow, afternoon-long campaign kickoff/fundraiser for City Council candidate Andy Weissman was that it attracted a boatload of Culver City’s best known personalities to the sunny, tree-shaded home of Jozelle and Ken Smith.
So many people turned out for the political pep rally — “Andy told me to expect between 65 and 2,000,” said Ms. Smith — that no one who was absent was even missed.
“A spectacular coming-out party,” the candidate said briskly and triumphantly in the afterglow.
“Very little speechifying today,” Mr. Weissman said as he greeted visitors on the porch in the company of his wife Doneil and one of their grandsons.
Almost Time to Sign up
Registration for the three Council seats that will be opened by the term limits law begins two weeks from today, on Dec. 17. It will close 25 days later on Jan. 11. Since announcing more than two months ago, Mr. Weissman has been stamped a favorite to capture one of the seats if not the lion’s share of votes.
He expects his campaign to hit its stride iv five weeks, 90 days before the April election. “We will be fully operational by mid-January, if not before,” Mr. Weissman said.
Former mayors, current Council members, former police officers, public relations types, the City Treasurer, erstwhile and grateful clients and a man who has become the best known gas station owner in Culver City in the last few weeks crowded into the Smith home.
Here is what they said:
Entrepreneur Alan Goldman: “I have to be here today. Andy’s a good friend, my attorney, a longtime Rotarian buddy, and he will be a great asset on the City Council. I am ready to start working for him. He hasn’t told me what he needs. But when he does, I will do it.”
Jozelle Smith, hostess and Mayor: “I think Andy is the most qualified candidate we have ever had run for the City Council in my history with Culver City, which is considerable. He has a wealth of experience. He has served on every commission. I don’t know of any other candidate who has done all that.”
[Editor’s Note: In the early 1950s, Ms. Smith’s father defeated Ms. Weissman’s father for a School Board seat. In 19865, Ms. Smith defeated a City Council field that included Mr. Weissman.]
Councilman Steve Rose: “Who says I am backing Andy? I am just here for the free food. But seriously, Andy is the most qualified candidate to have run for office in a number of years. His breadth of knowledge of the city and of the city government will make him a leader on the Council.”
Geoff Maleman, public relations executive: “I am supporting Andy because he is a great candidate with a huge track record in Culver City. He has done about everything.”
Laura Stuart, activist: “Andy is the epitome of Culver City. I am sure he will take good care of the community.”
Councilman Scott Malsin: “Andy is extremely well qualified through his involvement with the city at every level. From the political level to community, he is outstanding. He has an excellent character for the job. He is intelligent and thoughtful.”
Mim Shapiro, Blair Hills activist: “I knew Andy when he was a little boy. He grew up in my neighborhood. I knew his family better than Andy, and his father , Alvin, was very involved in the community in a constructive way. When he was running the Charter Review Committee a couple years ago, I was hoping he would run for Council. He has the disposition and intelligence we need so badly.”
Anita Shapiro, Parks and Rec Commissioner: “Andy has the best qualifications to be on the City Council.”
Crystal Alexander, City Treasurer: “Andy is the best qualified City Council candidate I have seen in the time I have lived in Culver City. I was impressed with the way he was able to bring consensus on the Charter Review Committee.”
Vicki Daly Redholtz, Co-ordinator for the Weissman campaign: “Andy is bright and interested. He listens to every side of an issue, which is what we need on the City Council.”
Joel Forman, Rotarian: “I am supporting Andy because we need a Rotarian on the City Council.”
Tom Gabor, retired former police officer, now teaching at West L.A. College and in real estate: “Andy is my attorney, and we are longtime friends.” In response to a question about the sagging housing market, he said: “I don’t see an upturn any time soon.”
Hank Shapiro, an activist married to an activist: “Andy grew up on the same block in Blair Hills where we lived. We knew his parents. They were first-class people. They good value system they had, they passed on to their son.”
David Hauptman, former Mayor: “Andy is a really great supporter of our community. Whenever we need help or support, Andy is there to be a Culver City supporter. We will be really lucky to get him on the Council.”
Jin Kwok, owner of Valero gas station at the corner of Culver Boulevard and Motor Avenue: “Andy has been a good friend for many, many years. Also, he has been doing a lots of good things for the community, too.”
George Plato, entrepreneur: “Not only is Andy a good friend and my attorney, but beyond that, he has been in the city many years, and he knows it back and forth. He is fair, and I think he will do a great job.”
