Such was the romantic mood — in broad daylight — at City Councilman Andy Weissman’s re-election campaign kickoff last Sunday that a brimmingly happy gentleman, out of nowhere, approached a visitor who just had breezed through the gate.
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Everybody in the pool? Not this crowd at Andy Weissman’s re-election kickoff rally
First he gave his name, Bruce Popkin. The he spilled out his joyous news.
“You might want to mention in your newspaper the engagement of Bruce Popkin to Barbara Rainier,” he said. “I thought it might be worthy of saying we became engaged Friday night. Both of us are longtime residents of Culver City.”
What Mr. Popkin, a singer of some note, did not add was that last Friday night at the Exchange Club, he gallantly dipped to one knee, in front of all fellow club members, and proposed to Ms. Rainer.
Mr. Popkin said he and his bride-to-be turned out for Opening Day to support their friend Mr. Weissman “because of how real and how honest he is. I have no doubt about all the good he does for our community.”
Next up was Steve Gourley, late of the School Board. “Andy’s a good friend,” he said. “Known him for over 20 years. More than anything, I appreciate his intelligence and honesty.”
Mr. Gourley’s next gig?
“To continue on with intelligence and honesty.”
Frank Campagna, arch-defender of fellow residents of the Grandview mobile home parks, called Mr. Weissman “an invaluable member of the City Council. We need his consensus-gathering approach to the problems the city is involved with.”
One night later, the City Council, by unanimous vote, sharply tightened regulations to protect mobile home owners in the event they are forced to relocate.
Co-host Michael Whitaker said that “Andy’s a great guy and an asset to the city. He is thoughtful, reasonable, and if you have an issue, he is approachable. Even if you disagree with him, he is not disagreeable.”
This was a signal day for former Mayor Alan Corlin, the 60th anniversary of his birth. “Backing Andy is a natural thing to do,” Mr. Corlin said. “He is as close to Mr. Culver City as you will ever get. Lived here a long time (all of his life), nice guy, steady, knows what people want, is a consensus builder. He is someone who actually listens to what people want. He returns phone calls. He is seen all over the community. He is everything you want in a City Councilman.”
