Politics & Government
Candidate Q&A: John Duran
The Council incumbent wants more funding for the arts and cites the local economy, traffic and parking and affordable housing as voters' top concerns.
With the March 5 election fast approaching, candidates for West Hollywood City Council shared their thoughts with Patch on the election and issues affecting the community.
West Hollywood Patch: What personal characteristics and experiences set you apart from the other candidates?
Councilman John Duran: Internal fortitude, analytical reason and moderation.
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Patch: How would those characteristics and experiences define your term on the city council?
Duran: I would continue to be the independent swing vote on the council. Currently on most controversial issues I am often the center vote between the two factions, so I think being a voice of reason and moderation serves being the center vote.
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Patch: In your interactions with West Hollywood voters during the campaign, what were the top three issues they were most interested in?
Duran: The first was the economy and jobs. People are still afraid of the recession we seem to be coming out of and having some fear and concern about our local economy and jobs. Second was traffic and parking, which continues to be a major issue for most people. The third would be affordable housing. People are concerned about West Hollywood becoming too pricy and housing being not affordable.
Patch: When you look around West Hollywood, which project, development or ordinance approved by previous city councils would you like to see undone, reversed or changed in some way?
Duran: I think the percent of new development money that we give to the arts is low. One percent of any new development must be given to fund the arts and cultural affairs in our city, and I'd like to raise that to 2 percent. I think that in a creative city like West Hollywood, we cold double the funding for the fine arts in our community. That would be a really good thing.
Patch: If you weren't running for city council, which one of the other candidates would be your first choice?
Duran: Jeff Prang—I think he's a decent, thoughtful person and a pleasure to work with. He's just a really good, decent guy.
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