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BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME XXXXVII NUMBER 13 $135 PER YEAR - $1.25 PER COPY •
THIS ISSUE
BHHS hosts another successful College fair. 4
The Beverly Hills Police Department’s DCS Program receives donations. 4
Pink’s Hot Dogs owners to be honored at Good Shepherd Center gala. 5
Local resident reflects on Alternative Spring Break trips spent in Israel. 9
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By Marla Schevker Beverly Hills has a lot on its plate this year. The Courier sat down with second-time Mayor Barry Brucker to find out what he has in store for Beverly Hills. The current concern on everyone’s mind, Brucker’s included, is shoring up the budget and ensuring the City negotiates sustainable employment contracts and pensions. This year the City will be going into police and fire negotiations. Although Beverly Hills currently has a sound budget, City staff is projecting budget deficit, for approximately $4 million. “We’re going to have to re-
solve (the potential budget deficit) because every year you must deliver a balanced budget,” Brucker said. Brucker said if the City does not develop a sustainable pension plan, it could be fiscally upside down by 2022. “I believe everyone, including our much loved employee family recognize that without a sustainable pension policy, our economy just will not be able to survive,” Brucker said. “The City services won’t be there, capital improvements will be deferred, our support of our schools could be jeopardized. I am committed (see ‘MAYOR,’ page 24)
Editorial from Rabbi Pressman AND MORE
CLASSIFIEDS • Announcements • Real Estate • Rentals • Sales • and More
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NEW MAYOR—Newly elected Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker ready Courier Photo by Marla Schevker for his second term.
Production Company Formed Court Of Appeals Returns To Help KBEV Stay On The Air Measure 2P To Lower Court By Marla Schevker In a time of budget cuts and financial hardship, the Beverly High television program KBEV has found a way to be potentially self sustaining. Through the Regional Occupational Program, KBEV students have begun a production company, called Beverly
Hills High Productions, headed by Senior Sharona Mossazadeh who formed a crew made up of other KBEV students. “As we try to do things to upgrade the career tech programs here, we’ve been looking at (see ‘KBEV,’ page 15)
The California Court of Appeals for the Second Appellate District late Wednesday dismissed the appeal of Measure 2P proponent, Marcia Caden, thereby returning the dispute to the Los Angeles Superior Court. The appeal had blocked the lower court’s order taking Measure 2P off of the March 8 ballot. The City of Beverly Hills had sued to
block presenting the matter to voters arguing that the measure was an “administrative directive” not a proper ballot initiative. The Superior Court agreed and ordered the measure removed. The Court of Appeals then blocked that order, which in turn allowed the measure to go before voters who then passed the measure (see ‘MEASURE 2P,’ page 18)
City Staff Will Study Gateway Project Rezoning Request By Marla Schevker The Planning Commission on Thursday gave direction to staff to further study the Gateway Project. The application requested a zone change at 9817 Wilshire Boulevard, 9844
•Fashion 12-13 •Arts and Entertainment 17 •Restaurant Review 16 •Education 22-23 •Birthdays 26
Today And Hereafter For Those At The Professional Dancers Society Annual Luncheon, Marie Osmond Will Be Known As Marimba Marie
APRIL 1, 2011
Barry Brucker Sets His Goals For His Year Ahead As Mayor
The Courier’s restaurant review of Bao with critic Merv Hecht. 16
George Christy, Page 6
SINCE 1965
Wilshire Boulevard, and 9900 Santa Monica Boulevard from a T-1, or transportation zone, to a C-3 zoning, which allows for a three story, 45 foot tall, two-toone floor-to-area ratio. (see ‘GATEWAY,’ page 15)
METRO MEETING—Southwest Homeowners Association President Ken Goldman spoke at the Metro Community update meeting held Tuesday evening at Roxbury Park auditorium. Metro officials discussed updates to the Westside Subway Extension. A decision on the Century City station stop, which could possibly affect Beverly High, has still not been made. Courier Photo by Marla Schevker
Roxbury Park Metro Meeting Lacks City Resident Turnout By Marla Schevker The Metro Community Update Meeting Tuesday had a significantly lower turnout than in the past, with only a handful of residents, many not from Beverly Hills, in attendance at the meeting. Although Metro did all of its
normal advertising, including advertising in the local newspapers and using its social media sites, Southwest Homeowners Association President Ken Goldman said he believes people are frustrated and that’s why the (see ‘METRO,’ page 18)
A LIFTOFF FOR A GREAT DAME—Marie Osmond made quite an entrance on the arms of her former dancers Wade Collings, Tommy Peel, Rick Rozzini and choreographer Carl Jablonski at the Beverly Hilton where she was honored with the Gypsy Award during the Professional Dancers Society 24th annual luncheon. More photos in George Christy’s column on page 6. Photo by Nathan Sternfeld