Incumbent L.A. City Council Third District Councilman Bob Blumenfield and challenger Scott Silverstein debated Wednesday night in a Zoom event hosted by the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization (WHHO). Many issues were covered, with both candidates taking different sides on the issues of homelessness, schools and who was best qualified for the office. Blumenfield stated that the west valley was “an amazing place to live,” whereas Silverstein compared it to a “third world country.” The councilman pointed to the bridge housing, tiny cabin homes and 4118 ruling under his watch that have gotten homeless off the streets, where Silverstein showed slides of an encampment on Del Valle Street and said the ruling just moved them from one place to another. Also contested was when Blumenfield knew about the 818 Hotel being converted to homeless housing, with Silverstein saying he had proof the council office knew before they made it public, therefore negating any public hearings, and Blumenfield saying there was no “lie by omission” and he called WHHO president John Walker as soon as he learned. The two threw their list of endorsements at each other as reasons they should win the office, with Blumenfield citing his experience at City Hall and at the state level as qualifications, and Silverstein saying his 37 years negotiating deals as a commercial real estate agent gave him the skills to accomplish progress. When asked who they supported for mayor, Silverstein said he supported Caruso who has “put his money where his mouth is” and has proven to be a leader. Blumenfield said he specifically has not endorsed any mayoral candidate because he has good relationships with all of them, will work well with whoever the mayor will be, and wants to “keep a strong position for the west valley.”
