Councilmember Lili Bosse and Mayor Dr. Julian Gold have served three terms on the city council and are termed out of running for re-election.

The candidates competing to fill their seats in the March 5 election are Craig Corman, Alissa Roston, Mary Wells, Sharon Persovski, Myra Demeter, Hamid Omrani, Nooshin Meshkaty, Tiffany Davis, Russell Stewart, and Robin Rowe. The following speaks a bit about each of them.

Craig Corman

Is an attorney and has been a resident of Beverly Hills for 50 years. He has served eight years on the Beverly Hills Planning Commission, the last four years on the Cultural Heritage Commission, and is a past Chair of both commissions. While on the Planning Commission, he helped draft key provisions of the development code, including the Trousdale View Restoration Ordinance.

While on the Cultural Heritage Commission, he worked to implement and refine the city’s historic preservation program he helped create. Some of his priorities are enhancing public safety, strengthening environmental infrastructure and environmental sustainability, and improving government efficiency.

He wants to push for the hiring of a local prosecuting attorney to prosecute crimes the D.A. won’t, utilize more technology to prevent and deter crime, including more cameras and A.I. software to monitor cameras in real-time, lobby Sacramento to allow camera enforcement of stop signs to discourage dangerous cut-through traffic in Beverly Hills neighborhoods, and avoid single-bid city contracts as much as possible. He also plans to reduce blind acceptance of consultant recommendations concerning city project expenditures.

Corman says he believes that while there are many capable candidates in the City Council race, he has attracted broad support due to the relationships he’s built over the last 50 years.

“In my nearly 15 years as a city commissioner, I’ve always worked collaboratively and listened to people on all sides of every issue, then worked to fashion creative solutions to difficult problems. That’s why so many people — current and former city officials, activists, business owners, and groups who rarely agree on anything have united behind my candidacy,” said Corman.

Corman has raised $46,473.84 as of February 17.

Mary Wells

Has served on the Beverly Hills Unified School District Governing Board since November 2020 and is the immediate past president. Wells also serves as the liaison for the City of Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks Commission, Joint Powers Agreement negotiations, Next Beverly Hills Committee, and previously to the Health and Safety Commission. She is a member of the Beverly Hills Unified School District Finance, Audit, and Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committees.

She was appointed to the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association Executive Board and has experience in account management and municipal bond trading. Some of her priorities are enhancing safety and security, and expanding resident services, as well as plans to update the 2010 General Plan to better address traffic, density, parking, housing, retail, and sustainable long-term vision for the future in major corridors and neighborhoods. If elected, she also plans to hire an independent permanent city auditor to ensure accountability, transparency, and reduction of wasteful spending.

Wells has raised $81,870.00 as of February 17.

Alissa Roston

Has been a Beverly Hills resident for more than 40 years and raised four children in the city. She served on the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education for two terms from 1999-2007 and was vice president of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation. She has also served on the city’s Charitable Solicitation Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission, and Climate Action and Adaptation Committee. She is a recipient of the Embrace Civility Award and is president of the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills. One of her priorities is public safety, and she plans to address smash-and-grab and property crimes by advocating to enhance the utilization of technology.

She says involvement in the community builds safer, stronger, and more resilient communities.

“My message of increased public safety, financial accountability, and collaboration clearly resonates with residents. This widespread support shows residents believe in me and my ability to help lead our city for the next four years,” said Roston.

Roston has raised $10,000.00 as of February 17.

Myra Demeter

Has lived in Beverly Hills for 27 years with her husband and family, has a Ph.D. in Education and has served two terms on the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education, where she was twice elected president of the board.

She served seven years on the Health and Safety Commission and is currently serving her second term on the Planning Commission where she is the immediate past chair. She also served as an appointed city commissioner and nonprofit leader with Friends of the Beverly Hills Library. Some of her priorities are to support law enforcement with policies and resources to fight antisemitism and crime, as well as plan developments to alleviate traffic and promote walkability.

She says she is running because Beverly Hills is a special place and she wants to be a voice for residents.

“Beverly Hills is our home. We are a special place: an international destination and glamorous city but with a small-town feel. My family has benefitted from our exceptional police department, emergency medical services, and public schools,” She says “I am running to be a voice for our residents to maintain our quality of life and world-class services as Beverly Hills enters a period of immense change, external pressures, and opportunities. I want our neighborhoods to continue to be safe, our businesses to thrive, and residents to know that they are being heard.”

Demeter has raised $55,443.00 as of February 17.

Sharon Persovski

Raised in Mexico City, Persovski is a building designer, nonprofit leader, and former chair of the Architectural Commission. She received a degree in Environmental Graphics Design with a specialization in Interior Design and Architecture from Universidad Iberoamericana. She believes her professional experience would be a unique asset to the city council when reviewing proposed developments. Two of her priorities are public safety and economic stability.

“This is a critical time for Beverly Hills. The decisions that we make today will impact future generations of city residents. We need to work together to invigorate the community and business environment, strengthen public safety, embrace new technologies, and meet the challenges of an uncertain world,” said Persovski.

Persovski has only raised a total of $8,380 as of February 17.

Nooshin Meshkaty

Has been a resident of Beverly Hills since 1977, and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1979. Meshkaty raised her children in the city, is a NASA engineer, former president of the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board, and former Traffic Commissioner. She believes her technological prowess is well suited to enhancing public safety, fostering a culture of innovation, and supporting local businesses.

Meshkaty has raised a total of $30,754.00 as of February 17.

Hamid Omrani

Is the owner of a local architecture and design firm. He believes this experience will be essential for the council as it grapples with the state’s mandate to create capacity for over 3,000 new units by 2029.

He says his involvement with city staff during local events and initiatives has equipped him with a wealth of experience to bring to the city council if he is elected.

“In light of the state housing shortage crisis, which mandates Beverly Hills to provide 3,000 residential units, I have undertaken a thorough study to explore alternative methods and feasible approaches to meet the state mandates while focusing on safety, integrity, and well-being of the community,” he said.

Omrani has only raised a total of $2,550 as of February 17.

Tiffany Davis

Tiffany Davis is the founder of an event production company and believes her skills in event management, communication, budgeting, and revenue generation will be an asset to the council. She has held leadership roles on the NEXT Committee and Chamber of Commerce. She proposes launching a pilot program that would make Beverly Drive a neighborhood-driven destination for families and visitors.

Davis says she is in full support of increasing police presence in Beverly Hills.

“The next few years will be a turning point in the story of Beverly Hills, and we need outside-the-box thinkers to support the needs of BHPD to stay ahead of crime, and protect our image as the safest place to live. My grandfather was a Houston Police Officer for two decades. I not only appreciate but revere the work of our first responders.”

Davis has only raised a total of $1,380 as of February 17.

Robin Rowe

Robin Rowe is a software developer and investment manager with experience in coding, AI and innovation development. He was a member of the City of Beverly Hills Technology Committee. His priorities are to reduce traffic congestion and pollution by using AI Smart Cities technology to make traffic move, improve transportation, build green power infrastructure, avoid electricity blackouts, prohibit leaf blowers, which disturb residents and pollute, and create a Beverly Hills business innovation center to help new businesses launch in Beverly Hills.

Russell Stuart

Russell Stuart has been a resident of Beverly Hills for 15 years, and is a businessman and security professional. He served for eight years as a Captain in the California State Guard and is the owner of Force Protection Agency, a local business that provides private security, firearms, private investigators, and security consulting services.

While in the service, he received several awards including the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, California Commendation Medal, California Achievement Medal, California Good Conduct Medal, and California State Service Ribbon. Russell was also awarded the California Medal of Merit for developing an innovative software platform that transformed the California Military Department’s order administration system.

He plans to implement affordable housing strategies to make Beverly Hills accessible for young families, create a regulatory environment that is conducive to business growth while maintaining high standards for community welfare, and focus on revitalizing underutilized areas of the city for economic and cultural development. He also plans to promote sustainable urban development to ensure long-term environmental and economic health and invest in smart city technologies for efficient management of city resources and services.

Russell has only raised $3,621.28 as of February 17.

Photo by Anne Czichos on iStockphoto.com