Many of us in Mar Vista first met Bill
Rosendahl in a packed auditorium at Venice High School in September of
2004. Over 1,000 Mar Vista residents came to protest the massive
development being planned for Playa Vista. Bill walked over to Venice
High School from his Mar Vista home with many of his neighbors. Not yet our
councilman, Bill stood up and spoke in support of the people. The following
year, we elected him as our Councilman and we have never regretted it.
As our former District Eleven Los
Angeles City Councilman, Bill fought the big developers, promoted environmental
causes, supported Native Americans, helped create homes for the homeless,
promoted mass transit, and pushed hard for a more open and responsive city
government. Even with all that, Bill has always made time to be out in his
district with his constituents.
Bill truly emulates what it means to
be a man of the people. He has been seen at virtually every block party and
neighborhood gathering in the district, not just talking, but listening to his
neighbors. He has joined rallies to protest Mar Vista dogs locked out of the
Santa Monica Dog Park and other rallies to protest jet air pollution from the
Santa Monica Airport. He used some of his district money to improve Venice Blvd
and his offices to collect school supplies for the needy and clothing for the
homeless. Bill fought against LAX expansion and cuts to Fire and Police service
while downtown, then found time to volunteer for Meals on Wheels back in our
neighborhood.
From the impromptu meetings in his Mar
Vista home, complete with a dog in the house and chickens in the backyard, to
the regular Sunday visits at the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market chatting with
neighbors and picking up greens for the chickens, Bill has become a staple in
our community.
We are proud to have Bill Rosendahl as
our beloved friend.
Thank you Bill, from all of Mar Vista and all of humanity.
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| Bill Rosendahl, Paul Koretz, Tom Ponton and Mike Bonin - Photo by Roy Persinko |
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