March 29, 2024 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Opinion: The Right Mike – a New Way For LA!

Removing homeless encampments from our streets and public spaces is the #1 priority for the Newhouse campaign for LA Council!

By Nick Antonicello

In an election with really just one issue, homeowner, attorney, husband and father of two school-age sons Mike Newhouse believes the solution is ending the third-world conditions on the streets and public spaces of Venice as well as the rest of the CD-11 as it pertains to the rampant homelessness and the rising crime that comes with these terrible circumstances.

In a campaign that has barely begun, there has been a groundswell of candidates totaling fourteen, all declaring themselves as the right choice to succeed outgoing Councilman Mike Bonin, forced from the race due to the unpopularity of his policies and the 26,000 signatures gathered that came within a whisker of a special recall election that could have ended his current term that concludes December 31st of this year. 

Everywhere Newhouse seems to travel in seeking signatures for ballot access, the issue remains how to get the homeless off the streets of Venice and Los Angeles. 

In a recent three-hour policy debate and discussion with seven other council opponents, Newhouse time and time again stressed the need to get the homeless off the streets and he believed it can be done with dignity and efficiency. 

Newhouse pointed to other communities (Houston, Texas) where the homeless were removed from the streets in as little as thirty days and the elimination of encampments at Venice Beach as proof the problem can be solved. 

“It can be done and we can do it together.”

A longtime Venice community leader and advocate, few candidates have the resume and record of practical public service like Mike Newhouse. 

Newhouse has resided on the Westside for 25 years with his wife Ruthie, who is also an attorney. They have two sons, Holden (14) and Dylan (11) and a family dog named Marley. 

A passionate guitarist, outdoor enthusiast and traveler, Newhouse owns his own law practice with offices in Century City. 

“The Westside is a beautiful place, that was generally peaceful, pleasant and safe, but that has changed over the last 5 years, and not for the better,” offered the first-time hopeful and former two-term President of the Venice Neighborhood Council (www.venicenc.org). 

“We have a problem. We cannot continue to let our infrastructure decay, crime rise, services shrink, businesses close and our neighbors struggle to find work.” 

“We can do better.” 

Newhouse is offering a 7-Point Plan for Venice and the rest of CD-11: 

  • Implement existing resources and proven strategies that will get people off the street almost immediately. The foundation of his solution is the services the homeless need now and indoors. 
  • Community and public safety a hard priority. Keeping our streets safe is the priority along with a new partnership with our first responders. Newhouse will have the backs of LAPD, LAFD, as well as healthcare workers and community responders and provide them with the tools and funding to do their job. 
  • Rebuild our neighborhoods and communities. Newhouse wants to streamline the land use process while creating economic incentives that provide housing for teachers, law enforcement, local business owners as well as their employees.
  • Infrastructure investment now. LA needs a facelift, especially with the Summer Olympics arriving in 2028. LA and Venice needs economic renewal and Newhouse would endorse municipal budgeting that addresses these concerns. A public/private partnership is essential to sustainable and enduring improvements so public spaces and parks are usable and our sidewalks are walkable. Our streets and roads must be repaved so they are accessible for both cars and bikes too. 
  • LA needs to be greener and environmentally secure. Newhouse was an Environmental Science major at USC as well as a Natural Resources Law major and has served in positions with The Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, The Environmental Defense Fund and The Fund for Public Interest Research and wants to move away from reliance on non-renewable energy sources. Mike will be a tireless advocate for open space preservation and will support the planning and construction of an “urban canopy” for CD-11 and beyond. 
  • Keeping our coastline clean. Mike loves our ocean proximity and spends quality time with his sons at our beaches. Realizing the economic engine that is our coastal resources, protecting and preserving our beaches and ocean matters when tourism is at the foundation of our local economy to say nothing of the fact LAX is part of CD-11. Keeping our oceanfront and beachfront secure and safe is crucial to the district’s natural heritage. 
  • Promoting A Strong & Vibrant LA Economy that benefits both business and their employees. Because Newhouse is a small business owner, he will seek a renaissance in business and job creation in a post pandemic economy. Newhouse believes a better and improving economy rises all boats and will work to bring small businesses and jobs back to CD-11. Newhouse plans to partner with tech and aerospace to grow the local economy and will seek international support to have our businesses thrive and prosper. Creating good paying jobs and economic development zones around LAX that will expand the sports and entertainment corridor from downtown to the airport. 

At the end of the day, “common sense” will drive the Newhouse planning and implementation process. 

“The problems are difficult, but the solutions are not. Through my decades of experience in the community; bold, energetic and enthusiastic leadership that listens will make our communities and our neighborhoods the best they can be.” 

Visit the campaign online at www.newhouseforla.com

The author is a longtime Venetian and member of the Oceanfront Walk and Outreach Committees of the Venice Neighborhood Council who is covering the 2022 race for council in LA’s CD-11. He can be reached at (310) 621-3775 or via e-mail at nantoni@mindspring.com

in Opinion
Related Posts

New Program Can Help Protect Southern California Homes in the Event of an Earthquake

May 13, 2023

May 13, 2023

Residents Have Until May 31 To Apply For Seismic Retrofit Grants By Janiele Maffei, Chief Mitigation Officer for the California...

Venice Shorts: Tree Trimming Underway Thanks to the Vsa!

April 28, 2023

April 28, 2023

VSA Has Taken up the Task of Trimming Italian Stone Pine Trees. By Nick Antonicello Following the recent toppling of...

Venice Stakeholders Association’s Comments on Traci Park’s Broken Bridge Housing Promise

April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023

By Marc Ryavec I have been struggling with how to address the phenomenon that someone I and many others in...

Column: Tired OF Declinists? Some Enduring New California Positives

April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023

By Thomas D. Elias California has taken a beating lately, with (mostly Republican) governors of other states blasting many aspects...

Venice Shorts: The South Venice Blvd Encampment, Is It a Candidate for a City Cleanup?

April 14, 2023

April 14, 2023

One of the last of the large encampments closest to the beach, Venetians are hopeful help is on the way!...

Venice Shorts: Averill Defeats Tyminski 63%-37% to Become President of Venice Neighborhood Council

April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

In second bid for top spot, surfer/photographer Brian Averill coasts to an easy win against Venice attorney and outgoing Vice-President...

Column: Install at LAX Tiny Homes From The State Grant

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

By Clark Brown On March 16  Governor Newsom announced in Sacramento, his first stop on his State of the State of...

Venice Shorts: Night & Day – Flower & Lincoln Transformed, Back in Business

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

By Nick Antonicello In what was a Venice eyesore just a few months ago has been transformed into a place...

Opinion: Please Vote for Daffodil Tyminski

March 25, 2023

March 25, 2023

This is Tom Williams, your neighbor at 1011 Main Street.  With the upcoming VNC election this Sunday, I wanted to reach...

Venice Shorts: Popular Local Jim Robb Seeks Vp Slot, Endorses Brian Averill for President of the VNC!

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

By Nick Antonicello  VENICE – In a twist of events longtime Community Officer Jim Robb will now be seeking the...

Venice Shorts: Tabor Family Legacy Amara Hordt Seeks Seat on VNC This Sunday!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Local realtor looks to follow a family legacy of engaged community involvement here in Venice By Nick Antonicello VENICE –...

Venice Shorts: Erica Moore, A Cheerleader For Venice In Her Run For Community Officer!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – Local caterer Erica Moore is making a second run for the Venice Neighborhood Council, but...

Venice Shorts: Running Unopposed, Nico Ruderman’s Deep Dive Into Politics and Government Continues!

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

By Nick Antonicello VENICE – It has been an interesting two years of political action, involvement and advocacy for Nico...

Venice Shorts: “V” for Venice Volunteer

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Media professional, local business owner and Dad, Eric Alan Donaldson is defined by his volunteerism and love of Venice. By...

Deborah Keaton, a Consensus Building Candidate for VNC Community Officer!

March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023

Creative director, global brander and private business owner seeks a general consensus on what’s best for Venice moving forward.  By...