November 5, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Brentwood Beat: Bill, We Miss You Already

Brentwood Beat columnist Jeff Hall.
Brentwood Beat columnist Jeff Hall.

I attended the service for Bill Rosendahl on Tuesday, April 5. It was held at Saint Monica’s Church in Santa Monica. The setting was very nice, the mood upbeat.

It felt like homecoming week. I saw Dick Riordan, Zev Yaroslavsky, Antonio Villaraigosa (who gave the eulogy), Janice Hahn, Mike Feuer, Jane Harmon and Tom LaBonge in attendance.

Of course Mike Bonin was there, leading a prayer. Current City Councilmembers Herb Wesson and Paul Koretz were there, as well.

So were Jerry “Peace Activist” Rubin, Wendy-Sue Rosen, Tom Freeman and Jill Stewart, former editor at the LA Weekly.

Mayor Eric Garcetti was returning from Washington and couldn’t be there; he’ll speak at an upcoming gathering tomorrow, April 16 in Mar Vista.

I know I’m barely scratching the surface of who was there; Bill had a lot of friends. I know I considered him a friend. There was just something extremely likable about the guy.

He was also very spiritual.

I will never forget something he told me when he was first running for City Council and some were wondering if the fact he was gay might be held against him.

The exchange went something like this (I can’t quote exactly at this point):

Bill: “Do you believe in God?”

Jeff: “Yes, I do.”

Bill: “Do you believe God is perfect?”

Jeff: “I guess I do.”

Bill: “If God is perfect, then that means God doesn’t make any mistakes. If God makes no mistakes, every person and creature on earth has a purpose. It doesn’t matter if you are gay, homeless, Jewish, Black, Catholic, crippled, Hindu or a billionaire – we are all God’s children, here for a reason.”

Wow. In an era of so much division – political, economic, religious and otherwise – it’s easy to focus on what we don’t like about other people.

Not Bill. He always talked about the GOOD in others.

From left, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Bill Rosendahl, Councilman Mike Bonin. Photo via Facebook/MartaEvry.
From left, Mayor Eric Garcetti, Bill Rosendahl, Councilman Mike Bonin. Photo via Facebook/MartaEvry.

In his eulogy, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recalled how members of the City Council went on a fact-finding mission concerning Skid Row. Members of the group were told to put on gloves and to be careful not to touch anyone, for fear of contracting some dread disease.

Bill reportedly threw his gloves to the ground and expressed outrage. Soon he was face-to-face with several homeless individuals, hugging them, offering words of encouragement. That was Bill.

His house was a haven for chickens, visitors from all walks of life, and homeless people in need of a place to stay – All of God’s children.

I went over there a few weeks ago to pay my respects. I don’t know that he knew I was there, but everyone in the room – and there were many – got along instantly, for we all shared a common bond.

Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson, who presided at the April 5 service, said he and Bill often got into spirited discussions about politics and religion. But one thing they had in common, according to the Monsignor, was a huge affection for Pope Francis.

It’s almost like Bill was our version of Pope Francis, on a local level, long before we knew the real Pope Francis even existed.

In Council District 11, I’ve had the privilege of knowing Marvin Braude, Cindy Miscikowski, Bill Rosendahl and now, Mike Bonin. They are all very different, but all have been very smart and committed to the district.

I think we have been very blessed and lucky to have these folks represent us. It feels to me like Mike Bonin is particularly willing to face the tough issues and really dig in.

In a few years, as Mike builds a record of accomplishment, we should remember to recall that it was Bill Rosendahl who picked Mike as his chief of staff, paving the way for Mike to succeed Bill. So, Bill’s legacy will carry on in ways that go well beyond fond memories.

Let’s remember Bill by recalling the original Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Where there is hatred, let us find love. Where there is injury, let’s seek to pardon. It is more important to console than to be consoled; it is better to understand than to seek to be understood.

Thank you, Bill. We miss you already.

Related Posts

Election Day Freebies and Discounts: Where to Eat, Drink, and Watch Election Results

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

From Free Doughnuts To Watch Parties, How To Unwind With Election Night Deals With this election day being one of...

Early Morning Call From Community Leads to Burglary Arrest in Culver City

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Police Respond To Suspicious Activity Call, Arrest Suspect With Pickaxe Culver City police arrested a man early Friday morning in...

Culver City Police Department is Prepared to Ensure Community Safety During Election Week

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Enhanced Patrols, Activated Emergency Center Ready, Culver City Voting Center is Open The Culver City Police Department has announced an...

Legendary Music Icon Quincy Jones Dies at 91 in Bel Air

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Celebrated Musician, Producer Leaves an Indelible Legacy By Dolores Quintana Legendary musician, music producer, film and television producer, composer of...

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Lays Off Longtime Archive and Library Staff

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Downsizing and Restructuring Continue, Affecting Employees with Decades of Service By Dolores Quintana Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture...

LA County Opens 526 New Vote Centers for Early Voting, Announces Conditional Voting for Unregistered Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro LA Offers Free Rides on Election Day to Help Residents Get to the Polls Los Angeles County opened an...

New Aviation/Century Station Opens, Linking Metro’s C and K Lines

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro’s Newest Station Paves the Way for Future LAX Transit Center The new Aviation/Century Station officially opened this week, marking...

H5N1 Detected in LA County Wastewater, Health Officials Urge Precautions for Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Los Angeles County Investigates Low-Level H5 Avian Flu Detected in Wastewater The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is...

Two Events in Culver City This Weekend: Bike Registration and Dance Performance

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Put the Brakes on Bicycle Theft and Enjoy an Evening of Dance and Interactive Art The Culver City Police Department...

All You Need to Know to Attend the Dodgers Victory Parade Tomorrow in DTLA

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

World Champions and LA’s Team to Greet Angelenos After Win of NY Yankees The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that their...

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn/

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

(Video) Something About Her’s First Tea Time Was a Big Hit

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Next Date is November Third. Beautiful vibes, deciduous food and drink. Don’t miss it. @Something About Her @culvercitywlanews Something...