Candidate for
Council Member; City of West Hollywood

Jeffrey Prang was first elected to the West Hollywood City Council in 1997 and re-elected in 2001 and served as Mayor from 2000-01 and 2003-04. Councilmember Prang has worked to improve the quality of life for West Hollywood residents. His priorities include neighborhood quality of life issues, public safety, affordable housing, civil rights, the environment, disabled services, economic development, and infrastructure improvements.

Councilmember Prang has supported efforts to increase community policing and resident involvement. He initiated legislation to install all-way stops in many residential neighborhood intersections, supported residential speed limit reductions, and authored a ban on overnight commercial vehicle parking. Councilmember Prang also initiated West Hollywood's restaurant grading Ordinance, requiring posting of Los Angeles County Health Department grades.

In 2000, Councilmember Prang was appointed by the Senate Rules Committee to the California Council on Criminal Justice, and in 2001, Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg appointed him to the California Council on Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, and he continues to serve on both.

A Member of the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, environmental issues have been a priority to the Councilmember. He has championed water conservation and alternative fuel vehicle programs in the City.

As an openly-gay official, Councilmember Prang has been a leader in the civil rights movement for West Hollywood's Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) residents. He advocated in the State Legislature for domestic partnership benefits and challenged public figures, like Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and CBS Channel 2 news for homophobic portrayals of LGBT life.

Councilmember Prang has been a strong advocate for services for people living with AIDS and sits on the Los Angeles County Health Department LGBT Health Advisory Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials. He previously served as Co-Chair of LAUSD Board of Education Member Caprice Young's Gay & Lesbian Advisory Committee.

Councilmember Prang has also fought for people living with disabilities. He has initiated recreation programs such as wheelchair tennis, open-swims and raised gardens for West Hollywood's residents with disabilities.

Building infrastructure has been one of Councilmember Prang's primary focuses. As a member of the Santa Monica Boulevard Advisory Committee, he played a key role in the redevelopment of West Hollywood's main street. During his tenure, the City dedicated a new fire station, public parks, community center, and a redevelopment retail center. Creating additional parking spaces and easing traffic congestion is a priority for Councilmember Prang.

Born in Detroit in 1962 and raised in Warren, Michigan, Councilmember Prang is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University with a B.A. in International Relations. He played the trombone in the St. Claire Shores Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan State Marching Band. In 2004, he attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Program for Local and State Government.

Councilmember Prang currently serves as a Special Assistant to Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy D. Baca. His previous employment includes Director of Public Information, City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, Press Deputy to Los Angeles City Council President Ruth Galanter, and Special Assistant to Los Angeles County Assessor Kenneth P. Hahn.

A resident of West Hollywood since 1987, Councilmember Prang has been active in civic affairs for over two decades. He served as President of the West Hollywood Democratic Club, and as a Member and Chair of the Rent Stabilization Commission from 1994-1997. He has been elected to four terms as a Member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee and was honored as "Democrat of the Year" in 2000.

As a member of the Platform Committee to the 1996 Democratic National Convention, Councilmember Prang co-authored President Clinton's platform planks on HIV, breast cancer, and adoption assistance for Gay and Lesbian parents. He served as an alternate Delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Councilmember Prang also serves on the American Russian Medical Association Advisory Board, Los Angeles County Assessor's Citizens Advisory Committee, and he serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the California Contract Cities Association. He is a former Los Angeles County Library Commission. Mr. Prang is a member of the Los Angeles Professional Peace Officers Association and a past member of the Los Angeles Professional Managers Association and SEIU Local 660.