Sal Guarriello, West Hollywood councilman was 90

March 2, 1919 - April 16, 2009

Longtime West Hollywood City Councilmember Sal Guarriello has passed away after a sudden illness. He died peacefully this morning surrounded by family and friends at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Councilmember Guarriello served on the West Hollywood City Council for 19 years, including three terms as Mayor.

On behalf of the entire City Council and City family, I am saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague. Sal was truly an American original. He was plain spoken, principled, and a relentless fighter for the issues and causes he held dear.

His life was defined by service to his country; from his service as a veteran of World War II, to his lengthy service on the City Council championing the needs of seniors and those most in need. His mark on this City is indelible and his absence will be felt for years to come.

Sal Guarriello and his late wife Rita moved to West Hollywood in 1964. Guarriello worked for Farmers Insurance Company as an independent agent until he retired in December 1986. His interest in issues affecting residents in West Hollywood had been growing for several years before he retired. In 1983, he joined the Coalition for Economic Survival (CES), the leading renters’ rights organization. He later joined CES’ Steering Committee in 1986.

In 1988, Guarriello was appointed to the Rent Stabilization Commission. As a Commissioner, he helped develop policy on rent control matters and sat as judge on appeals of decisions made by Rent Stabilization Hearing Examiners. While striving to be fair and impartial, Guarriello worked hard to protect West Hollywood tenants and the City’s strong rent control law.

Councilmember Guarriello worked with the community to generate innovative ideas for beautifying the City. In 1997, Guarriello formed the Eastside Redevelopment Agency. The agency’s first major project is the West Hollywood Gateway Project at Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. In 1998, he was instrumental in negotiating the transfer of ownership of Santa Monica Boulevard from the State of California, Department of Transportation to the City of West Hollywood. This transfer of ownership allowed the City to plan for a major rehabilitation of the Boulevard in 1999.

In addition of his support for the Russian community, GLBT community and people with disabilities including people with HIV/AIDS, Guarriello was a strong supporter of the large Senior community in West Hollywood and was awarded the "Outstanding Community Service Award" from the Los Angeles County Commission on Aging at the 41st Annual Older Americans event in May of 2006.

Guarriello served as an army combat medic in WWII from 1943 through 1946, during which time he was wounded in action, earning the Purple Heart medal. He believed in honoring those who have served in America's armed forces. In 1998, he initiated the West Hollywood Veterans Memorial Task Force to create a permanent Veterans Memorial in West Hollywood. In the Spring of 2001 the City of West Hollywood approved a Veterans Memorial intended to honor all veterans who have served our country since the 1776 Revolution. The West Hollywood Veteran’s Memorial/Holloway Park was dedicated on November 11, 2003.

He served on many civic boards. He represented West Hollywood as a Director and Chairman of the County Sanitation District No.4 representing West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. He served as the City's delegate for the Southern California Cities Joint Powers Consortium, and as a delegate to the Joint Powers Insurance Authority and has served as a Commissioner on the County Public Library Commission.

On behalf of a grateful City, I offer our thanks to Sal Guarriello for his service to our nation and our community and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Sincerely,

JEFFREY PRANG
Mayor
City of West Hollywood