Bill Rosendahl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Rosendahl
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Rosendahl in 2010
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| Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 11th district | |
| In office July 1, 2005 – July 1, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Cindy Miscikowski |
| Succeeded by | Mike Bonin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Joseph Rosendahl
May 15, 1945 Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 2016 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Saint Vincent College, University of Pittsburgh |
William Joseph Rosendahl (May 15, 1945 – March 30, 2016) was an American politician. He served on the Los Angeles City Council, representing Council District 11 from 2005 to 2013. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Before becoming a councilman, Rosendahl worked as an educator. He was also a television broadcaster and a vice president at Adelphia Communications.
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Bill Rosendahl's Early Life
Bill Rosendahl was born in Englewood, New Jersey. He was the sixth of eight children. His parents were German Catholics who came to the U.S. during a difficult time in Europe.
His family moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey, and then to Englewood. This was to make room for their growing family. While attending St. Cecilia Catholic School, he was a student leader. He was elected president of his junior class and the student government.
Rosendahl earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Vincent College. He studied political science and economics. He then went to the University of Pittsburgh. There, he earned a Master of Social Work degree. He focused on community organizing and political ideas.
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Rosendahl served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. This was during the Vietnam War. He spent a year helping soldiers returning from combat. He worked as a social worker, counseling troops. He was also a special assistant to General Bernard W. Rogers at Fort Carson. Rosendahl was a member of The American Legion, Post 283, in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.
Bill Rosendahl's Career Before Politics
Before he was elected, Rosendahl was an educator. He was also a well-known television broadcaster. He was a leader in Los Angeles community matters. He worked as a professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Rosendahl was famous for producing and hosting TV shows. These shows discussed important public topics. He hosted programs like Local Talk and Week in Review. He also hosted Beyond the Beltway. He produced over 3,000 shows during his 16 years in journalism.
As a cable TV executive, Rosendahl worked for better service. He pushed for updated technology and more local TV shows. He also fought for better pay and working conditions for his employees. His public service earned him many awards. These included the Cable Ace Award and the Freedom of Information Award.
Rosendahl was also very active in community life. He led the California Commission on Tax Policy. He was president of the Los Angeles Press Club. He also chaired the Cable and Telecommunication Association. He often led community discussions on important issues. These included city government changes and neighborhood councils.
Rosendahl was involved in politics throughout his life. He worked on campaigns for Eugene McCarthy and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. He also helped raise money for George McGovern in 1972. Later, he worked for the United States Department of State. He helped with U.S. trade programs. He also worked with John D. Rockefeller III on charity projects.
Serving on the Los Angeles City Council (2005–2013)
In May 2005, Bill Rosendahl won an election. He defeated Flora Gil Krisiloff to become a member of the Los Angeles City Council. He took over from City Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski.
He represented Los Angeles City Council District 11. This district included neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades and Westchester, Los Angeles. Rosendahl lived in Mar Vista. He was known for being a thoughtful and caring leader.
He was the Chair of the Transportation Committee. This committee works on traffic and travel in the city. He was also Vice Chair of the Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee. He was a member of the Budget & Finance Committee.
As head of the Transportation Committee, he worked to reduce traffic. Los Angeles is known for its busy roads. He used special funding to build new subway lines. He also worked to expand existing train lines. He created new bus routes and looked for new ways to solve traffic problems.
Rosendahl also focused on other important issues. He worked to stop the expansion of Los Angeles International Airport. He supported public safety and worked to prevent too much building. He also stood up for the rights of renters. He looked for solutions to help people experiencing homelessness. He also wanted neighborhoods to have a bigger say in city decisions.
One of his biggest achievements was an agreement between LAX and nearby communities. This agreement helped stop airport expansion. It also promoted regional aviation.
In 2012, Rosendahl decided not to run for a third term. This was after he was diagnosed with cancer. His chief of staff, Mike Bonin, took his place.
Bill Rosendahl's Personal Life
Bill Rosendahl had a partner named Christopher Blauman for 14 years. Christopher passed away in 1995. After this, Rosendahl became a strong supporter of AIDS awareness. He advised the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Later in life, he had another partner, Hedi El Kholti, for almost two decades.
Rosendahl loved nature. He believed that connecting with the environment was important for people's well-being. He regularly tended to his garden. He felt it was very important for his own health and happiness.
Bill Rosendahl's Passing
In 2012, Rosendahl was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Doctors told him he might not live long. However, he received a lot of support from the public. Many people visited him during his illness. He believed this support gave him the strength to fight the disease for much longer than expected.
The cancer went away in 2013 but returned in 2014. Bill Rosendahl passed away at his home in Mar Vista, Los Angeles on March 30, 2016. He was 70 years old.
See also
- Los Angeles City Council
- Los Angeles City Council District 11
Images for kids
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Rosendahl at the National Equality March in October 2009
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