Lou La Monte, known for his work as a city council member, first made waves as a producer-director in the film and television industry. He started out with CBS before forming his own company, where he created more than 3,500 commercials.
La Monte and his wife, Laraine, moved to Malibu in 1991 and created community ties through raising two children. As for becoming involved in politics, La Monte started by becoming president of the Big Rock Mesa Property Owners Association—one of Malibu’s largest homeowners’ associations—in 2002. A few years later, he was appointed to the city’s Public Works Commission. Finally, he was elected to City Council in 2010.
During his time on council, he has been a huge advocate for addressing alcohol and drug rehabilitation as well as sober living facilities.
He also created “volunteers on patrol,” a program through the PCH Taskforce that addresses safety on the highway.
“I’m most proud of Bluffs Park,” he said, in a phone call with The Malibu Times. “I spent a lot of time working on that.”
“I’d like to see more ball fields for our kids,” La Monte added. “There’s lots of ways to do it. One of the ways is Bluffs Park. [Or] purchase more lands for the city.”
His kids, Christian and Olivia, were involved in Malibu Little League and American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) when they were younger.
Currently, La Monte is a member of Los Angeles County Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs; his term ends in January 2019. He is also on the board of directors for the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA).
At the end of last year, he travelled to Washington, D.C., with a group of 14 elected officials to discuss the over-proliferation of sober living houses in communities such as Malibu. He helped explain the issue to officials such as U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein.