The newly organized City Council is comprised of Co-Vice Mayor Craig Corman, Co-Vice Mayor John Mirisch, Mayor Sharona Nazarian, Councilman Lester Friedman and Councilwoman Mary Wells. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

Sharona Nazarian became the first Iranian American woman to lead Beverly Hills as she was sworn in as the city’s mayor on April 1 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Nazarian will serve as mayor for one year, while Councilmen John Mirisch and Craig Corman will each fulfill the role of vice mayor for six months, respectively.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost three years since I was installed as a City Council member. I knocked on over 3,000 doors and I have served the community for over 25 years,” Nazarian said shortly after being sworn in by her family. “Today I stand before you as the first Iranian American woman to serve as the mayor of Beverly Hills. My journey to this moment has been a long one. I am an immigrant. English is my third language. I came to this great nation due to religious persecution. No one was there to be my voice, and things didn’t always come easily. But I refused to have a victim mentality. You see, I believe that hard work and dedication are key to getting things done, and I promise to work hard for you.”

In her speech, Nazarian announced a flurry of initiatives and programs ranging from public safety to community activities. Among the initiatives are BHTV Live Link – new software that will allow residents to track the status of their calls to the Beverly Hills Police Department. Nazarian also announced that with pending authorization from Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, the city will prosecute state misdemeanors.

“This proactive step will ensure that Beverly Hills will never be the target of unwarranted attacks again,” Nazarian said. “So if you’re even thinking about committing a crime in Beverly Hills, you’d better think twice.”

In the wake of the January wildfires, additional public safety initiatives include updated fire evacuation policies and a voluntary city-wide fire evacuation drill later this year. A new system called BH Fire Watch will use “cameras and other tools to detect early signs of fire before it spreads,” Nazarian said. The mayor also announced the BHFD Wellness Network, a new membership-based service through the Beverly Hills Fire Department that will provide “emergency medical services” and “proactive care” for a “minimal fee.”

Several of the announcements include community-focused endeavors, such as “Straight Talk with Sharona” – a recurring town hall meeting; “In the Know with Mayor Nazarian” – a social media segment highlighting “hidden gems” across the community; “Spotlight with Sharona” – local business outreach events in partnership with the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce; “Sharona’s Innovation Circle” – a panel of residents between the ages of 18-28 who will provide input directly to the mayor; and “Sunday Socials with Sharona” – engaging activities that will unite youth and senior citizen residents.

“Straight Talk with Sharona” will begin Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The first “Spotlight with Sharona” will be held on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Novikov, a Mediterranean restaurant located at 257 N. Canon Drive.

Nazarian said more information on the programs will be announced in the coming weeks.

Throughout her speech, Nazarian expressed a commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility, promoting social justice through peace and tolerance, supporting the Beverly Hills Unified School District, maintaining local control over land use while building more affordable housing, combatting antisemitism and preserving reproductive rights.

“We are a united community regardless of race, religion or cultural background. I couldn’t be more proud to represent our amazing community as we build a safer, stronger and more united Beverly Hills,” Nazarian said.

The installation also marked the first time in Beverly Hills two vice mayors were sworn in at the same time. The unique occurrence was a result of the city’s rotating mayorship schedule, the city’s election schedule and Mirisch facing term limits in 2026. In February, the council agreed to split the vice mayorship between Mirisch and Corman.

Mirisch was sworn in by District Attorney Hochman and Hochman’s chief deputy Steven Katz – two of his lifelong friends – in addition to his family. In his speech, Mirisch announced several goals, including – in the form of an April Fools’ joke – sanctioning Qatar.

“I would like for Beverly Hills to establish a sister city relationship with Doha in Qatar. April Fools. The fact of the matter is, when it comes to Qatar – which owns the Maybourne Hotel and which has its consulate in Beverly Hills – we’re dealing with a rogue country whose defense minister and deputy foreign minister said, ‘we are all Hamas,’” Mirisch said. “Jew hating racists and genocidal sponsors of terrorism are not welcome in our city or in our community.”

Mirisch has previously criticized Qatar and the Maybourne Hotel at City Council meetings.

Mirisch also expressed a desire to explore the possibility of turning Beverly Hills into a charter city, as opposed to its current general law city designation. Mirisch argued that by being a charter city, Beverly Hills might have more control over its procedures and laws.

Mirisch will serve as vice mayor until Oct. 1, when Corman will take over.

While Mirisch’s speech focused on potential policy changes, Corman’s speech emphasized the importance of nonpartisan local government during “turbulent” times.

“The genius of America – what’s enabled us to endure for 250 years – is our flexibility to adapt to changing times and changing values without coming apart. And through all the storms past and present, there’s always been one safe harbor – one port of relative refuge. That’s local government,” Corman said, shortly after being sworn in by his family.

He added that it is essential Beverly Hills continues to ensure public safety, a clean and healthy environment and cultural enrichment, among many other services, despite uncertain times.

The City Council members expressed their gratitude toward outgoing Mayor Lester Friedman, who will remain a council member. In a speech and video package, Friedman highlighted his achievements – including hosting the 2024 Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, the expansion of the BHPD’s Real Time Watch Center through Beverly Hills Connect and the city’s response to the fire emergency in January.

“As I continue my work at a different place on the dais, but still as a council member, I pledge to always do what’s best for our beloved city,” Friedman said. “Beverly Hills is positioned for a bright future, and the best is yet to come.”

Several public officials and consul generals were present at the installation event. Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang and Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete expressed congratulations to the council, while the council also received congratulatory messages from the offices of Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles), State Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, 3rd District, and West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers.

The ceremony featured several performances, including by the Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy Choir and the USC Trojan Marching Band.

Although the mood within the event was celebratory, many hopeful attendees were disappointed to be turned away at the door. Within minutes of the start of the ceremony, the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis had reached its 500 seat capacity. A long line of dozens of attendees stretched from the building’s entrance on North Santa Monica Boulevard around the side of the building on North Crescent Drive. Most of the individuals in the line were told that no further guests would be admitted, with the exception of consul generals and those with reserved seats. Upon the announcement, many people crowded the building’s entrance, some insisting that they had reserved seats while others attempted to push their way in.

Although event organizers said the venue had reached capacity, a small number of seats were visibly empty within the theater during the ceremony.

Sharona Nazarian is the first Persian woman to be sworn in as mayor of Beverly Hills. ( photo courtesy of Takpro)