Dennis Zine

Dennis Phillip Zine (born August 1, 1947) is a politician. He served on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 3rd district from 2001 to 2013. He was elected to City Council in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 and 2009. He was a member of the Republican Party but changed his registration to Decline to State in 2011.

He grew up in Hollywood, California, the son of Lebanese immigrants. His father, Phillip, was a gardener and his mother, Alice, was a homemaker. He attended Notre Dame High School, class of 1966. He attended a Cal State, graduating in 1970.

City Charter Reform Commission Zine was first elected to public office in 1997 to represent Valley interests on the elected Charter Reform Commission where he served as Vice Chairman.

Los Angeles City Council Zine was elected to represent the Third District, representing a large part of the San Fernando Valley in Northeastern Los Angeles, in 2001, later reelected in 2005 and 2009, and under the City's term limits, cannot be reelected again.

Los Angeles City Controller Zine announced his candidacy for the position of Los Angeles City Controller in July 2011, following his City Council predecessor, Laura N. Chick, who also ran and served as City Controller from 2001 to 2009. In a primary election field of six candidates, Zine placed second, trailing Ron Galperin, an attorney and businessman who had run for elected City offices unsuccessfully in the past.

Other Political Posts After his election to the City Council, he expanded his government service role as the President of the Independent Cities Association (ICA), as the City's representative with the National League of Cities serving as a member of the Board of Directors and the Chair of the National Immigration Task Force, and as a member of the League of California Cities Board of Directors. Councilman Zine is also a member of the Los Angeles County Judicial Procedures Commission. He was one of two Republican Party members of the City Council until he changed his registration to Decline to State in 2011. The Los Angeles Times reported "He said he did so because he's tired of the 'gridlock' of partisan politics and because his liberal positions on gay marriage and other social issues are out of line with traditional Republican views."

In February 2008, Zine proposed an anti-paparazzi "Personal Safety Law" for Los Angeles to ensure a safety zone for celebrities against photographers. The measure was in direct response to several incidents in which celebrities were hindered from entering medical facilities or caught in pursuits with paparazzi.

In 2012 he called to report a car chase between Justin Bieber and the paparazzi, which resulted in Bieber getting a speeding ticket for driving at 80 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. The case may result in the prosecution of the paparazzi involved for chasing Bieber.

Zine was a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department for over 28 years. Councilman Zine is a former Los Angeles Police Department sergeant and a current reserve officer. He worked Valley Traffic Detail and served as liaison for Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker in the aftermath of the 1992 riots. He was honored as officer of the year by the California Highway Patrol. He has been elected three times to the Board of Directors of the Police Protective League, representing the 9,100 rank and file officers.

Councilman Zine is a member of the Guardians and has served on the Executive Committee at the Jewish Home for the Aging. For over 10 years he has been an active member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and has served on the Board of Directors of Haven Hills Battered Women's Shelter.

Zine is divorced with two sons. Zine has been criticized for failing to recuse himself with votes that conflict with his personal relationship with lobbyist Veronica Becerra.

His son Eric Zine is an airline pilot, race pilot, and flight instructor based at Van Nuys Airport, who placed second in the Biplane Silver division of the 2011 National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, and was named the 2011 Rookie of the Year. His other son Chris is a sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Department.