Breathing – yes, that fundamental function – finally may be more of a pleasure this year at El Marino Language School, where students and faculty have fought off fumes from the 405 Freeway for as long as adults can remember. With little fanfare but enormous relief, the almost landmark announcement came from Asst. Supt. Mike Reynolds: “We have installed the … Read More
Mielke Is Grateful for Due Process
During summer vacation, Mr. Mielke teaches water safety on the East Coast
Third in a series. Re: “Unions Get Blamed, but Wrongly, Says Mielke” Despite waves of harsh complaints to the contrary, most recently in this week’s Vergara vs. California state Supreme Court ruling, the Teachers Union president said his labor group is unfairly faulted “for this tenure business.” “In reality,” said David Mielke, “all we teachers have is permanent status. This … Read More
You Can’t Go Home Again. Again.
New York City
Dateline Boston — A few years ago, I wrote about going to my college roommate’s home and discovering it had changed. I had a hard time with that. It has happened again, only in my own childhood neighborhood. I have a love/hate relationship with New York City. I was born and raised there. Yes, in the city. Manhattan; Upper West … Read More
Mayor Is a Do-It-Yourself Kind of Guy
Kirk Douglas Theater. Photo: Steve Lyon, via Wikimedia Common [CC BY-SA 2.0]
Second in a series. Re: “Clarke’s Idea on Division of Labor” Mayor Jim Clarke was born ambitious, aggressive in a nice way. It was entirely natural for him to breathing room aside when designing the layout for Monday’s first-ever one-day City Council Strategic Planning Retreat at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9 a.m. sharp. In an understated way – to say … Read More
Water for Sale – for the Future
From left, Christine Parra, Fire Dept. emergency services coordinator, Fabian Mauricio, Fire Dept. community services officer, and Ira Diamond, community activist.
First in a series. The challenge is a daunting as climbing up a tall building with one hand tied behind: How do you sell reserve water to people who believe they have enough stored to almost drown two elephants simultaneously? That is the assignment for community leader Ira Diamond and Christine Parra, emergency services coordinator for the Fire Dept. They … Read More
Unions Get Blamed, but Wrongly, Mielke Says
Second in a series. Re: “Easy Call for Mielke – Vergara Verdict ‘Is Fair’” In the spirit of a triumphant afterglow following the state Supreme Court’s decision to essentially uphold present teacher tenure guidelines, the president of the Teachers Union said in Culver City teachers usually decide themselves whe to leave. “Not that often” are they forced out, said congenial … Read More
Easy Call for Mielke – Vergara Defeat ‘Is Fair’
Plaintiffs in Vergara vs. California. Photo: studentsmatter.org
First in a series. Summer-tanned and ready for the classroom on Opening Day, David Mielke, longtime president of the Teachers Union in Culver City, emitted one of the first and longest cheers yesterday when the state Supreme Court declined to review an appeals court verdict rejecting a bid to overturn California laws on teacher tenure and other protections. “This case … Read More
This Is the Age of a Fiesta Star
Former School Board President James Gibson, left, the oldest living elected person in Culver City, converses with Mayor Jim Clarke, seated at left, in the backyard of former Board President Madeline Ehrlich and Paul Ehrlich. Ex-Board President Marla Wolkowitz prepares lunch in the background.
The oldest living elected person in Culver City will greet Fiesta La Ballona guests this weekend at the Culver City Centennial Celebration Committee booth at Veterans Park. James Gibson, 101, was on the Culver City School Board from 1962 to 1967. As a candidate, he promised to reduce the school dropout rate, expand the guidance, counseling and adult education programs, … Read More
‘Anti-Courageous Council Has Wrong Focus’
Photo: Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board
An environmentally conscious retired Culver City business owner today criticized the City Council for making “the easy call” instead of “the right call” regarding an upcoming near certain ban on Styrofoam food containers. “Where are their guts?” asked the entrepreneur who – not surprisingly — requested anonymity. “Why are they so hot about pursuing a food container ban? This would … Read More
Clarke Gives True Definition of ‘Reunion’
Mr. Clarke
When he was a teenager at Pleasant Hill High School in the East Bay in the turbulent middle 1960s, the teenager who would grow up to be Mayor Jim Clarke of Culver City, was a traditional classmate. Among the reasons he was elected student body president was this trait of loyalty to friends and to PHHS, closed now for lo, … Read More