In the accompanying spreadsheets, the School District’s own numbers show that the School Board received $19.5M more than expected in additional unrestricted Local Control Funding Formula (state funding in the last six years. How did they spend it? Board members raised the compensation for School District employees more than $19M. The School Board also decided to deficit spend almost $14M … Read More
Culver Studios Fills Backpacks
Mr. Hackman, with Jamie Wallace of the Backpacks for Kids program
At The Culver Studios’ recent community holiday party, Hackman Capital CEO and President Michael Hackman got into the spirit of the season of giving by announcing a significant donation to the School District’s Backpacks for Kids program. The gift will finance the purchase of two weeks’ worth of supplies for the innovative program that helps insure needy Culver City students … Read More
Clarke to Community: It Is Your Turn
Your turn, City Councilman Jim Clarke said after Monday evening’s meeting. “I got what I wanted ,” he said after the pro-cannabis retail store majority voted to place on a future agenda his proposed amendments (see below) that would severely tighten guidelines for retail cannabis. It has less of a chance than a snowball residing on a hot stove burner. … Read More
Clarke Brings Drama to Predictable Council Votes
Mr. Clarke
With all the predictability of Tuesday following Monday, the archly divided City Council nudged over the finish line last evening two tech-laced ordinances intended to ease the community path to next year’s legalized marijuana. A so-called urgency ordinance would allow Culver City rules to take precedence over more liberal new state regulations regarding permit seekers for retail cannabis storefronts. “We … Read More
Did Mayor Choke When President Came to Town
Mr. Lumumba
Chokwe Antar Lumumba. It is not a new food or a recently discovered health threat. It is a he, the radical young mayor of Jackson, MS, an airborne star in the graybeard Democrat party. An articulate, handsome 34-year-old lawyer, he has aligned himself with the radical left. Even a child knows this is the shortest, fastest path into the largely … Read More
La Ballona Is Chosen
La Ballona Elementary of Culver City is among five elementary schools chosen by the Center Theatre Group to participate in the inaugural Disney Musicals in Schools program. La Ballona is the only non-LAUSD school. The selected schools begin a 17-week musical theatre residency in January. Each campus will receive performance rights, education support materials and guidance from two teaching artists. … Read More
Contender Went Fisching…and Holy Mackerel
Mr. Camarella as a political activist
Alex Fisch’s response was both brilliant and succinct, the two smartest gifts a politician can pack. Question: How do you distinguish yourself from the field of candidates seeking two City Council seats in April? “Expertise,” said Mr. Fisch. “Expertise, and the tools that are required of a good City Council member.” A deputy state attorney general charged with safeguarding air, … Read More
Winter Music Concert
This is Winter Music Concert week at Culver City High School. The Pink Elephant Company of the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts will present Music for the Holidays on Thursday evening at 7 at the Vets Auditorium. Featured ensembles include the Culver High Concert Band and String Orchestra, as well as the AVPA Orchestra, Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, and … Read More
Then There Was Warren’s Trumped-up Claim
Fist doubled, Sen. Warren is ready to fight
The headline on Friday morning’s essay by my friend and colleague Tom Elias (“Hate Crimes up. Trump Did It”) condenses his thesis. In a state where millions of raggedy criminal illegal aliens recklessly and fearlessly flaunt our most sacred laws daily because liberal Hispanic lawmakers have inoculated them against arrest, Mr. Elias blames President Trump. Thrashing logic nearly to death, … Read More
Final Score Clear Going into Council Meeting
Based on her public comments going into this evening’s 7 o’clock meeting. City Councilwoman Meghan Sahli-Wells has not the vaguest idea how many residents endorse her enthusiastic embrace of retail cannabis stores. With the second reading of a broad, dense retail marijuana ordinance at hand, neither does Mayor Jeff Cooper nor Vice Mayor Thomas Small. Together, the three form an … Read More