[Editor’s Note: Just before the City Council informally approved modified numbers and concepts for Culver City’s new mixed-use ordinance on Monday night, community activist Tom Camarella made the following statement to Council members.]
I am here tonight on behalf of the Gateway Neighborhood Assn., and various other Culver City residents.
In 2006, when the opposition to the (developer) Bob Champion proposal was just beginning, I wrote a letter stating that while the project was adjacent to Sunkist Park, it could have an effect on other areas of the city.
Not only would the increased traffic on Sepulveda Boulevard make it difficult to travel in the city, the assault on one neighborhood may be the start of the assault on all neighborhoods. Since that time, I have talked to and received communications from many people offering their support in our fight.
During 2007, I read, in the local newspapers, articles and letters from people from all areas of the city expressing their dissatisfaction with developments in their neighborhoods. Many of these widespread groups actually have joined in helping to fight each others problems.
I sat through the mixed-use ordinance item at last night’s City Council meeting.
After sitting through the discussion, I came away with several thoughts. First, I am surprised by the lack of public input on a subject of this importance.
The way the Council meetings are run, the public get to provide its input first. Then the staff provides its description of the subject. I didn’t know enough from reading the description in the handout to formulate a question.
Dear Editor: In response to your comments about City Councilman Gary Silbiger (“The Silbiger Legacy: How to Remain an Enigma,” Editor’s Essay, Sept. 26):
I, for one, greatly appreciate Mr. Silbiger's questions to staff because I learn from them.
I did not know that the developers pay for the traffic studies.
Dear Editor:
It is interesting to see all the calls for our City Council to agendize the impeachment of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.
The City Council can do nothing to bring about the impeachment.
This is controlled by Congress.
It is interesting to see all the calls for our City Council to agendize the impeachment of President Bush and Vice-President Cheney.
The City Council can do nothing to bring about the impeachment.
[Editors Note: A response to City Councilman Gary Silbigers unsuccessful attempt last week to agendize a resolution to impeach the President and Vice President of the United States.]
I want to thank the people who attended last Monday nights City Council meeting and tried to speak in the same language as our representatives.
Evidently, the Council needs to take courses in respect and community needs, government responsibilities and U.S. history.
Re The Kellum Way of Building a Police Officer: Start with Good Young Influences, Aug. 30.
I enjoy the articles in thefrontpageonline.com, and I read them regularly.
Officer Aubrey Kellum was in my 10th grade English class at Fairfax High School many years ago.
He was a good student then and a very polite person.
He told me that he wanted to be a police officer and that he was in the Police Explorer program.
We spoke about his experiences and plans many times.
An open letter to City Councilman Gary Silbiger:
Dear Gary,
I just want to thank you for your eloquence and courage at last nights City Council meeting in presenting your beautifully crafted motion to agendize a public discussion of a Culver City municipal resolution to recommend a congressional investigation possibly leading to the impeachment of President George Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
I have rarely in my life seen a public official present a motion or speak persuasively to an issue as succinctly and convincingly as you did.
Re: School Board Contender Raps Policy of Culver Dems, Aug. 21.
School Board candidate Alan Elmont recently submitted a letter complaining about the Culver City Democratic Clubs decision to invite only registered Democrats to our School Board Endorsement meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Im sorry to read that Mr. Elmont is surprised and upset that the Culver City Democratic Club is a partisan organization.
However, we have never pretended to be otherwise, as you can see from our name.
