I Am Against Silbiger

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     I know Gary Silbiger, the Vice Mayor. When he first came to our mobile home park on Grandview Boulevard, we all thought he was there to help us.
     As it turned out, many of us were wrong. Mr. Silbiger was against including us in the (city’s neighborhood redevelopment) project from the beginning. So were many of my neighbors.
     However, as more information about what the Redevelopment Agency could offer us in the way of assistance became public, most of my fellow mobile home park neighbors changed their minds.
     We need the Agency assistance. We even took a straw vote that overwhelmingly proved it.

Why ‘V’ Is Right Move

Ari L. NoonanLetters

     As present and former members of the School Board, we agree on the importance of passing Measure V (Charter reform).
     We support the new City Charter, Measure V, because it will make positive changes to our city government.

     We know the changes will be beneficial based on our experience as "part-time elected officials" in Culver City with an organizational structure similar to the proposed city manager-form of government. We have experienced "order," and we shudder at the idea of "chaos."

When New Chief and Officers Meet

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

      Although the cart and the horse have appeared juxtaposed at times in the week since the City Council named a new Police Chief, Don Pedersen himself is proceeding in an orderly manner.
      The Police Chief of Signal Hill for the past five years, he has been undergoing standard preliminary testing this week, a requirement before his appointment becomes official.
      Only the slenderest interaction has taken place between the new Culver City Chief and City Hall.
      Mayor Albert Vera dialed Mr. Pedersen a week ago yesterday morning, hours after the City Council voted three to two to confirm him as successor to the retired John Montanio.

Speaking of Dr. McGaughey

Ari L. NoonanLetters

     I just read your story, “Jaffe’s Name in the Super Derby,” (Monday), and I have to say that this is not only rampant speculation on your part, but that your story includes a number of factual errors.
     First of all, since Supt. Dr. Laura McGaughey just announced her retirement a few days ago, (effective July 31), it is speculation, and only speculation, that the School Board would choose to focus its search entirely within the Culver City Unified School District.
     More likely, the Board will discuss the matter and opt to seek candidates from both inside and outside the District.

A Disturbing Mailer

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     I received a mailer from the Mehaul O’Leary campaign that I found greatly disturbing. Mayor Albert Vera was featured prominently.
     In the text, Mayor Vera stated that he didn’t like the numerous three-to-two votes by the City Council, and that the election of Mr. O’Leary would bring about unanimity.
 
     I view those three-to-two votes as a by-product of democracy. It proves to me that different interests are represented in our city government, as they should be. It shows us that there is discussion of issues instead of rubber-stamping.  A system of checks and balances is a thing of the past in our federal government. I mourn the loss, and I do not want to see Culver City move in that direction.

6 Reasons to Back O’Leary

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We are proud to support Mehaul O’Leary for City Council, on Tuesday, April 11,  for several reasons:
  1. Mehaul is independent.  He is not a politician, and he does not bring any political “baggage” with him in his quest for election.  He is not tied politically, owing favors to any organization or any individual.
  2. Mehaul is a businessman who became successful the hard way – by converting a dying business into a thriving business.  He brings with him a businessman’s perspective and sensibility. He is the only City Council candidate who has the experience of balancing a budget and meeting a payroll.

Our Shiny, New 1947 Car

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     I am writing to discuss the reasons why I am a strong supporter of the proposed Measure V, which would update the Charter for Culver City.
     In 1947, (the same year the current City Charter was enacted) my parents bought our very first automobile. It was a brand-new, top-of-the-line Packard sedan. It was stylish, roomy, and comfortable. It had a heater, and a radio — modern innovations in those days.
 
     It did not have: An automatic transmission,four-wheel drive, seat belts, anti-lock (or power)
brakes, power steering, power windows (power anything!), air bags or a catalytic converter.

My Advice for Malsin

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     Last summer, Scott Malsin called to ask me what I thought about his interest in running for the City Council.  During the past few years, I’d had the pleasure of working with Scott on a number of Culver City projects, and I was impressed.  Without hesitation, I told him that I would be pleased to support his campaign should he decide to run.
     Well, the City Council campaign is drawing to a close, and I have not for one moment regretted my decision to support Scott Malsin for election to the City Council on Tuesday, April 11. 
     At  the several Candidate Forums I have attended,  Scott has exhibited a keen understanding of our city and how our local government works.  Certainly, some of that understanding comes from having spent five years on the city’s Planning Commission, and from having run a number of community events in Culver City, including Fiesta La Ballona. 

Cops Say No to the Mayor

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

       As early as last Wednesday, at the hour when Official Culver City first was learning that an out-of-towner had been picked for Police Chief, the ominous, jagged-edged talk erupted throughout the Police Station.
       The mayor was trying to reach Sgt. Frank LaFlame, President of the Police Union.
       Wanted to meet with the guys. His guys.
       No explanation needed.
       Everybody knew why.
       With his sensitive, usually fine-tuned political antennae working just fine, Mayor Albert Vera was convinced that there would be hell to pay when the Police Dept. heard that their guy, unaccountably, had been passed over.

Mayor Ticketed for Speeding?

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

       If yesterday’s traditional Mayor’s Luncheon at the Vets is an accurate snapshot of Mayor Albert Vera’s farewell tour, you can leave the engine running.
       His speech was so short he could have delivered it in a burning building. No sweat — on him. 
       Perpetually in a hurry-up mode — you would be, too, if you held three fulltime  jobs and were past seventy — Mr. Vera did not disappoint toe-tappers in the back of the room.
       If his retirement doesn’t last longer than his speech, he will be running for office again by Thursday.
      
       Measured physically, Mr. Vera’s  nine-minute address was a maximum two-burper.
       Only by the skinniest whisker was it longer than the invocation by Father Kevin Nolan of St. Augustine Catholic Church,