Evidence Was Accumulating
As the only Republican on the City Council, Mr. Rose reiterated one of his most inviolate principles, that the tentacles of government already reach into too many lives. There is no justification for rounding up teenagers who don’t want to be rounded up for an agenda that has been unclear from the beginning, he suggested. Vice Mayor Alan Corlin, who usually locates something funny or ironic in issues that are unrelievably sober to others, came through again. Flashing his favorite one-quarter grin, he thought it was rich that the City Council was offering teenagers a choice, go to the beach or go to a City Council meeting. Since a Teen Advisory Council already exists, first-year Councilman Scott Malsin said the need for yet another body has been obviated. Sensing that a growing emphasis on youthful responsibility was gathering momentum, Mr. Malsin urged a directional shift. Leadership, he said, should be motivated from the bottom-up on any youth commission rather than top-down. Candid as ever, Councilwoman Carol Gross seconded the crucial point about the absence of beardless youths, as first articulated by Mr. Rose. “I, too, am struck by the fact no youths are here, which tells me there is not much interest in this project,” Ms. Gross said.
Finding a Way to Lasso Teens
When she dipped into recent history to fortify her argument, she did not specifically say that rounding up unharnessable young people was akin to herding cats, but it could have been inferred. Recalling the shortlived Shadow Program from several years ago, when Culver City High School students were matched up for one year with individual Council members, Ms. Gross gave it a blank grade. Success was spotty, in her judgment. “We all found it was difficult to meet,” Ms. Gross said. “Their time constraints were worse than ours. I was in the position of chasing (the students assigned to me), and that was not what I had envisioned. I was not able to achieve continuity or consistency.”
Time for a Change in Tone
Mr. Silbiger, accustomed to playing the role of leading soloist on the City Council, walked into the isolation room once again. From his center seat on the dais, he had an even clearer perspective on the teen-less audience. “I have a different analysis,” the mayor said. Swimming undeterred against the daunting tide of his resolute colleagues, the equally determined Mr. Silbiger said that “this is really an opportunity for us to put youth issues on the front burner.” Flipping the logic that his fellow Council members had utilized, “it is true that no youth are here,” he said. “That shows me there is an even greater need for a (youth) commission. We need youth to be involved in our city. What youth have we on our commissions? What youth have we on our commissions?” he repeated. “This is the future of our city. What youth have we nurtured to be the next leaders of Culver City? Several of us on the Council have children. We know how important it is to have nurturing and guidance. Even though we have great programs, like youth-in-government, the reality is that youth-in-government doesn’t relate to Culver City.” Even though teenagers never attend City Council meetings unless a student group is making a formal presentation, Mr. Silbiger forged ahead. “We have to give youth a place to go, and they will come to it,” he said. Sounding almost as if he were sloganeering,the mayor edged toward idealistic gallantry. “We will find youths who will participate on a regular basis,” he pledged. “There is nothing that youth can’t do. Youth can do everything that adults can do, given the opportunity.” Mr. Silbiger made a substitute motion for the City Council that would have defied the trend away from further organizing. His motion was to go ahead and organize a 15-member youth commission, without walls or agenda. But he could not win a second from anyone else. Mr. Malsin did speak up in the mayor’s defense. Appearing to say that Mr. Silbiger’s heart was in the right place, Mr. Malsin said, “The values you are espousing are good ones.” But, he added, they were not the correct ones for the present circumstance.
COUNCIL NOTES — Vice Mayor Corlin continues to have weekly problems with his microphone. Jerry Fulwood, who is segueing from Chief Administrative Officer to City Manager this week, has taken heat for months about the generally poor state of the microphones throughout Council Chambers. He promised possible relief by the July 10 meeting, July 17 at the latest…The 46-year-old Rock and Mineral Club will host its annual show this weekend at the Vets Auditorium, 10 to 6 on Saturday, 10 to 5 on Sunday…Randi Woodrow, a resident who makes several trips a week to the nearby Dog Park from her home, complained to the Council that she was bitten last week at the park by a dog, necessitating Emergency Room treatment. She was irritated and frustrated. The Police Dept. told her the offense “was not reportable.” The owner of the dog not only was “unfazed” by the incident, she also refused to disclose her name or telephone number. She told Ms. Woodrow she could be found at the Dog Park. She and her occasionally hardbitten dog are regulars there…
