Re “Zeidman Has Characteristics ‘of a Great Public Servant’”
In Friday’s edition, Vice Mayor Scott Malsin wrote:
“On a personal level, I’m supporting him because he’s got all the characteristics that make for a great public servant: He’s a good listener, he cares, he knows his facts, and he communicates clearly, directly and honestly.”
Dear Mr. Malsin,
Are you the Councilman who attempted to get your generous taxpayer-funded benefits grandfathered in?
When are you going to inform the Culver City taxpayers that you have $12 million earmarked for the School District sitting in the Redevelopment Agency’s bank account waiting to be sacrificed back to the state to keep the Agency operating with $3 million of District funds to follow each year.
Attorney Zeidman of the School Board says no problem. He will extend the parcel tax, Measure EE. Plus we still have more furlough days.
During the Agency meeting awhile back over a building project at 4043 Irving Pl. (the meeting with the quiet two-day, over-the- weekend notice), I asked the Cty Council, why doesn’t the city help the School District? You stated that it was prohibited by law.
By the way, while at the Linwood Howe Fun(d) Festival, I saw a changed sign at the 4043 Irving Pl. taxpayers’ property that quietly changed hands some years ago and became a victim of the citizens action delay. Has it quietly slipped back to the taxpayers’ possession?
No Need to Look Further. I Will Help You Out of the 4043 Mess.
August 17, 2010
From Gary Abrams
“The 4043, Culver City’s big puzzle. What the heck did the people get from the sale of the Irving Place property?
“Most citizens gained their first knowledge of the $3.121 million agreement (rebated $550K to the developer) changing ownership of Culver City land, after the fact. I was one of those citizens.
I have three questions that any public official can to address.
“1. Redevelopment Agency: Is that the same as Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)?
“2. City Council (CC): Is that the same as Culver City Council (CCC)?
“3. Same members switching hats. What is the difference? For simplicity, I will just call them CCRA.”
I am still baffled about the non-relationship between the City Council and the School Board. Strange phenomenon. Has anyone ever heard of any other relations like that?
I was at the last (July 26,)CCRA meeting when the school Superintendent was presented as the very last item, 11:52 p.m., 8 minutes before midnight, for a request that took less than five minutes from presentation to resolution. Request to start having School Board meetings in the City Chambers.
She had been there since the opening bell at 7 o’clock.
Returning to the Kids
At the last CCRA meeting, (the one where the cooler heads prevailed), I mentioned the shortfall of cash at the Culver City High School Athletic Dept. for bus transportation and coaches’ stipends (only a paltry $114,000).
Seventy thousand dollars has been cut in transportation funds from the CCHS Athletic budget for the 2010-2011 school year as well as $46,000 in coaching stipends.
We currently offer 23 sports and 60 teams at CCHS. We hope to continue to provide the same variety and quality of athletic programs in the 2010-2011 seasons that we have year after year. However, in order for this to happen, we need your help more than ever.
Anyway, the school kids are the farthest thing from the minds of Councilmen.
Forward to January of 2011.
Gov. Brown takes office and threatens to terminate the CRA dba C.C.
Reason: Not sharing the money with the School District.
C. C. dba CRA enters into shelter scheme with itself — $435 million in contracts, $61 million bond to help finance scam.
Almost half a billion dollars with nothing for the destitute schools.
Gov. Brown has made an offer to keep the CRAs alive if each would forfeit (what he has calculated to be money owed to the school districts) $12 million in two installments. First in January 2012 and the second in July, with $3 million to follow annually indefinitely.
The Gov. Brown Plan: Take the $12 million back to the state for safe keeping .
Then take the $3 million back to the state to be redistributed back to the school districts.
The Abrams Plan: Make the CRA dba C.C. an offer they can’t refuse with my Louisville Slugger.
Transfer the $12 million to the School District and then give the District the $3 million cash.
Save the state about $2.5 million in (fees) handling, accounting, transportation (get the idea?)
Wasn’t that the governor’s intention anyway? Now he can move on to other more pressing problems.
http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-7923/TheBigSting4043Irving
http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/new/articles1-9256/WillMalsinResign
Mr. Abrams, a candidate for the School Board in the Nov. 8 election, may be contacted at gabrams@ca.rr.com
