I have read with dismay all of the recent negative campaigning regarding the upcoming 2012 Culver City Council elections.
Speaking with one of the candidates on Thursday evening, I related that I believed my neighborhood was a relatively nice one in Culver City. The fly in the ointment, in my opinion, has been two traffic accidents involving school children crossing the street I live on. Compounding my fears about neighborhood safety, last September there was a sexual assault near my home, in broad daylight, where two juveniles were subsequently arrested.
Daily, I observe vehicles mostly ignoring Stop signs rushing through the Veterans Park residential neighborhood; some have cell phones to their ears, others hold something in front of their mouths as they pass through, and I have observed a few reading papers in their laps.
Can we say “No Cop – No Stop”?
I came to know Meghan Sahli-Wells while participating in community workshops for a $1.5 million Safe Routes to School grant application. The infrastructure portion of the application never was filed, mostly I fear, due to the City Council’s reluctance to go against a few local residents’ concerns with proposed safety changes.
That concern for residential neighborhood safety accounts for my votes for Meghan Sahli-Wells, Scott Malsin and Jim Clarke.
Mr. Malsin was encouraging to me and to my efforts to solve the traffic problems in my neighborhood when the grant issue went before the City Council.
I believe Jim Clarke’s experience locating funds through grants will prove essential in Culver City’s future and solving the traffic safety issues that concern my neighborhood.
I admit the whole business with the health insurance issue and Mr. Malsin gave me pause, However, I think those who had a real problem with the issue had decades to address and solve it to the entire city’s satisfaction. So there is where Andy Weissman comes in. He and I have not seen eye to eye about the parking problems Downtown – I not believing that valet parking was going to be a magic bullet to solve my dissatisfaction with the parking structures.
Mr. Weissman stepped up to address the health insurance issue. He also has shown concern about the business parking intrusion in the residential neighborhoods that add to the traffic safety issues that are a major concern for many Culver City residents.
I am going to cast my four votes, not being able to get my head around the “bullet ballot” concept, on Tuesday. I encourage all my fellow Culver City neighbors to stand up and be counted.
Mr. Heyl may be contacted at john_heyl@sbcglobal.net
I Can’t Afford Insurance, but I Am Paying for Malsin’s?
From John Aldaz
I wonder how many Culver City residents who, like me, cannot afford health insurance, are being forced to pay for Scott Malsin's insurance for the rest of his life.
After reading arguments on both sides of the issue, it appears there are a handful of very vocal supporters of Mr. Malsin (mostly one, actually). I have to assume they will be expecting political favors in return, should Mr. Malsin be re-elected to the position he quit. Unless, of course, he already has delivered these favors in the past.
It just seems inappropriate to have two classes of Council members: one with benefits and the others without; one who quit mid-term while the others stayed on the job; one who granted himself benefits while the others sacrificed theirs for the benefit of their constituents.
Or perhaps it's just politics as usual.
Mr. Aldaz may be contacted at circle-5@sbcglobal.net
Put Me Down as a Clarke Voter
From Ted Thompson
I have been following the City Council race, and I am convinced that Jim Clarke is a perfect fit for the Council. Actually, I heard him speak at a community “Meet and Greet,” and I came away very impressed with him and with his credentials.
His campaign literature says “Listening and Responding To You,” and that is exactly what he did at the Meet and Greet. During the meeting, he actually took the time to go around the room and ask each of us, individually – 40-plus people – what issues confronting Culver City were of concern to us.
Each response elicited further discussion from the group, and there was Jim, dutifully taking notes and giving his input. He truly was listening to and responding to us, the community.
Finally, let me note that I have been impressed with the positive, issue-oriented campaign that Mr. Clarke has run (as have Meghan Sahli-Wells and Andy Weissman). Others could take a lesson from their lead. (Are you listening, Scott Malsin?)
Mr. Thompson may be contacted at sunsetbeach571@gmail.com
