[Editor’s Note: Mr. Marcus, a former Mayor of Culver City, addressed the following letter to the developer Sal Gonzales regarding the Nov. 17 public hearing before the City Council on his proposed mixed-use building at 4043 Irving Pl. The matter was continued until 7 o’clock tonight in Council Chambers at City Hall.]
Sal,
Please forgive me if I don't follow the talking points that you have provided. I am sure that a lot of people will use them, and I don't see the benefit of being one more voice in the multitude.
Please allow, instead, the following:
Dear City Council Members,
The City Council must insure that the city keeps its agreements.
I am uncomfortable with the idea that the city would advertise that it has a surplus property for sale, agree to terms and conditions governing that sale, approve the development of said property and extol the virtues of said development, all in the open and clear view of the public.
Then, in the end, the city would deny the person who played by the rules only to have the rug pulled out from under him by the same city with whom he bargained in good faith.
I would think that the city is above a common "bait and switch."
I feel the ordeal that you have put Sal Gonzales through is wrong.
The project, as approved, as a condition of the sale by the previous Council, must be upheld.
It is not the duty or charge of the City Council to find creative ways of breaking agreements that the Ccity has made. If anything, the City Council should be concerned with the city keeping its word, of maintaining its integrity, of keeping its promises.
Anything less would be beneath the dignity that the dity deserves.
Sincerely,
Richard A. Marcus,
Former Mayor,
City of Culver City
Mr. Marcus may be contacted at RAMarcus99@aol.com
