It has been a couple of weeks since the selected public officials – mayors, past present or future, School Board presidents (and attorneys, past or present) set out to find the so-called law that prohibits the City Council from assisting the schools.
One former mayor invoked this mythical law in public at a hastily scheduled City Council meeting to vote for a $6 million dollar private (by invitation only) party investment scam funded with taxpayer dollars.
Rumor has it that it was to help with the state affordable housing obligation. Does Culver Villas ring a bell?
This week (I could be mistaken. You know how these small town politics go, in one week out the next) the Honorable Mayor Jeff Cooper (I never quite grasped that Honorable thing. Most intelligent people are aware that many politicians are not that honorable.) was present. Also, former Mayor Armenta and present Councilman O’Leary were there when former Mayor Malsin responded to my question at the (sham) hearing with the statement that “the law prohibited the City Council from assisting the School District financially.”
That response struck me as odd. Never heard of that before in my six decades. My formal education was not in California (thank you, Up Above).
Back in the days (the 1960s), California had one the most admired school systems in all of the world. (Maybe that explains why the city’s selected officials want to keep all the barracks-like architecture-styled schools and the Veterans building intact.)
Those were the glory days.
Not one selected member of the City Council or the School Board responded.
One person did respond, old faithful Mr. George Laase. He reminded me of an old cowboys and Indians cartoon that was on TV in the 1950s where Fort Culver was surrounded and they needed a scout to see how many Indians were out there. A familiar person was convinced to be the scout. But after going outside of the fort, the familiar person was banging on the gate to be let back in after two minutes.
I have asked Mr. Laase to answer a few questions. Must have taken the fight out of him. I think George’s heart was not in it. Have not heard from George since.
It reminds me to nominate George for the Make a Wish I Had Courage Award.
You are the only person who has dared to challenge the undisputed Most Feared Truth Teller In Culver City. Twice.
By the way, George:
Here is an excerpt an essay of mine that ran on Dec. 14, 2010, and was headlined “A Slightly Skeptical Perspective on the Community.”
“Characterizing Culver City politics: Ignorance, greed and stupidity.
“Culver City politics is similar to that in most other communities, consisting of ignorance and greed. But Culver City adds another element to the mix, stupidity.
“In Culver City, there are, basically, two power player families. They are not on par with the Mafia. But they wield considerable influence on who is selected in the local elections. Only 10 percent of the population votes. These two families control about 9 of the 10 percent. Power shifts between 5 percent and 4 percent to each family. If you look at the last City Council and School Board selections, you will note that the difference between Silbiger and Paspalis, the two top votegetters, was close (exclude incumbents).
Fast forward to 21 days ago, Nov.6, ther day after Election Day, when this headline appeared: “Shocker – Silbiger Is Ousted, Levin, Paspalis, Robins Are In.”
Is my original question about the Council financially assisting the School District that complicated?
Maybe you do need a rocket scientist.
Next month, Dr. Steve Levin, rocket scientist, joins the School Board. Maybe he can find the mystery law. I heard his sister Sandi is a member of the Former Mayors Club.
Ms. Paspalis, attorney and School Board president: I can’t hear you. Or is everyone pleading the Fifth Amendment?
Mr. Abrams may be contacted at gabrams@ca.rr.com
