Was Thinking Small Virtuous?

“Earlier City Councils jealously maintained the small-town idea that we used to love,” Mr. Silbiger said. “We are getting away from that. But we need a plan before we do anything.” As the leading populist on the City Council, the mayor said he recognizes that “we have to do some development and redevelopment. But the growth must be controlled. You can’t gain control, though, unless you have a plan.” If he feels that strongly, Mr. Silbiger was asked why he didn’t raise a contrary voice at this week’s Redevelopment Agency meeting. Two property owners on

lost their long-held land to City Hall at Monday’s Agency meeting. Twisting, gesturing and animatedly anguishing as they spoke, owners Marc Chiat and Patrick Vorgeack pleaded, begged the five members of the Agency board to grant them relief, or at least a reed-thin strand of encouragement. Their electrifying incantations were ignored by the Agency.

lost their long-held land to City Hall at Monday’s Agency meeting. Twisting, gesturing and animatedly anguishing as they spoke, owners Marc Chiat and Patrick Vorgeack pleaded, begged the five members of the Agency board to grant them relief, or at least a reed-thin strand of encouragement. Their electrifying incantations were ignored by the Agency.

lost their long-held land to City Hall at Monday’s Agency meeting. Twisting, gesturing and animatedly anguishing as they spoke, owners Marc Chiat and Patrick Vorgeack pleaded, begged the five members of the Agency board to grant them relief, or at least a reed-thin strand of encouragement. Their electrifying incantations were ignored by the Agency.

Barely a Word Was Heard

 

Some of Mr. Silbiger’s colleagues on the Agency board were surprised that the civil libertarian, of all people, did not express either understanding of or sympathy with the owners who portrayed themselves as victims of a giant machine. “I felt I did respond,” Mr. Silbiger said. He asked the Community Development staff about the likelihood of relocating the property owners  elsewhere in Culver City . “I did not actually say that I was sorry,” Mr. Silbiger said. “But I have in the past. I do sympathize with owners of small businesses when it comes to redevelopment.” For good reason, the mayor added, he did not openly declare himself at Monday night’s meeting. A potential minefield was facing the dais. “This was a ticklish situation because (the land owners) came with attorneys,” said Mr. Silbiger, himself a member of the bar. “Of course, that is their right. But right away you think lawsuit.” Legally speaking, he added, voicing an opinion was fraught with risk. The mayor preferred a harmless, generic path. This is why he settled for: “I told the staff that everything should be done to keep those owners in Culver City .”