Nervous Time
In reaction, they breathed faster, hitched their trousers, studied the designs on their shoes, sniffled, checked for ear wax, memorized the cloud formations, coughed, blinked to make sure their glasses were working, verified that a nearby mirror was working.
Only then did Council members conclude that they were justified in subsidizing the AARP a joke or a disgrace but not the Culver City Democratic Club.
Every single member of the City Council was wrong to defend the AARP last night, it says here.
Pettiness or Prettiness?
Several aspects of this not-so- mysterious predicament deserve closer inspection. Do not lose sight of the little round ball marked pettiness.
Coziness with the AARP and a visceral dislike for a certain former union organizer may be the keys in this case.
Camarella and Popularity
The smart Tom Camarella, the immediate past president of the Democratic Club, knocked City Hall and the City Council back onto their heels when he challenged their curious policy-switch last autumn.
He wrote a letter to Parks and Rec Director Bill LaPointe.
From what I have heard, the Democratic Club, at any one time, does not have enough money on hand to take you and me to Burger King twice a month, even if you are on a diet.
Making a Non-Profit
By insinuation, Mr. Camarella questioned the soundness of the city policy exempting the AARP from fees because it is officially a non-profit 501(c)3 while the club also is a non-profit but not officially a 501(c)3.
For 4 months after Mr. Camarella mailed his letter, the city treated it like an under-exercised fat girl who turned out to be the only one of her gender who showed up for a dance.
Zing Went the Spitball
Maybe it was accidentally converted into a spitball. Mr. Camarellas letter, intriguingly, did not surface for 160 days, and then only at the worst possible time for the Democratic Club.
If City Manager Jerry Fulwood and Mr. LaPointe had efficiently brought the letter to the Councils attention last winter, instead of letting it rot away, the Council, which should have been uncomfortable, would not have had a convenient excuse for putting off a decision.
Were Mr. Fulwood and Mr. LaPointe being indecisive or were they hoping somebody would start talking about Chinese checkers or Don Imus?
Oops, They Arent Always Slow
This does not look good, boys and girls, in the same city where Public Works Director Charles Herbertson practically overnight adjusted a signal light near the Senior Center that seniors said they were told was uncorrectable.
Tom Camarella is less popular around City Hall than sickness.
If Mr. Camarella moved to the moon tomorrow, I can think of at least 7 people who would insist on driving him to the airport, and kissing him goodbye if necessary.
Mr. Camarella plays hard. I doubt the youngest among us will live long enough, however, to see him catch a break at City Hall.
Dem Dems I Dont Like
Heaven knows, there is no shortage of Democrats in this country to dislike. He may not be as sweetly dispositioned as Sister Teresa, but all of the reasons I have heard for opposing him seem lodged in pettiness.
Because of educational programs the AARP conducts at the Senior Center, City Hall is not in the business of even slightly offending the hyper-political group. The AARP is more partisan, maybe even more vehement, than George Soros or moveon.org.
Pressing the Dems
Councilmembers Carol Gross and Steve Rose both miscalibrated their reasoning last night, I believe.
Said Mr. Rose: I truly question how you can be a political organization and a 501(c)3 at the same time.
To answer the question, please check aarp.com.
Mr. Rose said that in considering the waiver requested by the Democratic Club for fees that nearly doubled their costs, the city should make sure the club is headquartered in Culver City.
It is. The AARP fails the test. But, picky, picky.
Red, White and Blue
Ms. Gross selected a patriotic strategy. To me, she said, government is not in the business of subsidizing political organizations. That has been a value of our country and our society from its inception.
Then her argument went limp. As has been pointed out, Ms. Gross said, the specific activities AARP provides, the city benefits.
I dont think the city is in the business of subsidizing an educational program for the people of Culver City as to how great Democrats are and how we need to advance the cause of Democratic candidates.
My Soul Is Pure
Therefore, City Hall, with a clear conscience, underwrites the AARP, a little more than $8,000 a year, while practically laughing in the face of the Democratic Club when it asks for a piece of the pie.
Any child over the age of 11 will tell you the left-wing, entirely politically fueled AARP is more partisan than the Democratic Club.
Only One Is Neutral
Amazingly, Ms. Gross argued that the AARP is a neutral organization as neutral as the Democratic Party, I say and the Dem Club, quite obviously, is not.
As if addressing the entire community, she began:
People of Culver City. Would you rather the citys money be spent to set up, clean up and pay utilities for an organization that advances one political partys candidate?
Or would you rather that money be used for causes such as parties for children, recreation, programs for our seniors and so forth?
Possibly someone out there in Newspaperland can explain why the AARP is throwing parties for children.
The Cost Factor Is Lopsided
The AARP is costing Culver City more than $8,000 a year. The Democrats would cost City Hall a scant $2300 a year.
Eighty percent of Culver Citys registered voters, say the Dems, now led by Greg Valtierra, are Democrats.
For that reason alone, they deserve City Halls support. Instead, the city has opted to back an out-of-town group.
