One Mans Philosophy
Perhaps more than his four colleagues combined, Councilman Steve Rose prizes order and tidiness.
It had been gnawing at him that three of the most prestigious and influential committees blessed by City Hall the Dr. Martin Luther King Day, the Sister Cities and the Fiesta La Ballona operate on long leashes and under different rules.
Proceeding More Orderly
Mr. Rose petitioned his colleagues to undertake a formal review of the relationship between City Hall and the high-stepping committees.
He believed the three were operating under contrary rules that are little-understood. Perhaps, he mused, they were behaving too friskily.
At the first City Council meeting after Mr. Roses request, it appeared that outraged members or supporters of the King Day Committee, in their fury, were going to blow the doors off of City Hall, so eager were they to bring their pleas to sympathetic Council members.
Ironic Disappointment?
They reminded me of people who heard there was a disaster, rushed to the scene, and sank in disappointment to find none existed.
Almost.
As the pleading parties listened to straight-forward explanations from the Council that they were not going to be forcibly disbanded by City Hall, they seemed to feel let down there was not going to be a war.
A Misunderstanding
Starting with the King Day Committees chief advocate on the City Council, Gary Silbiger, the immediate past mayor, every King Day Committee partisan seemed to misunderstand the Councils mission.
Calm down, people.
What is so baffling?
The city does not have a standard policy governing such committees, Mr. Rose said this morning. We should have one set of rules everybody follows.
King Day Group Now No. 1
Several years ago, the King Day Committee supplanted the Fiesta Committee as the most emotional lightning rod in Culver City.
It used to be said of the Fiesta Committee and perhaps it now can be said of King Day Committee members.
Fueled by perceived strong waves of community sentiment, such committees sometimes come to be convicted that they have been ordained for eternity.
In fact, this misguided group careened so far wide of its goal on King Day last January that I would suggest replacing the whole gang of them.
Give clear-thinking residents a chance.
Veering Off Course
You may recall that, instead of centering on the accomplishments and the legacy of Dr. King, the Gang That Couldnt Plan Straight seemed to turn the two-day celebration into a referendum on Islam.
At the City Councils annual reorganization meeting last month, the Council was doling out committee assignments.
Throughout the evening, Mr. Silbiger was adamant about insisting that two permanent Council delegates be named to the King Day Committee on the spot. Further, he said, they should be assured of a full year in office as other appointees were.
Retain Status Quo
At length, fellow Council members explained that since the King Day group was one of three committees whose relationship with City Hall would be studied at the May 14 meeting, it was more sensible to wait until after the discussion to make a decision.
Meanwhile, the present two Council delegates would continue to serve.
This dispute dominated the meeting. Why, I do not know.
Destination Clouded
Frankly, I have no idea whether the City Council is going to do something as benign as to merely review the various conditions, stroke its chins and say, Ummm, yes.
If the Council decides to withdraw its so-called sponsorship of the three committees, the other two would be the true losers.
Looking at Bank Accounts
Mr. Rose did more than stroke his newly slender chin when he learned the Sister Cities Committee has over $100,000 in a savings account. The Fiesta Committee, he reported, has over $50,000 in a checking account.
In light of those disclosures, the Councilman would like to know why the city is underwriting Sister Cities at a rate of $17,000 a year and Fiesta at a rate of $10,000 plus staff time.
Much Lighter Hit
By comparison, City Hall sends a paltry $500 to the King Day Committee.
Despite the stentorian sounds from the protest zone, the King Day groups tone seems exaggerated.
If the city withdraws its sponsorship of the King Day Committee, neither its prestige nor its bank account will be affected.
A New Date
While we are taking a breath, the showdown explosion planned for tonight has been postponed.
After getting partisans warmed up for tonight, they will have to settle down, sit down, and re-tune their angry speeches for the Council meeting of Tuesday, May 29.
