Sorted by date Results 151 - 175 of 334
Dear Editor, Our school district receives most of its money from The State. Unfortunately, those funds are insufficient, in fact, after the severe cuts during the last economic downturn, it’s only this year that the state funding returned to 2008 levels. As Chairman of the CCUSD Citizens Budget Advisory Committee for the past two years, I know the budgeting process, and can confirm that the administration works hard to find ways to increase funding and minimize spending wherever possible, but w...
In the fall of 1979 I moved from New York State to Los Angeles. At a party, I asked where I might want to apply to work as a teacher. More than one guest suggested Culver City. I remember them saying that the community and the school district “were like a family”. Thirty nine years later I’m still here! I’m still teaching at CCHS; I’m still the president of our teachers’ union; I’m a homeowner; and I’m the proud parent of two kids who thrived in our schools But there’s a cold, hard fact about p...
I am writing in support of the parcel tax being voted on Nov. 6. Known as Measure K, it will add $189 to each property owner’s tax bill for each of the next seven years. Five years ago, our Culver City Unified School District agreed to ensure that teaching staff salaries would be at the median level in Los Angeles County to both recruit and retain the best teachers available. Subsequently, the legislators in Sacramento passed a bill requiring school districts to contribute more for all staff p...
When we think of what’s wonderful about Culver City, our schools are at the top of the list. Our community thrives because of our great schools. New homeowners pay top-dollar to move into our district and have their children attend our schools. Two generations of my family have gone through Culver schools and received excellent educations. I am proud of our school district and the magnificent teachers and academic programs that it provides. In order for continued advancement in core a...
It is with great pleasure that the Association of Classified Employees—Culver City supports Measure K, an initiative that will bring much needed funds into our District. The funds from Measure K will make it possible for CCUSD to continue to provide excellent programs and academic opportunities for our students and will also make it possible to attract and retain the best teachers and staff for our District. I am proud that two of my own children and my grandson benefited from the academic e...
My three sons had the benefit of being educated in Culver City at no cost to me and my husband, Ed. California’s Education Code does not allow charging for most K-12 expenses. We were not obligated to join any of the organizations we chose to support or mandated to fund any particular program, though we happily and regularly donated to PTA, CCEF, booster clubs, and our various athletic teams. We chose public schools rather than private, which may have saved us well over $390,000 for their c...
California’s Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013 has ameliorated many of the causes of concern about public employee pension costs in local school districts; however, it is a long-term set of measures which reduces the modest but not insignificant unfunded liabilities over 30 years. According to Grant Boyken, Pension Benefits Officer for the California State Treasure’s Office, neither Cal STRS (63% funded) the teachers’ pension fund or CalPers (70% funded) the public emplo...
How much is your safety and the safety of your family worth? According to Neil Rubenstein’s two columns earlier this month, if you live in Culver City, you’re paying too darn much. Citing gross pay plus value of benefits for 27 mostly firefighters and police officers, by name no less, he complains that the life-threatening risks they take on our behalf are not worth the cost. The salary figures Rubenstein cites are comparable to those for the corresponding job titles for fire and police pos...
I've been a volunteer at the Culver City Senior Center for over 14 years as their Karaoke DJ on Tuesdays. We have a wide spectrum of personalities who come to the Center, and sometimes it's difficult for all factions to get along. Upon occasion, I have encountered disruptive personalities who make it difficult for the majority of us to have a pleasant time. People who create discord should not be tolerated, and I commend the Staff for doing what must be done to make the Center an enjoyable...
I’m disappointed that there hasn’t been more news coverage, or seemingly any follow-up, to the coyote issue facing various Culver City neighborhoods. There are many community members who still have no idea what has been happening since May in our neighborhood. A dedicated and growing group of people in the Carlson Park/Culver Parks East area has maintained a daily dialogue with each other, asking about missing animals and mourning over each new discovery of a beloved pet found half-eaten. Fly...
Dear Editor, It is unfortunate that the Culver City Council's only answer to rising pension costs is to again tax the City's residents. Other cities have found solutions that do not require raising taxes. In fact, if the City is granting large salaries and pension largesse to attract the best talent, then that talent might be asked to share the load: What if they had to lose their jobs in cutbacks instead of more taxes? Would a City employee toss some of his earnings and cut his pension in...
Dear Editor, Drought? We don’t got no (sic) stinking drought! On May 22, I emailed the city manager, John Nachbar, regarding a massive ongoing water leak from the irrigation system at the Culver City Post Office at Culver Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. He replied, as did one of his minions, that the situation would be corrected. I've also tweeted to culvercity311 about this situation twice. Yet, here it is--two full months later--and water still floods the gutter on Lincoln all the way from C...
Dear Editor, My parents always taught me that when you’re angry about something, you have to take a step back, sleep on it, and decide if you are still angry enough to say what you wanted to say. It’s something I have followed all my life and it’s why I have waited to write about my thoughts and feelings regarding the June 25th City Council meeting. I have read the comments on Facebook, talked to some friends about what happened, and I am finally at the point where I am no longer angry, but I...
Dear Editor, As a lifelong Liberal Democrat and 35-year resident of Culver City, I've seen lots of changes--some good and some bad. But never yet have I witnessed the City losing its moral compass . . . until tonight, June 25, 2018. The City Council convened to discuss and revisit the recent events whereby the four so-called "Progressive" councilmembers banded together to disallow Goran Eriksson, the one remaining moderate member, his rightful turn as vice mayor/mayor and instead handed it over...
Dear Publisher, I hope this email finds you well. Even though after 28 years I do not live in CC anymore, I still follow the politics from time to time. I would agree with your statement below, from the June 21st Observer, if it included "if possible." Despite differences in positions, past Councils have always opted to follow Council policy, so every member of the Council could serve at least once as mayor during their first term. There was no way either Steve Rose or Gary Silbiger could have...
A new day is dawning! We are awakening! People First participatory democracy is "happening" in Culver City! Former Mayor Gary Silbiger must be thanked for breaking ranks with almost 100 years of patriarchal top-down governance. Silbiger is constantly advocating for residents' active involvement in critical decision-making that directly affects us, and by his breaking with the “ol' boys network,” Mr. Silbiger paved the way for Participatory Democracy. Current Vice-Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells exp...
One year ago, fire fighter Cory Iverson died tragically battling the huge Thompson fire in Ventura county. Only 32 years of age, he left behind a wife and two little ones. Now comes Neil Rubenstein’s attack on our Culver City fire fighters, who also risk their lives for our safety. Singling out a handful of top earners in the department, he deploys the fallacy of composition in which one argues or implies that something is true of the whole that is only true of a part of the whole. He focuses o...
To the Editor: Re: Outrage Continues; Residents Exploring Recall, May 10, 2018 My immediate reaction to Alex Fisch and Daniel Lee winning the two available council seats was to wonder if Meghan Sahli-Wells would have a coronation ceremony. Well, she did and now voters are “outraged”? Elections have consequences. (For the record, back in November 2010 I wrote a letter to the editor stating why I hoped Ms. Sahli-Wells would never be elected to the city council.) “Lying Daniel Lee” won fair an...
Dear Editor, I am appalled, but not shocked, at the events that took place at the City Council meeting on 4/30/2018. Goran Eriksson was elected to serve on the Council by the people of this city and for this new Council who are trying to claim “unity” to start of the new term by doing the exact opposite is disgusting. The “rumor,” which hit before the meeting lets us know that this was in fact decided beforehand and that no matter who spoke, no matter what was said, and no matter what the fee...
Dear Editor, The leftists of Culver City have been hailing the Fisch/Lee victory as a defeat of a privileged old guard. So yes, let's talk about privilege. Let's talk about how Fisch used his privileged connections to Xavier Becerra and Kamala Harris to get high powered state Democrats to meddle in our election. Let's talk about how Daniel Lee has full time employment from a foundation to do nothing more than bait cops and create AstroTurf social media groups to build his name and career....
I was not going to say anything initially about the April 10 Culver City election. However, I now feel I have to. I was very involved in working with my husband, Marcus Tiggs, as he campaigned for a seat on the Culver City City Council. It was an exciting and positive experience, until a group of people determined to malign his reputation created a flyer filled with lies and hurtful comments. They also posted these malicious comments on social media. Among the lies they posited, was that he was...
City Council members, because of our recent city council race, this has been a time of celebration for some, and a time of frustration and disappointment for others. I regret this, but it’s understandable. I hope that soon we as a community can come together over our commitment to the well-being of our city and its residents, and also celebrate the democratic process of which we’ve been a part. There is no way to adequately thank city council members for your service to this city. For all the...
Dear Editor, I’m a Democrat and I’m Marcus Tiggs’ Campaign Manager. You may be wondering, with all the negative flyers making the rounds, why a Democrat would support Marcus Tiggs for Culver City council. Marcus Tiggs is supported by many Democrats because of the hard work that he has done for the City over the last 15 or more years. He is trusted to tell the truth, even if it’s a truth that would be uncomfortable to share, either for himself or the recipient of the news. We know and respect...
Dear Editor, My vote is for Albert Vera on April 10th. I am impressed by his personal and professional accomplishments and wholeheartedly support his strategic vision for the city. We need someone who comes from our community, someone who knows us and will represent our collective voices. Our city staff are policy experts; we have paid attorneys to prepare and review policies; we need someone on council who has innovative ideas and has proven successful local business experience. We need someone...
Dear Editor, I am writing this letter in support of Marcus Tiggs for Culver City Council. I write as someone who has worked in Culver City for over 35 years and who has owned a home here for just about 30 years. I have volunteered countless hours contributing to this City I love, ultimately serving as your Councilperson and Mayor. I have known for some time, having realized the first time I set foot in Culver City, that this City is worth every effort we can make to have it be the best place it...
