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Dear Editor, We are writing to publically declare our support for the re-election of Jeff Cooper. We have known and supported Jeff for many years because we feel he is exceptionally qualified to represent us on behalf of Culver City. Jeff demonstrates all the qualities we need and desire in a local representative. He is caring, intelligent, informed, open minded and very diligent in the service he renders to the city. He is also very experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to Culver City¹s...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter Every member of the Culver City Council seems to be against hydraulic fracturing and other methods of oil well stimulation. Yet at the council meeting Monday night a discussion of how to proceed in creating a ban or method of controlling the fracking process yielded no action as the council heard yet more pleas from the community to do something about the controversial process. Eighteen speakers in public comment presented arguments that have been heard many...
By Fred Altieri Observer Reporter Centaur Blue and White were the colors flying high over City Hall on Monday night as Culver City High student/athletes were honored not once but twice by local officials. Parents, family and friends packed the chamber to witness the ceremony. Members of the Centaur girls basketball team and their coaches were recognized for having won their league and CIF division championships while one of their classmates was recognized for having attained scouting's highest...
Mayor Jeff Cooper delivered his address before a sellout crowd at the 34th Annual Mayor's Luncheon at the Doubletree By Hilton Hotel on Tuesday. The Annual Mayor's Luncheon is sponsored by the Culver City Chamber of Commerce. Going to the roots of Culver City he likened the movie stars to the everyday residents saying, "This is the birthplace of stars like Drew Barrymore and Jackson Browne and the workplace of motion picture stars, creative stars and business stars too numerous to mention. "It...
From environmentalists to business leaders and employee groups influential groups in the area is lining up behind Mayor Jeff Cooper's re-election bid. In the last few weeks, Cooper has won the support of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), Beverly Hills/Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors and the Culver City Employees Association. "The outpouring of support...
Working with the Culver City Chamber of Commerce and other key stakeholders throughout the local business and education community, the Culver City Unified School District has developed the Culver City Compact – a signed document that outlines the community's commitment and vision for a bright educational future. "This document turns the phrase - "Success for All Takes Us All" - into a visionary and collaborative commitment. The Culver Compact is another reminder that we must all work together t...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter The Culver City Council met twice on Monday, with a special afternoon meeting as well as its regular Monday evening meeting. The afternoon meeting, held for the Council, the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency, the Housing Authority, and the Parking Authority, was a study session that presented proposed work plans by the city departments. Among the proposals submitted by the departments were: Fire Department: Formalize plans and obtain funding to...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter The lack of rain this winter and a potential water shortage is a concern to Southern Californians, especially since Governor Brown declared a drought emergency a few weeks ago. On Monday night the Culver City Council heard a report on the drought as it might affect the local area. The presentation, given by Fernando Paludi, manager of water policy for the West Basin Municipal Water District, and Paul J. Rowley, district manager for the Golden State Water...
Mayor Jeff Cooper, seeking re-election to the Culver City Council on the April 8 ballot, thanked supporters and contributors to his campaign at his major fundraising event, held Saturday,February 22 at the Pterodactyl Building in the Hayden Tract. "Thank you all for coming," he told the crowd of more than 200 people perched atop the nearly finished building with a view of the Culver City skyline. "I appreciate all your support and promise that I will continue working for you and with you to...
To prepare voters for Culver City's April 8 municipal election, League of Women Voters Culver City Unit will present a candidate forum in Mike Balkman Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. on Monday March 3. Co-sponsor is Ask2Know Kid Forums. Live television coverage will be provided on the City Channel beginning at 7 p.m. Questions for the candidates may be submitted in writing at the event, or e-mailed in advance to talbwhite@smartvoter.org. Culver City High students are also developing questions in...
Councilman Jim Clarke along with Christopher Patrick King were endorsed by the Culver City Democratic Club at their February meeting. In the vote tally King received 36 and Clarke 35 to garner the endorsement. Current Councilman and Mayor Jeff Cooper came in third with 23 votes and Gary Abrams trailed with three. King was obviously pleased with his first place finish. According to King, "The Culver City Democratic Club is one of the most critical endorsements in Culver City. It shows that the...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist From the "hard to believe" file: It was on Feb. 15, 2013, slightly more than a year ago, that an asteroid crashed into Russia with a force estimated to be about 500 kilotons of TNT, 25 times more powerful than the atomic bomb detonated at Hiroshima. Am I the only one old enough to remember when tobacco companies could advertise in magazines? Then the government got on a medical kick (and rightly so) and prohibited my pal, Joe camel, from the printed world. Y...
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is Part 2 of a series) By Marcus G. Tiggs Special to the Observer After over two weeks the closing of Culver Ice Arena has not ended the Culver Ice dilemma (or better called "cliff hanger"). At this point it seems the optimistic tide may be overcoming the pragmatist commentaries. Planet Granite fell off the cliff when it announced in a press release last week, "we decided to cancel our lease for the Culver City location". Planet Granite's departure from Culver City came as n...
Four City Council candidates spoke about their positions on a number of issues at a candidates' forum held at the Culver City Senior Center on February 5. The candidates included incumbents Jim Clarke and Jeff Cooper, newcomer Christopher Patrick King, and frequent City Council and School Board candidate Gary Abrams. Sharon Hyland-Elstein, new president of the Culver City Senior Center Association, introduced the candidates to an audience of seniors during the lunchtime hour at the Center, and...
Editors Note: this story is updated from last weeks story entitled SMOKING GUN on Culver City Observer's website By Stephen Hadland Observer Publisher Prior to the closing of the Culver City Ice Arena last Sunday Culver City officials had informed the Karagozian family, who are the property owners, and Planet Granite, the new lessee, that the property is zoned strictly for ice skating and no other commercial purposes. Any rezoning will require City Council approval and may take many months to...
Observer Reporter The Culver City Ice Arena was again the subject of a drawn-out public comment session and discussion at the Council's meeting Monday night, with an overflow crowd packing the Mike Balkman City Council Chamber. The fate of the ice rink and the building housing it is still, however, uncertain. With the rink due to close on February 2 and the compressors that keep the ice frozen due to be turned off as of February 15, to make way for the new tenant Planet Granite, city staff...
Planet Granite may be facing an uphill battle in its efforts to bring indoor rock climbing to Culver City. Wednesday night, Culver City officials informed the Karagozian family, who are the property owners where the Culver City Ice Arena is located, and Planet Granite, the new lessee that the property is zoned strictly for ice skating and no other commercial purposes. Any rezoning will require City Council approval and may take many months to accomplish. Changes in zoning will also be reviewed...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter The Culver Ice Arena has a big family of fans. On Monday night they packed the City Council Chamber to standing room capacity as they pleaded with the Council to find a way to put a future plan for the arena "on ice" and save the area's only facility for indoor ice skating. The owners of the 52-year old ice arena have announced that the facility will close on February 2, although they are planning to keep the facility's condenser running until February 15....
Following a comprehensive and deliberative candidate selection process, the Culver City Chamber of Commerce has announced it has endorsed incumbents Jim Clarke and Jeff Cooper in the upcoming Culver City Council race. Councilman Clarke and Mayor Cooper received the endorsement after a review process that included written responses on the important issues, a review of each candidate's record of public service and an interview conducted by the Chamber. The Chamber interviewed all four candidates...
Culver City Mayor Jeff Cooper, who is seeking re-election to a seat on the Culver City Council in the April, 2014 election, officially filed his re-election papers last week at City Hall and launched his new campaign website: http://www.cooperforcouncil.com. Cooper becomes the second candidate to file papers following Councilman Jim Clarke who filed the previous week. Before filing his official papers, Cooper met with supporters at The Conservancy and told them his top goal will be to continue...
January The Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission held a "town hall" meeting on January 8, with speakers from city staff, representatives from local museums and arts organizations, and members of the public all weighing in on plans for the arts in Culver City. The Culver City Fire Department and Police Department responded to a shooting on Green Valley Circle in the Fox Hills area of Culver City. Initial reports indicated that the victim committed suicide. It was the first reported suicide in...
A ribbon cutting was held by the Culver City Chamber of Commerce at the recent grand opening of House of Fitness in the Culver Crossroads Center on Sepulveda and Washington. House of Fitness is a premier training facility. They offer programs for all levels of personal training....
Christopher Patrick King has announced his candidacy for Culver City Council in the April, 2014 election. King is President of CPK Mortgage and is currently serving as President of the Culver City Rotary Club. He also chairs State Senator Holly Mitchell's Small Business Advisory Panel and serves as Vice-Chairperson of Culver City's Homelessness Committee. A member of Beit T'Shuvah Temple, he coaches their charity marathon team, In announcing his run he said, "I love Culver City. I feel that...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter The City Council took action this week to begin planning for the 2014 Summer Concert Series, a gesture which may help the popular free concert series toward an earlier finalization of its schedule. The Council, at its meeting Monday night, opted to again retain Gary Mandell, owner of Boulevard Music, as producer of the concert series his 17th year. Mandell was not present at the meeting due to teaching a group class at Boulevard Music. According to the...
Nearly 100 supporters turned out to voice their endorsement of Mayor Jeff Cooper, who is seeking re-election to a seat on the Culver City Council in the April, 2014 election. Held at the Veterans Park home of Beverly and Dan O'Brien, the event drew supporters from a wide variety of political backgrounds and from every neighborhood in the city. "It was gratifying that so many people from throughout the city gave up their Sunday afternoon to let me know they would like to see me continue working...
