Sorted by date Results 126 - 150 of 221
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter If you’re old enough you may remember the commercial from the days when cigarette ads were allowed on TV—“just a silly millimeter longer.” On August 11, the City Council moved a not-at-all-silly millimeter closer to a ban on smoking in apartment complexes and condos, giving direction to the City for drafting an ordinance that would ban smoking in any complex of two or more units. The issue might seem to be a no-brainer but the Council has moved cautiously due...
After a lengthy session featuring more than a dozen speakers and a detailed historical presentation, the City Council on July 28 made supporters of the Culver City Ice Arena happy by designating it as a "cultural resource" at a "significant" level. The Council's vote was 5-0 in favor of the designation. Jennifer Troteux, an associate with the firm, Architectural Resources Group, presented a report on the group's exhaustive research into the Culver Ice Arena and ice "palaces" in Los Angeles over...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter The hazards involved in examining the finances of Culver City were avoided on June 23 when the City Council, without much ado, approved the 2014-2015 budget. However, the Council took some time to discuss the potential hazards posed by the planned Fourth of July fireworks display at West Los Angeles College. The fireworks issue was raised during public comment by a speaker who was concerned that the fireworks were set to be detonated close to gas and...
By John Nachbar City Manager • 4th of July Fireworks Show – The Culver City Exchange Club’s annual 4th of July Fireworks Show will resume at West Los Angeles College on the evening of Friday, July 4th. Gates open at 4:00 pm, and fireworks begin at dusk. The City is a co-sponsor of this event. For more information visit: http://culvercityfireworksshow.com/ • Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival - The first of six free concerts will take place on Thursday, July 10th at 7:00 pm in the Ci...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter Is an invocation by any other name a prayer? Because some people regard an invocation as having a religious connotation, the City Council voted 3-2 on June 9 to allow the mayor to call the traditional City Manager’s opening address at meetings by whatever name suits her or him—“thought for the day,” “reflection,” et cetera. The question on the meaning of “invocation” in the Council’s agenda was called by Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells, who voted, along with counci...
By Neil Rubenstein Observer Columnist As a longtime member (since 1977) on May 14, 2014 I attended the monthly meeting of the Culver City Democratic Club, held the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Rotunda Room of Veterans Auditorium. The speaker was Bob Stern AKA “the godfather of modern political reform in California,” who discussed the many reforms over the past 30 years he had been involved with. We can all be pleased. Councilman Jim Clarke is actively pursuing my sug...
By Sandra Coopersmith Features Writer Every pet should have its day. In Culver City the likelihood that day will happen was substantially increased on May 13 when Adopt & Shop, a one-stop adoption and shopping experience at 4235 Sepulveda Blvd., had its grand opening. This flagship store at the corner of Sepulveda and Culver is the second Adopt & Shop, the first having opened in Lakewood in 2011. "A dog's life" generally refers to a fairly dismal existence. Sadly, it's one that's faced by many...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter "Our new mayor is incoming, "But wait, she is outgoing. "Her personality clearly shines through." --Dr. Janet Hoult, from "Outgoing/Incoming" a poem she read to the City Council on April 21. Residents of Culver City packed City Hall on April 28 to welcome the first female mayor the city has had in a decade-Meghan Sahli-Wells. Sahli-Wells was elected by the Council, along with Micheal Mehaul O' Leary as Vice Mayor, following the oath of office being taken by...
Supporters of Measure CC, the bond issue that will help repair a wide array of facilities across all of Culver City Unified School District's 10 school sites, held a communitywide rally and walk over the weekend of April 12 to reach out to voters and encourage them to support CC when it appears on the June 3, 2014 ballot. The Yes on CC contingent included people from every corner of Culver City. From past Culver City Chamber of Commerce Chairs Göran Eriksson and Michael Hamill to parent...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter A line of uniformed Culver City police officers stood at the left side of the Mike Balkman Council Chambers; another line filled the back of the auditorium. The chamber was also packed with community residents who had come to salute Police Chief Don Pedersen. At its April 21 meeting, the City Council gave a commendation to Pedersen, who is retiring after serving for eight years. Pedersen has accepted a newly created position as Inspector General with the...
By Stephen Hadland Observer Publisher Throughout the evening the election was never in doubt. From the absentee ballots which were counted first to the last precinct councilmembers Jeff Cooper and Jim Clark maintained a strong lead over challengers Christopher Patrick King and Gary Abrams. Cooper, currently serving a one year term as Mayor, was seeking a second full term while Clarke had just completed a two year stint on the council finishing out Scott Maslin's term after Malsin resigned two...
Semi Official Returns Jeff Cooper 2167 Votes Jim Clarke 2072 Votes Christopher King 1181 Votes Gary Abrams 288 Votes Full Story posted online Wednesday and in this week's Culver City Observer...
By Lynne Bronstein Observer Reporter Jeff Cooper After spending the most recent year of his council membership as Mayor, Jeff Cooper considers his first term in office as one of many accomplishments. In his recent address at the Mayor's luncheon, Cooper noted: "Just a short time ago, we were on pace to out-spend our reserves in just three years....our city is socking away more reserves and pre-funding our pension liabilities, something we have never done before." He lists among some of his...
Dear Editor, A common refrain anyone will hear coming from me is that I love living in Culver City because of the ability we have to actually speak with our community’s leaders. Over the 14 years I have lived here, there have been many occasions where I’ve felt the need to personally contact one or more of our city council members about an issue or an idea. Jeff Cooper & Jim Clarke are two council members who take the time to listen. I know that they listen, because they respond not with a rot...
Dear Editor, Why We Support Jeff Cooper and Jim Clarke. They’re proven leaders. They’ve demonstrated their ability to collaborate with council colleagues, guiding the city through some very difficult times and toward a promising future. They’re thoughtful, and responsive to constituents while sticking to their principles. In short, they’re what we elect our council members to be. That’s why. Molly Wyant Leslie Spanier-Wyant Scott Wyant Culver City...
Dear Editor, Two years ago, when Jim first threw his hat into the ring to fulfil an unexpired term, he had an amazing political resume. He graduated from the US Coast Guard Academy rising from Ensign to Commander through active and reserve duty. His Master’s Degree in Public Administration rounded his leadership role. He worked at an important Director level for Mayor Villaraigosa’s Office of Grants, overseeing millions of dollars of funding. He also served as chief of staff for Congress mem...
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...
Below is the full text of Mayor Jeff Coopers speech at the 34th annual Mayor's Luncheon at the DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel and sponsored by the Culver City Chamber of Commerce: Thank you all for coming. I am delighted to be here this afternoon in this incredible city, surrounded by some of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure to have known. This is the birthplace of stars like Drew Barrymore and Jackson Browne and the workplace of motion picture stars, creative stars and business...
An extraordinary event happened last month in the courtyard of Culver City High thanks to the creative thinking and coordination of Councilmember Jim Clarke. It began when Clarke spoke to Nick Guthman, Culver High Student Body President, about the service hours students are required to complete before graduation. They discussed ways of making students aware of the non-profit groups in the city. Clarke followed up by meeting with the Student Council in December. Finding the best way to...
Jim Clarke, candidate for re-election to the Culver City Council, is buoyed by the many organization endorsements he has received in recent weeks. Early endorsements were received from Congresswoman Karen Bass and State Senator Holly Mitchell, in addition to the Chamber of Commerce and the Culver City Democratic Club. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party also voted to endorse him for re-election. In the last couple of weeks the Sierra...
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...
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...
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...
City Manager’s Office • 2014 General Municipal Election (April 8, 2014): The City Clerk’s Office maintains a website with up-to-the-minute information about the upcoming election. That webpage can be accessed here: https://www.culvercity.org/en/Government/CityClerk/ElectionInformation.aspx Transportation Department • Tokyo Gas Visits Culver City Transportation: On January 9 the Equipment Maintenance & Fleet Services Division hosted a Japanese delegation at the Transportation Department. The del...
