Sorted by date Results 126 - 150 of 343
Dear Councilmember, I am writing to express my disapproval of what appears to be a reflexive action to consider reducing the budget of our police dept based on the recent unrest surrounding the senseless killing of George Floyd and other Black males at the hands of law enforcement. As an African-American male who has lived in Culver City for over 30 years, I believe I bring another perspective compared to my progressive friends/acquaintances, most of which happen to be white, now (some)...
Dear Editor, It's complete nonsense to say it is not safe to go to the beach! It's a well known fact that breathing ocean breeze sea air and taking in vitamin D rich sun rays has more health benefits than being cooped up in dark room with stale air. Most beach goers practice social distancing in our wide open beaches anyway. Governor Newsom's order closing our beaches is capricious and ridiculous! Since politicians can illegally declare that California is a Sanctuary for illegal aliens, why...
Dear Editor, I write in response to the various COVID-19 articles published in the Observer recently to insist that a Health and Science section be added to your newspaper. As a public health graduate student, I am pleased to see the extensive reporting of COVID-19 cases and testing efforts, but more coverage is needed regarding how the pandemic is impacting other aspects of resident’s health. How are residents safely filling prescriptions and receiving other necessary medical care? How is m...
Dear Editor: Following up on the recent letter by Madeline Bernstein, President spcaLA, “In time of uncertainty, spcaLA is essential”, I would like to add information for those residents who love their pets but are experiencing financial problems during this time of the COVID-19 crisis. As the Director of Friends of Culver City Animals and a District Leader (District 37) for The Humane Society of the United States, I am in receipt of an extensive list of national and state resources for pet own...
Dear City Manager, Council Members, Chief Bixby, I was shocked to see the school open till Friday late afternoon, as I was shocked to see Most of you mishandling cases and make residents come to City Hall as you were not responding to e-mails, calls, and calls. Your delayed response or your unprofessional handling of known cases isn't helping me as resident to be safe and to promote healthy lifestyle. Can you please listen to valid concerns about the homeless and other stuff? Selam Alem Culver...
Dear City Council Members and City Clerk: I am a Culver City gardener, a long-term Culver City resident and business owner. On behalf of my fellow gardeners and potential members we implore you to maintain and work with us to find a new location if necessary. Community gardens are vital part of urban life. Our garden members are renters, condominium owners, seniors, families and people with disabilities. The benefits community gardens provide are abundant. We urge you to provide more time...
There is no evidence that any resident of Culver City is homeless and living on the streets of Culver City. Let us end this facade by taking the follow steps: 1. Return the $23 million in federal and state taxes for homelessness. Why? a) We don't have any homeless residents; b) Continuing to accept these funds only forces us to rationalize a crisis that we do not have. There were 236 homeless identified in Culver City in the last count. Of those, who were Culver City residents?; and c) If any...
Dear Editor, We are currently circulating a ballot initiative among Culver City voters, requiring voter approval for rent control. We only have a couple months left to secure the 2800 signatures needed to get it on the November ballot. In an effort to meet our goal, we are bringing on a professional signature gathering company to help us get signatures, starting tomorrow. Collecting signatures is a time intensive process. Given our infant state as a PAC, we just don’t have the infrastructure t...
Dear Editor: Could someone on this City Council or City Administration get off their bikes and/or scooters, stop having focus groups on an armored car, and get to work on ramping speed for internet service for business and residents. In addition, include a definitive fix for historically sketchy-spotty cell phone service in Culver City. Richard P. Shoenbaum D.D.S Culver City...
Dear Editor: In a recent previous column (11.07-13. 2019) Neil Rubenstein claimed that the “Transparent California data base SAID” that there was a “nearly 900% increase in CalPERS [pension] benefits….” I have researched this claim closely. It is untrue. Mr. Rubenstein continues to get the facts wrong in his continuing animus about the mostly modest pensions of hard-working public employees. First, understand that Transparent California, which he cites as his source, is indeed a database,...
The Editor’s article on homeless and CC budget/taxes bring up the core of the matter for CC. Why are our sales taxes so high, while the city has made so much space available to new businesses in Culver City? Were there tax giveaways used to entice the new developments and occupants? Where are the wide loud communications of the council to alert us BEFORE these matters are all done deals? How is it that fire person wages were on the ballot when it was really some kind of ploy to divert funds e...
Dear Editor, Culver City homeowner’s are currently paying taxes for UNIFIED SCHOOLS and COMMUNITY COLLAGE, and we have been for some years. I have been paying, approximately $100.00 per year. Check your current and past tax bills. The majority of students that attend West Los Angeles Collage live outside of Culver City, but we, as CC homeowners carry that tax burden. Prop K, states our schools are in disrepair. If that is the case we must ask ourselves what were the past years taxes for our U...
Dear Editor, I just want to put this on paper, how I was cheated out of $189. on my property tax for this year, 2019, which I already paid in full. I live in a condo; on my garage cork board was an elaborate write-up about K, saying that old persons could opt-out if done by June 2019. The notice first appeared to me there about 17 Nov 2019!! A couple of days later was a replacement brochure relating to 2020. I traced the persons and organizations, and was told that a post card notice was mailed...
Dear Observer, In 'Drone Program Receives High Marks' (Dec. 19-25, 2019 p. 1) Mr. Hadland writes: 'One written card objected to the program as drones are being purchased from a company that provides weapons to the military.' I am the author of that card, but Mr. Hadland seriously distorts my remarks. They appear in full below. Dear Council and Public, I am profoundly opposed to the CCPD drone program for many reasons. The one I wish to highlight tonight is that CCPD chose to purchase this...
Dear Editor, Recently I was in touch with our City Maintenance Department. I need to have a tree removed since it is raising my driveway and front porch. I have lived here in town since 1972, and for years the maintenance department would come by every two (2) years and cut the tree roots between the parkway and the sidewalk. That stopped maybe 10 years ago. When I originally contacted the city they told me that they had to stop doing the maintenance due to lay-offs or just not replacing...
Dear Editor, According to the National Education Association (NEA), the average starting salary for a teacher in California is $46,589. The US average is $39,249. The NEA further notes that “when the effects of price inflation are taken into account, the average classroom teacher salary has actually decreased by 4.5 percent from 2009-10 to 2018-19, while average salary for instructional staff had decreased by 3.6 percent.” These salaries are insufficient to draw more of the best and bri...
Dear Editor, Mr. Rubenstein frequently writes columns about the pension obligations and debt load of Culver City USD and Culver City itself. How about either doing an interview with the school superintendent or a member of the school board and the Mayor or someone else of authority for the city government? If they decline or easier for you send them a correspondence requesting, they respond to you regarding these serious issues. I have also heard the district is deficit spending and using up...
Dear Editor. I am disappointed in the Observer's lack of reporting integrity. Not only did the paper not mention with a 3 inch "EVICTED" headline when the AMVETS were kicked out of their historic Post 2 building (as the paper did covering the ouster of the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum) by Culver City Hall, the paper failed to mention it was the former AMVETS building that adjacent neighbor Wende Museum now wants to house the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum. Is the former AMVETS...
Dear Editor: To judge from Mr. George Laase’s August 22nd commentary, “CCUSD Salaries Skyrocket,” he has three worrisome concerns. First: He worries that the District spends too much on the salaries of its employees. But this seems not to be so worrisome: The 2019-’20 Proposed Budget of the CCUSD projects spending 85% of restricted and unrestricted funds for salaries and benefits for certificated teaching faculty and classified non-teaching staff. For unrestricted funds only, the total for the...
Dear Editor, We are deeply troubled, though unfortunately not surprised, by Culver City council’s 4-1 decision to pass last night’s 3% 12-month rent freeze urgency ordinance. Regardless of one’s opinion on rent control, council’s lack of transparency and dialogue in passing this ordinance should concern all residents. Many multifamily owners tried to argue for a good faith compromise on the rent freeze, invoking other local cities like Glendale and Long Beach. Council’s consultants pointed o...
Dear Editor, My husband and I own our home in Culver City and are ashamed of the narrow motivations of this new political action committee. Change is difficult on everyone but to demonize thoughtful council members is too much. How can anybody deny the lack of affordable housing is a problem and failure to address it selfish? Experts have connected some rising homeless numbers to unaffordable rents so to ignore that is disingenuous. Not in my backyard with regards to the homeless has to end if...
Dear Council Members, I have owned a small 4-unit apartment building in Culver City for over 30 years. I depend on rental income for my living expenses. My living expenses increase every year. I maintain my apartment units in great condition. I am in the expensive process of completely renovating all units and building exterior. Placing a moratorium on rent increases fails to account for increases in maintenance costs. The costs for trash collection, cleaning, gardening, security lighting, fire inspections, painting, flooring, appliances,...
On Monday June 24, the Culver City Council will consider a rent freeze. What is a rent freeze, and why does Culver City need one? Renters in Culver City currently only have the minimum protections required by state law. Landlords can raise rents as much and as often as they want and are not required to give a reason for evictions. Nearby cities, including Los Angeles, Inglewood, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Glendale, Pasadena, and the unincorporated areas of LA County such as Marina Del Rey, all offer tenants additional...
I’ve come to know the L.A. Area Chamber as an organization with a deep legacy, grounded in a value system that demonstrates our care of community. Those values are reflected in our commitment to investing in public education, dating back to our beginning. The Chamber is a founder of L.A. Trade Tech and with LAUSD, we’ve supported more than $20 billion in facility bonds, raised more than $10 million and contributed thousands of volunteer hours for L.A.’s Cash for College programs. We strive to ensure a quality public education for L.A....
Dear Editor, As a 20 year Culver City resident, I understand the concerns of others that the use of drones may result in problems. However, as a former prosecutor, I have seen that when drones are used according to strict policies, they are effective and can be lifesavers. There was a time when dash cams in police vehicles and body cameras worn by officers in the field were severely criticized. In due course, and speaking from my experience as a trial attorney, the use of evidence obtained from...
