Sorted by date Results 151 - 175 of 343
Dear Editor, In the 1980’s I put the first ballot measure that was made by a resident on the ballot, so the city residents could decide on what they wanted in their city. It did not cost the residents ANYTHING. It was called Measure 1 (the Height Initiative) and ensured that we wouldn’t have excessive growth and high-rises in the city. It won with 90% of the vote. Now there are two ballot measures that WILL cost us a lot of money, that seems to be a recurring is a continuing problem with the...
Let’s have Tax Accountability Dear Editor, In the season of the “Op Ed”, I thought I should join in. When I moved from Venice to Culver City, in 1990, it was for good schools (we heard through people with children-no internet then), a house big enough for my family and a back yard. I truly missed hearing the waves at night and taking the short walk to see the sunset over the ocean. It was quite an adjustment for me but didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this 5 square mile city. I...
Californians are proud of our state’s leading role in technology, entertainment and diversity. However, there is one area where California ranks almost dead last: K-12 education support. Our state ranks 48th in per-pupil spending, largely as a result of restrictions passed decades ago on property taxes [Prop. 13]. That’s why 118 California school districts have passed local parcel taxes to raise funds for their schools to ensure a high-quality education. In Los Angeles County alone, 15 sch...
Serving our School District at-large and individual school sites (particularly for programs in the Whole Child initiative) has given me a unique perspective on the efforts that our district makes to serve all of our children's needs. We are part of a district that continually strives to better our children’s educational experiences. This kind of school district is only possible in a community that recognizes our children as our highest priority and most precious resource. So, when I was asked t...
This letter is in support of Measure K, on the November 6 ballot. By any reasonable standard, our schools are under-funded. Whether you blame state or county government, bureaucracy, politicians, or something else, it's undeniable that the amount of money which CCUSD receives is much less per student than most school districts across the country, even though this is a more expensive place to live. The state of California controls CCUSD's budget, and state law doesn't give school districts much...
Dear Editor, Culver City homeowner’s are currently paying taxes for UNIFIED SCHOOLS and COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 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, In the season of the “Op Ed”, I thought I should join in. When I moved from Venice to Culver City, in 1990, it was for good schools (we heard through people with children-no internet then), a house big enough for my family and a back yard. I truly missed hearing the waves at night and taking the short walk to see the sunset over the ocean. It was quite an adjustment for me but didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this 5 square mile city. In 1993, when President Bill Clinton...
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, It is often customary, when writing a critique of an elected representative, to espouse one’s own political affiliation – to perhaps tout the fact that I’ve been an active member of the Democratic Party for close to 15 years. However, Net Neutrality is so blatantly non-partisan that it would be more relevant to tell you and your readership that I’ve been working with computer technology for close to 20 years, and that, like virtually everyone else, I use the Internet on a daily basis. I currently serve as the Coordinator for Sch...
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...
