Homeless and Hotel Politics and "Tragedies in the Making"

July 16, 2002

Dear Editor,

Once again, a transient has victimized someone in Santa Monica ("Rape Suspect Jailed," July 16). When does it stop? I'm sick of this. Wake up city council! Fix this problem or get out of office!

Ed Balaam
Santa Monica

July 13, 2002

Dear Editor,

The only reason the TOP OFFICIALS are looking at the transient problems ("City Officials Look for Ways to Address Transient Problem," July 12) is because the November election is just around the corner. I am offended by this "caring" for the business people and the Santa Monica citizens now. Where have these TOP OFFICIALS been all these years?

One way of taking care of the transients, homeless and gangs in our city is to vote out of office the do-nothing councilmen with those who will really take care of the Santa Monica problems.

Maria Sirotti
Santa Monica

July 16, 2002

Dear Editor,

In a recent letter from the Hotel Chains ("Hotel Support, Lobbying Labor and Tempted to Move," July 8), they express the vast amounts that they contribute to our community. I would be insulted, if I were not so busy laughing at how similar the tactics are to those of the tobacco companies doing bogus "Community building" commercials through subsidiaries like Kraft.

I find it interesting that much of what they mention doing is mandated by law; ie: supporting the schools through Doubletree's rent, the tax base -- as if they would pay taxes if they did not have to! Everything that they mentioned in this letter was something that they have to do, or their right to do business would be taken away from them.

The hotel owners are well aware that Santa Monica is a unique situation. If they leave over labor disputes, someone else will come in and take their place, so they cannot use that tactic against "Living Wage" as do other businesses in other cities, such as the child sweatshops in China and the slums of Mexico. It seems they are shifting to alternate, more sly tactics in their battle against fair labor.

If they truly want to contribute back to Santa Monica; how about paying a living wage in our high-rent community. I am a Youth Minister for St. Anne Church in Santa Monica. Our church does not fall into the $5,000,0000 coastal income bracket by any means -- and yet since December 2000, we have had a policy where all employees (Clerical and other) start at $10.50/hr. That by the way, is the fair living wage proposed for Santa Monica.

I challenge the luxury hotels of Santa Monica to drop the RJ Reynolds Business tactics and pay their employees as much as our church does! Come on, I dare ya!

Sean Davila
Santa Monica

July 8, 2002

Dear Editor,

RE: "Union Leader Vies for Seat on Tourism Board, June 25"

I certainly cannot see any benefit or good that would come out of Mr. Petersen's appointment. It is quite ironic that someone whose actions in the past have caused our industry loss of business, business interruptions, employee loss of income, as well as great inconveniences to Santa Monica visitors, should now be promoting tourism.

There are other candidates who have submitted their applications and they deserve full consideration.

Sincerely,

Klaus Mennekes
General Manager
Casa del Mar

July 15, 2002

Dear Editor,

Last Wednesday I got knocked off my bike by a car at the corner of 21st and Ocean Park. I was fortunately unhurt, but the bike shop that repaired my bike said that someone else had just come in who had also been hit by a car.

Is there a way to persuade Santa Monica drivers to be more vigilant about people on bicycles? Seems like there are tragedies in the making here.

Michael Sieverts
Santa Monica