Triumphs and Tragedies & Where there’s Smoke

May 27, 2003

Dear Editor,

Every family has its triumphs and tragedies. Community Corporation of Santa Monica (CCSM) is no exception. It is a bittersweet irony that in the same month we feature in our newsletter a successful young teacher at Edison Elementary School who grew up in our housing, a young man living in our housing is arrested for robbery. Same neighborhood; same property owner; different outcome.

Those who think that CCSM causes gang shootings are wrong. Gang violence in the Pico neighborhood precedes CCSM’s existence, and we do everything within our power to reduce such violence. That includes working closely with the police, the courts and our neighbors.

In fact, over the years, we counseled and then evicted several families living in housing we purchased in that neighborhood. But for most of our families, our housing gives them the financial stability that allows them to focus on raising their children.

Our tenants suffer the same violence, fears and uncertainties as everyone else. The recent round of shootings and arrests tells us that more work needs to be done to rid our community of a few bad apples. CCSM is committed to do just that, with the help of our neighbors and police.

Sincerely,

Joan Ling
Executive Director CCSM

P.S. Press reports that suspect Terence Brown or his father lives in our 17th Street building are incorrect.

May 25, 2003

Dear Editor,

I am so very pleased that the Santa Monica City Council cares so much for individuals that it passed an ordinance which fines anyone smoking in a park $250. (“Council Bans Smoking, Chewing Tobacco in Parks,” March 27)

They care so much that they didn't read the latest scientific information which shows second hand smoke is not harmful despite the fact that a few molecules of cigarette smoke disperse in the open air as do weapons of mass destruction.

I'm quite certain they care so much for individual rights and keeping government out of peoples lives, that they will immediately ban the Blue Bus from driving next to parks and immediately take steps to ban outdoor cooking, like BBQ, in the parks.

They will, I am sure, ban all motorized mowing and trimming equipment in the parks as well. This will confirm their policy of not being prejudicial or politically correct to the point of lunacy.

Douglas Debber
Santa Monica