Feinstein Misrepresents Record and CEPS Should Do Homework

October 14

In his surfsantamonica.com column this week ("WHAT I SAY: Gangs? What Gangs?," October 11), Frank Gruber writes:

"And the award for campaign chutzpah this week goes to ... Michael Feinstein, who sent out a mailer taking credit for a 250 percent increase in the City's funding of the schools, from a little over $2 million dollars in 1997 to the $6 million of the 2004 school funding agreement.

But Feinstein was the only City Council member who did not vote for the agreement."

Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) agrees with Gruber. Councilmember Michael Feinstein, in his bid for re-election, is misrepresenting his record.

Feinstein vehemently objected to this year's increase to $6 million in annual ongoing funding to our schools and in 03-04 he lowered a proposed one-time increase. CEPS is pleased that Feinstein now says he recognizes the importance of good public schools for our community, but we have no confidence in his election-eve conversion.

After examining the words and records of the council candidates, CEPS has identified 8 candidates as reliable supporters of our public schools: Richard Bloom, Matt Dinolfo, Ken Genser, Patricia Hoffman, Herb Katz, Maria Loya, Kathryn Morea, and Bobby Shriver (listed in alphabetical order).

For more information on our evaluation process, please visit our web site at www.excellentpublicschools.org

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October 14, 2004

This letter is in response to the article on 'CEPS' political endorsements and its intention to discredit David Cole, labeling him as "not reliable as a supporter of public education." ("CEPS Gives Eight Council Candidates Passing Grades, Fails Feinstein," October 12, 2004)

The fact of the matter is that if it hadn't been for the efforts of David Cole, neither the school district's financial oversight committee nor "CEPS" would even exist today.

I have known David Cole for over 12 years, primarily through his involvement in creating after school programs and forming a PTA, when none existed, at McKinley Elementary School. Both David and his wife, Susanna, served effectively as PTA Presidents up until the time their son graduated from SAMOHI.

He successfully started a variety of school fundraisers, including swap meets that brought thousands of dollars into our school. It was his idea to promote the sale of a yearbook and "Spirit Wear," that simultaneously brought the added benefit of evoking school pride. It was through his efforts to activate and engage parents in a variety of school-based initiatives that we first connected. Thus began my very own journey to a life of seemingly countless volunteer hours and commitment to our schools and community.

For as long as I can remember, David Cole is one of a handful of Santa Monicans who has donated tirelessly of his time and invested his energy and financial resources to the process of developing solutions for a better community. He has been a driving force, creator and supporter of many educational initiatives that to this very day, continue to benefit community leaders, educators, parents and students. Because of his dedication and leadership, children throughout our community have school playgrounds that are safe, open and accessible, just when they were on the verge of being taken away by a small group of school district and city administrators.

As past President of the Mid-City Neighbors, David single-handedly brought forth cooperation and cohesiveness out of a neighborhood that was once sharply divided between residents and businesses. His record as a skillful and superb negotiator is unwavering.

I am ashamed that I ever trusted the leadership of Louise Jafee, who in the face of political gain, would stoop to the level of trying to marginalize David with statements like "he is more of an outspoken critic than a community consensus builder," all the while knowing the truth that this letter intends to expose.

Shame on those who united in deciding not to back one of education's finest friends in Santa Monica, Mr. David Cole. "CEPS" really should be doing a better job on their homework.

Donna Block
Santa Monica