That’s Not Democracy

July 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

Your August 11th issue contained a report on the late support that Jose Escarce received from the Santa Monicans for Renter's Rights (SMRR) Steering Committee. (“Escarce Wins Late SMRR Nod,” August 11, 2008)

It is important that readers understand that this support from the Steering Committee came after membership failed on three separate votes to support Escarce's endorsement.

In your article you quote Denny Zane, a member of the Steering Committee, saying "some of the Steering Committee members expressed concerns that a faction of Special Education parents had joined the tenants group for the express purpose of mounting an organized effort to deny Escarce the nomination"

This comment is reprehensible and is a continuation of the attempt to marginalize an important minority by members of this community. This marginalization is the very reason the special education community sought the help of the City Council when the SMMUSD Board of Education, with leadership from Jose Escarce, failed to protect the rights of our most needy students.

Yes, members of SMMR, who are also parents of children with special needs, attended and through a democratic process expressed their opinions, both for and against candidates. Many hoped for an endorsement of change, encouraged by the candidacies of Judith Meister and Ben Allen.

The outcome of that meeting was the endorsement of three candidates: Ben Allen, Maria Leon Vazquez and Ralph Mechur. Jose Escarce and Judith Meister were considered three times, and in three votes didn't receive the necessary number of votes for endorsement. That Escarce was close didn't matter--this year he didn't make it.

That's democracy.

The Steering Committee's vote to support Escarce isn't democracy.

Zane's comments reinforce the belief in the special education community that real concerns continue to fall on deaf ears. Escarce long supported a closed door, failed policy of coercion and intimidation implemented by the District's administrator Tim Walker, that has put increased City funding for our schools at risk. Holding Escarce accountable for those actions is reasonable, and the community should understand these actions as they make choices in this fall's election.

Unfortunately that ability to choose was significantly diminished with this weeks' withdrawal of Judith Meister, leaving only newcomer Chris Bley as an alternative to the four remaining candidates supported by SMRR.

I would hope that the leadership of SMRR collectively and as individuals would take the time to learn in depth the issues before speaking or taking positions that marginalize the rights of our community members.