Editor's Note: A letter that ran this week concerning a bill charging for email gave false information. There is no bill being introduced in Congress. The LookOut regrets the error.

RAND Decision "Simple," Former Supervisor Edelman; More on Jacob's Playhouse

September 15, 2000

Dear Editor:

Teresa Rochester's article on Santa Monica's review of RAND's proposal to build a new headquarters struck a chord with me. I spent thirty years as an elected official in Southern California, first as an L.A. City Councilman and later as an L.A. County Supervisor. I frequently had to balance public and private interests in making decisions. Sometimes it was tough, and sometimes it was easy. This one ought to be easy.

Since leaving the Board of Supervisors, I have been a senior fellow at RAND and have seen first-hand how the organization operates, both as a supplier of objective analyses to its clients and as a citizen in its community. Like John Jalili, the former city manager, said, RAND's impact has been immeasurable.

My message to the Santa Monica City Council: I wish that all your decisions were this simple.

Sincerely,

Ed Edelman

September 15, 2000

Dear Editor,

I read with interest the letters regarding the "playhouse" story. It's an issue pushed forward as a "man bites dog" so that it attracts media coverage--and then it's whipped up into a froth by those playing politics. Ah, election season is upon us. It seems some people apply the adage "Let the Games Begin" to local politics.

Pam O'Connor
Santa Monica

September 18, 2000

Dear Editor,

I read about Santa Monica's efforts to remove a youngster's outdoor playhouse initially built in compliance with requirements sought by city officials and in cooperation with a next door neighbor (who later reversed her approval). It seems that there are some inept thinkers managing the affairs of Santa Monica in a most unfair and improper manner possibly for inappropriate reasons.

I have been a practicing lawyer for 45 years, a former Assistant Attorney General of Ohio, an Acting Municipal Judge, and president of our county bar. I was the municipal law director (municipal corporation counsel) of a small Ohio city for almost 17 years. My legal experience includes heavy focus on real estate for developers and the municipality, particularly with respect to US Constitutional law dealing with zoning and building codes. Doesn't California mandate OPEN PUBLIC as does Ohio? We do not have a "town meeting" form of government, but cities are expected to conduct their business publicly and rationally and consistently.

How can they hold a meeting under closed doors to decide the fate of this youngster? Although I am unfamiliar with California law, it seems that Santa Monica does not feel compelled to conduct its business in conformity with the due process requirements of the US Constitution. Nor can it take property (the playhouse) without due process of law.

Of equal importance, what role models are they for youngsters and other citizens when Santa Monica officials act in such an inconsistent, and apparently arbitrary and capricious manner, approving and then revising legal interpretations and then reversing approvals? More important, their revised definition that this playhouse is a two-story structure, in my personal opinion, is nonsense. I would hope that rational minds will prevail in this matter and that the city does not force itself into litigation again at the unnecessary expense of taxpayers.

September 17, 2000

Dear Editor,

The story is a classic example of bureaucracy in action. Mr. Levy has obviously gone the extra mile to not only work with city officials, but his neighbors as well.

This doesn't appear to be a story that is going to end well, and that is a tragedy and begs the question what does a person have to do to work effectively with the powers that be?

Is it really that much to ask to build a playhouse for your child on your own property, after conferring with city officials?

September 14, 2000

Dear Editor,

I wanted to respond to the article about Jacob's playhouse in today's Our Times. Unfortunately, they are out of business so I can't write to them.

In that article, planning director Suzanne Frick blames a new and inexperienced building inspector for allowing Jacob's playhouse to be built.

Ms. Frick and Mayor (running for re-election) Genser acknowledged they had several communications on this matter. A final decision was issued by the city approving Jacob's playhouse, and a copy of the approval was sent to Jacob's dad. This decision was then overturned after Genser admitted having a conversation with Frick about it at City Hall.

The point of my letter is that now that all of Frick's and Genser's shenanigans are public, and the you-know-what has hit the fan, it's the poor guy at the bottom, the building inspector, who gets the blame and learns firsthand that the you-know-what rolls downhill from the top.

Give it up Mayor Genser. Let the kid have a playhouse.

W.T. Dorr
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September 15, 2000

Dear Editor,

I find it hard to believe the obvious unfairness in dealing with Jacob's Playhouse. Until the City Council makes amends to Jacob's family and affirms the City's prior approval of the project, the entire City will bear an unfavorable image.

If this issue is not resolved soon, it will escalate to national prominence. You have an opportunity to do the right thing, the fair and just thing. Please know that the issues involved exceed a little boy's tree house. Can we trust government to do the right thing?

September 17, 2000

An open letter to the Santa Monica City Council,

We, the grandparents of 5 year old Jacob Levy, wish to express our disbelief and disgust regarding the behavior of the Santa Monica municipal government in its treatment of our grandson.

Our daughter and son-in-law, desiring to make their home and yard an environment conducive to a healthy and fun loving experience for their child to enjoy in his formative years, have built for him a playhouse of fantasy and wonderment. However, the city's bureaucrats rescinded their OK for building this playhouse after first giving approval for its construction.

Here is a case where well meaning parents desired to give their child every possible experience that would benefit his growth and development. The playhouse is a beautiful improvement to their yard, as well as the neighborhood. It was designed to provide happy hours of play for their child and his friends.

My wife and I, both retired teachers, know the value of good, clean, and positive experiences that all children need. Here is a case where just such a situation has been provided. The forces that be want to destroy that which is designed to build and to make life better and happier for our most important natural resource, our children.