Apparatchiks, Homeless, Murals and Thinking Outside the Box

September 26, 2001

Dear Editor,

Re: Paul DeSantis' Opinion column, "League of Women Voters Dishonors its Great Tradition," August 25.

Congratulations to Mr. DeSantis. His letter shed light on the league's vote. He failed to point out that most probably the League's vote is due to it's being controlled by apparatchiks allied with SM for Renters' Rights.

The at large system of voting allows the SMRR politburo to control the city. It is time for a change. Yes on VERITAS

Mathew Millen
Santa Monica

September 26, 2001

Dear Editor,

Mrs. Finkel incorrectly stated that the number one issue in Santa Monica was housing. According to the last City of Santa Monica Resident Survey, the biggest issue in Santa Monica was the homeless, followed by growth and traffic. Housing was not even in the top five issues of importance.

The reason I write this letter now is because the City Council will be reviewing its homeless policy at the next city council meeting. This is a friendly reminder that 40 percent of respondents cited the "Homeless Problem" as being the most important issue facing Santa Monica.

Joe Weichman
Santa Monica

September 23, 2001

Dear Editor,

I have now read and very much appreciated both of Frank Gruber's columns ("Looking Over the Horizon," September 14 and "What Would Lincoln Do?" August 21) but especially the second.

The clash between modernity and those who are "history's losers" you call attention to in the first piece is certainly interesting; but the deep reflection on our prior assumptions you invite readers to undertake in the second piece is surely just the right thing for everybody now.

I fully agree that it is worth our while to think hard about our own assumptions, and to try to think "outside of the box".

Sharon Lloyd

September 19, 2001

Dear Editor,

(RE: "Rent Board Recommends Changes to Rent Control Law to Bolster Tenant Protections," September 19)

Now SMRR through its Rent Control Board surrogates takes aim at the small landlord. In their 22 years in power they have succeeded in reducing our population and our diversity as well as reducing the average size of a household.

Rent Control Board member Bruria Finkel cites the fact 100 or so properties have been "decontrolled." She asserts that this is due to speculators. In fact, many of these properties likely had previous exemptions, since each time a property changes hands the new owner is forced to bow and scrape before the commissars, as well as having their homes invaded by Rent Control Board "investigators" before they are granted, ever so grudgingly their "exemption."

Most of us are not speculators. I suspect that many of us would prefer not to be landlords at all if we were able to afford a house. Most of us have lived in Santa Monica for many years and have amicable relationships with our tenants, but I guess SMRR won't be satisfied until it's taken control of every dwelling and every heart in Santa Monica.

Once again it won't be the savvy market rate owners that are devastated by SMRR's totalitarian web, but the nice guys with long term tenants who keep their rents low. I've had a vacancy for almost a year now and there's no way I'd ever rent it out again given the constant, malignant pronouncements that spew forth from Finkel and her cohorts.

I think the only reasonable course of action under these circumstances is to ask my remaining tenants to leave..... since I haven't the heart to raise their rent to a level that would protect me.

My old tri-plex will make an odd house, but at least it will be MY house. Look at the record: SMRR promises protection and brings noise, traffic, yuppies and pollution. They brag about our now "vibrant" city... but forget that many of us moved here because we liked the quiet. They rant about diversity.....and diversity dies. They yak about eclectic and bring us Bubba Dumps.

When will homeowners realize that it is only a matter of time before SMRR takes aim at them. But what the hey, they have nice smiles and tell good jokes. Are there 7,000 or 8,000 people that are as pissed off as I am?

Using the internet there's no reason why we shouldn't be able to confront our "leaders" with rolling recalls. We may not have the votes to get them out of office, but we damn sure have enough votes to make their lives a holy hell!

Steven Keats
Santa Monica

September 18, 2001

Dear Editor,

(Re: "Heroes from the Homeless Front," September 15)

My spirits were lifted as I heard the inspiring stories of the homeless who emerged from a tunnel of despair to the light at the end of it.

However, their success is but a tip of the iceberg with so much more to be done for the thousands of homeless who roam the streets of Santa Monica in search of help.

Anita Phillips
Santa Monica