Chair Olsen, Airport Noise and Lack of Housing

October 5, 2001

Dear Editor,

Thank you for the fine column ("Now, Then, Where Were We?" What I Say, Oct. 5) describing the past several decades of development in Santa Monica. As I have only been a resident for slightly under 10 years, I found your insights and comments most enlightening.

However, I do feel the need to come to the rescue of Kelly Olsen and Julie Lopez Dad (both of whom I know only in passing). Although occasionally intemperate I would have to say both make up for any intemperance with passion, commitment and energy. I for one for found the city council meetings much more palatable with Kelly sitting at the table.

While I agree with you that most of the CUPs (conditional use permits) rendered while you were at the helm were and are justified, it is perhaps the sheer (where is our old friend Robert Sheer, anyway?) quantity of them that makes some people question their issuance. And as a neighbor of Saint John's Hospital (and happy recipient of two bouncy baby boys in the late 90's), I did question the speed with which their requests were met and the light hand with which limits upon their construction were enforced. If at all...

I guess it all comes down to perception. As in where you stand always seems to depend upon where one sits... As for this being a democracy, clearly it is not. That's a Republic we pledge to, a representative republic. There's precious little democratic about Santa Monica or the U.S.A. these daze. And that's why it's always a good thing to question our leaders and their actions.

Today Kelly Olsen, yesterday yourself, tomorrow who knows? Thank you for being a part of both ends of that process.

Marc Sanschagrin
Santa Monica

October 5, 2001

Dear Editor,

Two thumbs up!

Thank you again Frank for your much appreciated insight and great call on Olsen and the Planning Commission.

Can you imagine how many of Olsen's toes would be shot off if you gave him a loaded pistol with six bullets?

Ten toes! Olson superimposes what is there to maximize the outcome of all his discharges.

Pro Se
Santa Monica

October 3, 2001

Dear Editor,

(Re: "Court Slaps City's Hand in Airport Nuisance Suit; Plaintiffs Disappointed," Sept. 27)

It is with regret and disappointment that the charges by the West Los Angeles neighbors were not recognized as a legitimate claim against the airport.

As a 35 year resident of the Ocean Park neighborhood I have watched the quality of my family's life deteriorate because of the nuisances that the Airport is allowed to get away with. When we bought our house 28 years ago this was a quite neighborhood with a quality of life that was quiet and pleasant.

Now we live in a noisy and polluted environment that pleases a few hundred citizens who feel that they deserve the right to destroy the life of thousands of SM and WLA citizens by flying their jets over our houses. The jets sit on the runways at all hours of the day and night revving their motors waiting for take off. Frequently they steer their aircraft over homes which are not in the flight path that is set up for safe air travel.

It is appalling to me that the city council of Santa Monica will not stand up for the rights of the tax paying citizens who live here. Instead they are lenient and open to all who want to land their aircraft here -- imposing minimal fines on nosy aircraft, charging small amounts of monies to store and park aircraft at the airport. It is more expensive to pay for a parking ticket here then to park an airplane!

I am sorry for the West Los Angeles Citizens and for the citizens who live in the south side of Santa Monica. When a city the size of this considers visitors to our city more important than its citizens it doesn't say much for the officials who run it.

Ronald O'Meara
Santa Monica

October 1, 2001

Dear Editor,

Regarding Joe Weichman's letter refuting Bruria Finkel's assertion that housing was the number one issue in Santa Monica and claiming that homelessness is; I fail to see the difference.

Homelessness is merely LACK of housing. It is the other side of the same coin. If you can't find
safe, affordable housing, you become homeless. Any questions?

Alan Toy
Santa Monica