MORE LETTERS: Police Gym, Homeless and Housing

October 8, 2001

Dear Editor,

Your story on the massive cost increase of the new public safety facility ("Public Safety Facility Tab at $63 Million," Oct. 9) failed to mention that the complex financing scheme is necessary because the voters turned down a bond that would have paid for the building.

I haven't looked at the current plans, but as presented to the voters, the new facility included a lavish health club for our police officers, who are by contract the second highest paid force in California.

It will be a great day when the public restrooms get all the maintenance they need, and the police department has to hold a bake sale to pay their gym memberships.

Abby Arnold
Santa Monica

October 11, 2001

Dear Editor:

I have been up in arms ever since I got the "Seascape." I saw that letter regarding Homeless and recognized it as the same one that had been sent home at Grant School. I immediately emailed Judy Rambeau (the editor of the city-published newsletter mailed to all residents of Santa Monica) and said, "What idiot authorized that to be printed as a way for people and children to deal with the Homeless, particularly children."

Judy's reply was that it was for the parents to understand Homeless people better. Of course, I pointed out some of the dangers of encouraging children to approach Homeless. Also adults. You do not know whether they are on drugs, alcohol, just out of jail, prison, mentally ill, violent or what.

After a couple of emails she said she was sorry that I disagreed with the City's Homeless policies. She also had Joel Schwartz (the City's Homeless Services Coordinator) email me with his propaganda of how many people have been helped within the homeless programs of Santa Monica.

Figures don't lie but liars figure. We know not many or why do we still have so many and see the same ones. I have lived here 25 years and I have seen many of the same mentally ill people on the streets getting more and more emaciated.

Concered Citizen
Barbara Walther

October 12, 2001

Dear Editor,

Regarding Alan Toy's remarks ("Letters," Oct. 9) on the correlation between homelessness and affordable housing, I failed to see the connection he tried to make. If there is housing available, what makes Mr. Toy think that the homeless are the only ones who need it? Do you know how many other different people need housing? What about people with money? Don't they need a place to live too?

I haven't lived in Santa Monica too long, but the thing I've noticed that Santa Monica needs is breathing room. Santa Monica seems so dense (even though it's better than most inland cities).

I also checked back to Mr. Weichman's letter ("Letters," Oct. 1) that Mr. Toy had referenced. He used the Santa Monica Resident Survey, so I checked it on the city Website (which is a great Website). Mr. Weichman was correct, Mr. Toy. From what that report says, the homeless problem is a top priority for Santa Monicans. Forgive me for asking, but I'm curious to know why you said he
"claimed" it?

With Respect,

Eli Morris
Santa Monica

October 9, 2001

Dear Editor,

I am amazed; that Alan Toy can take a social problem as incredibly complex as homelessness and so confidently distill it down to a single sentence.

And at the same time I am gratified that Mr. Toy's official duties are confined to the Rent Control Board. With the myopic tendencies he demonstrates, who knows what damage could be wrought were he given greater responsibilities?

Don Gray
Santa Monica

October 9, 2001

Dear Editor,

Apparently Alan Toy did not read my letter to the editor. He believes that I "claimed homelessness" as the number one issue in Santa Monica. If he had read my letter, he would have read that "homelessness" IS the number one issue, cited directly from the City of Santa Monica Resident Survey. Perhaps Alan should take more time to think about writing a letter before actually doing so.

And another thing... homelessness is NOT about lack of housing. Many of Santa Monica's homeless choose to live on the streets. On top of that, many homeless people come here from all parts of the state (and country), expecting to be housed by the city.

Many will come here and find out that the cost of housing in Santa Monica is beyond their financial grasp and then they are stuck. As a result, they go after the City, County and other resources because they've heard how generous we are. The new arrivals compete with our senior citizens and long time residents, also looking for housing relief, and that leads to a high demand for a limited amount of affordable housing, ultimately exacerbating the problem.

Joe Weichman
Santa Monica

October 9, 2001

Dear Editor,

Yes, I have questions. In regards to Alan Toy, you ask and I shall give you. Joe Weichman was correct and you are absolutely wrong, but that's o.k., anything for the cause of following the party line, right?

For two years straight, the City survey has shown the number one concern was the homeless problem. But persons like yourself are quick to play word games. The city of Santa Monica does itself a disservice by drawing all the felons, child molesters, and rapists to our city. And naive fools like yourself always try to call it homelessness. Why does the city staff also quote numbers of up to 60 percent of the homeless population is service resistant?

You know, Alan, your arguments are false. I know you like to argue, but maybe next time you respond to somebody's letter, you'll check the facts before opening your mouth. Or maybe we should put out some feeding programs around your rent-controlled apartment at Ocean Ave. and San Vicente and see how quick your neighbors will find this to be their number one concern as well.

Chuck Allord
Santa Monica

October 9, 2001

Dear Editor,

Housing could be free and many of the homeless would refuse it. Toy's lack of affordable brains would have a housing project on every block.... and the middle class that will pay for it be damned.

If you look at the cost per unit for Community Corp. housing projects you realize the only people that find them affordable are the tenants! Keep up the good work Alan, I'm sure that in the next twenty years your policies will further reduce our population.

But wait! If the population is going down why do we need more housing... affordable or otherwise?

Jeers,

Steven G. Keats
Santa Monica