World Class Egomaniac

July 23, 2009

Dear Editor,

Frank Gruber admits in his latest column that he may be a Westside narcissist. He sells himself way short. He is a World-Class egomaniac. (“WHAT I SAY -- Westside Narcissism and Left-Wing Rhetoric: In Synch and Opposed,” July 20, 2009)

Referring to members of the Pico Neighborhood Association, Pico Neighborhood youths, and Council member Bobby Shriver, Gruber asks, “Did everyone who spoke against locating [the Expo light rail line maintenance yard] in Santa Monica really believe what they were saying?”

Only a hopeless egomaniac would subscribe to Frank’s reasoning: “These people have expressed opinions that disagree with ME. Therefore, they can’t possibly believe what they are saying. Either that, or they are ignorant, incompetent, and/or out of touch with reality (which, by the way, is defined by ME).”

Yet it turns out these lunatics have some valid points:

• Locating a maintenance facility across the street from residences is just bad city planning. A friend of mine lives near the LAMTA bus maintenance yard in Venice, and he has gone a little crazy from the noise. One of the loudest activities is washing the busses with high-pressure spray. There’s little or no hope of mitigating that noise.
  
  
• It’s a fine idea to put something on that land that generates jobs for people living nearby, but other businesses located there could also provide jobs -- maybe more than the 135 predicted for the maintenance yard -- without ruining people’s homes. And they could be better jobs. Gruber suggests Pico Neighborhood residents should jump at the chance to wash cars. What if they have higher aspirations? And I don’t mean being rappers, as he condescendingly suggests.
  
  
• Some healthy skepticism is in order when Expo and City employees and their paid consultants claim no other suitable land exists on the entire Westside.. How many of the Expo staff live in Santa Monica? How many of the Santa Monica City employees recommending the site live in the Pico Neighborhood? I’m guessing zero. They found a spot, and they’re just not interested in looking for another one.

What purpose is served by demeaning people who disagree with you? Certainly no civic purpose. If you say other people are hypocritical, or irresponsible, or ignorant, does it make you look ethical, responsible, and smart? Frank can only hope.

Larry Watson
Santa Monica