Council Time is Relative

May 4, 2000

Dear Editor,

It is always amazing to me how very differently two people can
experience the same event. Bill Bauer's letter (which you published)
indicates that he was quite angry about the 3 1/2 hour hearing
of the Simonson appeal at Tuesday night's Council meeting.

I attended and sat through the same hearing and found myself fascinated
by this exercise in democratic government and the amazing patience,
attention to detail, and caring exhibited by all of the council members.

Yes, it was late when our turn to speak on item 8A finally came up, but
I was proud to live in a city whose council would spend 3 1/2
hours being careful to balance the competing needs of a business and a
neighborhood. Had it not been so late, I would have said so on the
spot.

I'm constantly amazed at the incredible number of hours council members
give to the city. I know most of them sat for hours through the college
board meeting Monday night, and were willing to sit till the wee hours
on Tuesday at the Council Meeting so all could be heard.

I know they spend time as liaison on the various boards and commissions in the city, show up at neighborhood watch meetings around the city, and probably much more that I don't know about.

I was there when Pam O'Connor and Mike Feinstein spent the entire day waiting to speak before the Coastal Commission on behalf of Santa Monica. Keep in mind that their compensation wouldn't cover 3 hours a month of a lawyer's time.

We may not like some of their decisions, but it's my belief that we
owe them much thanks for the time they dedicate and their level of caring. Those who know me know that I say this often.

Ellen Brennan
Santa Monica