Panic, Good News, ATMs, Captioning and more on Jacob's Playhouse

September 23, 2000

Dear Editor,

I thought we were invaded, the noise and air maneuvers that took place was truly massive.

Sensation is the meat of the news media. I am so glad you are here and able to create the calm. Thanks Lookout.

Bruria Finkel
Santa Monica

September 23, 2000

Dear Editor,

Another Saturday in my office just became brighter after reading the article you wrote on yesterday's "Celebrating Success" event.

I'm glad you could attend and thank you for reporting on a most inspirational and well-received community gathering. It's great to read GOOD news, especially about what is positive in Santa Monica.

Donna Gentry
Santa Monica

September 22, 2000

Dear Editor,

Did the Lookout realize the ordinance the City Council passed late Tuesday lifted Santa Monica's ban on ATM second fees ONLY pending the judicial outcome? Our pioneering consumer protection law goes back into effect the moment we win in the appeals court (and I continue to believe we will).

In fact, our refocusing of resources on winning the main case raises an interesting challenge to BofA and Wells Fargo. Since Nov. 11, 1999, they have electronically barricaded their Santa Monica ATMs against non-customers with signs blaming it on "an action of the Santa Monica City Council."

Our original voluntary suspension of enforcement left BofA/WF with the excuse that our law empowered INDIVIDUALS to file for damages against banks if they were charged double ATM fees. Now the megabanks have no excuse. Why are Santa Monica's BofA/WF ATMs still off limits to our residents?

Bet the banks won't be putting up signs, "Due to an action of our greedy corporate attorneys"!

Councilman Kevin McKeown

September 20, 2000

Dear Editor,

I've been reading with interest the saga of the little boy's tree house. One issue that stands out for me is the credibility of the elected and appointed officials in Santa Monica.

In one article, Mr. Genser, the mayor, indicated he merely forwarded a constituent's complaint about the tree house to city staff, which on its face seems reasonable, and perhaps something he should do.

But in a later article it seems Mr. Genser actually sent several emails to city officials setting out what the zoning law is and how he believed the tree house violated the law.

To me, that's not simply forwarding a complaint or making an inquiry for a constituent. It's the mayor making a case and then arguing it on behalf of the constituent. And the result was the city overturning its earlier approval of the tree house.

Mr. Genser's explanation makes him look like he's talking out of both sides of his mouth, which raises serious questions about his credibility and the integrity of the people in charge at city hall.

Sincerely,

Joanne Epstein
Santa Monica

September 19, 2000

Dear Editor,

I am once again bewildered by the actions of the City of Santa Monica after
reading "The City vs. Jacob's Playhouse." This is an all time low. I sincerely hope the city will come to its senses and let the boy keep his playhouse. This matter needs to be put to rest.

It is obvious that the Levy family cooperated with the city, and even went out of their way to make compromises with their neighbor. Once the Levys were told that the matter had been closed, that should have been the end of it. I believe the city owes Jacob Levy an apology.

I know I speak for many members of the Santa Monica community when I say, the city needs to get on with more important business, and let the boy have his
playhouse.

Elizabeth Laugeson

September 23, 2000

Dear Editor,

On Sept.19, 2000 7:30 p.m. Maria Stewart (the City Clerk) advised me that
pursuant to official city policy the city wouldn't provide a sign language interpreter because, Mr. Leon, a deaf Santa Monican resident, wasn't present in the council chambers.

The deaf are not allowed by official city policy to have equal access to mainstream with the able-bodied audience that's able to watch on (or recording for later replay) TV. Maria Stewart advised me that it was official city policy to provide a
sign language interpreter only if the requester was present in the city council chambers at both 8:30pm (item: 6a) and 3:am (item: 13a).

The Hearing Impaired, Deaf, and Spanish-speaking would greatly benefit in being allowed to participate at all City meetings that provided captioning in English and Spanish at all meetings.

This evil city policy of not mainstreaming the disable is highly offensive to the disabled. Please send a letter to the city council if you want the city council meetings to have (online A.D.A. Bobby approved level 3 captioning in English) and Spanish.

Pro Se
Santa Monica