Shame and Frustration

September 13, 2002

Dear Editor,

Again the debate on the living wage, which certainly deserves to be well debated, is being side-tracked by spokes people who wish to debate everything but the living wage.("Soft Money Corrupts and The Union's Bottom Line," Sept. 9, 2002)

Klaus Menneskes' recent letter ripping Vivian Rothstein for being a union organizer is but the latest example of an apparently organized attempt to turn the voters attention away from the facts and on to personalities.

I don't know Vivian personally, and I can't vouch for Klaus' assertion that she makes $65,000 a year working to organize workers, but I'd be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that it's only a fraction of what Klaus is making as one of the leaders of a group of people who want to see the living wage fail. I can say I haven't heard one argument in favor of holding wages below $10 an hour that makes sense.

$400 a week?! Roughly $20,000 a year?! To clothe, feed and shelter a family?! For people who work in a hotel where a room can bring in more in a night than they can in a week...? Shame on you, Klaus. The voters in Santa Monica are SMARTer than that.

Marc J. Sanschagrin
Political Action Chair
SMMCTA

September 16, 2002

Dear Editor,

"IMPOSTERS" are who's behind the so-called Living Wage issues. I just want to express my frustration and outrage with this deceiving measure, which has such a noble name, but is an imposter by design.

There have been and still yet to come many letters that are on the opposite ends of measure JJ. Some of these make strong arguments for their point of views.

However, many of these letters focus on the personalities of the players in each camp, which can muddle up the real issues. Voters should focus on the real facts and the possible outcome, in my prediction an ugly one, if this ordinance is not defeated with a strong NO vote on measure JJ.

First, let's be honest and call it by its real name, "Minimum Wage!" Is the reason we don't call it by this name, that it's either politically incorrect, or it couldn't possibly even get a sympathy vote. "Living Wage" sounds so acceptable and if you're against this cause, you must be heartless. We know that California already has a Minimum Wage law, already larger than the Federal law; why do we need another one? Are we that much higher or mightier?

Once again, our City Council decided to be in the national limelight and at the cutting edge of voodoo economics. I'm guessing, to show the rest of the world that we here, in the Green Republic of Santa Monica, can eliminate poverty and have all workers able to live within our City limits. With one simple ordinance! How arrogant! If the answer is that simple, why don't the State or the Federal Government implement it as well? At least then the playing field is even and our neighboring competitors would not have an advantage over us.

Second, in a time of deficits, budget shortfalls and economic uncertainty, how will the City fund the administration of their code? According to City Manager, Susan McCarthy, the code compliance/enforcement office will conservatively cost us, the taxpayers, at least $3 million plus, per year.

Has the City ever spent less than they forecasted? I don't think so! I'll bet these Administrative offices will wind up costing a great deal more. Where will the money come from? They'd need to cut other services, but which ones, I'm afraid to predict. From parks and recreation areas, beach services, police or fire protection, shelters, street maintenance, senior service centers and many more. They are as always the first to feel the pinch of budget cuts.

Please, be aware of being deceived by supporters of this harmful measure, as it has nothing to do with empowering employees, but re-establishing a power base for the old rent controllers, union interests and political pay back.

Sincerely,

Sig Ortloff
General Manager
Le Merigot Beach Hotel & Spa