Bad Idea and Taking Satire Seriously

January 15, 2003

Dear Editor,

A recent opinion piece ("Teachers Union President's Address to School Board," January 14, 2003) suggested that the SMMUSD take back Madison from Santa Monica College. Contrary to the writer's belief, this would create an even worse financial situation for the school district.

If the SMMUSD chose to break their lease with SMC, two things would happen: the school district would have to compensate the college for improvements made to the Madison facility, and they would lose over $800,000 annually.

The writer also suggests that Santa Monica College allocate funding to the SMMUSD. Considering the governor's budget removed more money from the community colleges than the school districts, the idea is without merit.

The SMMUSD should not consider breaking their lease with Santa Monica College, or they will face even greater financial woes.

Joe Weichman
Santa Monica

January 14, 2003

Dear Editor

When it comes to dedication to cause, understanding of housing issues, and competency in job performance, few, if any, people can be placed in a category with Sallyann Molloy. Malloy is the Directing Attorney-Santa Monica office of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.

Therefore it is with some sadness that I read her letter ("Outrageous and Irresponsible," January 13, 2003) wherein she chastised a writer in the WAM magazine (ACTION IN SANTA MONICA's monthly journal) for his recent article about the poor state of affairs in our City's housing policy.

I had hoped that she would have seen that article as political criticism of an intolerant and
counter-productive system of laws the City has created. These laws (as the article suggests) punish the good Housing Providers. The tone of the article was clearly: Why is it that the City will not reward good Housing Providers with incentives to accomplish the City's stated
goals? Why is there this constant war going on between the Housing Providers and the City?

No one at ACTION has ever advised anyone to discriminate in housing, nor does a fair reading of the ACTION article suggest that advice. The point of the article was simply that if the City wants Housing Providers to rent to certain classes or groups of tenants, the City should write laws which reward the practice, not punish it.

Sincerely

Rosario Perry
Fellow Tenant