Exposing Planning Commission Abuses, Taking Dispute to Source and Challenging "Tired, Inaccurate, Racists Depictions"

March 18, 2003

Dear Editor

Kudos to my former Planning Commission colleague and independent thinker, Frank Gruber, for once again exposing the farce that passes for deliberation and thoughtful planning with which our current Planning Commission abuses our community. ("WHAT I SAY: Who's Jerking Whom," March 17)

Commissioners serve at the pleasure of the City Council. Surely one day the overriding interests of the community might engage five votes to immediately remedy the matter. This situation is and has been getting 'curiouser and curiouser' every time our esteemed successors convene.

Will Council be able to ignore this farce much longer?

Eric Charles Parlee
Former Planning Commissioner

March 17, 2003

Dear Editor,

Tom Larmore's letter ("Demonizing Homeowners and Blind Assertions," March 13) says that I claimed he advised landlords on Prop A.

"Despite her claims (and maybe her wishes), I never advised landlords or anyone else that Prop A is important, or even relevant, to apartment owners, the Ellis Act or anything else related to apartments," Larmore wrote.

I beg to differ, Mr. Larmore. You should re-read surfsantamonica.com's article ("Homeowners Turn to Rent Control War Vets," May 8, 2002), which states, in part:

"During a monthly meeting of the ACTION Apartment Association Monday night (May 6, 2002), Attorney Tom Larmore -- the leader of a growing movement to require a homeowner's consent before the City can designate a structure as a landmark -- compared the fledgling battle to the two-decade old rent control war. 'There are always people who want to control your life, especially in Santa Monica.' "

The article continued: "… Larmore also noted that two dozen apartment buildings along the western stretch of San Vicente Boulevard were included in an inventory of structures that have potential historic value.

"A landmark designation, Larmore warned, would halt demolitions under the Ellis Act, a state law that allows landlords to quit the rental business. 'It could stop Ellis demolitions,' Larmore said. 'The issue has great importance to all of us.'"

Sounds like advice to landlords to me.

So, Mr. Larmore, if you have a dispute about what you publicly said to landlords, it must be with the newspaper that reported it, not with me.

Beatrice Nemlaha

March 16, 2003

Dear Editor,

It is sad to continue to read in Santa Monica's oldest news source ("Two Men Shot in Pico Neighborhood," March 6) tired, inaccurate, racists depictions of my beloved community.

I am very sure that the vast majority of the PN residents do not believe their neighborhood to be "gang-riddled." Since it is the responsibility and credibility of those of us that were born here and choose to live here, to address those wrongs, I would appeal to you NOT to continue using such convenient journalistic jargon.

Also, since most white people and media types use "gang" as a term to exclusively (please resist a temptation here to remind me about skinheads) describe Blacks and Latinos, please reconsider the continued misuse of that term as well.

Notes from a Native Son. Your friend,

Clyde Smith

March 16, 2003

Dear Editor,

I would just like to support my crusty ol' friend, Vietnam Active Combat Marine Vet Man of substance and Principle and Native Son, Clyde Smith.

You in the media seem to get on this broken record, repetition trip and it is quite annoying to well-read and trained eyes and ears. It seems that all attempts at bringing the cultures together to express their similarities the "Media" pounds that much harder on the things that divide and thwart Cultural Unity.

There are far more things that are in common than there are differences. There are more things that are out of sync that have a direct effect on all of us, i.e. water, air, food, sanitation basics that are in such terrible shape that we ALL should be alarmed about and feverishly working together to help solve.

At the very least, admitting that you don't know and need to find out, study the issue and get informed to be able to bring about a change for the better for all/us/we.

Some of us are aware of the plans that have been underway for this Mesa up here en Santa Monica-College Park. The Local Neighborhood Association used to be on top of these issues but has been hijacked by go-along-to-get-along doubletalkers concerned with imagery and appearance and not what the organization has been about in the past.

Saint MOnica, madre de San Augustine of Moorish and Latimore backround and NOT as depicted in the Italian Depictions de los Santos del la Iglesia Catolica. NOT! The NEA/Rockefeller/Morgan financed "Public FOOL "system version of history that has been "Carefully taught us" down thru the last century is full of LIES, deception and misinformation.

It takes Men like Martin Scorsese to give us Cinematic insight into what really happened in spots like New York and in many other places in this country to change the face of history. (See THE PRIZE, a PBS documentary at the Library). One need only see the first 2 hours to see what it is all about and see what is happening today.

Since history is written by the victors and since we haven't learned from the past we are doomed to repeat it. This we are seeing with the Present day warmonger clan of Bushwackers. The chemically induced "dry drunk" the Accident is portraying in his public appearances pretending to be about seeking peace while bombing the hell out of Iraq every single day since he got into office after Ol' SLick WIilly' started it for him under orders from the DaddyBushwacker after he had his boys stop at the gate outside of Bagdad in 1991, is but one good example.

This is one of the first of the permanent wars that the Shadow Government has going on since Vietnam. The Accident select already has his shrine amongst the shriners, and his resignation on tape, so that the 20 year cycle can continue, whilst the Numbers and sights which must coincide with the heavens move into place.

This is in the secret knowledge which has been concealed from the public view. This is information that sounds stranger than fiction, which is the point to dissuade people from even considering it. Today being the information age and the Super highway has most of what I just shared. So even though we know and have seen that War is savage and HELL on Earth, we still sit around in our comfy chairs watching the BOOB toob! and claim to be informed by a bought and paid for Corporate Mass MEDIA.

They not only lie about what is going on they think it is their job to do so. Of course, they are "only doing their job!" if you let them tell it. However, ck out the major supporters of Corporate Mass Media\the Pharmaceutical Industry, followed by the Oil and gas Industry and then the rest.

This is one of the main reasons that we have such an ignorant and uninformed public. So Please, put the story out without all the stigmas and name calling that becomes the colloquial expressions. Stick to the facts and get the proper names and stop the prejudging. We will be watching and looking at you.

Another Native son.