L.A. Ballot Measures

I can easily support Proposition 1, with $15 million designated for Venice Beach. It is not so easy to decide about Proposition 5. It is obvious that we need more responsive local government. The Airport Commission added 8,000 parking spaces just as a new Master Plan is being prepared; the Community Redevelopment Agency gave a platinum parachute to a former director. So we should give more power to the City Council, right?

Over the past months, my neighborhood has been trying to prevent the CRA from giving $47 million to Melvin Simon & Associates for the Hollywood redevelopment project, unless the firm backs off from its Marina Place project, which will decimate our community.

In this process, I have contacted every City Council member. The answer is always the same (except Ruth Galanter): Michael Woo wants this and it is in his district. The rule of the game in City Council is to go along with the wishes of the incumbent in the district. You don’t get 15 opinions, you get one opinion 15 times.

On the other hand, Mayor Tom Bradley has made some sensitive appointments lately. He needs to put tough, pro-citizen people in the money departments--Airport and Harbor commissions--as well. Let’s give the mayor another chance and vote against Proposition 5.

DELL CHUMLEY, Venice