Letters
• Ocean Front Walk Opinion - Carol
Berman
• Searching Venice - Janice
Silver
• Affordable Housing Shortage -
Stephen Scheffler
• Walking and Rights
of Enjoyment - Sandra Smith
Ocean Front Walk
Opinion
Dear
Beachhead,
In some of your past issues,
there have been letters pleading for the right of artists savants politicos,
etc., to exhibit on the west side of the Ocean Front Walk. These letters cite
freedom of speech, the tradition of artists God squadders performers that have
always been alive in Venice, and that the proposed city "lottery ordinance"
would stifle the spontaneity and stifle artistic religious and political
expression.
I believe I have the
authority to speak to that argument. About 30 years ago, I was arrested for
distributing leaflets on the Ocean Front Walk, along with several other people.
We were of a particular political persuasion, which was anathema to the
establishment at that time.
Through our efforts and the Public Defenders Office, we were able to set the
precedent of free expression on the Ocean Front Walk. I didn’t believe the
"establishment" folks when they warned of untrammeled behavior. This was before
portable amplifiers and electronic keyboards, and mass-produced merchandising
tents. Well I have learned my lesson in re human, no, artistic
behavior.
I’m sorry that I
wasn’t present at the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council where the
city ordinance regarding the lottery of spaces to the vendors on the west side
was discussed.
Not surprisingly,
the Boardwalk Committee unanimously came out against the lottery system proposed
by the city. After all, the Boardwalk Committee is comprised of those vendors on
the west side of the Ocean Front Walk.
Their cries of protect the artists and free speech is just a smoke screen to
protect their monetary interests, much like the Ocean Front Walk business
associations on the east side of
O.F.W.
At the risk of being called
politically incorrect and anti artist, I support the lottery ordinance in
concept. Yes, it needs tweaking, and it certainly ignores the issue of amplified
music and continual percussion that is close to my heart (and ears) but due to
the incompetence cowardice or laziness of the Neighborhood Prosecutors Office,
the issue was ignored.
If one looks
at the basic concept of the lottery, it ensures that more and varied vendors and
exhibitionists are able to partake of the splendors of the
O.F.W.
As the Ocean Front Walk
vendor/west situation stands now, there is a permanent establishment of vendors
and exhibitionists that occupy the "no rent zone," the west side of the
O.F.W.
Some of the art vendors mark
out their spots, and woe to any artist/vendor wannabe who unknowingly inhabits
the space "owned" by one of the long-time art vendors. I have witnessed fights
and intimidations by some of the very art vendors who proclaim their love of
freedom for the arts as they push and bully newer art vendors out of "their"
space. There are some art vendors who take up at least half a block to vend
their art. These same people also occupy a hill where they have an amplified
free speech area and constant and incessant drumming all day long. Though
residents have complained about the drumming and amplified free speech, their
complaints were ignored.
However,
it is alleged that the art vendor has reached an accommodation with the bar that
is east of the O.F.W. art business. When the bar starts up their amplified
music, the drumming stops. In other words an arrangement was made between two
business people for business interests, and screw the
residents.
Those who have vested
interest on O.F.W. west object to the lottery because it would mean they would
have to move to different locations on the O.F.W., and they would lose their
customers. The O.F.W. was not supposed to be for people to sell their slave
labor manufactured Indonesian jewelry or their incense. It was meant to be a
place where people could display their art and promulgate their politics or
religion.
I believe the lottery would
stop the insanity of people revving their motors as they wait for the parking
lots to open at 6 a.m., the radios, barking dogs, etc. The ordinance would
prevent the greed head mentality that has infected the west side, it would
regulate the amount of space one could take up, not only horizontally but
vertically.
There are some art vendors
who have display boards that are at least eight feet high. There are tents that
Salladin would have been proud to sleep in. These structures block the view of
the beach and the ocean. Remember the ocean? One can still catch a glimpse of it
between the pegboard edifices and three sided tents, as one strolls along the
front.
The residents of Venice have
fought commercial structures on the beach, and the Coastal Commission has agreed
with the residents, at least in concept. Now, we are treated to the invasion of
the Culture Snatchers, who suck off the image of the La Boheme struggling
artists, fighting the establishment. But in reality they are just as rapacious
and destructive as any speculator who has "discovered" Venice. In effect, Les
Artistes have become Le
Establishment.
The city ordinance
should contain regulations as to time of set up, and a time to take down their
wares perhaps 11 a.m. set up, no one comes to the beach before then, and take
down around 6 p.m. I have observed if the art vendors and exhibitionists stay
after 6 p.m., they stay until 12 a.m., partying hearty with radios amplified
musical instruments percussion barking dogs and same tone-deaf rhythm-dead
individuals who fancy they are Waylon Jennings, Carole King, Mick Jagger or
Janis Joplin.
Yes, there are a few
flowers that bloom amongst the bullshit on the O.F.W., but they are few and they
usually go on to play where you gotta pay to have your eardrums pierced, and the
painters get enough bucks to get a real showing in a
gallery.
Before you dismiss me as Ms.
Spoil Sport of the millennium, the noise the artistes etc., goes on seven days a
week winter through summer, if the temperature is above freezing, the wind is
less than gale force, and the rain below the flood
level.
It’s been a month
since I’ve heard the skree of a seagull. They’re drowned out at 10
a.m. by the drummers. And you should see the mess these sensitive artistic souls
leave behind them! Enough Styrofoam to strangle a pod of dolphins, food
wrappers, cans, etc.
The ordinance
should make allowances for ad hoc politics; i.e., petitions for or against
recall, voter registration and dissemination of information, etc., with the
proviso that information and services are the main purpose for being on the
O.F.W., and not money or "donations." Volume of radios should be regulated or
are used-car commercials artistic? There should be space between
exhibitionists/vendors to allow access to the
beach.
The smooth sidewalks on the west
side were put there for the purpose of skaters—so there should be
sufficient space to enable skaters to skate on the smooth sidewalk and not on
the black top. But the sensitivities are limited only to the artists themselves,
after all, us nonartistic types should be grateful for their
presence.
Carol
Berman
************
SEARCHING
VENICE
Hi,
I spent a lot of time around Venice and the
Venice West in the 60's. There are two people from that time I and family
members are search for:
1. James
Allbritton, a black man, bisexual, very popular
2. The father of my son, an artist
(who I haven't seen for 37 years) known then as Lorenzo Trentanni (real name
James Trent). We worked together at Pacific Ocean Park. He lived on Horizon
for a time with Suzanne Haggman, a pretty redhead (kind of a Romeo type). I am
now raising his grandson his son's son. His son, Jamie has been a lousy father
to my grandson and I'm thinking it it would be therapeutic for both of them to
meet Lorenzo. His family hasn't heard from him for 30 years. Last known
address in 1994, Mountain View Hawaii. Then he drops off the map. Any leads or
ideas you could possibly offer would be greatly
appreciated.
Janice
Silver
(a little crazy back then!, hung out
at the Venice West sometimes, often spoke with Anna Haag.)
************
Affordable
Housing Shortage
Reprinted Letter
to City Councilmember Miscikowski
Dear
Councilmember Miscikowksi,
I am writing
to implore you to help keep Lincoln Place from being demolished by developers'
misguided efforts.
You, through your
lack of effort to avert the destruction of Lincoln Place Apartments in Venice,
are not only following the cynical model of the toadying political servant
seeking self importance at the feet of moneyed interests, you are contributing
to a radical reduction of housing options that have been part of the definition
of Los Angeles. Interest in developing the area occupied by Lincoln Place should
have been diverted elsewhere.
Los
Angeles should be protecting sub-upscale housing. Upscale housing can pay for
itself and should not come at the expense of housing that is the caliber of
Lincoln Place Apartments, which you know are eligible for National Historic
Preservation. If you were marginally independent of your pro-development
backers, you would see the significant contribution to the housing stock in Los
Angeles.
On Thursday March 18, a
construction fence was erected around 2 buildings at Lincoln Place. The owner of
Lincoln Place, AIMCO, based in Denver, repeatedly said that the fence was to
keep out transients and that there were no plans for asbestos removal and
demolition. On Monday March 22 an asbestos removal contractor appeared and began
preparing the 2 buildings for asbestos abatement. These buildings are
surrounded by other occupied apartments. My wife, son and I live right next to
one of these buildings.
Asbestos
removal is to be performed under strict conditions and after issuance of certain
permits. The subcontractor performing the removal didn't have the necessary
division 5 permit from the LA Fire Department. In addition to obtaining a
permit, there is supposed to be a 10-day period between issuing the permit and
beginning the work. The contractor sought this permit yesterday afternoon after
the LA Fire Department ordered him to do
so.
Only through the City enforcing
compliance with building codes, will here be a correct process. Why should I
believe they will comply with any other part of the permitting process, which is
aimed at protecting the general public's health? We are requesting that you
enforce the law and ensure that
NO ASBESTOS
REMOVAL OCCURS BEFORE THE 10 DAY WAITING PERIOD AFTER OBTAINING A PERMIT
!!!
As an informed citizen of Los
Angeles and as a politician aware of the shortage of affordable housing here,
you should recognize the significance of Lincoln Place to the overall strength
and vibrancy of Venice and LA.
Keeping Lincoln Place is too important to just let developers have their way.
Keeping Lincoln Place is the right thing to support. Allowing Lincoln Place to
go under through your lack of effort is wrong. Your aid, who attended the recent
meeting of the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Committee focusing on the future
of Lincoln Place, said he would report to you the Venice community's support of
Lincoln Place. Maybe he did this, maybe not.
If he did report back to you and you
had listened, you would have been active in at least forcing compliance with
City building codes. Your lack of support conveys an interest in supporting
people who will profit from an easy theft of the legacy of Los Angeles.
As an elected official who,
through mandated redistricting, represents people who did not elect you, you
should not squander your power in the service of people who are ignorant of
anything but their own financial self-interests. Your next efforts for political
office may certainly be colored by what you do to save or
not
Save Lincoln
Place.
Stephen
Scheffler
***********
Walking
and Rights of Enjoyment
The waves
were short days ago, in parallel formation, jumping one after the other as a
ballet troupe to shore. Today the Pacific is pacific with nary a wave. The water
lies flat; floating seaweed rests in heaps on the surface. Tiny tickles of Foam
caress the beach in a wave
imitation.
But the dog walkers have
become careless not picking up after their faithful companions on the bike paths
and promenade. It is worse than the expectorators who think we like to step in
spittle.
I just wish the residents and
visitors to Venice would have more respect for their environment and allow
others to look up and enjoy the scenery and not have to concentrate totally on
each foot placement.
Sandra
Smith
Posted: Sat
- May 1, 2004 at 04:23 PM