Irv Stokes and the Yeshiva

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

         On a scenic Culver City hilltop yesterday at the lunch hour, a nobleman of science
 had his scholarly imprint permanently affixed to an unusual campus thirteen months after his death.
          With the gentleman’s widow standing in as his proxy, the head of the school announced that the science program will forever bear his name. When the projected science building is completed, it also will be known by his name.
          Meantime, a laboratory named for him will stand as the eternal legacy for a man who made exploration of the outer and inner worlds his hobby horse, his personal laboratory. With intensity, he probed the density surrounding the stars far out in the universe. 

From City Hall to Playa Vista

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

     Two former officials from Los Angeles City Hall have joined the Playa Vista development complex.
Maricela Gomez, previously the legislative deputy for City Council member Wendy Greuel, is Playa Vista’s new Director of Government Relations. Having formerly served as field deputy for City Councilmember Ruth Galanter when her district included the Westside, Ms. Gomez is familiar with the territory, the issues and the people.
     After serving as the Central Area Director for Mayor Villaraigosa, Michelle Fleenor moves to Playa Vista as Director of Special Projects.

Ladera Answers L.A. Times Essay

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

      (Editor’s Note: The following letter, by leaders of a Ladera Heights movement to transfer students from Inglewood to Culver  City, was written in response to a Jan. 23 essay in the Los Angeles Times by Erin Aubrey Kaplan. Ms. Kaplan harshly criticized Ladera families for “betraying their race” by trying to leave the Inglewood system.)

      We are the chief petitioners of the Ladera Heights school petition, and we are responding to the “opinion” of Erin Aubry Kaplan in the Jan. 25 issue of the Los Angeles Times in the Opinion Section. 
      We did, in fact, submit our Notice of Intent to Appeal (Los Angeles County’s rejection of a proposed transfer of students from Inglewood to Culver City) with the County Office of Education on Monday, Jan. 23.

Whispering in Producer Mandell’s Ear

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

A wonderful feeling washed over a dozen of your fellow citizens the other evening in the scenic, window-rich Garden Room at the Vets Auditorium.
      Susan Obrow, the peppiest Special Events Coordinator on Overland or any other avenue, convened a once-a-year community meeting. She invited fans of the Summer Sunset Concert Series to nominate musical genres or attractions that they want Producer Gary Mandell to bring to the outdoors stage at City Hall, beginning Thursday, June 15.

      Not at all cynically it should be reported that this was the ultimate dog-and-pony show, a stress-free, well-meaning exercise designed to make everyone in the softly lighted room feel good. Only a curmudgeon would think something was wrong with that.
      Just the right degree of folksiness for those who appreciate that faded quality in community life.

Vera and the Next Police Chief

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

In what may be the final legacy-shaping project of his political career, the retiring Mayor Albert Vera figures to be the most crucial player once again this winter when the City Council selects a new Police Chief.
          Speaking as one who often gets his way, Mr. Vera wants to have the new chief named by the last day of the month.

          Some political observers in Culver City talk skeptically about the Vera legacy. But there can be no doubt his influence has been dominant in choosing the first two successors to the legendary Ted Cooke.

The Mysterious Lavery Email

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

Was a fired City Hall official seeking  revenge two weeks ago when he emailed each member of the City Council hours before a vote on whether to renew his old boss’s contract?
Six months after being dismissed by Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Fulwood, short-term City Controller Jim Lavery dispatched an explosive message to the Council.

          Injecting himself into a debate whose outcome had seemed clear, Mr. Lavery laid out a detailed case for rejecting a new three-year agreement for Mr. Fulwood.

Which One Will Live Happily Ever After?

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

Second of Two Parts
  
            In the spirit of a wheezing soap opera, can City Treasurer Crystal Alexander and Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Fulwood find true partnership while they are avidly competing for the upper hand as the chief financial officer?
            The latter title is not capitalized because such a position is only fantasy today. Numerous present and past employees have told thefrontpageonline.com that the Culver City system of governing, financially, was built to breed friction rather than efficiency.

Too Late to Save Mobile Home Parks?

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

     At a Town Hall meeting on Monday night at Culver West Park that was not supposed to be any more treacherous than a pillow fight,
·         Physical action was threatened by Mayor Albert Vera,
·         City Councilwoman Carol Gross pointedly criticized numerous people,
·        Councilman Steve Rose appeared to demand two apologies, received none,

San Gennaro — What Is Its Future?

Ari L. NoonanOP-ED

     The fluid Downtown restaurant scene was jolted this morning by the news that Jay Handal, the owner of the popular San Gennaro Café, filed for bankruptcy last week in federal court in Santa Ana.
     Throughout a whirlwind ten-year career in Culver City, Mr. Handal, a peripatetic former New Yorker, has been, arguably, the most visible, busiest and most talked-about business owner in the community.
     His most familiar pose is with his cell phone to his ear, constantly changing locations, all the while barking directions to staffers.

     Meanwhile, Mr. Handal’s newest neighbor is at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum.