[Editor’s Note: Mr. Laase specializes in identifying analytical trends and quirks.] Measure CA — City Manager Oversight 4,034 YES — 7,439 NO. Total vote was 11,473. Measure CB — Council Member Timeout 7,981 YES — 3,410 NO. Total vote was 11,391. Measure CD — Meeting Scheduling 8,257 YES — 3,115 NO. Total vote was 11,372. Measure CW – Clean Water & Debt 9,434 YES … Read More
Our Biggest Community Debt Ever
I am wondering if the city officials made the School District aware of the looming cost of the Clean Water Act when School Board members were deciding on how much to borrow in fixing our schools. In discussing on how much bond money, our local School Board failed to heed the voices of the fiscal conservatives in the community in not spending our community … Read More
Open Letter to School Board Members
Ms. Robins
Perhaps it is only a rumor. I hope it is just that. But it has come to the attention of the public that the School Board may be considering violating one of its own bylaws in the upcoming election of its board president for next year. As you know, the School Board is bound by its own set of duly … Read More
Too Many Unknowns About Measure CW
Having a sunset clause in tax measures is the only way taxpayers have to force elected officials to focus on accomplishing intended projects within an agreed period of time and at a certain cost. Our local city officials already have said why this project needs to be started and why it needs to be done: It is a federally mandated … Read More
News Media’s Role in Social Change
Ms. Angelou
On a deep personal level, I don’t like how Colin Kaepernick is using his stardom for social protest. Most of us don’t like to have someone else hold a mirror up to us to show our flaws. In doing so, Kaepernick is trying to prod us into doing something we would rather not acknowledge or even think about. Most of … Read More
The Real Cost of District Employment
Mr. LaRose
If our School District were forced to lay off David Mielke this year (not likely due to the seniority of the Teachers Union president) it would save well over $125K, not merely the $90K in salary he mentioned in a recent story. The $125K is the School District’s cost for employing him as a high school health teacher, a union … Read More
Taxes Everywhere — and Not a Dime to Drink
Graphic: wamvoice.com
President Nixon signed the Clean Water Act ‘way back in 1972. The 50-year time limit for us to address our nation’s water quality problem is approaching. We need to start thinking of ways to fulfill our local share ($125M) of this multi-billion dollar, county-wide project. Permanency Our elected officials have chosen to put a $99 parcel tax on November’s ballot … Read More
Parcel Tax: A Question of Courage
Photo: George Hodan
The City Council seems determined not to put an end date on its newly proposed parcel tax. It seems the Council wants to make this parcel tax permanent, without actually calling for it to be permanent. Our members are too scared to ask voters to approve it, as such. That should tell the Council something right there. Don’t try and … Read More
Open Your Wallets. The Taxman Cometh
I took a look at the City Council’s “proposed parcel tax” to help pay for our part of the unfunded federal mandate from the 1972 Clean Water Act. I also watched the Council meeting when they discussed whether to put this tax on the November ballot. Culver City’s Tax Base At last count (2015), there were 10,375 single-family residents in … Read More
Sahli-Wells Is Looking For a Second
Ms. Sahli Wells, second from right, at celebration for Sister City Kaizuka, Japan. Mike Cohen, Mr. Culver City, right, with Consul General of Japan and his wife.
It seems quite obvious by its latest lock-step, liberal endorsements that any democratic values the Culver City Democratic Club once held have been tossed out the window, trashed. It is now the exclusive domain for the most partisan of liberals in town. The word is out that long-time party moderates need not join or seek its approval. Isolation on the … Read More