The Wrong Result?

Introduction of the new practice schedule was exactly the temporary outcome that a parent of a swimmer on the Edge Swim Club told the City Council last night she did not want. At a fiery Town Hall meeting in East Culver City at Syd Kronenthal Park, Diane Martin sharply criticized last week’s compromise solution approved by the City Council. The Edge Swim Club apparently has had its way the last six years regarding practice times and plans at The Plunge. Under the freshly minted share plan, Edge evidently is will lose some of its former latitude and practice form flexibility. Ms. Martin characterized these changes as intolerable setbacks. She pleaded with the City Council to rescind the reconfigured practice schedule that goes into effect tomorrow until additional data can be studied. The Royal Swim Team not only is newer and smaller than Edge, it has a separate, and arguably rival, mission. As the city’s chief representative on the deepening controversy, Mr. LaPointe countered that City Hall’s primary goal was to attain a fair division of water time for all parties. “Slow this train down,” Ms. Martin urged. Mr. LaPointe, speaking soothingly, did not say no. He merely said that he and the City Manager would attack the thorny dispute this morning. But all signs pointed toward what Mr. LaPointe announced today, that the drawn-up practice schedule would prevail over protests while the warring parties “worked out the kinks.”

Culver City’s Idea of Time-Share

Last week’s original scheme called for the City Council to select either Edge or Royal as The Plunge’s designated home team. Staffers recommended Royal because it had offered a more lkucrative financial package. In search of a less flammable solution than either/or, Vice Mayor Alan Corlin, to the surprise (and perhaps relief) of many, suggested a compromise whereby the two teams shared space equitably. Since Edge towers over Royal in some comparative aspects, that did not strike Ms. Martin as appropriate. She contended vigorously and lengthily that Edge deserved the edge in consideration. Given its perceived gaping differences with Royal — in size, history and objectives — it merited better treatment from City Hall than it has received, she said. Near the end, the equally unflappable Mr. Fulwood entered the fray. After characterizing himself as “part of the appeal process,” he addressed today’s meeting with Mr. LaPointe. “We will go over the plans that have been drafted,” said the City Manager. “Then I will make a decision.” In an outreach effort, Mr. Fulwood said he would directly contact Ms. Martin. Mayor Gary Silbiger assured Ms. Martin that nothing could be resolved last night because the subject was not on the agenda, which traditionally is empty for Town Hall meetings. When Ms. Martin suggested that, at a point, it may become necessary for lawyers to enter negotiations on behalf of Edge, the temperature in the room suddenly plunged. Mr. Corlin said such a remark would severely restrict their dialogue.

A Night of Prickly Debate

Eschewing their sometimes-dull format at Town Hall meetings where the City Council and the audience pitch harmless pillows at each other, the scene quickly became hard-nosed and then hostile last night. When the City Council went on the road to East Culver City, some members of the audience were primed with darts dipped in cynicism and intended to sting. The audience at Syd Kronenthal Park may have been well behaved, but their mood was darkly cantankerous. Two subjects created a volatility seldom found in low-key Town Hall meetings. Besides the controversy over who should have primary custody of The Plunge, a new surcharge on senior citizens at the Senior Center ignited a sizzling debate. Delores Dolgoff, a senior, said a few times that she was infuriated. Ms. Dolgoff said she was mad at the elected Board of Directors at the Senior Center for instituting a $1 charge each time facilities are used, starting Jan. 1. She was angry not only over the surcharge but, she said, because Board members would not agree to meet with complaining Center members. The tax placed a grossly unfair burden on the already thin pocketbooks of many seniors, Ms. Dolgoff charged. Some Council members appeared to be sympathetic. But they said they were powerless to resolve the disagreement that she described. Ms. Dolgoff was told she could start a recall effort against the Board or vote members out of office in the more traditional way. Meanwhile, her attempt to roadblock the new tax in 60 days has stalled.

Postscript

Last night’s unanticipated high-intensity drama was amplified beyond what might have happened back home in the spacious Council Chambers. One objective of Town Hall meetings is to soften the formal structure at City Hall. In Chambers, the public is forbidden to respond to the City Council or to engage in dialogue. By contrast, Town Hall meetings offer a casual, living room-style environment. In this congenial setting, the two sides can converse as if they were guests in each other’s home. That concept almost blew up at Kronenthal Park. Necessarily, the speakers’ stand was just several feet away from the long table where Mr. Silbiger, Mr. Fulwood, Council members Steve Rose, Mr. Corlin, Scott Malsin and Carol Gross sat along with City Clerk Christopher Armenta. As the temperatures of speakers rose, the narrow distance may have been a little uncomfortable for the receiving side.