A SANTA MONICA TALE

The following is a speech Dolores Press gave Sunday at the Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights Annual Summer Convention urging members not to change the group's name. Press is a member of SMRR's steering committee and a former City Council member.

Once upon a time, in 1979, a beautiful baby girl was born. Her parents, relatives, and thousands of friends of the family were overjoyed, because, after much anticipation, a still birth had occurred the year before. It was proudly announced that her name would be SMRR

As she grew in beauty and reputation, the people of her city realized how amazing and wonderful it was to have a person in their midst whose ears heard their concerns and ideas, whose eyes could see all of the potential dangers ahead to their natural environment, whose arms would embrace and comfort the afflicted and support the workers, whose brain, legs and feet would walk in the shoes of those whose greatest need was to feel the warmth and protection of security in their homes.

Her fame spread by leaps and bounds. First by the voices of her people singing her hosannas and thriving in her aura, and then later, by the media. As inevitable as the sun follows the moon, offers of corruption follow fame. SMRR was no exception.

Those who would attempt to buy her soul did not realize that her most important body part, her pure heart, knew that the people trusted her to articulate and act upon their communal vision. The people rewarded her with many glorious gifts. Her favorite was her personal playground called the promenade where she could go stroll, converse, enjoy the pleasures of art and entertainment and experience the joy of seeing people from all over the world who had come to marvel at her city by the sea.

Then, one day a Hollywood producer called after reading SMMR's profile in "The New Yorker" and promised her continued fame, success, personal fulfillment, power and millions if she was willing to grant him only one tiny wish. Being very smart, she asked for the wish first and then she would decide.

He was cunning, having had many ancestors who were landlords and developers. He slyly suggested that he had never liked the name of SMRR - too radical. Perhaps she might enjoy a dramatic increase overnight, in the numbers of her admirers if she called herself slim (Santa Monicans Living in the Middle) or star (Santa Monicans Turning Around to the Right).

She did not hesitate for a second. She quickly replied, "But, sir, my name is my identity my history with the people who were my early beloveds like Tima Tomash, Pearl Wiseman, Margo Lieberg and Herman Rosenstein, tenants all who gave full measure of their lives for the name of SMRR and what it represents.

"How can I betray their spirit? if I change my name those who love me and need me will not know me. Being a very polite person, even to telephone marketers , she closed the conversation and this story by saying, 'Thank you for calling.'"

Dear Editor,

Has anyone ever run the decibel meter on the Indians dancing and banging their drum? They must be over 120 decibels. I think they add a lot to Third Street. And I'm happy they're there adding to the ambiance, but not if they're playing during the only two hour time period I get to play, even 120 feet away (either make them turn it down or give us more time to perform to compensate for all the disturbances).

How in the world can you expect a performer to move through the crowds and find a spot to play on a busy Friday or Saturday night at Third Street without waiting for the spot before hand? What am I supposed to say to an audience of 10 to 50 people waiting for me to play another song while I have to up and leave thanks to all of you?

I would never wish upon anyone the current treatment the performers are getting from the new ordinance, and I sincerely hope you are all spending most of your lives free of the sort of harassment the new ordinance gives the performers, so that one day you will realize what good fortune you really have and will want to share it with everyone, and will refrain from forcing people to do things how, where, and when you want them to.

Peace and blessings to you all,
Rich Smith