Nov. 30, 1999

Dear Editor,

In a city starving for news, substituting a hit piece really doesn't
serve you, my friend.

We can find controversy everywhere. What we need is news. There are a gillion items that are noteworthy. Kelly's stumbles may be passingly interesting, but unless you're in the political out party and looking for someone to hate, there are so many more important stories.

You don't have to be controversial to get readers. You have readers. Responsible news reporting will do quite well.

Best wishes,

Ellen Brennan

Nov. 30, 1999

Dear Editor,

I don't know where Kelly Olsen was on Nov. 23 and it doesn't matter.

At the break during that night's City Council meeting I confirmed what
the Planning Director had stated at the meeting by asking her the simple
question: "So, we forgot to inform the appealent (Kelly Olsen)?" Her
answer was "Yes".

People make mistakes. There was an oversight by City staff and Mr.
Olson was not informed about the date.

Simple answer to a simple question. Don't get hoodwinked by people who want to make political hay about an honest mistake.

Pam O'Connor
Mayor

Now that the dust is beginning to settle from this eighteen month long
process, we consider this only the beginning of our work. To that end, we are already working on setting up a complaint hot line, preparing a code of ethics and attending the monthly Chamber of Commerce / Neighborhood Association meetings.

We hope that the Planning Department and the City's enforcement divisions will participate in this process as well. We realize that no matter what law is passed, only through cooperation and communication between all the parties, can any real improvement in quality of life be realized.

Larry Beaufait, Four Oaks Garage
Greg Morgan, Morgan Automotive
Chuck Perliter, Santa Monica Radiator

Dear Sirs:

I want to commend the City Council on their decision regarding Auto
Repair Shops. For 23 years I have lived near several auto shops and I
never have had any sort of problem in the area of noise, pollution, test
driving, etc., with these shops.

I feel we should let these hard working people get on with the business they do. You have posted a photo of the British Car Clinic at the corner of 14th and Broadway. To me, this shop looks just what it should look like - A British car repair shop, it is a wonderful place.

We should be honoring Radcliff, the owner, for his years of hard work, his knowledge and expertise (not tormenting him). Here one can see interesting cars, such as Austin-Healeys, Triumphs, Morgans, MGs, Jaguars, etc.

What is so bad about seeing cars and people working on them? Are we now going to have to shield our eyes from seeing housing and building construction workers, street maintenance workers, trash collectors, tree trimmers, etc.? Or are only auto mechanics "distasteful" to be discriminated against because of their profession?

Peter Davison