September 29, 2000 12:19 PM

Dear Editor:

Just want to thank you for taking the time to cover the "good" news as well as news of the other sort. It made me proud to read of Lincoln Middle School's Blue Ribbon award, and it was with pleasure I read the quote-filled story by Teresa Rochester. Thanks and keep up the good
work!

Karen Bauer
President, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce

Friday, September 29, 2000

Dear Editor,

Why would you ever knock a playhouse down. Jacob's father build on the playhouse for so long. Jacob like his playhouse very much. Think about how much Jacob likes it.

Andrea Kla-Nobleross
(Kindergarten classmate of Jacob Levy at Grant School, Santa Monica)

September 25, 2000

Dear Editor,

Thanks for all the news and maybe more thanks for having Mitch write. It is great to read (Mitch) & the local news here.

Yours,
Larry Berkin

Dear Editor,

I am in favor of repairing the Boathouse as opposed to sinking it. The cause of Boathouse restaurateur Naia Sheffield is everyone's cause. Valiant Naia Sheffield is struggling against the Pier Restoration Corporation and City Council to keep the landmark restaurant that her family has operated since the 1920s.

Naia Sheffield has been supportive of the Coalition for a Santa Monica Disability Commission and of the general community. It's high time that the community come out and be supportive of Naia Sheffield and the Boathouse restaurant. Naia Sheffield needs our help now! This is the time to work together to help our neighbor Naia Sheffield with real constructive solutions to address all of the community needs expressed about problems concerning the Boathouse restaurant.

The people of Santa Monica can't allow the PRC and City Council to get away with destroying a landmark and converting "Our City" piece-by-piece into an unaffordable European City by the sea. Bill Bauer, an honest, hard working, role model and true friend of the community is an opponent of the Boathouse. Bill Bauer has valid concerns and good insight about problems stemming from the Boathouse restaurant. I' am in favor of addressing all of Bill Bauer's very valid concerns through modifications and resolution instead of the termination of the Boathouse restaurant.

Furthermore, constructive input from our outstanding Police Department on stepping up and setting into motion security and preventive measures would be very helpful at the entire pier and the surrounding area. Pointing a finger only at the Boathouse restaurant is unfair to the community. The community needs a master law enforcement plan for the pier. The PRC and City Council need to provide positive guidance and show more constructiveness instead of determined destructiveness of the Boathouse restaurant. The PRC and City Council need to apply their energy to constructively help the Boathouse restaurateur Naia Sheffield acquire a long-term lease with provisions of modifying the Boathouse restaurant into a restaurant with a higher community standard with a pro-community theme.

Pursuant to this noble endeavor Jeff Mathieu, an opponent of the Boathouse, should be hired as a consultant in development of community standards in modifying both the Boathouse and it's community policies. Bill Bauer has emphasized valid concerns that must be incorporated in the modification process. Bill Bauer's insights sets a benchmark that benefits the community. Why am I incorporating two opponents' points of views in resolving the lease of the Boathouse?

I trust Bill Bauer in setting a community standards benchmark high enough to benefit the community needs and police perspectives on the Boathouse restaurant issue. Jeff Mathieu expertise in long-term management would be beneficial in the approval of a theme and management concerns of the Boathouse from an experts point of view. If Bill Bauer benchmark standards are applied and Jeff Mathieu management expertise used; I have full faith that the Boathouse restaurant can be saved and receive a two thumbs-up.

The big question is will the city council be open minded to this solution or will destroy an eighty year old landmark? If we can put a man on the moon why can't we save the Boathouse? Why can't we help our neighbor Naia Sheffield overhaul the Boathouse restaurant into a restaurant with a higher community standard with a pro-community theme? "A mind, like a parachute, can only work if open."

Pro Se
Santa Monica