CEPS Bullies and Flash & Dash

October 15, 2004

Dear Editor,

I just looked up the definition of bully: "one who hurts or intimidates others." Seems like the CEPS bullies are at it again. The Lookout quotes City Council candidate Bobby Shriver as stating: "I was so scared of them after forty minutes that I would have done anything they told me." ("Chamber Forum a Rally for the Insiders," October 15, 2004)

The role of a City Council member is to listen to everyone in the community, analyze the issues and use judgment in making decisions. Council member Michael Feinstein felt it was not wise to promise funds when there was not a sure revenue source for those funds. That is not a vote against education. Rather than engage him in a dialogue to find some common ground, the CEPS folks demonize him.

The initiative CEPS threatened to put forward was to give money to the public schools without any accountability on the part of the School District. Seems the CEPS people think if you just pour in money, you get quality.

I can imagine what they have to say about me because I didn't do exactly what they wanted. I had the temerity to force accountability onto the School District -- a District that didn't even make its budget accessible to the public until after I made that, and other accountability measures, requirements before any additional City funds went to the School District.

Unlike Mr. Shriver, I won't do whatever CEPS tells me to do. Like Mr. Feinstein, I'll use my judgment. But it's too bad there can't be a dialogue with the CEPS folks. Seems that they are taking lessons from the Republican Congress who demonize and try to squash anyone who dares to disagree with them.

Sincerely,

Pam O'Connor
Santa Monica City Council member

p.s. There's always truth in humor.

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October 15, 2004

Dear Editor,

I read with interest the article about Bobby Shriver in the most recent issue. I have several concerns. ("Kennedy Stumps for Nephew," October 15)

First of all, it was really fun to read about how Shriver had Mom and Uncle out to Santa Monica to help his campaign. I guess you need heavy hitters if you have no ongoing history of participating in local Santa Monica politics. I respect Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Senator Kennedy a great deal, but not everybody has these kinds of resources to mask a lack of
City experience and interaction.

Second, Shriver stated at an endorsement meeting that he doesn't lose, and he gets what he goes after (not an exact quote, but close enough.) However, he didn't get the endorsement of our group, the Santa Monica Democratic Club. We were looking for people who care about Santa Monica and have real ties to the City. I didn't even know Shriver lived here till the Awful Hedge Crisis erupted in our calm complacent faces.

Now that this crisis has lost much of its present steam and people don't have to hire hedge trimmers to avoid a fine, what issues are next for Shriver? The homeless? City Bureaucracy? If Shriver gets elected, he has to work with six other people Who May Not Agree With Him. Can he do that?? We need an attitude check here.

I'm sure Shriver is an honorable man with genuine concerns. He certainly has the looks and personality of a tried and true politician. But frankly, my dears, all this flash and dash tires me out. And our present Councilmen (Sorry, Pam!) are much cuter than that, even without a big
campaign chest or famous relatives.

Shriver needs to start somewhere else, like in homeless issues, or maybe a commission or two to get his feet wet. Finally, about that fifteen billion for AIDS research and ending the debt in "Africa." I think it's great that Shriver, Bono, and others did those outstanding accomplishments with Congress. But Africa is a CONTINENT, not a country. Where was the debt ended?? Maybe Bobby Shriver can get the Governor or someone to throw a few billion our way? Maybe for EDUCATION??? hmmmmmm..........

But one thing is for sure. If Bono showed up at MY door with a check for fifteen billion that I could spend exclusively on Manolos, I would SERIOUSLY consider changing my vote.

Sincerely.