Letters
In defense of factual basis voters
I worked the polls during the recent Del Rey Neighborhood Council election, reviewing the self-affirmation voting registrations and helping stakeholders figure out which area directorship they were eligible to vote in. Most of the factual basis registrations did not claim an area and voted on the officer slate. When I helped count the ballots, I noted that not all officer positions were voted for by factual basis voters and that none of the races were remotely decided by these voters. I’ve always supported the idea of factual basis voters and candidates because most of them have been a unique part of our Del Rey community. We have had voters and candidates from our little L.A. County enclave adjacent to us, people who have grown up in Del Rey who come back to serve Del Rey, and of course, people who like our community and want to serve.
We have been blessed by these folks over the years. I feel that all board positions should be open for factual basis candidates because some have legitimate ties to a certain area or some needed talent for an officer position. Having folks like the above are worth the risk because we need their help and talents in our neighborhood. Over 95 percent of the Del Rey community is oblivious to the notion that they are a community. Sure, there are some structural reasons for that but apathy is the main reason. The Del Rey Residents Association has been working on this for over 40 years and our Del Rey Neighborhood Council has been in the campaign for over nine years. Sure, there is always potential for abusive takeovers by groups within and without a community. Any community that allows this to happen deserves what it gets. Let’s be a community of neighbors, not residents. Michael H. Stafford Del Rey VOL 42, NO 45
ArgonautNews.com
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restoration. But that restoration will be performed with the utmost care. And afterwards, we will have a beautifully restored The 50th Assembly District fight in the Ballona Wetlands. Santa Monica Bay pitted two Democrats toI’m not just hoping or supposing. I’ve gether to take down the seat in the general seen it happen. Some may recall this same election. argument during the planning for the freshAssemblywoman Betsy Butler had the water marsh. money, while Santa Monica Mayor Richard The freshwater marsh was finally comBloom had the moral high ground. pleted and what do we have? A remarkable This contest is a long-term win for the and beautiful ecosystem that does support Republicans and the state. Not in the short- threatened and endangered species, provides term, in that no Republican is on the ballot, a passive recreation area for the general let alone with a fraction of a chance of win- public and helps cleanse polluted water that ning a seat in the region. previously was flushed directly into the wetHowever, the cash flow dumped into the land. It is also meticulously maintained at Santa Monica Bay, followed by the ongoing no cost to the public. allegations that Butler caved on a “teacher Next was the Malibu Lagoon fiasco. pervert” bill because of union interests, have Once again, the same argument – mustn’t spotlighted the growing fissure in the Dem- touch anything, just leave it as it is. It didn’t ocratic Party, an organization which claims work that time, either and I’m sure the Malto support “the people,” yet every year their ibu restoration will be another success. platform supports special interests whose With dogmatic statements and sentimeninterest includes using the public purse for tal pleas, the stage is being set for another private gain. lawsuit, another waste of time and money. Reform Democrats are seeking the highWhat makes it worse is that, as in Malier ground, even if they have fewer campaign bu, you and I will have to pay for it. dollars. If the Democrats cannot cut their Ruth Lansford own money strings, disaffected Democratic Playa del Rey voters will, casting their votes for the ReID, please publican or even the independent in the How embarrassing. On page 35 of the race. The 50th Assembly District seat, like the Nov. 1 Argonaut there were two photos of this year’s Mar Vista Fall Festival. The bot30th Congressional District tussle between Democrats Howard Berman and Brad Sher- tom photo had a caption mentioning Mar Vista Community Council First Vice Presiman in the Valley, brought out the worst of dent Bill Koontz, and “an unidentified Los one-party rule in California. Republicans Angeles police officer.” and Independents have nothing to fear in Unidentified? That was Mar Vista Senior upcoming elections. The power of one party is waning, and Butler served up the coup de Lead Officer Drake Madison. You know, the LAPD community representative for Mar grace. Arthur Christopher Schaper Vista? Couldn’t The Argonaut have made a Torrance phone call to Pacific station and gotten his Another costly challenge name? Or asked anyone at the event? Re: “No need for ‘brain surgery’ at wetEmbarrassing indeed. lands” (Argonaut letters, Nov. 1). Andre’ Belotto Yes, there’s other wildlife and undoubtWestchester edly that wildlife will be disturbed during (Letters continued on page 4)
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