Letters to the Editor

Suggestion for City TV

To the editor:
   A suggestion to Santa Monica City TV station: during City Council and Planning Commission, Rent Control Board meetings, show the agenda item on screen during meetings. 
   If I tune in mid-broadcast, I have no idea what is being discussed. 
Acquiring the agenda is not practical for most people and, I believe, public interest would be encouraged if someone were to see printed information about what is being discussed, on-screen, with agenda number and its description throughout the item process. 

Thank you. 
Bryna Skuro 
Santa Monica

SMRR Must Not Abandon Renters

To the editor:
   SMRR must not abandon the renters of Santa Monica!
   Now, more than ever, we need SMRR’s undivided leadership in support of renters -- who are still the vast majority of Santa Monica residents and voters. 
   Those of us who have chosen to remain renters and especially those of us who were tenants long before rent control (in my case, since 1959) well know why SMRR must continue to be the voice of Santa Monica renters. 
   There are many groups and forums in this city that are “inclusive” without diluting the whole point of SMRR’s existence. Nor us a name change necessary to extend the umbrella. Consider the League of Women Voters, which has a specific focus even though it accepts members who are not women. SMRR could do that, too, but it must not be ashamed to be a renters’ rights organization above and beyond any other purpose. 
   Yes, I know SMRR takes many positions on other city issues, but SMRR leadership must understand that many of its core constituents are those of use who will vote for a SMRR candidate precisely and perhaps only because of the support for rent control -- even when we disagree with many of the candidate’s other public positions. 
   SMRR, or some other responsible group, must remain active to safeguard the rights of Santa Monica voters. 

Rufus Baker
Santa Monica