OPCO Board
   unrepresentative

   To the editor:
   As you may know by now, all 12 candidates on the slate backed by the current board of the Ocean Park Community Organization, were elected at the annual OPCO Community Congress on February 24. Although I understand the count was close until the very end, none of the 7 alternative candidates offering a different point of view were elected. Despite that in years past, it often required a single vote to elect board members, this year’s Congress was well-attended by existing, as well as new members. Many of the new members and alternative candidates were prompted to action by their opposition to the proposed Community Corporation of Santa Monica project at Pacific and Main Streets.
   OPCO cannot represent the community of Ocean Park at large, when it does not embrace or incorporate alternative viewpoints. This became all too apparent at the February 12 City Council Hearing for the appeal of the Boulangerie project, ultimately approved unamimously by the City Council. Although 15 of 16 local residents who addressed the Council were in support of the project, the OPCO representative, Rick Laudati, did not favor the project, despite approval by the OPCO design committee. Evidently, OPCO is not in touch with the concerns or interests of many Ocean Park residents. That is why many of us joined OPCO and sought election to the board.
   By focusing on a narrow range of special interests, OPCO fails to address the concerns of those who may not share their political agenda. The organization could become more dynamic and diverse, by building a coalition among all Ocean Park residents. Instead, the same faces and names run OPCO year after year. It’s as if the residents of Ocean Park remain unchanged.
   Yet, we all know the demographics and interests of our community have changed over the years.
   In my opinion, it is unhealthy that the viewpoints and special interests of OPCO remain unchanged in the face of a growing and prospering community.
Other issues important to the neighborhood, such as the “temporary traffic Improvements”’ along 4th Street, between Pico and Ocean Park Blvd., remain unresolved by the current board. New blood and vitality within the organization would shake things up a bit, and breathe fresh air into an organization, in need of new faces and differing points of view.
Jeffrey Weinstein
Santa Monica

   Uplifting and
   fun

   To the editor:
   I just read the beautifully written and photographed article (on the website, since I live 100 miles north of Santa Monica) by James Allardice on the Samohi greenhouse visits and had to comment on what an uplifting and fun piece it was.
   Hoorah for the students, teachers, and particularly the City’s Environmental Programs for providing these wonderful enrichments to the school community. It gives you faith. Thank you for covering this worthwhile project.
   Bonnie Freeman
   School Gardening Consultant
   Goleta, CA

A correction

   To the editor:
   Thank you for such a nice article about the elementary school visits to the Samohi Gardens. There is, however, a mistake that I would like you to correct. The article states that I volunteer my time. In fact the City of Santa Monica Environmental Division headed up by Dean Kubani funds my time and that of Katja Perrey 16 total hours per week and $2,000 per year in supplies to run the Garden program in all of Santa Monica schools.
   The garden tour on April 28 is organised by volunteer extraordinaire Bonnie Freeman and other volunteers and these monies go towards the program, too. But I think the city should be acknowledged for their now 7 year commitment to this program.
   Long may it continue!
   Gaye Saxon
   Samohi Garden Coordinator

   Make room
   for it all

   To the editor:
   I fell in love with the mystic charm of California, and Topanga, and the wonderful climate here – where everything wild grows – 40 years ago as an immigrant from the English countryside.
   The forced evictions of Lower Topanga residents and business really tug at my heart. Acquiring land for public use is admirable, but why the need to evict? The businesses are charming and the residents probably wouldn’t mind a hiking path to the beach.
   Why wasn’t the reviving wetlands effort put into making Malibu lagoon larger (I think it would be impossible to force evictions from multi-million dollar homes) or Ballona Wetlands which are under attack by Playa Vista?
   The whole concept of destroying all non-native plants is so depressing and I’m sure not necessary. No more gorgeous hillsides of spring nasturtiums? The aroma of eucalyptus, wonderful falls of oleander and morning glories? I’m sure the birds don’t mind them growing here.
   Let’s make room for it all.
   Patricia Mace
   Los Angeles