By Andy Byrnes Santa Monica
I noted the letter to the editor from Mr. Katz (SMDP, July 26, page 6) mildly berating Ms. Groves, and am forced to comment. While the City Council does actively pursue comments from the public, they often completely ignore comments from the citizens, probably because the council considers they don’t understand the facts.
A case in point is the recent decision to put a small park on Euclid Street. Your paper reported several meetings of the council with the local residents, during which a vast majority of the citizens objected to the park, stating their fears that it would become “a magnet for the homeless who would use the park as a bedroom/outdoor bathroom.”
The council thanked the people for their input, and then overwhelmingly approved the park.
If they don’t put a restroom in the park, I’m sure the citizens’ predictions will come true.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 1, 2005. Read the original PDF.