A center-cut, no-fat review of what was said this past week by folks the world over and right at home
(EDITOR’S NOTE: “STRAY TALK” GURU CYNTHIA VAZQUEZ IS ON VACATION. THIS IS A COMPILATION OF SOME OF THE MORE MEMORABLE MUSINGS IN RECENT MONTHS.) “We wanted to hold it early in the morning on the Fourth because it is not intended to draw people from out of the community.” — Joel Brand, a member of the Ocean Park Association, on this year’s Fourth of July Parade “The plant material within the pond is what they eat, so bringing Cheetos really is a disservice to the ducks.” — Open space manager for City Hall, Elaine Polachek, on the public feeding of the ducks at Douglas Park “Now there is the charge that we are somewhat responsible and, of course, we contend we are not.” — Jeannette Schachtner, chief deputy city attorney, regarding a lawsuit filed by victims of the Farmers’
Market crash, which includes the city in it’s claim “I asked the nurse if it was possible to get some flies in here to make it feel a little more like a Third World country.” — Aaron Astrup, whose daughter waited for hours with a broken wrist before being treated at Saint John’s Health Center, commenting on the treatment his daughter received “It’s a big issue because of the loss of economic diversity. We think that this is a real blow to the historic character of the city.” — Denny Zane, co-founder of Santa Monicans for Renter’s Rights, on the rising rent prices in Santa Monica “These people act like the whole problem is on us.” — Acadie restaurant owner Thierry Boisson, on the closure of his restaurant by the Department of Public Health after they found mice droppings “It’s a dog of a building, but it’s Dogtown, so maybe it’s the right building for this.” — Nina Fresco, Chairwoman of the Landmarks Commission, on the nomination of the Horizons West Surf Shop as a landmark “It’s more than just an excuse to get high. It’s a day to raise awareness about the need to change the laws and make it legal.” — Andre Houston, on April 20, a date globally recognized as a holiday by marijuana smokers “It’s not just because the city is nice to homeless people.” — John Maceri, executive director of the social service provider Ocean Park Community Center, on why he thinks Santa Monica is a destination spot “Santa Monica is a fascist state.” — Jeannette Scheibe, a West L.A. resident who is upset at being banned from the new Airport Dog Park because she is not a Santa Monica resident and her dog is not licensed in Santa Monica
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 23, 2007. Read the original PDF.