Shaun Smith Santa Monica You can’t relocate history Editor:
Who died and made Stephen Meadows so important that he has the audacity to buy a house along the beach and then demand that the city make changes because he does-n’t like having volleyball nets so close to his property? (SMDP, Jan. 19, page 1). Does he mean to suggest that the nets and poles weren’t up when he looked at the property initially, or that he couldn’t foresee those as being an attractive “nuisance?” Here’s a news flash sir, the same thing that attracted you and your family to live along our beachfront is the same thing that attracts millions of tourists every year! Unless you were willing to share your little patch of “paradise” with thousands of other people you shouldn’t have moved there in the first place.
This issue also scratches at a larger issue facing our society, the lack of personal responsibility. It seems to be that Mr. Meadows now realizes he made a bad decision when he bought this expensive piece of property and now he wants the city to clean up the problem he created himself. Mr. Meadows would appear to be the same type of person that would look at a house across the street from a school in the middle of July and then be amazed in September when kids and parents began descending on his neighborhood five days out of the week. Perhaps you should consider a suit against the realtor or former owner for failing to disclose to you the fact that (surprise) people played volleyball there.
Once again, it is unfortunate that another home buyer is trying to change our history of Santa Monica because he feels that his oceanfront property is more valuable (SMDP, Jan. 19, page 1). The historical volleyball courts have provided recreation to a number of Santa Monica residents for 40 years, how is it that a few residents can relocate history? Mr. Meadows should have done his research prior to buying the property, therefore his selfish goals would not impact others. What’s next, telling the late-night couple taking a midnight stroll on the bike path to stop kissing in the name of “proper social behavior?” It is unjust that Mr. Meadows presumes that deep pockets can buy his own piece of “paradise” in Santa Monica. Mr. Meadows, do you mind paying for the relocation of the homeless gentleman that urinates in my carport every morning?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 22, 2004. Read the original PDF.