By Ken Alpern
Seth (Barnes should) ask himself how Santa Monica residents would feel if a large, new artificially turfed soccer field in Mar Vista were suddenly closed off to non-Los Angeles residents (“Let’s do away with doggie democracy,” May 10). Oh, that’s right, the neighborhood council in Mar Vista recently took action to make sure that equitable access was available to players from any locality.
As much as I believe that the city of Los Angeles should reimburse the city of Santa Monica to ensure full access of this off-leash dog park (make it a joint venture, so to speak) and create more off-leash dog parks within Los Angeles city limits, perhaps the wisdom of creating a park on the city limits and closing its facilities to its immediate neighbors should be called into question.
Seth should ask himself whether slapping a neighbor in the face is something that wouldn’t draw a response... and also whether a pompous (column) like his wouldn’t draw a similar response.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 15, 2007. Read the original PDF.