By Kevin McKeown City councilman
Bill Bauer's Friday column had me so worried I went back and watched the video-tape of last week's OPCC relocation hearing. “(Other council members) and McKeown,” he wrote, “were especially critical of Pico neighbors, accusing them of waging a malicious, distortion-filled smear campaign...”
I certainly didn't remember saying anything like that from the dais, and indeed, the tape instead shows me reflecting on how fear distorts dialogue and admitting I have compassion for that — because when I'm fearful myself, I understand how it affects me adversely. I acknowledged the real concerns that people have to protect their neighborhood.
Then I thanked the Pico residents for coming out, and suggested that instead of the daytime access facilities for OPCC we could use part of the proposed site for affordable housing targeting Santa Monica young adults who otherwise must often move out of the neighborhood that is their home. The Pico residents present burst into applause.
I don't disrespect residents so viciously EVERY Tuesday night, do I?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 16, 2003. Read the original PDF.