2 Critics of Hollywood Renewal Quit Race
Two critics of the citizens advisory organization for Hollywood redevelopment have decided not to run for office within the group, saying they have no chance of winning.
Brian Moore and Doreet Rotman, nominated for president and secretary, respectively, of the Hollywood Redevelopment Project Area Committee, said they will withdraw their nominations at Monday’s meeting, when elections will be conducted to replace Marshall A. Caskey, chairman; Bill Welsh, vice chairman, and Norris D. Lineweaver, secretary.
Caskey and Welsh are not seeking reelection. Lineweaver, executive director of the Hollywood YMCA, hopes to replace Caskey. Other nominees are William Menton, a tenant, for vice chairman, and Margaret LaKretz, a businesswoman, for secretary.
Moore and Rotman were nominated at the last committee meeting after they and three other members walked out to protest what they said was the improperly conducted election of members in June.
“I did not ask to be nominated, I could not get elected anyway, and the chairman should be someone who agrees with the committee majority,” Moore said. “Since I disagree with so many actions of the committee, I am not the right guy for the job.”
Rotman echoed Moore’s comments, adding that “I am not in their (the committee majority’s) clique.”
Moore and Rotman contend that the committee is dominated by representatives of big development to the detriment of Hollywood residents, property owners and small business people.
The 25-member committee is the official community advisory agency on Hollywood redevelopment for the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. Although the committee can only advise, its positions on such measures as density, traffic improvements, rehabilitation, preservation and new development carry influence with the Community Redevelopment Agency.
Caskey, the committee’s first and only chairman since its formation three years ago, said the agency would have to have a good reason to ignore the committee’s recommendations.
