Councilwoman Changes Tune
“It’s private property . . . As I understand the free enterprise system of this country, people have a right to develop their land.”
Hal Bernson, explaining the Warner Ridge settlement? Not exactly. These were the words of Councilwoman Joy Picus, explaining to angry Encino-area residents attending a 1987 community meeting the decision to allow George Moss to develop a commercial complex in the Sepulveda Basin.
Picus had previously opposed the project, but five months after her successful 1985 reelection, during which she received substantial contributions from both Moss and his lobbyist, she voted with the council for approval.
Recently, perhaps looking ahead to another election, Picus opposed the Warner Ridge development. But now, when the developer prevailed, her council colleagues are accused of giving in to “greedy developers and Eastern banks.”
It seems that you just can’t please all of the “greedy developers” all of the time.
ALAN M. SCHWARTZ, Woodland Hills
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