Cityhood Movement Motivation in Venice

The article on the Venice Cityhood Movement (Times, Dec. 6) omitted a number of important points.

First and foremost, the cityhood movement is motivated by a grass-roots desire for local rule. The community of Venice can no longer afford to relinquish its future to the City Council of the megalopolis of Los Angeles. Downtown politicians have little understanding of the dynamics of life in Venice.

The people who live here have no impact when major decisions are made concerning the future of their neighborhood. Local concerns such as traffic, parking, law enforcement and street performers are issues which barely register a blip on the screen of the downtown politicians. The people who live here love the diversity and the cultural, ethnic and artistic composition of the residents. We are committed to maintaining Venice as a free and open area where outrageous patterns of behavior and dress are welcome.

The existence of two cityhood movements is in no way a deterrent to the growth of the movement. In fact, a number of amicable meetings have been held between the two groups in which the smaller group was encouraged to join our larger, incorporated group. Whether this happens or not has nothing to do with the surge of popular feelings among the Venice residents for local control over the future of our beloved community.

The cityhood movement is snowballing, and membership is increasing steadily. All are invited to attend; the VCOC holds meetings at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Westminster Senior Center at Westminster and Pacific Avenues.

Venice is an idea as much as it is a location. That idea encompasses a true melting pot mentality where there is room for rich and poor, middle-of-the-roaders, eccentrics and a cultural mix that provides a unique flavor to this area. VCOC members reflect this diversity, including homeowners and renters, students, construction workers and architects, young and old and from a range of ethnic backgrounds.

It’s no accident that Venice is the leading tourist attraction in the City of Los Angeles. It is a local treasure and we all intend to keep it that way.

THE VENICE CITYHOOD ORGANIZING COMMITTEE. A committee spokesman said this letter was endorsed by all 39 members of the group.