[pfp2006news] open letter to L.A. mayor from P&F's CD 36 candidate

[Dave Kadlecek]

On Tuesday morning, June 13th, the South Central farmers were evicted in
Los Angeles, while evictions continue at the Lincoln Place Apartments in
Venice. The Peace and Freedom Party's candidate for Congress in the 36th
District, Jim Smith, a long-time labor activist and Venice community
activist, responded with an open letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,
calling on Villaraigosa to save his soul by siding with ordinary people
rather than rich developers.

Will Villaraigosa heed Smith's call? Will the major media in Los Angeles
publish the open letter?

For more information about the Lincoln Place struggle, see the Lincoln
Place Tenants Association website at "http://www.lincolnplace.net/" or
read the Free Venice Beachhead (on the web at
"http://www.freevenice.org/Beachhead/Beachhead.html").

For more information on the South Central Farm, see
"http://www.southcentralfarmers.com/".

/Dave Kadlecek

Jim Smith's open letter:

> SOUTH CENTRAL FARMERS AND LINCOLN PLACE EVICTIONS –
> OPEN LETTER TO ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA
>
> From: Jim Smith
>
> Memo to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:
>
> Dear Brother Antonio,
>
> It's been a long time since our union days when we could sit down 
> together and have a drink with friends while discussing the issues of 
> the day. But if we could do it today, I'd like to steer the 
> conversation to the South Central farmers, who are fighting to save 
> L.A.'s largest urban farm and a source of nutritious food for poor 
> people and to Lincoln Place, where tenants are fighting to save their 
> homes and 696 affordable garden apartments. As you well know, there 
> have been massive evictions at both Lincoln Place and the South 
> Central Farm.
>
> Could we have a civil conversation? I understand that you sometimes 
> get angry when the tenants and the farmers demand that you take action 
> on their behalf. Well, politics is a funny "business." Lots of people 
> have entered the arena with intentions of doing what's right for the 
> poor and powerless only to be seduced by big money and power.
>
> Before you know it, political officials who come from working class 
> neighborhoods are wearing sharkskin suits, living high on lobbyists' 
> bankrolls and being "pragmatic" about issues that used to inspire 
> them. Let's just hope, Antonio, that you can conquer this addicting 
> demon, and return to being a "peoples hero." Everybody knows that 
> you've got a touch of the disease. Some of us saw it coming a few 
> years ago when you tried to ace out your boyhood chum, Gilbert 
> Cedillo, and grab a state senate seat for which he had been 
> campaigning. I believe Gil endorsed Hahn in the last mayoral election. 
> Too bad.
>
> Now the L.A. Times says you're playing footsie with the Terminator, 
> because you want to succeed Schwarzenegger as Governor in four years. 
> Others say it's the Vice Presidency that you're after. In either case, 
> the Lincoln Place tenants and the South Central farmers can't do much 
> for you. They certainly won't fatten your campaign treasury. Only 
> AIMCO and other big corporations and developers can do that for you. 
> Another clue that you're focusing on higher office came during Mexican 
> President Vicente Fox's visit to L.A. in May when you refused to even 
> discuss immigration policy with him. Have we already lost you to the 
> political consultants for your next campaign?
>
> So what's it gonna be, Antonio? Do you want to be just another slick 
> media star who will do almost anything to move up the political 
> ladder? Or do you want to do something meaningful with your life and 
> your position?
>
> It just might be that the tenants and the farmers could be your 
> salvation. If you step in and push the city council to declare eminent 
> domain at Lincoln Place and at the Farm, and then help to raise the 
> money to pay for it, you'll be hailed as a real "peoples hero."
>
> Let me suggest a role model. When he was elected mayor of Mexico City, 
> Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was confronted with even bigger problems 
> than you are. Instead of hob-nobbing with the rich, he ended 
> corruption, put thousands to work with public works projects, planned 
> - and completed - extensions to the subway system, and on top of it, 
> instituted a monthly stipend of $65 U.S. for all senior citizens. 
> That's enough to buy food, prescription drugs or pay the rent in Mexico.
>
> Did thumbing his nose at the high rollers mean the end of López 
> Obrador's political career? Just the opposite! He left office with an 
> unheard of 83 percent favorable rating, and is now running for 
> President as the candidate of a third party. And, he has a good chance 
> of winning!
>
> Granted, this is not Mexico (although it used to be). But we do have a 
> lot in common with that country. Like a similar economic 
> stratification pyramid. And a population that is fed up with business 
> as usual, and is looking for someone, anyone, they can really trust. 
> It could be you, Antonio. And it can all start by doing the right 
> thing for Lincoln Place and the South Central farmers.
>
> What's the downside? Well, there would be no more free rides in 
> Ameriquest's private jet. But the upside could be the beginning of 
> unimagined popularity, and perhaps the salvation of your immortal soul.
>
> Your pal, Jim
>
> VoteSmithforCongress.org
> (Jim Smith is the Peace and Freedom candidate for Congress against 
> Jane Harman - CD36)