Community Briefs

Monday, July 6, 1998

Community Briefs

Cities to designate ‘pedestrian malls’

The Village Center Westwood plan just got one step closer to
completion.

Although land developer Ira Smedra withdrew several of his
applications for permits because of lack of funding, he has lobbied
state legislators to draft legislation that would help his project
get off the ground.

State legislation designed to allow cities the authority to
designate portions of public land as "pedestrian malls" has passed
the Senate Committee on Local Government, and has been re-referred
to the judiciary committee.

The legislation would be retroactive, with the change in law
affecting projects that had begun after Jan. 1. This would include
Smedra’s Village Center Westwood plan.

The bill was authored by State Assemblyman Kevin Murray, who
represents the Culver City district. Assemblyman Wally Knox, whose
district includes Westwood, spoke at a meeting of Westwood
residents opposed to the plan on Monday.

"We’re not against development," Knox said of his opposition to
the legislation, "but the process must be fair."

UCSD TAs choose union representation

In a 116 to 41 vote, academic student employees at the
University of California, San Diego voted for the Association of
Student Employees/UAW to provide for them union representation.

Anthony Navarrete, union spokesperson, said this will set a
precedent that "will render a similar outcome for all pending
petitions for ASEs here and across the state."

UCSD stated that they would not meet with the union for a
collective bargaining session even if they were to win, according
to an appeal submitted by UCSD.

The California Public Employment Relations Board, which
conducted the two-day election at UCSD, denied the UC’s request to
deny academic student employees bargaining rights in April.

Connerly to head GOP fund-raising effort

The California state Republican Party picked UC Regent Ward
Connerly to head up its fundraising efforts for the November
elections.

Connerly is most well-known for his prominent role in
establishing UC policies that banned the use of race or gender as
considerations in admissions. These policies, decisions SP-1 and
SP-2, paved the way for Proposition 209, which bans the use of
gender or race in in all state hiring.

"I think the party has some rebuilding to do," Connerly said.
"I’m one of those who thinks our bench strength is not what it
should be."

"We’ve got some good candidates this year. They need money to
win, and I’m going to help find it for them," he added.

Duet restaurant

denied dancing permit

Duet restaurant was denied their application for a dance permit
last month.

Now, manager Chris Mallick has sent a letter to the West Los
Angeles Police Department stating that Duet will now begin holding
"revue shows," in which dancers will perform for the patrons
wearing such items as "go-go outfits, bikinis and lingerie."

Mallick stated in the letter that though Duet does not have a
permit to have adult entertainment, that is not their goal with
this change.

The letter went on to state that dancers will only be allowed to
dance for the patrons and not with them.

Complied from Daily Bruin wire reports