It’s still the start of a new year, a time for resolutions. I think a little more “win-win” thinking would do our community good. Pushing in the direction of win-lose often results in lose-lose.
A while back Charlie Munger decided to pull the plug on Green Hollow Square, a “victory” for opponents. We now see a big patch of dirt that might stay that way for years. Is this what victory looks like?
Those opposed to Archer’s proposed upgrade are determined to block it because it’s possible there will be a few more car trips in and out of Archer during the course of a day.
But Archer already buses 80 percent of its students in and out; it seems like Archer expansion opponents should seek to hold other schools in the area to Archer’s same high standards.
Such a move might actually cause a real and very significant reduction of car trips on Sunset. That would be a win for all of us. Instead, all the energy is going into blocking Archer’s proposals. Win-lose.
A federal judge recently halted the construction of an amphitheater on the VA property, the result of a lawsuit by veteran activists seeking an end to all outside uses of the VA property.
The activists, aided by the ACLU, are seeking more assistance for homeless veterans in the area, which is of course laudable.
It has never been clear to me how a park with an amphitheater that veterans can use hurts veterans. And it’s all being paid for with private funds. At no cost, the VA could have a new park that veterans could enjoy. That’s a win-win, it seems to me.
Because of the lawsuit, the VA said it could no longer provide parking for those wanting to attend the PGA golf tournament held each year at the Riviera Country Club.
In turn, PGA organizers said they would no longer offer a bunch of free tickets to veterans.
And, soon enough, veteran attendance at UCLA baseball games could become a thing of the past if UCLA has to move the stadium.
I’m still not sure who, if anybody, is winning here.
That the VA can and should do much more for homeless veterans is a no-brainer. At a minimum, couldn’t the VA take all money it makes from its various outside projects and immediately steer that money in the direction of helping homeless veterans?
Wouldn’t that be a win for homeless veterans?
Brentwood School is the beneficiary of a long-term, below-market VA lease that is now in the same legal jeopardy as other outside projects. Brentwood School built a huge athletic facility, including a first-class aquatic center, on VA land.
Surely Brentwood School could open up its pool on certain days and hours to veterans. There’s a win-win. Brentwood School gets its pool, veterans get access to the pool.
Archer School wanted its own aquatic center, too, but that got shot down in recent negotiations as Archer continues to seek approval for its expansion plans. Same with some proposals for expanded athletic facilities, including night lights.
Why not let Archer share Brentwood School’s swimming pool – and its other athletic facilities as well? The two schools are within walking distance of one another. Can’t we all get along – and share? Wouldn’t that be a win?
Remember, Brentwood School is on VA property – which means it’s on U.S. property, which means the property is owned by us, the taxpayers. There is no public pool in Brentwood. So while I’m at it, why not open Brentwood School’s pool to the public during the summer?
People who want to swim and who don’t own a pool are forced to drive elsewhere. This adds to traffic, everyone’s number one issue. If people decided to cooperate more, maybe we could actually reduce traffic.
There was an article in the LA Times recently about developer (and Brentwood resident) Rick Caruso and his quest to find a community-friendly use for a big block of retail he’s gearing up to revamp in the Palisades.
Caruso and his people did a lot of outreach and learned that people really weren’t yearning for more high-end retail; what people really wanted was an ice cream shop, a small movie theater and a bookstore. Nice. Caruso says he’s happy to comply. Double nice.
It’s too bad Charlie Munger didn’t try the same technique; it seemed to be much more about what he and his people wanted, not what the people of Brentwood – his prospective customers – actually wanted.
Maybe we can entice Rick Caruso to buy up the Munger property and apply the same win-win philosophy here in Brentwood that he’s successfully applying in the Palisades. Maybe we can give him a warmer welcome than that given Charlie Munger.
In addition to a bookstore, an ice cream shop and a small theater, let’s add a Mexican restaurant, a fish place, a brew-pub and a little park. And plenty of underground parking.
I almost forgot: Let’s ask Mr. Caruso for a public swimming pool as well.
If we put more community-friendly services right here in our own backyard, that should actually reduce traffic in the area. Isn’t that what everyone wants?
Or do people really just want to fight all the time? I say we try something new. Let’s try a little win-win.
• Do you have a story idea, news tip or a comment to share? Contact Jeff Hall by email at jeffhall@brentwoodnewsonline.com.
