Paul Chavez
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On the article Opinion: Why Real Solutions to L.A. Homeless Problem Remain Elusive
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On the article Teacher Removed from Ocean Charter School in Mar Vista Over 'Testing Irregularity'
Paul Chavez
3:55 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012
ReplyOCS Parent -- Your comment was deleted due to its threatening nature.
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On the article Teacher Removed from Ocean Charter School in Mar Vista Over 'Testing Irregularity'
Paul Chavez
7:29 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
ReplyA previous comment from "OCS Parent" was deleted because it was threatening. Mea culpa for approving it earlier, on second thought it was inappropriate.
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On the Blog Post Food Giveaways on Venice Beach Enable Status Quo, Ineffective at Helping People Get into Housing
Paul Chavez
5:21 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
ReplyI will not comment on how an outside attorney, who was not present before Judge Pregerson, can opine on what happened in the judge's courtroom. Hopefully, I will bear his comments in mind before I exhibit such hubris as to declare what happened in a courtroom where I was neither present nor with access to so many who were present and whose memories are unequivocal.
Jane Usher"
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On the Blog Post Food Giveaways on Venice Beach Enable Status Quo, Ineffective at Helping People Get into Housing
Paul Chavez
5:21 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Reply2. I correctly analyzed the Ninth Circuit's Food Not Bombs case for you previously. To repeat, "that ruling did not conclude that the distribution of food is always a First Amendment activity; instead, the court said that whether food distribution is a protected expressive activity must be determined in a fact-specific "as applied" challenge. This statement was only dicta -- because, as the Ninth Circuit noted, after the litigation commenced, the City of Santa Monica amended its ordinance to allow the non-commercial distribution of food on public sidewalks, without requiring a permit, so long as the distribution did not interfere with pedestrians or street traffic. But dicta provides a fair warning regarding what the Ninth Circuit believes."
3. I declined your repeated request that I track down the notes and any transcripts of the settlement proceedings before Judge Pregerson. In my view, this would not be an appropriate use of the sharply strained resources of my office. That said, Norman Kulla offered to give you access to his materials; he was present for the sessions with Judge Pregerson. It would appear that you would rather mischaracterize what occurred with the judge than read the documents that have been offered to you.
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On the Blog Post Food Giveaways on Venice Beach Enable Status Quo, Ineffective at Helping People Get into Housing
Paul Chavez
5:21 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Reply1. United States District Court Judge Pregerson has been a firm and active jurist in his capacity as the judge presiding over whether the City of Los Angeles has complied with federal law in its ordinances concerning the Venice Boardwalk. I was not present in years past when he included two food giveaway spaces as part of the City's legal settlement of the 2008 version of its ordinance. I have been advised by many who were present that his insistence on this portion of the settlement was final.
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On the Blog Post Food Giveaways on Venice Beach Enable Status Quo, Ineffective at Helping People Get into Housing
Paul Chavez
5:20 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
ReplyThe following response was submitted by Special Assistant City Attorney Jane Usher:
"Dear Mr. Ryavec:
It appears that you have published an article entitled "Legal Review Reveals Rosendahl Lied to Constituents about Need to Allow Food Giveaway Stations on Venice Beach." If this is not your publication, please ignore the rest of what follows. If it is your article, please post this to the article's recipients.
On behalf of the City, including Councilman Rosendahl, I have responded to you on many occasions regarding this matter and your other daily complaints. I cannot hope to combat your constant selective recitation of what you have been told. This pattern gives every City employee considerable pause when interacting with you.
Let me repeat for your broader audience the full measure of what you have been repeatedly told regarding the food spaces on the Boardwalk:
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On the article Venice Neighborhood Council Approves Zip Line on Venice Beach

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On the Blog Post A Call for Civility - A Love Letter to Venice
Paul Chavez
1:40 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Replyswankgirlvenice -- Thanks for your comments. Regarding: I have no idea why threats of 'ass kickings' and 'sending kids home crying' are tolerated. It seems this forum tolerates the threats.
If you feel a comment has crossed the line, please click on the "Flag as inappropriate" button on the top right of it and I'll be notified of it. Everyone who leaves a comment is part of this public forum. If you believe threats are being made, please act accordingly. Thanks. -
On the article Poll: Best Place to Watch the Lakers in Venice-Mar Vista?

Paul Chavez
2:15 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
steve - Agree, we need a Lakers friendly sports bar in Mar Vista. I think Sports Harbour is technically in Del Rey, but I made an exception since it's the closest sports bar around.
Paul Chavez
9:42 am on Monday, May 21, 2012
Let's try to focus on the point of the column and ideas and less on personal attacks. Tuco -- comment deleted for that reason.