On today's show we'll get an update on what's happening regarding Syria, see what's coming to Venice Beach in the near future, contemplate the pros and cons of public art and listen in to last night's live debate between candidates for Los Angeles County District Attorney.
The international response to Syria's massacre
International pressure is increasing on Syria after last week’s massacre of over 100 citizens in Houla. Of those killed, women and children comprised the majority. Special United Nations envoy Kofi Annan visited Syria to urge the government to adopt a peace plan. Annan labeled the country as at a “tipping point,” and such a plan would necessitate a drastic loss of power for Syria’s President Assad.
Other countries are also making the opinions known. The U.S., Britain, France, Germany and Australia have either expelled Syrian diplomats their countries or called for their removal. The Syrian government claims it had no role in the massacre, although Assad ordered the government and its militias to “stop all military operations and show maximum restraint.” The Syrian president is in a precarious position, and even the lone support and protection offered by Russia seems to be slipping away as Moscow becomes more invested in Annan’s peace plan.
What’s next for Syria? What does Annan’s peace plan entail? Is it realistic and substantial, or is it simply window dressing to buy Addad time to appease the international scene. What are conditions like on the ground in Syria? Will the international community pounce on Addad’s perceived weak condition, or have these countries reached their limit on inserting themselves in foreign spheres?
Guests:
Danielle Pletka, Vice President, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies,
American Enterprise Institute
Joshua Landis, Director, Center for Middle East Studies, University of Oklahoma; Writes the blog SyriaComment.com
Should there be a zip line over Venice Beach?
Only in Venice can you zip-line your way around the boardwalk. Last week, the Venice Neighborhood Council approved the temporary construction permit for a 720-foot zip line near the boardwalk, making way for a final approval by the California Coastal Commission.
Greenheart Conservation Company is the Canadian-based ride operator which hopes to have its final permits in time for a July 1st opening. Under the proposal, riders will take off from a 44-foot tower near the skate park to a 24-foot tower at Windward Plaza by the basketball courts. The towers will be decorated with local art, and the attraction will bring in much-needed revenue to clean up the boardwalk, said Linda Lucks, president of the council.
Greenheart plans to offer live acrobatic and aerial performances to the public, and it proposes to give two-thirds of its gross revenue to clean the trash and improve public restrooms along the boardwalk. Educational programs for children on art and environment issues are to be run. The conservation-centered company has built similar attractions in Haiti and Las Vegas, raising more than $200,000 for local charities.
Opponents of the zip line feel that it may cause more harm than good and express concern that the ride will bring more crowds and more trash, which is counterintuitive to the group’s mission. The zip line must be dismantled after the three-month trial, but a permanent installation may be considered and is subject to environmental impact studies.
Do you think a Venice zip line is a good idea? Is it better that the group involved is more interested in cleaning up the boardwalk rather in than making a profit and leaving? Will it improve the condition of the area? Do you think you’ll want to ride it?
GUEST
Bill Rosendahl, City Councilman
Ira Koslow, Resident of Venice, California and a member of the Venice Neighborhood Council; he’s also a teacher in the magnet school Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies
Public art: Build it or leave it?
Art is not just the preserve of private collectors or encased within the four walls of museums and art galleries. Art also belongs to the streets. In effort to bring art to the masses, new commercial and residential developments over 7,500 square feet or housing five units or more are mandated by local governments to spend at least one percent of project costs to public art commissions. In Santa Monica, a similar ordinance calls for developers to set aside two percent.
"It provides access to arts and cultural resources to residents and visitors of our communities," said Jessica Cusick, cultural affairs manager for the City of Santa Monica. "Public art enhances the built environment. In many ways, it actually encourages our communities to be more walkable, to be more pedestrian-friendly. It's a well known fact that if there are interesting encounters along the way, people are willing to walk further to have that sense of discovery."
According to Cusick, the 2007 ordinance has not received that much criticism from developers.
"There wasn't a lot of building that went on in 2008 and 2009 anywhere in Southern California, but we have not gotten a lot of push back from developers. Many developers have chosen the onsite art option [of contributing two percent], when they have another option to contribute one percent into a cultural trust fund," she said.
Cusick explained that developers can also take a third route, choosing to provide theatrical space, performance space, or even office space for a nonprofit arts organization.
Supporters of public art say the benefits are manifold, including improved cultural tourism, creating a unique identity for a building and in some cases improving how safe an area is perceived. There is also evidence of financial benefits to installing public art. For example, with the installation of two 70-foot, painted murals at Wilshire Vermont Station in Los Angeles, the developers created significant publicity for their project: the Mayor of Los Angeles uses the site for press conferences and pictures of the murals have appeared in countless photo shoots.
But as art is a matter of taste, some commercial developers question whether thousands of dollars should be ploughed into improving the aesthetic beauty of a building through murals, sculptures and other artistic works. Bryan Starr, executive officer of the Building Industry Association of Southern California's Orange County chapter, said their concern isn't about the art itself.
"Our members appreciate local governments that see the value in unique design," he explained. "What we are opposed to is local governments mandating taxes on new developments, in particular housing developments, to pay for public art. Trust me – if a developer thinks a design element will add value or stimulate a financial return, they don't need to be compelled by the government to include it in their project."
Starr is concerned that different communities want different aesthetics, and community opposition affects development.
"If there's a particularly controversial piece of art, or a design element that maybe doesn't necessarily fit the culture of the community, yeah. That can definitely freeze the development project, and developers don't like to be stuck in the middle of those community arguments," he said.
He added that some developers are forward thinking about design. "If the market calls for something unique, or they're trying to create a walkable space, there are very unique designs, and architects sometimes get very creative. In fact, there are a lot of cities that don't want this, and sometimes developers are trying to encourage them to think outside the box. Individual market-based approach we support, not the government mandate," he said.
To Cusick, the mandate can be coupled with all other housing ordinances.
"This isn't a government mandate in the sense of just requiring art, but I think it's really a statement of value. It's about what is important to a community," she continued. "It's really no different than any other building standard. Essentially, this is a city saying, 'This is the type of city that we want, and this is how we expect you to build in our community.' In the same way that we require landscaping, wide sidewalks or public plazas, greener communities with permeable surfaces, many of these things we require in Santa Monica, we also require that you think about providing access to some type of cultural art or resource."
What are your views on public art? Is it a waste of money? If you pass public art on your way to work or school, does it make you 'feel' better? Where public art is installed, do you perceive the area in a more positive light? Should the public have more say in what art is commissioned for public spaces?
Guests:
Jessica Cusick, Cultural Affairs Manager, City of Santa Monica; former (TBD) for the MTA
Mott Smith, Principal, Civic Enterprise Associates, a strategic planning and development company in the city of Los Angeles
Candidates square off in D.A. debate, hosted by AirTalk
One week before Los Angeles County voters head to the polls, candidates running for district attorney will square off in a debate moderated by AirTalk host Larry Mantle. The six contenders are vying to succeed L.A. County District Attorney Steve Cooley, who’s retiring after holding the seat for more than a decade. The candidates seeking the top job are Jackie Lacy, the chief deputy D.A. who is backed by Cooley; John L. Breault III, a 43-year veteran prosecutor; Danette Meyers, who has tried dozens of murder cases and six death penalty trials; Bobby Grace, who has tried over 60 homicide cases, including the serial killer Chester Turner; Carmen Trutanich, the front-runner with the best name recognition, and Alan Jackson, a gang homicide prosecutor who tried producer Phil Spector for murder and the only Republican in the race. The primary is June 5th. The top two candidates will advance to a runoff. Who has the most relevant experience? Where do they stand on the death penalty? Who’s the best man – or woman – for the job?
Guests:
John L. Breault III, Deputy District Attorney
Bobby Grace, Deputy District Attorney
Alan Jackson, Gang Homicide Prosecutor
Jackie Lacey, Chief Deputy District Attorney
Danette Meyers, Senior Deputy District Attorney