Letters To The Editor

Corrected, on Walkers Café

I appreciated your op-ed in the previous issue of RLN (“Speculative Blight,” 11/9/2023). When Prospect Group bought Walker’s Café in an off-market transaction in March 2022, they told local media and Friends of Walker’s Café that they would “restore it to its heyday” as they had the “resources and expertise” to make this happen, and that they had “no plans” to develop the parcel residentially. Now they are proposing a 3,500+ sqf, two-story development with an accessory dwelling unit behind the café, leaving just 15′ 7″ between the café and this large new building. 

Not only are the scale and style completely inappropriate for this neighborhood, but the café is literally being boxed in, with space for storage, outdoor seating, kitchen space etc. being sacrificed to maximize residential square footage. All of the decisions are being made from the perspective of maximizing the return on the residential investment. What Walker’s needs to succeed, and what the community wants, is being ignored.

Ever since the site was first developed in the 1910s, it has been a gathering spot for the people of San Pedro to come together. Thousands of people petitioned for Walker’s to be kept alive for the community to enjoy. Anyone can buy a building. But these community landmarks exist because they are filled with memories, goodwill and magic — that’s not something you can put a price tag on. This isn’t about whether developers, as a category, are good or bad; it’s not about NIMBY vs. YIMBY. It’s about integrity. Because Walker’s Cafe is a protected city landmark, Prospect Group has legal restrictions in how they can move forward with this project, and they need to be honest and straightforward — it’s the right thing to do. Prospect Group may own the land and the building, but everyone in San Pedro owns Walker’s Café. As soon as they realize that and start working with the community instead of against us, things will go a lot better for everyone. San Pedro will be the best customers you’ve ever had, but you have to treat us with respect.  

Emma Rault

Friends of Walker’s Café

Ever More War

IDF, no, IGF (Israeli Genocide Forces). U.S. Defense Department, no, U.S. War Department.

Happy Thanksgiving for all the cluster bombs and all the depleted uranium ammunitions. Celebrate alongside every single member of Canadian’s Parliament in their applause of a member of the Waffen-SS

Upside Down

Mark A. Nelson

San Pedro

Hear, O Israel: why do you make war on your brother Ishmael {also son of Abraham}?  Why do you keep your bother in an open air prison {Gaza} forcing him to despair?  Why do you accept over $3 billion in military aid from the United States every year?  Why are you so preoccupied with killing your brother?  Cannot brothers {Jews and Arabs} live in peace?  The peaceful removal of one man will solve this crisis once and for all.  That man is Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu.  Hamas and Hezbollah are the direct result of his hate towards all Palestinians.

As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of the Palestinian people.  Their efforts are similar to what is happening in many other parts of the world.  Believe it or not, one thing that overrides capitalism and political correctness in the United States is the right to have one’s voice heard.  This is the foundation of which our democracy is built on.

The Palestinian people should continue to defy Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu’s  powerful armed forces so that Palestinian democracy can continue to thrive.  It is unfortunate that the United States compromised on one of its most fundamental values in order to protect its economic interests in the Middle East; something that happens all too often domestically as well.  It is not the Palestinian people that are attempting to expand Hamas and Hezbollah power but rather it is Netanyahu who has engaged in intimidation to prevent the will of the people {both Palestinian and Israeli} from being heard.  Why else would he stoop to such underhanded tactics to block various means of communication among the citizens of Palestine and Israel?  Why is Netanyahu forcing Israel to return to the Cold War utilizing political strong-arm tactics such as violence?  Netanyahu, you have had over sixteen years to acknowledge Palestine and have failed them by your own choosing.  The days of your despotic regime are finally coming to an end as it appears the desire for freedom will continue to sweep among the Middle Eastern nations as well as Israel.

Accordingly, let the call go forth among all citizens of Palestine that your brothers and sisters of democracy {from all over the world} are with you during every trial and tribulation you may encounter during this crisis.  To the people of Palestine, the trumpet of freedom beckons you to rise in protest and louden your voice to preserve your sacred heritage, promote your children’s future and obtain the blessings of liberty we all cherish.  Palestine, the hour of your redemption is at hand.  As you the rightful citizens move forward to reclaim your own country, rise and strike!  In the name of those who were murdered fighting for everyone’s rights, rise and strike!  To push back this evil regime, rise and strike!  Let no one continue to fear this man.  Every Palestinian must be strong and fight on for their freedom.  Rise and strike!

Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu,  you little weasel…let Palestine go!  Hey hey Mr. Bibi how many kids will it be be? The whole World is watching !!!

Joe Bialek

Cleveland, OH