•  No Curfew – Eddie Wall
•  La Fortuna Market – Ty Allison
  • Anne Alvarez responds

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No Curfew

Dear Beachhead,

As a proud member of the Venice community, I feel like the curfew law for the boardwalk/ beach is a horrible idea.  I completely understand why they are trying to pass this law.

I have been to the OFW at night many times, and it is a little bit of a shanty town of sorts, once the sun has set it almost becomes a homeless village. But putting a curfew on the boardwalk is not going to suddenly make the homeless disappear, in fact it will do the opposite.

Instead of sleeping on the beach and boardwalk, they will now be in the alleys and on our front doorsteps.  To be honest, when I see the homeless on the boardwalk at night, it actually puts a smile on my face to know that I live in a city that allows people the freedom to live however they like.

On another note, the homeless community is a key piece in what makes Venice an extremely unique place.  Without all these eccentric “crazy” people, Venice will just become another Huntington, Newport, or Laguna Beach.

I for one, do not want that to happen.  I know there are obvious downsides with the homeless as well; alcohol, drugs, etc… but sometimes you have to accept the fact that the world is not perfect, and making more and more laws is not the answer.

The other obvious fact is that it is our god-given right to go for a walk on the beach anytime we would like.

It’s nature! How can you make it a law that you can’t swim in the ocean past a certain time!  It’s ridiculous.

We need to stop laws that are literally going to take away our freedom.  To quote the article you wrote in the Feb paper “denying people access to the coast is denying part of your inheritance of this country.”

Eddie Wall

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La Fortuna Market

Dear Beachhead,

I would like to speak to the writer who did the article about La Fortuna.

I have lived in a house a block away from there that we’ve had since 1983. The problem at La Fortuna has nothing to do with them being a Latino business. The problem is that they have again and again for years sold alcohol to intoxicated individuals who then impact the nearby residents. I’m surprised that the Beachhead would condone that.

This is not a gentrified neighborhood, it’s a working class neighborhood, many residents are normal people who have lived here for years if not decades.

You are accusing us of racism.

My neighbor behind us, Tara Aguilar, a single older nurse who has lived in her house for decades and has joined in the action against La Fortuna, is deeply offended by this as are we all.

The neighbor behind me and next to her is an 80-year-old Hispanic man who has been in that house for over 50 years and it is anything but gentrified.

We have no problem with La Fortuna other than the alcohol issue. If there is a problem in the neighborhood, shouldn’t the community be involved or do you want us silenced?

I would also like you to note that Gary Neville who took the picture is a developer who took over a number of buildings on Lincoln, forced out some small businesses, radically gentrified that building and skyrocketed the rents. Do your homework.

Ty Allison

Anne Alvarez responds: Thanks Ty for your letter: The research on the La Fortuna article consisted of what I learned from the Romos, LAPD , ABC,  their regular customers and supporters. According to ABC, “LA Fortuna has had their beer and wine license for over 32 years, and it has never been suspended or revoked due to sales to obviously intoxicated person,” LAPD has no arrest records pertaining to sales of alcohol to inebriated people associated with La Fortuna. My article was written based on these facts solely. As for Gary Neville? He is two doors down from La Fortuna and is familiar with their current situation, his input and time were quite helpful and appreciated. Everyone, regardless of their position in our community has a right to be heard, whether we like it or not!