By Danny White
Folks,
Week after week I read the complaints about those people who hold resentment towards homeowners that decide to remodel and restore their properties. I am not a developer but try to improve my property a little bit every year to increase my equity and home appearance.

I would love to be able to build my dream home in Venice someday. I have been given nothing and know what it’s like to earn my lifestyle. I cannot for the life of me understand how people associate new construction and progress with “lack of character.” What character is there in dilapidated properties? Please take a look around. If a house is being knocked down, it is usually because the previous owners failed as homeowners. There is usually negligence, economic hardship, rodents, mold and disgust. I don’t know what character is being lost. We aren’t talking about historic homes…these are homes built in the 40’s-50’s with terrible aesthetics for the most part.

I also can’t help but make this generalization, and I’m sorry if I’m wrong, these same people that complain, are the same people that defend the vagrants and oppose new restaurants (and the dreaded alcohol sale- oh the humanity!!!!!) I understand that you folks have been here for decades in a lot of instances and I can appreciate that. But, if your neighborhood is a nest of economic progress, then you should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to suppress it.

If you do not want to do a thing with your home, then don’t. That’s your 100% right. But it is my absolute right to improve my home as well. If a developer wants to do the same, then that is his right too.

I laugh when people complain about improvement. Unbelievable.

So I will assume, if you want to preserve these old homes, you have been living in these homes for decades. Excuse the assumption but it’s not far fetched. You then pay 1/5 of the property taxes that I do…and probably do not contribute to the local economy as much as I do. I’m not judging…just facts.

I should have just the same right to petition the Venice Council to force you to fix your house. Sound ridiculous? Not more than your position sounds to me.

Its time to face reality…this area is now as desirable (and more) as other great places like Manhattan Beach. The market dictates these things and fighting it is futile. If you no longer accept this then you are also free to move to another place just as those that would like to be a part of this move here.