John Okulick of Hampton Drive has been an outspoken opponent of the Business Improvement District (BID), formed last year of commercial and industrial property owners near Ocean Front Walk to provide a “cleaner and safer boardwalk.

“The Venice Beach BID will help create a cleaner and safer boardwalk for everyone to enjoy,” said Councilman Mike Bonin. “BIDs are a commonly-used tool to help supplement public services for neighborhoods, and this BID will make it possible for us to expand the services that the neighborhood deserves. It is the kind of smart and effective public-private partnership we need.”

Okulick sent this letter to the Venice Update that was sent to him by Mark Sokol, president of BID. Okulick made the following comment with the letter:

Thought you might like to print this letter I received from Mark Sokol, self appointed Bonin representative that will recieve from the city of LA, $1.8 million dollars a year for 5 years with no benefits to the property owners or residents. This is truly a payoff to Mark Sokol who contributed $153,540.61 to Bonin from 2014 to 2016.