Editor:
I am writing regarding your article that described the efforts of City Council to modify the noise ordinance to remove restrictions on the amount of noise that can be made between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., in commercial areas, in order to promote the efforts of the hotel union, to pressure non-union hotels, to unionize.
I did not think it was possible for me to ever agree with Councilwoman O'Connor, but she is absolutely right in accusing the rest of City Council of taking a complete leave of its senses in an effort to win the favor of the hotel union.
The police, and other members of city staff, tried to warn City Council of unattended consequences, but were not specific on the harm that the proposed ordinance could have. Perhaps their warning would have been given more regard if they had if they had been more specific on the danger. There are a large number of residents who live in apartments in the commercially zoned areas of Santa Monica. The owners of the Shore Hotel, and other non-union hotels, have the same first amendment rights as union members. The highest level of first amendment rights is the right to protest against government entities, such as Santa Monica's city council. If the city creates an ordinance granting the hotel union the right to prevent hotel guests from being able to get a good night's sleep, they will also be granting hotel owners the right to prevent the residents of commercial area apartments from getting a good night's sleep.
Jeff Segal
Santa Monica
