The Planning Commission met last night, continuing its meeting of May 23. Last night, as last week, the subject was a very large no-name proposed mixed use development. Should the Commission recommend that the City Council approve a relocation plan for the residents of the Village Trailer Park, which is in the way of the development, the Environmental Impact Report and the commencement of negotiations for a Development Agreement?

Last week, there were 40-some speakers, last night, there were six. The Commissioners spent a long time talking first to the developer and then to the lead planner on the project. Sometimes, they asked questions. Sometimes, they just listened. The developer and the planner seemed in synch. The Commissioners seemed uneasy.

But, last night as last week, the real subject was the Village Trailer Park – as fact and symbol. It is home to some of our oldest, wisest and most vulnerable residents, and it is singular, unique – a fragment from another time, and quite valuable – an oasis in a hectic surround. And it is in jeopardy as it’s in the way of what some people call “progress.”

But what’s going on isn’t progress, it’s greed – plain, old greed and it has seized Santa Monica like a disease. It was born and bloomed in City Hall, and now City policies, City projects, Council decisions are all infected by it.

Though some residents have got a bad case of greed, many of us are horrified by it, but clearly we must do more than nod sadly when another good building or place disappears and is replaced by another mediocre monument to money…and greed.

Last night, after another four hours, the Commission adjourned without making a decision. They will meet again on June 20. They know what to do, they’re simply afraid to do it – it’s too radical, too….decisive.

They should read the two following articles, so should you, and everyone else who loves this gloriously idiosyncratic beach town. If they don’t set your hair on fire, then you might want to take more vitamins. There are many more of us, after all, it’s our town, we have the the final vote, and there’s an election this year.