Art Walk Wrap, January, 2010

Bert Green on January 20, 2010, at 01:27AM – #1

Thanks for this observation. Jay Lopez, the new director, hit the ground running and spent a lot of time meeting with every person involved with the galleries, the BID, the police, etc. to make sure that he is familiarized with the entire community, and has a working relationship with everyone. A breath of fresh air. The estimates for January were about 10,000, in keeping with recent growth, and great for a winter day. It also got a lot busier later in the evening, after 8 pm.

I also think that the shuttle's absence was a positive for the event. After all, it is an Art WALK. It's not very far to walk to everything. The original purpose of the shuttle was to spread the crowd around to the periphery, but that seems to be achieved better without it. It also helps that there are new galleries near the south end of the Row, and more on the way.

And despite recent drama, there are no "controversies" with the Art Walk. There are detractors, but they have their own personal agendas, and anonymous trolls who want only to spread discord. Hopefully, we can move forward with competent leadership and a local consensus to develop Art Walk in a way that the community can continue to support.

Brad Vixin on January 20, 2010, at 03:14AM – #2

I for one am glad to see someone like Jay in charge. What a relief. So much hetter than that crazy lady with the anger issues.

Russell Brown on January 20, 2010, at 07:01AM – #3

As ArtWalk grows and changes, you will also start to see new events and locations that emphasize a wider range of art and the creative community as opposed to a more Bourbon Street and carnival atmosphere.

This is purposeful in order to make sure ArtWalk becomes a unique cultural and neighborhood support community- building event, instead of an outsiders party event.

The great picture of Harlem alley is an example. This location is programmed by the Skid Row Arts Collective- a local group with OG and over 20 artist, musicians, craft makers, cooks and others that are bringing their "Hidden Treasures" to the crowd.

You will also start to see a more organized food truck experience and higher end art events. There wil also be an Art Walk lounge central gathering place that will be organized to distribute maps, information and business and outreach support throughout the month to help sustain viable full time galleries.

The crowds will be able to stroll the neighborhood and have more entertainment,culture, food and community involvement experiences. Safety, organization and a strong good neighbor policy are key to the ArtWalk being sustainable. The local businesses are already feeling much more of a partnership instead of a crowd control tsunami imposition.

ArtWalk has always been a grass roots partnership with anyone who wants to get involved able to join in as long as they were willing to show up, get involved and work together. Jay gets that easily and has been a joy to work with.

Clyde Beswick on January 20, 2010, at 08:45AM – #4

I second all the positive feel for last week's event and, as a new gallery in downtown, I look forward to participating in future art walks, starting with our inaugural show, "Difference and Repetition," on February, 11, 2010.

It was great to be able to host the MONDO GRONK show at CB1 before we do a bit of work in the space to be ready for February art walk.

www.cb1gallery.com

Kim Cooper on January 20, 2010, at 08:45AM – #5

Apparently LAPD shut a Downtown Art Walk show at 4th/Spring in January, because there was no crowd control. Surprised? I'm not. The LAPD's mandate for the new Art Walk management was that it disperse crowds away from 5th and Main--hence all the programming I helped to curate around 7th & Broadway and the Spring Arcade from July-November (when we were forced to resign).

But as of the January Art Walk, according to its curator Dale Y's review on Yelp, the Continental Building show was closed by the police because 8000+ people came and were spilling dangerously out into traffic.

Why did this happen? Maybe because DLANC President Russell Brown was hosting an "Art Walk Lounge" right at the corner (5th & Main) where the police asked us NOT to encourage people to gather? Or because the front page of the Art Walk website encourages visitors not to miss "the show that all of downtown is talking about" one block away? Well, that show was shut by the police, because people were being endangered.

I sincerely wish these irresponsible decisions will not be repeated at the February Art Walk and beyond. It is obvious that someone is going to get hurt at Art Walk, and it doesn't need to happen.

Why does Art Walk management feel it needs to start from square one, when we worked incredibly hard for almost a year to find solutions that would make the event better, safer and more meaningful for attendees? The solutions are well understood: provide programming and meeting spots that move the people away from 5th & Main. One obvious option is to send people to historic Clifton's Cafeteria, which welcomed Art Walk visitors through November and has plenty of room for information tables and gatherings. Or send people to locations further south on Spring Street and Broadway. But it makes no sense to advertise 5th & Main and 4th & Spring as ground zero: these sites already are ground zero, and there should be other options.

Now that there is no Art Walk shuttle to circulate crowds around the event, people need to be moved around in more creative ways. When Art Walk sends the message that 5th & Main and a one block radius is where everyone should be, that simply encourages dangerous overcrowding. The LAPD told this to everyone involved a year ago, and nothing has changed. It's not worth someone getting hit by a car just because Russell Brown wants to have some company on Art Walk night in his space at 5th & Main!

Bert Green on January 20, 2010, at 11:06AM – #6

The LAPD never threatened to "shut down Art Walk" as Kim Cooper claimed on Twitter: "LAPD said to decentralize Art Walk or it would be shut down" on Jan 14.

At every meeting with SLO Joseph and Sgt Kris Werner, we were told that the LAPD has always been very supportive of Art Walk and encouraged us to do what was necessary to make the event run smoothly. That included managing the numbers, intervening when alcohol became a problem, and communicating with the property owners where problems might arise. You attended very few of those meetings, and you and Richard are on record stating that the crowd, safety, and trash issues were not your priority:

""The Art Walk is not here to tell anyone what to do or what not to do" http://www.blogdowntown.com/2009/12/4915-the-abstraction-known-as-art-walk

The event at 4th & Spring was not an official art walk event, it was neither on the Art Walk map nor organized by the Downtown Art Walk management. Once the LAPD communicated with the event organizers the problems were abated.

As is stated above, the dispersal of the crowd was achieved without the shuttle, which never fulfilled that function properly.

Russell Brown on January 20, 2010, at 03:38PM – #7

Not exactly sure how having a very successful Art show at 4th and Spring has anything to do with crowd control issues inside an office and event space a block and a half away. I guess handing out maps and answering questions is too intense of a use?

ArtWalk has been ongoing for 6 years so no one is starting from scratch. Indeed the focus with many partners and Jay Lopez as the lead (not I since I am being blamed) is to get back to basics of a great community art experience and local business partnership.

I do agree that logistics and operations is integral to the management and sustaianability of the Art Walk. The solutions again lie in leadership and partnership with the ArtWalk director, Art Walk board, DLANC arts committee, HDBID including safety and sidewalk services, LAPD, gallery owners and the public.

Let's also not keep going over the shuttle issues since 10,000 folks spread out over a 10 block area has little to do with a $10,000 a year party bus that hosted maybe a few hundered each month. The purpose of the bus was to provide safety in an area that few wanted to walk in. That goal is no longer needed.

So let's hope we can get past last year's tiresome blame game and work together.

Brad Vixin on January 20, 2010, at 04:22PM – #8

I agree with Russell. Last year is last year. Let's look forward. Everything else is now history.

Kim Cooper on January 20, 2010, at 09:58PM – #9

I find it very peculiar how Russell Brown keeps refering to a $10,000/year bill for the Art Walk shuttle, and using the term "party bus" as if it were supposed to be derisive.

Russell knows that his shock quote is not anywhere close to the true cost for this enormously popular and useful aspect of the Art Walk, which he personally chose to eliminate.

I say personally, because long before DLANC ever voted on if it wanted to continue funding the shuttle, Russell (DLANC's president), in his capacity as a seer and sage, informed the Art Walk board that the shuttle would soon be history. After the DLANC board declined to hold a vote on the matter until more information was provided about the alternatives, Russell then declined to pay HCBID's share of the host/curator's fee for the prior Art Walk on the grounds that he had informed us that DLANC would be ending sponsorship. But DLANC had not ended sponsorship. And last I looked, DLANC was supposed to be a democratic body, not a personal fiefdom.

In any case, the cost to run the shuttle at Art Walk was $500/month for four hours, paid by DLANC-- an annual total of $6000, not anywhere close to $10,000.

Quite apart from the cost of having a shuttle to move people around the event, HCBID also chose to chip in $200/month ($2400/year) for a curator/host and $30/month for a driver's tip ($360).

Grand total for twelve Art Walk shuttles, with a curator/host and unpaid entertainers was $8760, which is also not $10,000. And again, the cost of the shuttle itself was just $6000/year. A bargain.

It's a beautiful thing to read that Russell Brown would like to move past the negativity and blame of the past year and find a way to work together. He can start by being more careful and honest in his statements. Will you believe someone who rounds $6000 up to $10,000 in order to smear a popular public program, or will you take his assertions with a big chunk of salt, like I have learned to do?

Bert Green on January 20, 2010, at 10:48PM – #10

The only one here who can't move on is Kim Cooper.

Rehashing the same tired tropes about how mean and bad and evil Russell Brown is, and how good and saintly Kim Cooper is.

Had Kim even ONCE picked up a telephone or met Russell in person to discuss any of this at any point during Richard's tenure as Art Walk Director, perhaps none of this would have ever been a problem for anyone. No such luck.

Pretty soon Kim and Richard will have been former Art Walk directors longer than they were ever actually involved with managing the event. Considering that it is in its sixth year, and they ran it for a measly 5 months, it's becoming increasingly annoying that we need to be continually reminded of the great miracles they performed.

Kim Cooper on January 21, 2010, at 09:47AM – #11

Bert Green, did you really write the comment above? If you did, I would like to to remind you, and inform anyone reading this, that you and I have a formal agreement not to say anything about each other on the internet. This agreement was reached after you threatened to sue me. If you made the comment posted at 10:48 pm, then you have broken that agreement. Please refrain from saying anything about me again, anywhere online.

If Bert Green did not make the comment above, I trust he will return to say so (not saying anything about me in his response) and immediately report the identity theft to the property authorities.

The fact is Richard Schave and others on the Art Walk board had numerous meetings with Russell Brown while seeking to work together for the good of Art Walk and the downtown community, and at each meeting he repeated the same false claims smearing our work, or said he simply would not be able to work with the Art Walk.

One of those false claims was that we never met with him (which he repeated to the Downtown News when we resigned), and now is repeated here. We met with him all right, although they were the least productive meetings imaginable due to Mr. Brown's rigid refusal to communicate or cooperate.

It seems Mr. Brown has arbitrarily decided to give his support to Jay Lopez' management of Art Walk, just as he arbitrarily withheld his support from the Art Walk under Richard Schave's management. While this must be a relief to Mr. Lopez while taking on a difficult post, this decision is not based on quality of work or commitment to the community, since Mr. Lopez has not had time to demonstrate either. But this is no surprise, since it was June 2009, a month before Richard took over management of Art Walk, when Russell first spoke up in a public forum (DLANC Arts Committee) to bash his leadership.

Mr. Brown's dishonest, bullying behavior has directly resulted in the PR crisis that leaves many people talking about what's gone wrong with the Art Walk, when a few months ago all they could say is how amazing it is. Let's ensure that the next big news flash from Art Walk isn't some kids getting creamed by a car because they spilled out off of the sidewalk in front of the Exchange. This is the worst possible spot for an "Art Walk Lounge," as is obvious to anyone with knowledge of the event and its unique challenges.

As one of the people who spent a huge chunk of my time last year seeking input from literally hundreds of interested people while seeking solutions for an event that had grown far beyond the control of its limited management, I will continue to express my opinions about what's right for the Art Walk. My opinions may be unpopular in the echo chamber at 5th & Main, but I have every right to say them.

Isn't Art Walk supposed to be a non-profit community event that seeks the input of interested members of the community? It was when my husband was in charge.

Eric on January 21, 2010, at 11:09AM – #12

Please stop the drama...

Kim Cooper on January 21, 2010, at 11:50AM – #13

"Please stop the drama" is a very uncommon phrase; there are only about 10,000 hits for it on Google, and yet this exact phrase has been used previously by an Art Walk insider in private communications. "Eric"--who are you?

Bert Green on January 21, 2010, at 12:11PM – #14

Kim, you state "Please refrain from saying anything about me again, anywhere online."

Please remember that I threatened to sue you after you falsely accused me of stealing money from the Art Walk (I have documented evidence of this, which has since been removed from your twitter account after I threatened you with legal action). You agreed to stop accusing me in public. I have not accused you of anything. I have every right to state my opinion, just as you do. That does not extend to making false claims against people, which is libel. You have made many libelous claims against others. There is a difference between stating an opinion and lying about facts.

I stand by my assertion that you are unable to let go of this, and it is obviously irritating everyone. It is also causing a chill on conversation about this issue. Who wants to freely express an opinion when you stand ready to falsely accuse others of malfeasance?

Kim Cooper on January 21, 2010, at 12:26PM – #15

Oh, so Bert Green did make the comment at 10:58pm? Well, again, I am reminding you that you should not be writing bitchy things about me online, or anything about me. This includes if you are logged into a website under your own verified account or not. It violates the agreement that we made, and you should really cease and desist.

"Obviously irritating everyone," or just people who don't like what I have to say? Because I keep hearing from folks who don't spend their day online trying to spin reality to fit their view of it that what I've got to say is valid and important. So I guess I'll just keep typing, until the managers of blogdowntown decide to censor discussion again.

And speaking of censorship in downtown community forums, I am currently blocked from posting comments on the Newdowntown yahoo group, which is moderated by three people, including DLANC board member Patti Berman. The other moderators are Ian Riekes Trivers (ianrt2000) and Marie (marieski_5000). Ms. Berman is the only moderator who has responded to my emails asking about this censorship. She says she wants nothing to do with the group, and after using her moderators' privileges to look at my account status, has refused to do anything to restore my ability to post. Now why is that?

livingABOVEtheNONSENSE on January 21, 2010, at 12:48PM – #16

I'm a BIG fan of the Art WALK, and appreciate the dedication invested into the event. There is no need to have blog fights about it. Kim Cooper, who seem very angry; a nice walk around Downtown appreciating the ACTUAL event will help you release some steam - get over it sister!

Marc Loge on January 21, 2010, at 12:57PM – #17

No Kim,

It wasn't Bert that posted the article about hateful people that use the internet to snipe at individuals from afar and how they should be ashamed of themselves and how menacing it really is to friendships and community.

I used the screen name “Scared She'll Attack Me Next” because .. well, its true. I venture to say that anyone would be terrified of your mighty wrath. I was hoping to stay clear of the rampage this time around, but won’t let you falsely accuse Bert for something I posted (which was removed by Eric .. I’m assuming the moderator of this blog).

For all those following the drama here (sorry Eric), it is just situations like this; this is why the board of Directors of Artwalk (an entity put together by Richard and Kim), this is why the board felt compelled to ask for your resignations as officers (not as board members, you decided to leave the board if you couldn’t run the operation).

Now, go ahead Kim … run my name through the gutter for .. what will probably be the rest of your blogging life! Whatever .. but last months Artwalk was incredible! We can say much of that success had to do with visions you and Richard had for Artwalk. Can we just leave it at that?

Bert Green on January 21, 2010, at 01:06PM – #18

Kim: my posting does not violate the agreement that we made. I have evidence of libel against me (and others). You have only "bitchy" comments. I still reserve the right to sue you. The "agreement" we made said that you would stop all of your attacks against Art Walk, not just against me. You did not stop. I suggest YOU cease and desist. You have been warned by three separate people, who have all threatened legal action against you for posting falsehoods.

Russell has been keeping quiet about this but he is the one who actually has the best legal case. If he decides to initiate legal action against you I would be happy to provide all the documentation I have collected which shows your libel, harassment, and defamation.

Crying about censorship is absurd. When DT LA Life censored opinions contrary to yours you did not complain. Sites have the right to manage the quality of discussion.

Bert Green on January 21, 2010, at 01:19PM – #19

I never saw that anonymous comment, but if I am writing in my own name, why would I ever also comment anonymously? That seems paranoid, KIm.

I've been posting in my real name for years on these forums, and have been regularly attacked by anonymous trolls. There are a lot of them out there. Suck it up and move on.

howie on the Hill on January 21, 2010, at 01:23PM – #20

Actually The Downtown Group posted in complete text Bert Green's answer to Kim Cooper in fairness, at the discussion group. The moderator chose not to allow a endless resating of the same aruguments. The moderators guidelines were stated in a message to the group.

The person who wanted to restate again the same thing as Bert, directly after the Berts response was not allowed to post. ANYONE restating the same information was blocked from reposting the arguments. Bert made a fine defense and it was so stated.. New informaton was allowed..

Howieon the Hill on January 21, 2010, at 01:29PM – #21

Hi Wonderful People!

What a week so far. So many interesting posts and DL, gossip, and reality, all in a wonderful guacamole that Downtown has become!

One thing I have learned this past month about Downtown and all its' "Issues" is just what a great amount of love goes onto that passion. There are very few people in Downtown without an opinion and it comes to one loudly, most usually. We have been through one of those times with the Art Walk drama/trauma.

As you all know a week ago I posted a message about the guidelines for new posting on the Art Walk topic: new information. I have rejected posts from a couple of members (they were NOT the recent posters on this topic) that have no more than restated again what was in the original Bert Green repost here. I think Bert did a good job at defending himself and so has Kim Cooper. I just know that this test of our will and strengh will have a harvest. That harvest will be in new ideas for Downtown.

I congratulate everyone for their participation in this Great Winter Downtown Debate. We are all better for it, Downtown will be better for it, and the generations that come after ua will be better for it. We all refuse to let anyone dismiss our home, Downtown LA.

Group hug,

Last of Howies Messages on January 21, 2010, at 01:38PM – #22

FROM THE MODERATOR OF THE DOWNTOWN GROUP: This is the actual text. Still there. As follows:

Even though Bert Green is not a member of this group I have chosen to post this in the interest of the group in light of the on-going discussions on this and related topics of interest regarding Art Walk.

Gale Moderator

From Bert Green:

"For some unknown reason, Kim Cooper has decided to wage a public smear campaign against the Downtown Art Walk since she and her husband were fired from its helm in November. Julie Rico has decided to join her, and has revealed information in her post which was written to Kim Cooper in a private email. The first target was Russell Brown, but now their ire is directed at me.

Despite the constant, unfounded attacks, which most people downtown could care less about, there are several facts which I must make clear, as what is being accused is both untrue and deliberately misleading.

When KIm Cooper and Richard Schave walked away from the Downtown Art Walk, they left it without the resources they needed to maintain their map. The Board of Directors is not the day to day management of the event. Their energy was focused on finding a new director.

The December Art Walk was approaching, and I was asked by Brady Westwater to provide them with assistance, as they had no map. I made a quick adaptation of a gallery map that was being used as a promo tool for my magazine. That map is updated only occasionally, so it was missing a few of the new venues. The next update was scheduled for January, as it was never intended to be used as the Art Walk map. At that time several new venues would be added. Only actual galleries are on that map, not temporary spaces, restaurants, or stores. Closed venues, such as Infusion, which moved to Hawaii months ago, and Landing Party, which closed, are not on that map. My map also includes many venues which are not a part of the Art Walk, such as the Grammy Museum and the Chinese American Museum, but there was no time to completely redesign it.

The Downtown Art Walk website used that map for the December event. In the interim, I was invited to join the board, to help clean up the mess left by Richard and Kim. I declined, but the board continued to insist that I join. I have accepted only to assist Jay Lopez to get up to speed, at which time I will resign. This happened AFTER the December Art Walk.

What is going on here is purely sour grapes on the part of the former directors of the Art Walk. I am truly sorry to the downtown community that you have to be subjected to this unfortunate pogrom. The reason I stepped down from the Art Walk was to hand it off to someone who had the sense and resources to manage it properly. Unfortunately, Richard and KIm were not up to that task. Once Jay is up to speed, I am confident that he will do a great job. I would LOVE to be able to step away from this insanity."

Bert Green

Last of Howies Messages on January 21, 2010, at 01:38PM – #23

FROM THE MODERATOR OF THE DOWNTOWN GROUP: This is the actual text. Still there. As follows:

Even though Bert Green is not a member of this group I have chosen to post this in the interest of the group in light of the on-going discussions on this and related topics of interest regarding Art Walk.

Gale Moderator

From Bert Green:

"For some unknown reason, Kim Cooper has decided to wage a public smear campaign against the Downtown Art Walk since she and her husband were fired from its helm in November. Julie Rico has decided to join her, and has revealed information in her post which was written to Kim Cooper in a private email. The first target was Russell Brown, but now their ire is directed at me.

Despite the constant, unfounded attacks, which most people downtown could care less about, there are several facts which I must make clear, as what is being accused is both untrue and deliberately misleading.

When KIm Cooper and Richard Schave walked away from the Downtown Art Walk, they left it without the resources they needed to maintain their map. The Board of Directors is not the day to day management of the event. Their energy was focused on finding a new director.

The December Art Walk was approaching, and I was asked by Brady Westwater to provide them with assistance, as they had no map. I made a quick adaptation of a gallery map that was being used as a promo tool for my magazine. That map is updated only occasionally, so it was missing a few of the new venues. The next update was scheduled for January, as it was never intended to be used as the Art Walk map. At that time several new venues would be added. Only actual galleries are on that map, not temporary spaces, restaurants, or stores. Closed venues, such as Infusion, which moved to Hawaii months ago, and Landing Party, which closed, are not on that map. My map also includes many venues which are not a part of the Art Walk, such as the Grammy Museum and the Chinese American Museum, but there was no time to completely redesign it.

The Downtown Art Walk website used that map for the December event. In the interim, I was invited to join the board, to help clean up the mess left by Richard and Kim. I declined, but the board continued to insist that I join. I have accepted only to assist Jay Lopez to get up to speed, at which time I will resign. This happened AFTER the December Art Walk.

What is going on here is purely sour grapes on the part of the former directors of the Art Walk. I am truly sorry to the downtown community that you have to be subjected to this unfortunate pogrom. The reason I stepped down from the Art Walk was to hand it off to someone who had the sense and resources to manage it properly. Unfortunately, Richard and KIm were not up to that task. Once Jay is up to speed, I am confident that he will do a great job. I would LOVE to be able to step away from this insanity."

Bert Green

Kim Cooper on January 21, 2010, at 01:40PM – #24

Just for anyone keeping score, an Art Walk board member, the former acting director of the entity, has just admitted to posting anonymous smears of me on the internet. Now you see what Richard and I had to put up with while trying to do some good for this community. Amazing!

I never said I wouldn't continue saying what I think about Art Walk. The agreement, which Bert Green has breached, was between me and him. Lawsuits are easy to threaten, hard to finance and harder to win, especially when the person being threatened with the suit (me) has a terrible habit of only telling the truth as she understands it. I stand by everything I have ever posted or said about the Art Walk, and unlike other people involved in this matter, I only post under my true name.

Pflip on January 21, 2010, at 01:55PM – #25

I see a great opportunity for some bicycle cabs here. Have those ever happened in DTLA? I'm new. Works great in downtown Seattle.

Marc Loge on January 21, 2010, at 01:59PM – #26

Kim .. it was an article in the wall street journal .. Funny you would think it was an attack on you personally … it was even credited at the bottom of the article ..

Oh, I forgot .. I’m just in your sights now??!!??

ondioline on January 21, 2010, at 02:02PM – #27

Hey Kim, STFU. No one gives a shit.

Get help, sister.

Bert Green on January 21, 2010, at 04:01PM – #28

Here is the text of Kim's agreement to stop, dated December 19, 2009:

"I apologize if I misunderstood the situation with the funds raised for additional years, and for upsetting you. The accounts are expressed sparsely, and were not clear to me.

We have all been through a lot, and frankly, it would probably be healthier if we just walked away from the situation and got on with our lives. How about if we just both agree to stop it, instead of getting lawyers involved?"

And my response (the first paragraph only, as the remainder of the email was not pertinent):

"I have no interest in continuing this at all. Every public comment I made was in response to something you said or did. As long as you stop posting about this on any of the blogs, listserves, or twitter, you will see nothing from me."

Nowhere is it stated that this was limited to comments about me personally. It refers to the entire Art Walk.

Kim Cooper on January 21, 2010, at 04:14PM – #29

Marc, I never saw the since-deleted article you posted here, all I knew was that you admitted that you used the anonymous screen name "Scared She'll Attack Me Next.” The use of that screen name is an unwarranted smear against me. You have nothing to be afraid of, and I am personally offended and frightened that you would use an anonymous blog comment to suggest that I would attack you, or anyone. I consider this an attempt to discredit and silence me, and this is wrong. I would like to know if you have posted any other anonymous comments about me or the Art Walk. Care to share your screen names?

I was told by someone who saw the since-deleted article that it was the Wall Street Journal article by Andrea Weckerle and Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia, talking about how the internet has a problem with abusive attacks. They are not talking about someone who logs into a blog under their own name and says what they think about a community issue, but about the type of anonymous troll who logs in under a false name to smear another person and create an atmosphere of hostility and incivility. I have actually posted a link to the same article previously, on Metblogs. The result was anonymous trolls attacking me. But I am glad you agree that the internet should be more a civil place.

nanorich on January 21, 2010, at 06:32PM – #30

Bert,

You have my deepest sympathy.

Chop Shop on January 22, 2010, at 09:43AM – #31

Hmmmm.........all this bluster from Kim Cooper but not a peep from Richard Schave, the one who was actually fired. It looks as if he's moved on. She obviously can't. I wonder what he thinks about the spectacle she's making of herself---and of him by proxy!

DawnC on January 22, 2010, at 12:10PM – #32

ugh, my fingers are tired from scrolling through long boring diatribes, I will not read them!

I came here to find out how January went because I missed it, sounds like it went well. I'm happy to know that there were maps passed out because I often forget to print one. If there was a information station in past months I never knew about it. I'm sure I miss a lot of cool stuff on the outskirts when I don't have a map.

Chop Shop on January 23, 2010, at 06:15PM – #33

It looks like Bert Green did an effective job of shutting Kim Cooper up by posting her timid, humble letter of apology LOL!! Peace comes to downtown at last!

Brad Vixin on January 24, 2010, at 11:39AM – #34

http://stepdownrussbrown.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/whatwentwrong/

I suppose it does not end until someone sings...

Dario on January 24, 2010, at 11:50AM – #35

I've been attending Art Walk since the start. I live here. For safety, it's been a good thing that the crowds have been (somewhat) dispersed from the 4th & Main area. But still, I think Art Walk has become an accident waiting to happen. How long until someone loses control of their car and runs into a crowd? I think it's just a matter of when, not whether.

Has anyone proposed that Spring & Main be closed between 4th & 7th? If not why not? Not only would this make Art Walk safer, it could also provide more space for food and art sellers.

out my window on January 24, 2010, at 11:05PM – #36

How did I miss all these crazy going ons. I was too busy watching them pull apart the ice rink in the rain. This art walk group is off the chart. Do you think you can get over this insanity and do some arty stuff up 5th Street. Fifth Street needs Art Walk help.

bigphatcatlover on January 25, 2010, at 11:49AM – #37

Dario,

Obviously you do not live on Spring or Main between 4th & 7th. I do. A lot of people do. It's hard enough dealing with the constant parade of film crews that shut down and/or block our streets, do we have to lose all mobility because "art goers" drink too much and lose their minds? How about if they follow the rules and a use a little common sense? How about if they stay out of the street, use the cross walks (with the lights) and just pay attention? A little common courtesy on everyone's part would go a long way to making it better.

I'm an artist as well as a resident and I support art walk. But we don't need another excuse to disrupt everyone's lives because a few are oblivious to their surroundings. A little more "art" and a little less alcohol seems like a better solution than paralyzing the neighborhood.

Bert Green (@bgfa) on January 25, 2010, at 12:06PM – #38

At every meeting for the past 6 years regarding the Downtown Art Walk, someone suggests closing the street, and at every meeting, they are told that that is not and will never be considered. The Art Walk is meant to benefit the community, by giving the local businesses exposure and making downtown a destination. It is not and will never be set up for the primary benefit of one night profiteers like vendors, stalls, and other temporary uses which give nothing back to the community.

Also, more than 50% of the visitors to Art Walk use transit or other non-vehicular means to arrive. Why would we want to screw up the buses and make it harder to get here?

The success that the Art Walk has seen is remarkable, and needs to be managed. It's not appropriate to capitulate to the crowds and give up on the neighborhood's needs.

If anyone wants to create a downtown street festival they are welcome to do so. Bring it before the community and see if there is support for that. But it's not appropriate for the Art Walk.

Chop Shop on January 27, 2010, at 06:28PM – #39

It looks as if Kim Cooper's little petition drive to remove Russ Brown from DLANC has stalled. She's stuck at 74 "signatures" out of her goal of 1,000! Since many of the "signatures" are wacky screen names, she's having little luck.

It seems the fat lady has sung.

Bert Green (@bgfa) on January 27, 2010, at 10:12PM – #40

Kim has also filed a grievance with DLANC against Russ Brown. Can't wait to see who comes out to speak against her at the committee hearing. All are welcome, details to be shared soon.

Chop Shop on January 27, 2010, at 10:41PM – #41

She might look good in feathers, but how will she get the tar off???

Brad Vixin on January 27, 2010, at 11:14PM – #42

A DLANC grievance procedure should be fair and impartial. It should be factual and conduct a hearing with respect for all parties. It is not a place for ANYONE to score points against any person(s). I will assume that is the procedure you speak of? It is only fitting and right that board members conduct this hearing with dignity, for anyone. I am sure that this is the way our city government and the Mayors Office would expect the important work of DLANC to be conducted. I know it is how Russ Brown would/does expect a hearing to be conducted and I would like to think Ms. Cooper et al. as well. A respect for the democratic process is important for all community members, not reserved for some, or a select few.

Chop Shop on January 28, 2010, at 12:34AM – #43

Oh, but of course, Mr. Vixin, for sure. Dignity, respect and restraint forever and definitely.

Still, it should be a great show. I'll get there early for a good seat!

Bert Green (@bgfa) on January 28, 2010, at 01:58AM – #44

A public meeting is exactly that, a public meeting, at which every person is welcome to come and speak. Do you think that Kim will not put out a call for supporters to pack the meeting with praise for her? They did the same thing at a recent DLANC board meeting but chickened out at the end and did not speak during the scheduled public comment. CNN was filming that meeting.

The Brown Act is very specific about the structure of public meetings. The Grievance committee will be required to conduct the meeting exactly according to the law. There is no "should" about it.

But that is not the point. A grievance was filed, and the committee meeting/hearing is designed to hear the grievance. Each party may state their case, followed by public comment by those who submit comment cards.

I am very curious to see the evidence, as are many other people, thousands of them, who have been bombarded with emails from Kim Cooper, accusing Russell Brown. Not too many people I speak to even understand what the accusations are about, but we will see...

Chop Shop on January 28, 2010, at 09:56AM – #45

Well put, Bert!

I've been following this carefully since I am somehow (I don't even know her) on Kim Cooper's email list. The nonsense she has bombarded people with is staggering. Her accusations and charges against respectable downtown people (two of whom I do know) are incredible.

Brad Vixen, you may want a dignified and quiet hearing but I can't imagine that she'll make it anything but a circus. You should direct your pompous words to her.

........and of course, I certainly wasn't referring to her tar and feathering DURING the meeting. To everything there is a season.

Bert Green (@bgfa) on January 28, 2010, at 10:57AM – #46

Come on, Chop Shop and Brad Vixin (and everyone else), use your real names! That's worth 100 anonymous comments.

Brad Vixin on January 28, 2010, at 10:59AM – #47

Chop Shop:

First the "Hearing" is not about Ms. Cooper, it's about a complaint she has made against Russ Brown.

So the topic above is incorrect. It's not a beauty contest nor a popularity contest, It's about the determination of facts only. You are suggesting potential physical harm when you talk about "Tar and feathers" which was done by the Klan in the South during reconstruction, of which thousands died. And I'm sorry to see the obvious sense of a Kangaroo hearing. The need for revenge is seriously flawed. The disrespect for democracy is more than noted here. And I believe the vailed threat of violence against the person of Ms. Cooper should be something that the Mayor's office or district attorney's office should look into. Again it is NOT who it is, it could be you or anyone else. In fact this is about the ability of this process to work correctly. Everyone deserves a fair hearing regardless of if they would conduct one or not. This is not New York's Tammany Hall, well maybe it is...I'm sorry you find the democratic process unimportant. Russ Brown does not feel the same way.

Chop Shop on January 28, 2010, at 11:25AM – #48

Oh, lighten up, Brad Vixin. The Klan in the South? C'mon, no one but you is being literal here. You are way too pompous. When some suggests looking for a needle in the haystack, do you head for the farm?

........and Bert, I've watched the way Kim has trashed you and Russ Brown (and others too)! I'm just not in the mood right now to be added to her shit list.

But I'll think about it. It depends on which way the ducks are flying. (Stop looking for birds, now, Brad!).

Brad Vixin on January 28, 2010, at 11:45AM – #49

It's not about personalities, or names, mine or Chop Shop's. It's about a democratic process which by what I am reading seems just a little flawed here. To turn this into "personalities" is not the arguement. Same tactic as the "hearing". Attack the person not the ideas.

Russ would be shocked. Russ and Ms. Cooper need facts, not emotionality or a line-up of who is supporting whom. This is not suppose to be a neighborhood rumble. And Bert, to suggest people again start attacking the messinger and not the ideas is back on that Tammany Hall concept of government. From your past public posts I thought that was what you were supporting, a fair process, not "Personalities". NO ONE CARES who's speaking, it's what they are saying, as in ideas. You can't have it both ways. This process can work. And at the end of the day all should be proud that they participated in grass roots democracy. Chop, your words are inflammatory and could cause a potentially unstable person to act on your words. I would be very careful writing such threats. Those that don't support a democratic process should not be represnting the people.

Bert Green (@bgfa) on January 28, 2010, at 03:37PM – #50

Brad, that is bullshit. And Kim is now tweeting that people have threatened violence against her because of your words:

"kimcooper Threats of violence against 5' woman from anonymous #dtla cowards. http://blogdowntown.com/2010/01/5019-art-walk-wrap-january-2010#c24971"

The only one making this about personalities is Kim Cooper. We need to stand up to this bully. Someone in City Hall who received her emails (over and over again) has told me that she has done this many times over the years in different city neighborhoods.

Use your real names.

Brad Vixin on January 28, 2010, at 04:22PM – #51

Bert: Your words may be true about Kim. I would not know at all. But it is not the question at hand at all. It's about the democratic process, fairness, and to be able to present a complaint with the security that one can do so in a safe environment by impartial leaders. The rest is just gossip. Unimportant. Bert you know who I am. At no time during any of this bruhaha would I have wished violence against you. The thought is horiffic to me. I may not like you, but I never wish physical harm or make excuses for such. Bert you are an openly Gay man and a ethnic Jew; I believe you can understand the historical concern people might have with any intimidation or suggestions to violence. Have not Jews and GLBTQ people experienced this enough? I suggest that you support a democratic process whereby the complaints are heard in a nonpartial environment. Remain reasonable on the topic. The actual "Bullshit" you speak of Bert is the suggestion to vigilanty action. I suggest that as a community representative that you personal and publically renounce any and all violence, a call to violence and potential violence. Because Bert, if it's okay here, it was okay in Germany against your family, and it was okay for your brothers & Sisters at Stonewall. Monitor your words so you take a centerist position of leadership. The emotional need to hurt is a rather primitive one indeed. And the display of it, as jest or seriously breeches our entire political system. Set the example. You have a great opportunity to lead by example, in a measured way that transcends your "feelings" but supports something greater, the democratic process.

Ms. Cooper may be the worst person on Earth. I again have no knowledge personally of this. She is still entitled to a safe process and security of her person. Violence against women is very real. A woman is raped, murdered or attacked or abused every 16 minutes in this country. I am positive you are not supporting such by the obvious denial of the truth. You have so much to offer. Reach out. The Westies are not attacking the Jews here, like in NY. So let's both condemn violence and find a workable common ground. But perhaps that is not your wish not intentions. We can all be big enough to right our wrongs, and take a step backwards to pause. Bert with all kindness, and absolutly no condemnation of you, please take that step back.

God bless you Bert.

Bert Green (@bgfa) on January 28, 2010, at 04:52PM – #52

Brad, I do not know you and you obviously do not know me. I'm not Jewish, not sure where you got that from.

I do know that Don Noyes More uses the name Brad Vixin sometimes, but I also know that others do as well, just to make Don angry. So, are you Don? And if so, why the hell don't you just use your real name?

According to what I read, Don uses many names, and many of those names have been used to say the most vile things against me and others. Things that would make the comments above the words of a hypocrite. So please, no platitudes about history and violence. It's arrogant to lecture others.

Brad Vixin on January 28, 2010, at 06:36PM – #53

There you go again Bert. You can't stop. You need some sort of blood revenge no matter what. You need to be removed from office if you can't be reasonable. It's not about anyone, but you now. You are continuing this for no reason. You are the one using different names here, no one else, because you need to extend this. And you are covering yourself with a blanket of distortions and half truths. Stop the hate Bert. It's about you.- Not what you think someone may or may not have said to you. Which BTW is totally off this topic. You are filled with rage and it's impairing your ability to be a leader in this community. In your world there is no forgiveness. No love. No consideration for anyone but your own seemingly self interests. You have embarked upon the road to your own destruction, and by your own hand. Sad. Also what you said above about Mr. Noyes is exactly the same thing a friend of yours says you have been doing and it's in written form..interesting Bert.