Thursday, January 3, 2013

Santa Monica

But its ok to sleep in the parks and you cannot be removed.  The homeless fill the parks at night and they won't be charged.  So ... the disparate treatment is ok in Santa Monica.



Santa Monica Officials Consider Fining Fitness Instructors For Using Parks


January 3, 2013 12:03 AM

SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — In a city where fitness is held at a premium, Santa Monica officials are considering a big fine on aerobics instructors who use public parks to teach.

City officials have discussed charging trainers a $100 annual fee and taking 15 percent of their gross revenue. They may also ban certain parks from being used for workout lessons.

Trainer Ruben Lawrence, of Hype Performance, said the fees would be a major blow to his livelihood. The Santa Monica native said he holds group training at several city parks.

“It would have us looking into moving to a different location. We would like to stay in Santa Monica, because that’s the city where we’re from and the community we would like to support,” Lawrence said.

In a city where physical fitness is held at a premium, Santa Monica officials are considering a big fine on aerobics instructors who use public parks.

City leaders said they’ve spent more than a year discussing the issue of using public space for commercial gain.

They’ve also received complaints from resident about the noise and that all the training equipment is damaging the grounds.

The issue is most apparent at Palisades Park, a spot popular with fitness buffs for the ocean views.

“The idea of shutting down group training in this park is appalling,” said Angela Parker, a trainer who runs Body Inspired Fitness.

Parker said she supports city regulation, even if it takes 10 percent of her revenue, but feels 15 percent and banning certain parks is a one-two punch to her business.

“We’re small, independently-owned businesses and, unfortunately, we would have to pass that percentage down to our clients,” Parker said.

That idea doesn’t sit well with Santa Monica resident Corinne Bennett. She said being outside and not locked to a gym membership motivates her to keep up with her workouts.

The City Council is expected to hear suggestions from a committee next month and then discuss the issue in March.

“We understand the city has to make changes to get involved, we would just like it to be fair to us, our clients and the people of Santa Monica,” Parker said.


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The problem continues.  You know what - people who allow people to be homeless in a park are racist.  People who allow people to be homeless wandering the streets are inhuman.  People who allow people to live in bushes and in parks are selfish and self-absorbed narcissists.

Okay.  I am slightly exaggerating.  Just slightly.

Pick them up, take them to somewhere they can get help.  It may be their right to be homeless but it is a violation of our rights to be fearful when crossing their space in a park.  It is an infringement upon our freedom to avoid parks and greenways because we are afraid - and those who argue against such action are also the same ones who avoid those parks!





Make Mine Freedom - 1948


American Form of Government

Who's on First? Certainly isn't the Euro.