Survey asks Venetians: How do you feel, What do you think?

A survey conducted by the Beachhead at the Abbot Kinney Festival, Sept. 25, showed declining support for Barack Obama and Bill Rosendahl, but overwhelming support for Venice Cityhood. Abbot’s Habit was voted the most popular coffee house and the Free Venice Beachhead, the most popular newspaper (of course).

It was a random, but not a scientific survey, comprised of those festival goers who wandered near enough to the Beachhead booth to snag. Here are the results for those who said they were Venice residents (less than 100):

Their average residency in Venice was 22.7 years. The best thing about Venice is the people, followed by the beach. Others mentioned the diversity, the arts, and the undeniable freakiness of Venice.

They didn’t like aspects of gentrification by a wide margin. This was followed by too many tourists, too much development, crime, trash, homelessness, helicopters, the cops, traffic and parking problems.

The most popular coffeehouse, according to the survey, is Abbot’s Habit, with 31 percent of those responding. It was followed by the Talking Stick (17%), Groundworks (14%) and scattered votes for Cafe 50s, my kitchen/front porch, French Market, Unurban, Dannys, 242 Pier, Rose Cafe, Collage, and the 7-11.

When asked who they voted for in 2008 for President, 81 percent said Barack Obama, 16 percent said Ralph Nader and 3 percent said Cynthia McKinney. But when asked who they would vote for in 2012, only 47 percent said Obama. Next was “no one” with 16 percent and “don’t know” with 13 percent. Scattered votes went to Nader, Dennis Kucinich, a socialist, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Jim Smith, and Lisa Green.

Councilmember Bill Rosendahl may be overstaying his welcome. If the election were held today 65 percent would not vote for him.

Venetians are mostly united on wanting their own city, with 81 percent saying yes, let’s do it.

The survey asked participants to rate several institutions on a scale of one to ten, with one being really good and 10 being really bad. The LAPD had the lowest ratings with a score of 7.0. The best ratings went to the Fire Dept. with a score of 4.4. In between and tied were the Neighborhood Council and the City of Los Angeles at 6.1, more bad than good.

June 2008 – Results Of The May Beachhead Poll

Should RVs have designated parking areas in Venice?

43 percent of respondents said, Yes, while 56 percent said No.

Some of your comments included:

– but if there is only a few spaces, what about the other people?

– Yes, if they do not crucify the ones still left on the street

– There’s a parking shortage as it is,drivers of gas guzzling RVs should be penalized not rewarded

– An RV is all they have. Why torment them?

————

NEW ONLINE

Beachhead Poll

Is Venice too crowded in the summer?

Yes, No, Maybe

To Vote, go to: http://www.freevenice.org

Poll ends June 26

May 2008 – Results Of The Beachhead Poll

“Do You Feel Safe In Venice”
77 percent of respondents said, Yes, they feel safe in Venice. 22 percent said they didn’t.

Some of your comments included:
– I do not at any ground where satanic ritual murder rape of men and killing of dogs occur !
– Because the police are doing their job.
– I feel safer now than when I moved here 16 years ago or when I came here as a kid.
– Do you remember it 20 years ago???Please!
– I see too many people affected by random violence in the neighborhood
– If you are smart.
– The houses in the neighborhoods are improving but there is still so much dangerous foot traffic!!!
– your community looks out for you.
– I feel safe in Venice because I know so many members of the community on a first-name basis.
– too many drug addicts and homeless!
– Have walked the streets in all ‘districts’ for 19 years, and loved meeting neighbors
– in certain neighborhoods, no in others
– It’s not safe for the homeless, the RVs, renters, artists and others who are living on the edge.
– but cautious…
– and no. It depends on who you are. If you are homeless or a black kid in Oakwood, then no.

April 2008 – Results Of March Beachhead Poll

March’s poll was on whether Venetians approve of oppose the city ordinance that limits a property’s front fence to 3.5 feet. 54% said they opposed it, while 27% said they supported it, and 8% didn’t care or were unsure.

Some of your comments included:
– Venice lots are substandard and it’s a security issue as well.
– We can have overnight parking districts to eliminate legal parking, but illegal fences are OK?
– 100 feet high fences and with barbed wire and electrified in keeping with the spirit of the times.
– It only seems to apply to certain addresses and not everyone.
–If you don’t like an ordinance, have it changed. Don’t break the law.
– Why hide your front yard, it’s part of the warmth of your welcome.

NEW
Beachhead Poll
Do You Feel Safe in Venice?
Tell us why, or why not
To Vote, clip & mail, or go to: http://www.freevenice.org.
Poll ends April 29

March 2008 – Results of The February Beachhead Poll

February’s poll was a no-brainer for Venetians. Do you support or oppose the proposed 31-story tower on Lincoln Blvd? An overwhelming 86% said they oppose it, while only 6% support it.

Some of your comments included:
–Tell the developers to go back where they came from. Don’t block our view of the ocean..
–what are they, nuts?
–This is Venice, NOT Miami.
–WHO makes the $$- APPROVING these “affordable” “artist” 30ft+ CONDO’s …WHERE is the SKY? cough hack
–this type of structure has no good purpose in Venice
–traffic!!

••••••••

NEW Beachhead Poll

Fences: The City Ordinance limits a property’s front fence to 3.5 feet.
___ I Support the Ordinance
___ I Oppose the Ordinance
___ Unsure or Don’t Care
___ Comments:

To Vote, clip & mail, or go to: http://www.freevenice.org.
Poll ends March 25

Feburary 2008 – Results of the January Beachhead Poll

What should be done with the Venice Circle? 

Mark as many choices as you like.
* Fill with water – 21%
* Close to traffic – 16%
* Add more statues – 17%
* Leave the Circle as it is – 19%
* Remove the present statue – 37%
* Add a fountain – 51%

Comments:
*Create a giant Peace sign shaped as walkway
*Put up permanent displays about Venice history
*Make a garden or park with benches!
*Have a really cool fountain with some kind of animal figures
*Put in an interactive info point
*Italian fountain, statues (not sexist) at least one gondola
*Chess tables and chairs or benches
*A large arch (like Washington Square, NY)
*No more victim women, and loose that clown on Rose
*Statue of Abbot Kinney. Little cafes and shops around the circle
*A collective of Venice artists combine forces to create multiple works
*Please more art is nice, but less sexist
*Add more paper mache heads to statue
*Live music
*Giant windmill to generate electricity
*Have a contest for redesign
*Bring back the canals

January 2008 – Beachhead Poll

What should be done with the Venice Circle?

Mark as many choices as you like.
__ Fill with water
__ Leave the Circle as it is
__ Closed to traffic
__ Add a fountain
__ Add more statues
__ Remove the present statue
__ Other:  __________________     

To vote, go to http://www.freevenice.org. If you don’t have internet access, clip this form and mail it to POB 2, Venice 90294.

Voting ends Jan. 25.