Articles written by Neil Rubenstein


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  • Rubenstein Column

    Neil Rubenstein|Feb 27, 2020

    Neil Rubenstein is recovering from surgery and his column will not appear this week. We expect his column to return to the Culver City Observer when he recovers....

  • Affordable Housing Location Overlooked

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Feb 13, 2020

    If Culver City is rallying a city for everyone, as promoted by the October 11th event at La Ballona school. Why didn’t Culver City use city owned land at Washington and Centinela for affordable housing? Instead the city sold this property to a developer who is creating Culver Hills Alliance, Fox Hills has over 3,000 units of racial and age diversity than any area of Culver City. Fox Hills cannot support more housing or population; they feel like they are suffocating. Recently a source informed m...

  • Ramblings Around America

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jan 30, 2020
    1

    Good news for those men and women who lives in Oklahoma. It is projected over the next 10 years; they will have a shortage of 7,000 skilled workers each year for the next decade according to an Oklahoma Works study. The Smithsonian reports out of the roughly 1000 malls currently open 9.3 percent of available space sits vacant. A slaughterhouse in Jaru, Rondonia can kill one cow every eight seconds. If you are driving in rural America around dawn and between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., you should be an al...

  • Drug Overdoses on the Rise

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jan 16, 2020

    In the United States the number of deaths from drug overdoses has more than doubled in the last 16 years. Prevention magazine published a report October 2017 stating more than 52,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2015, that figure is 211 percent higher than the 16,849 in 1999. Drug overdoses now kill more people than suicide, homicide, car crashes or firearm deaths. States with the most auto fatalities for 2015 Texas 3516 California 3176 Florida 2939 Georgia 1430 North Carolina 1379...

  • Transparent California Reveals Cost of Top Brass at City Hall

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jan 16, 2020

    The Culver City Jewish War Veterans Post 617 mentioned in a recent newsletter the USS Arizona is in a bad state of repair and will remain closed indefinite. Have you ever head of Cloud Break Communities? Well, neither have I; they claim to have affordable Housing at every location, Supportive Housing Developments and continual partnerships with area non-profits. VASH/Vouchers accepted, utilities included, kitchens available in studio/one bedroom units, priority leasing to qualified homeless vete...

  • The Call for Female Firefighters

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jan 2, 2020

    I am truly amazed with the Mayor, the Honorable Meghan Sahli-Wells for not speaking more forcibly as it relates to the lack of lady firefighters in our city. Perhaps the fire chief should institute policies (like so many cities and towns in our country) which will increase their stamina. In my opinion Meghan wants her next appointment to be either in Sacramento or in Los Angeles County Government. Sahli-Wells doesn’t realize her present position was made possible in part by ladies before who h...

  • California Budget to Top $101 Billion

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Dec 19, 2019

    California Governor Newsom will soon announce his budget for 2019-2020 and guess what the latest projection claims total spending of $101.6 billion. The Los Angeles Times said weeks ago this is a $4.6 billion boast over K-12 school operations from last summer and an astounding increase of $35 billion from what lawmakers approved in 2014. With all this money for wages and pensions will we need another parcel tax? No, in my opinion. I would like to see is a Grand Jury look at the books line by...

  • Let School Board Members Pan For Gold

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Dec 19, 2019

    I have a great idea to get money to the Culver City Unified School District, so the people won’t need to raise taxes again this year. Over the past 10 or 15 years, the Board of Education must have considered our piggy bank, as a way to balance their budget; look at all the money the Board give to Dr. Arnold. Maybe some one needs to be horsewhipped? Until, we vote those responsible out of office why don’t we put them on a bus and let them pan for gold along Highway 49. A rumor has recently rea...

  • Fox Hills Residents Still Disenfranchised

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Dec 5, 2019

    Why does it seem (rightly or wrongly) the City of Culver City always likes to tweak Fox Hills nose? I guess one of the main reasons is that area has approximately 5,000 people but no one has ever been elected to the City Council. They don’t have a soul to protect their rights’ and voice their concerns. Look at the new voting method coming soon. If one takes a survey to place the booths where oh where would city hall put it to maximize participation? Frankly, most would agree someplace in the...

  • 'Imagine A Day Without Water' Coming to Culver City in 2020

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Nov 28, 2019

    Have the members of the Culver City Police Department read this want ad from the Brunswick News? The City of Nahunta, Georgia is now accepting applications for a full-time police chief. We are looking for an experienced police officer with strong integrity and problem-solving skills to join our growing community. Full job details, requirements, benefits and an application can be required at: Nahunta City Hall, 9911 North Main Street, Nahunta, Georgia 31553, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p...

  • Transparent California releases data CalPERS, Pensions and Public Pay

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Nov 14, 2019

    Transparent California, California’s largest public pay, and pension database said recently nearly 900 percent increase in CalPERS benefits dwarfs economic growth, taxpayers’ ability to pay. The total pension benefits promised by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Increased 886 percent from 1987. 2016 – a rate 21 times greater than the cumulative increase in the states’ population, according to a just-released analysis from Transparent California. California Economic...

  • Veterans to Recieve Free Charted Flights as They Visit War Memorials

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Nov 7, 2019

    Folks, the information I requested have not arrived. Today, I am devastated is to put it mildly but eventually it will be here. Until then some resumes should be updated. Every year the Honor Flight organization honors veterans with a free chartered flight to visit war memorials in Washington DC. Since 2015, the Coastal Georgia Honor Flight hub has flown more than 346 veterans from Brunswick, Georgia to the nation’s capital for a day of celebration, reflection and recognition. Between 2018 a...

  • California Outlaws Fur Trapping

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Nov 7, 2019
    1

    Starting in November 2019 Phoenix, Arizona library system will drop overdue back fees. It wasn’t that long ago the California Legislature passed and the governor signed a bill to ban commercial fur trapping. Only one more state needs to okay the Equal Rights amendment to be added to the Federal Constitution. It would guarantee the same rights for women as for men. UCLA turns 101 in May 2020. Some people have all the nerve. Oklahoma City officials with the pension system for retired Highway P...

  • Retired LA County Sanitation Worker Makes $345,417 Per Year

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Nov 7, 2019

    Friends, I have been working feverishly on an article for next week “they don’t want you to know about, until it’s too late for the citizens; in my opinion to stop or slow down.” As such please go to your favorite hardware store and buy several pairs of asbestos gloves, its that HOT! You know you are getting old when you hear Scooby-Doo celebrates 50th Anniversary. It all began on CBS September 13, 1969. Perhaps you want to take a guess on the average cost of owning a new vehicle, the Auto Cl...

  • Will Culver City Unified School District Request More Bond Money From Residents

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Oct 24, 2019

    A study in the Journal of Medicinal Food found lighter coffee roasts had higher levels of chlorogenic acid= what acts as an antioxidant than darker coffee roasts and light roast extract was better at protecting human cells against inflammation and damage. More problems for our Navy. China’s first overseas naval base will be in Djibouti, located on the eastern horn of Africa. China says the logistics base will be used to resupply Chinese navy ships taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian m...

  • Payroll Hit the High Note Over at City Hall

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Oct 10, 2019

    I am so very proud to be a resident of Culver City since 1974 or thereabouts. Yes, siree bob; our little city of 40,000 with its own police force, fire department and bus system are just amazing. Down at City Hall our benefits and wages are competitive; for example, if we eyeball the 2018 pay and benefits package received by the four employees noted by Transparent California, in the city manager’s office we would see the following: • John Nachbor, City Manager pay and benefits, 2018 - $42...

  • Get Ready for a More Militarized Police Force

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Oct 3, 2019
    1

    Some of us just might remember when President Barack Obama’s executive order prohibited law enforcement agencies from obtaining military equipment. Just recently President Donald Trump rescinded that executive order so it just might be a short period of time before equipment starts rolling in from warehouse and military depots. Let there be no mistake: Sergeant Rubenstein is prepared to be a training non-commissioned officer at Fort Culver City. However, prior to exercising I would like to order...

  • Report States California Has Highest Teachers' Salaries

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Sep 26, 2019

    I read with interest Teacher Salaries By State, https://www.payscale.com/teacher-salaries-by-state. According to the website California’s teachers are at the top of the list and are making almost seven percent more than second place Massachusetts and over 30 percent more than Ohio in 10th place. The question should be how do our students rank in academic achievement? Top Ten K-12 Teacher Salaries by State States Amounts 1. California $70,394 2. Massachusetts $65,894 3. New York $64,583 4. V...

  • Vacationing and the Need for Female Firefighters in CC

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Sep 19, 2019

    For the very first time in many years we took a four-week vacation and traveled to Canada and upstate New York. If you haven’t been you should go to Niagara Falls (U.S. and Canadian side) to see both views, The Erie Canal, the wineries in the Finger Lakes region and Rochester. In Worcester, Massachusetts, it was reported the Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board voted to conduct an analysis that includes consideration of a fare-free system. From all appearance the leadership once put f...

  • Stormwater Runoff Costs Not Always Appropriate

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Sep 12, 2019

    California Controller Betty Yee released a report a while back which said in part that the Golden State taxpayers are on the hook for more than $91.5 billion to provide health and dental benefits to state government workers when they retire. Another lady we must acknowledge is Alicia Thompson, office manager of the Stentorians of Los Angeles City, who work every day to get fair and equitable treatment of African Americans by their fire science classes and physical training programs. Perhaps our...

  • CCUSD Postal Expenditures to Pass Parcel Tax

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Sep 5, 2019

    Mother used to say, “Money doesn’t grow on trees”, so I asked the Culver City Unified School District in the beginning of 2018 how much money they spent to pass the forthcoming Parcel Tax election. From September 15, 2017, to February 8, 2018, they spent $48,617.68 which includes $14,332.52 for printing and postage for the community mailer. If anyone knows how to get in touch with Culver City’s former City Clerk, please let me know. Martin Cole is M.I.A. (missing in action). Dr. Martin Luther...

  • Where Are all the Nukes…..See below.

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Aug 15, 2019

    Things are so messed up at our nation’s capital that I hardly believe anyone. Perhaps Cousin Neil would feel better if those scalwags took a blood oath to tell the truth and had their tongues notarized, and now the leaders of five of Oklahoma must powerful tribal nations have approved a resolution denouncing the new Republican governor’s plan to force negotiations for a bigger slice of revenue from Oklahoma’s tribal casinos. Down here authorities have arrested a small-town pharmacist who fille...

  • How Much Food Gets Wasted Every Year

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jul 25, 2019

    I’m getting ready to go and do a series of back flips all the way to the Westfield-Culver City Mall, because I just read researchers in Europe have developed a vaccine against heart disease. Mice were given a special diet which gave them high cholesterol and athero-sclerosis. The vaccine effectively lowered the total blood cholesterol by 53 percent and damages linked to atherosclerosis by 64 percent. The vaccine is currently being tested on 72 people. These results if effective can have p...

  • Once Again Fox Hills Overlooked

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jul 11, 2019

    I really don’t know why but it seems the City of Culver City, in my opinion, treats Fox Hills residents as stepchildren. The latest insult concerns the Voting Center scheduled to be up and running for the 2020 election. Fox Hills was not included even though it’s a very dense area with the highest minority population in our town and one of the largest Black population by percentage in Los Angeles County. Fox Hills has nearly 3,000 housing units and approximately twice that number of res...

  • Harbor Cruises in Marina Del Rey

    Neil Rubenstein, Observer Columnist|Jul 4, 2019

    The Marina Del Rey calendar published in the Log described the KJAZZ Champagne Saturday and Sunday Cruises throughout the year. Harbor views, live music, brunch buffet. (hornblower.com/home/mdr). What a nice way to celebrate. Soon I hope to talk to my friend, your friend, our friend CCPD Assistant Chief Ron Iizuka about a dog to sniff out listening devices. It just seems another Cousin Neil idea went viral with over two million hits. To help the business community we have the Fiesta in August,...

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