The Friends have held several public meetings, and in only one case was there a "disruptor" who had to be escorted out of the meeting by our security forces.

However, the anonymity of email tends to bring out the worst in people, as this random sampling of some of the messages that we've received shows. Many of these all came in on May 15 and 16, 2006. However, none of them mentioned in the message who had told them to write. These smack of an "astroturf" campaign. 

Have you ever been to Silverlake? The reason people enjoy the area is the 
lack of big box stores such as walmart and home depot. There are plenty of 
places in Los Angeles, not to mention California and the rest of the US that 
has these giants of commercialism. Let our neighborhood exist without that! 
Seriously, There are two home depots within ten minutes of silverlake, a 
target within 15 and countless burger kings everywhere. What good could this 
do but homoginize one of the last cool and individual neighborhoods left in 
Los Angeles. If you are truly "friends" of Silverlake, please reconsider 
building your stores in our area. Thank you - David Lang

I just read about the new developments for building a shopping center--DON'T
DO IT, WE DON'T WANT IT!

I truley doubt that the people of Silverlake want a
local buisness destroying culture killer like you're
proposing with the Silverlake center. Who are the
members friends of Silverlake if you don't mind me
inquiring?

As a 7 year resident of Silver Lake, I am VERY opposed to this centre.  Burbank and
Glendale are very close to provide this kind of shopping.  If you want it closer, I
think you should not live in Silverlake as we are one of the few communities in Los
Angeles that doesn't have this disgusting kind of generic corporate shopping
structure. 

As a resident and longtime admirer of Silver Lake, I find the idea of a huge
shopping center to go against everything that Silver Lake stands for:
independence, artistic sensibilities, and grass roots mom-and-pop shops.  I
think there would be an outcry against construction if a gargantuan mall was
built, and I'm sure I personally could get well over 300 signatures AGAINST
said construction.  For those in need of a burger, there are many local
options (and higher quality than Burger King); bookstores abound in the
area; rite aid and save on have everything one could need from a Wal mart;
there's a Target about 5-10 minutes away in Eagle Rock.  Perhaps Burbank is
a better environment suited for a Wal mart.  

I have been a resident and homeowner in Silver Lake for over 5 years. I am
adamantly opposed to the Silver Lake Centre. 

What makes Silver Lake special is its entrepreneurial stores and shops that
are unique to the area. These are owned by residents and neighbors who
actually care about the neighborhood. 

Approving the Silver Lake Centre would bring more congestion to the already
growing traffic problems and greatly detract from the essence of Silver Lake
making it just like any other place in America. You are inviting commerce
through companies with no interest in the well-being of Silver Lake.

Many of my other neighbors share these views as well and will be writing to
you. 

I recently found out about plans for a Silverlake Center, which would 
be including a Burger King, Walmart and etc.   I think it is outrageous 
that this is seriously being considered, this would completely bring 
down property level and community in the area...not to mention losing 
whatever charm Silverlake holds as a spirited, artistic neighborhood in 
a the urban sprawl of Los Angeles.  Aren't there enough Gaps at malls 
and Burger Kings on street corners around the city?  If there is going 
to be a Silverlake shopping center, maybe different types of buisness 
should be considered.  What sort of draw would a very corporate-suburb 
like mall have in this area?  Myself, being a resident on the Los 
Feliz/Silverlake border, take pride that this area is unique and not 
completely selling out, that is why I have lived here so many years.  
Please don't give in to another Walmart and the like.  Those places are 
an eyesore, a mecca for traffic and can be more of a pain in the butt 
than convienient.

I am writing regarding the posting on your website supporting the new 'Silverlake
Center'.  I can not believe you would support such a horrible addition to
Silverlake.  I, for one am absolutely fine without having a Walmart in Silverlake. 
I can not believe that you could possibly have garnered enough signatures from
Silverlake residents to support such a monstrosity in our neighborhood.  I guess if
you wait until everyone is drunk at Sunset Junction and then have them sign a
petition, you can get away with support for anything.  

I don't know who you people are, but I don't know how you could possibly call
yourselves 'friends of silverlake' while supporting such a gross eyesore that would
take business away from local merchants, add more congestion and traffic, and
support such a vile company as Walmart.  

The point of living in places like Silverlake is to avoid living as 'the rest of
America' does.   In fact Silverlake is one of the few places left in America with
small, local, independently-owned businesses and charming, artistic storefronts and
businesses.   If I wanted to shop at Walmart and eat at Ruby Tuesday's everynight, I
would move to Burbank.   

Not a friend of the "friends of silverlake",

JUST WONDERING WHERE THE WALMART-BORDER,ETC. SHOPPING CENTER IS GONNA BE
IN SILVERLAKE. ARE YOU TEARING DOWN SOMETHING TO MAKE IT? OR USING A LOT
THAT'S ALREADY THERE? 

Please do not build the proposed walmart / burger king / home depot in 
silver lake. Thank you.

No Walmart in our community! We've got lots of
wonderful, locally owned and operated, places to shop.
Don't endorse the corporatization of our urban
culture.

you are no friends of my comunity ! stay away- NO WALMART!!! no way! i will do
everything legal to stop this ... and I VOTE!!~Rachel

The thought of a center with stores like Walmart and the Burger King 
destroying our unique, diverse landscape and making it look just like 
the rest of the world is appalling.   If people want easy access to 
these kind of businesses they can move JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE 
COUNTRY!  Keep Silverlake unique!

no Silverlake Center! no wallmart! no home depot! keep silverlake a 
neighboorhood! the traffice sucks as it is.....

As a resident of silverlake for the past several years, I am adamantly
opposed to the Silverlake Centre.  I know that the majority of people
living in silverlake would agree with me.  You claim on your website
that you have "to drive 10, 20 or even more miles to find shops that
the rest of America takes for granted" is absolutely not true.  There
is every single retail store you list on your website and many more
within minutes of silverlake.  Everyone loves silverlake for it's
charming, laid back neighborhood vibe.  How dare you try to ruin that
with corporate development of the area that would put many of the
local businesses out and change silverlake completely.
Please, please respect the wishes of the residence of silverlake and
do not build the Silverlake Centre.