During a recent meeting of the Venice Citizen Advisory Board, a heated discussion emerged regarding the potential renaming of Maxine Barrett Park, a topic that has sparked significant public interest and concern. The meeting, held on January 15, 2025, highlighted the strong community sentiment against the proposed change.

Jim Perry, a long-time Venice resident, voiced his opposition during the public comment section, expressing embarrassment over the proposal to remove the name of Maxine Barrett from the park. He emphasized Barrett's pivotal role in establishing the park, stating that no other individual had a more significant connection to its creation. Perry pointed out that the veterans, who were cited as proponents for the name change, had no historical ties to the park's establishment.

The discussion revealed a lack of support for the renaming, with Perry noting that dozens of letters opposing the change had been sent to local media, and not a single letter in favor of the proposal had been received. He argued that this was unprecedented in Venice's history, indicating a strong community consensus against altering the park's name.

Perry also criticized the motivations behind the proposal, suggesting that it stemmed from personal grievances rather than a genuine desire to honor veterans. He highlighted the significant effort Barrett had put into gathering support for the park, contrasting it with the limited backing for the proposed name change.

The board's discussions and public comments underscored the importance of community input in local governance. As the meeting concluded, it was clear that the future of Maxine Barrett Park remains a contentious issue, reflecting broader themes of community identity and historical recognition in Venice. The board's next steps will likely involve further consideration of public sentiment as they navigate this sensitive topic.