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Draft:Gerald Silver

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Gerald Silver (1936-2021)

Gerald "Jerry" Silver (1936–2021) was an American community activist, educator, and author, known for his advocacy in preserving the quality of life in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles. Over many decades, Silver became a prominent voice against over-development, and traffic congestion, earning a reputation as a persistent and effective advocate for slow growth[1][2] and environmental concerns[3][4] in the San Fernando Valley and throughout the greater Los Angeles community.

Early Life and Education

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Gerald A. Silver was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1936, and moved to Hollywood, California, at a young age. Raised by a single mother who was a Russian immigrant, Silver developed an early interest in printing. As a teenager, he opened a print shop on Santa Monica Boulevard near Los Angeles City College, where he later began teaching graphic arts.[5]

Career

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In the 1960s, Silver transitioned into data processing as the field emerged, teaching courses on the subject and eventually co-authoring some of the earliest textbooks in the discipline. In the early 1970s, alongside his first wife, Joan, he wrote and published foundational college textbooks on data processing and computer programming.[6][7][8][9] After his divorce in the mid-1970s, Silver married Myrna, who became his writing partner.[10][11][12] Together, they continued to publish works on business data processing and later on social issues, such as Weekend Fathers, a book based partly on his personal experiences that addressed the treatment of divorced fathers.[5][13][14] They also co-wrote the book Second Loves: A Guide for Women Involved with Divorced Men.[15]

Silver also served as a professor at Los Angeles City College before retiring in the late 1990s.[5][2]

Community Activism

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Silver’s activism began in the 1980s after he moved to Encino and found his home located in the flight path of Van Nuys Airport. Seeing this as an environmental and quality-of-life issue, he became deeply involved in local politics and community advocacy.[5]

In 1983, Silver founded Homeowners of Encino, a watchdog organization focused on holding elected officials accountable for projects impacting San Fernando Valley residents.[16] He was also a longstanding member of several key boards and councils, including:

Silver's advocacy focused on issues such as traffic congestion,[19][20][21] aircraft noise,[22][23][24] air pollution,[25][26] over-development,[27][28] tax increases,[29][30] the Valley secession movement,[31][32] and "sign blight."[33][34] He was credited with successfully opposing several large-scale projects, including the proposed double-decking of the Ventura Freeway (U.S. Route 101),[35] the Los Angeles water reclamation project,[36] and numerous proposals affecting Ventura Boulevard, the San Fernando Valley's major thoroughfare.[37][38][39][5] According to many observers, Silver and his allies popularized the anti-water reclamation slogan "toilet-to-tap",[40] although later he changed course somewhat and championed water reclamation for irrigation purposes.[41] On several occasions Silver joined forces with local Indian tribes, such as the Chumash Indians, to stop what he perceived as over-development of the city.[42][43]

Personal Life

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Silver was married twice and had four children—three sons and a daughter—with his first wife, Joan.[14] He married his second wife, Myrna, in the mid-1970s,[14] and they shared a marriage of four decades. Myrna had two daughters from a previous relationship.[5]

Known for his intellectual rigor and debate skills, Silver was described as someone who enjoyed playing the devil's advocate and conducting extensive research to support his arguments. He often viewed recreational activities such as skiing, boating, and racing as overly risky, using a “risk-benefit analysis” to deem them dangerous.[5]

Death and Legacy

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Gerald Silver passed away on May 30, 2021, at the age of 88, after several months of cancer and palliative care. Eliot Cohen, his successor at Homeowners of Encino and on various community boards, referred to Silver as "the Dutch boy with the finger in the dyke," highlighting his lifelong efforts to prevent over-development and maintain a high quality of life in the San Fernando Valley.[5]

Publications

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  • Simplified FORTRAN IV Programming. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
  • Data Processing for Business. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1973. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
  • Introduction to Programming: Programming Logic and Flowcharting. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
  • Introduction to Systems Analysis. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1976. (co-authored with Joan Silver)
  • Weekend Fathers : For Divorced Fathers, Second Wives and Grandparents : Solutions to the Problems of Child Custody, Child Support, Alimony and Property Settlements. New York: Harper & Row, 1981. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Simplified BASIC Programming for Microcomputers. New York: Harper and Row, 1984. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Second loves : A Guide for Women Involved with Divorced Men. New York: Praeger, 1985. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Computers & Information Processing. New York: Harper and Row, 1986 (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Learning Computer Programming: Structured Logic, Algorithms, and Flowcharting. Boston: Boyd & Fraser, 1986. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Simplified BASIC Programming for IBM PCs, PS/2s, Compatibles & Clones. New York: Ardsley House Publishers, 1988. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Data Communications for Business. Boston: Boyd & Fraser, 1991. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Layout, Design, and Typography for the Desktop Publisher. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown, 1991. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • How to Use Computer Software: A Hands-On Workbook for Printers. Encino, CA: Editorial Enterprises, 1992. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Understanding Computers. New York: HarperPerennial, 1994. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Modern Graphics Arts Pasteup. Encino, CA: Editorial Enterprises, 1995. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)
  • Exploring PageMaker 5.0 for Windows. Danvers, MA: Boyd & Fraser Pub. Co., 1995. (co-authored with Myrna Silver)

References

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  1. ^ Murphy, Dean (1988-08-01). "Poverty Areas, Slow-Growth Advocates Not Natural Allies Series: A Slow-Growth Revolt". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Slow-Growth Backers Poised for Statewide Fight". Sacramento Bee. 1988-04-18. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  3. ^ McGreevy, Patrick (2001-11-27). "Los Angeles; Sepulveda Basin Wetland Project Is Scaled Back; Environment: Public Concerns Over the Loss of Recreation Area Prompt City to Reduce 300-Acre Plan to Filter Treated Sewage to 61 Acres". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Bartholomew, Dana (2002-02-07). "Basin Wetlands Plan Has Homeowners Crying Foul". Daily News. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Love, Marianne (21 June 2021). "Valley activist Gerald Silver, 88, dies - Encino resident took on City Hall and developers over quality-of-life issues". Daily News of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Silver, Gerald A.; Silver, Joan B. (1971). Simplified FORTRAN IV Programming. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. ISBN 9780155810402.
  7. ^ Silver, Gerald A.; Silver, Joan B. (1975). Introduction to Programming: Programming Logic and Flowcharting. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 9780070574458.
  8. ^ Silver, Gerald A.; Silver, Joan B. (1976). Introduction to Systems Analysis. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
  9. ^ "The Book Shelf". Journal of Education for Business. 52 (1): 40–. 1976. doi:10.1080/08832323.1976.10118182.
  10. ^ Silver, Gerald A., and Silver, Myrna L. (1995-07-23). "Let's Not Fly in the Face of Reality: The Van Nuys Airport Master Plan can be a Model of Good Government; Or it can Degrade the Area". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Silver, Gerald A., Myrna L. Silver (1993-09-26). "Panic Attack: A Citizens Panel Has Developed a Visionary Development Plan for Ventura Boulevard". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Silver, Gerald, and Silver, Myrna L. (1986-06-12). "Who's Missing on Father's Day?". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco. Retrieved December 17, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Smith, Robert K. (1982). "Weekend Fathers, Gerald and Myrna Silver". Transitions. Manhasset, New York. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Cobb, Nathan (1981-09-30). "A Men-Can't-Win Look at Divorce". Boston Globe. Boston. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  15. ^ Silver, Gerald A.; Silver, Myrna (1985). Second Loves: A Guide for Women Involved with Divorced Men. Praeger. ISBN 9780030008498.
  16. ^ Berger, Leslie (December 17, 1990). "2 Voices Claim They Speak for Encino". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  17. ^ Quinn, James (August 30, 1989). "Rancor Gone for Van Nuys Airport Panel: Factions in Noise Fight Talk Calmly at Meeting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  18. ^ Haynes, Karima A. (August 19, 1997). "Activist Silver to Join Airport Advisors". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  19. ^ "Ventura Blvd. Parking Meters on Way in Encino". Los Angeles Times. 1986-03-19. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  20. ^ Pool, Bob (1988-09-29). "Lack of Lines Roils Traffic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  21. ^ Klunder, Jan (1985-08-01). "Gridlock Looms in City's Study of Ventura Blvd. Traffic Knots Seen if High-Rise Construction Continues Unabated". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  22. ^ Johnson, Chip (1993-10-06). "Activist's Proposal for Copter Routes Assailed Aviation: Officials and Pilots Criticize Gerald Silver's Plan to Change Paths Over His House". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  23. ^ McGreevy, Patrick (1998-04-07). "Noisy Planes Fuel Push for Ban". Daily News. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  24. ^ Willman, Martha L. (1997-11-05). "News Helicopters Blamed for Airport Noise; Aviation: Study by Anti-Noise Activist Discounts Claims that Police and Fire Aircraft Account for Most Early Morning Takeoffs and Landings at Van Nuys Field". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  25. ^ Roderick, Kevin (1988-07-14). "EPA Wants L.A. to Impose Stiff Rules for Reducing Smog". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  26. ^ McGreevy, Patrick (1998-12-20). "Sound Barrier Comes to Van Nuys Airport; Noise: Answering Neighborhood Complaints, the City Will Soundproof about 1,000 Homes Next to the Airfield". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Cavanaugh, Kerry (2006-05-25). "Antonio Meets with Homeowners". Daily News. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  28. ^ Braxton, Greg (1987-09-13). "Deputy Mayor Hears Harsh Words from Homeowners". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 292628580. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  29. ^ Smith, Dakota (2014-06-11). "City Hall: L.A. Sales Tax Plan is Placed on Hold: Garcetti Reluctant to Support Increase Aimed at Funding Road, Sidewalk Fixes". Daily News of Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  30. ^ Smith, Dakota (2014-03-18). "City Leaders Propose Sales Tax Hike to Pay for Los Angeles Street Repairs". Daily Breeze. Los Angeles. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  31. ^ Martin, Hugo (May 30, 1998). "Petition Drive Starts for Valley Secession Study". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  32. ^ Hogen-Esch, Tom (2001). "Urban Secession and the Politics of Growth: The Case of Los Angeles". Urban Affairs Review. 36 (6): 783–809. doi:10.1177/107808740103600602.
  33. ^ Semuels, Alana (2007-02-02). "Billboard Settlement Draws Criticism; A Judge May OK a Deal That Allows Illegally Altered Signs to Stay Up. Critics Say L.A. Caved In". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  34. ^ Zahniser, David (2009-01-20). "Their World Looks Darker through Ad-Covered Windows; Tenants Rail Against Signs Blanketing Office Buildings, Blotting Out Views and Sunshine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  35. ^ Liu, Caitlin (March 25, 2002). "Second Level on 101 Freeway Is Under Study: Transportation: Caltrans Floats the Suggestion as a Solution to Worsening Congestion. But Many Residents Are Opposed, Citing Concerns About Quakes, Costs and Views". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  36. ^ Lejano, Raul P.; Leong, Ching (2012). "A Hermeneutic Approach to Explaining and Understanding Public Controversies". Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. 22 (4): 793–814. doi:10.1093/jopart/mus001. JSTOR 23321342. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  37. ^ Hwangbo, Kay (December 9, 1994). "Panel Discusses the Future of Ventura Boulevard: Much of the Talk Focuses on Whether the Thoroughfare Should Be Considered a Regional or a Local Street". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  38. ^ Pool, Bob (May 22, 1987). "Ventura Boulevard Remedies Collide: Business Leaders Fire Back at Homeowners; Call for More Parking, Not Less". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  39. ^ Braxton, Greg (December 10, 1990). "Surveying the Road Ahead: Ventura Boulevard: The City Council on Dec. 18 Will Take Up a Plan to Control Development Along the Valley's Main Thoroughfare. Even the Merchants Can't Agree if Less Is More". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  40. ^ Haefele, Marc B.; Sklar, Anna (August 26, 2007). "Making Water: This Time Around, L.A. Must Get Over the 'Yuck Factor' and Recycle its H2O". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  41. ^ Liu, Caitlin (August 2, 2003). "Valley Irrigation System Will Use Recycled Water". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  42. ^ Berger, Leslie (1990-06-06). "Residents, Indians Join to Oppose Office Plan Development: Chumash Leaders Want an Archeological Survey of the Land, while a Homeowners Activist Calls for an Environmental Impact Report; the Matter is Under Study". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Berger, Leslie (1990-05-10). "Gadfly Rallies Indians to Save Encino's 'Lost Village'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.


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