Divine Right of Hollywood Types

I read with interest the opinion piece by Ronnie Mellen, the person most often credited as the originator (some would say “instigator”) of the “location finders,” which Ms. Mellen describes as a “flourishing industry.”

That it is an “industry” I have no doubt, but I take exception to her statement that “there are literally hundreds more locations that have been utilized for years without incident.” Just across the road from my house, a neighbor was frequently renting out her home as a “location,” with the attendant near blockage of Hot Springs Road and driveway exits by a plethora of cars, trucks, and vans, left thoughtlessly in place by the same types of Hollywood characters I encountered in Mandeville Canyon in Brentwood many years ago, the type who seem to think that anyone with a camera enjoys the Divine Right of Kings.

Ms. Mellen offers a long list of merchants, service providers, and even ministers who she asserts profit form these events, but she does not give figures. As an example, can she tell us exactly how much local businesses profited form the recent wedding circus on Sycamore Canyon? It seems to be a fact that the wedding cake itself came from out of town. How much money did local businesses and agencies make? And exactly how many ordinances and official restrictions were disregarded? Give us some figures, Ms. Mellen.