AS HERB'S WORLD TURNS

Herb Balter has passed the leadership baton after nine years as President of Action in Santa Monica. Herb brought a refreshingly natural "everyman" style to his leadership role. His position as Action President and ordinary Santa Monica apartment owner were indistinguishable and he delighted our industry with a serial soap opera of his thoughts, plans and actions. "As Herbs's World Turns" is an apt title for the twists and turns, the highs and lows, the litigation, the world junkets, and other aspects of Herb's life that we all shared. We got to know his wife Maureen, his son Gary, his daughter-in-law Linda, and his dog Shain. We suffered with him through his open heart surgery and enjoyed his temporary success at dieting and could relate when he fell off the diet wagon. Herb, through his excellent photography, "took us along" as he and Maureen travelled the world, bringing back memorabilia with a rent control angle. Who can forget the sweatshirt "Welcome to Santa Monica-You Are Now Leaving the American Sector" with authentic imprints from Checkpoint Charlie.

Super models Naomi, Christie, Claudia, Linda and Cindy have little over Herb. He has been the cover boy of the Action Magazine, WAM, on a monthly basis in a variety of creative shots that should inspire the envy of any art director. Whether posing with African natives "protesting" Santa Monica Rent Control or riding a camel in Egypt, Herb proved that inner beauty is just inspiring and certainly more long lasting than outer beauty. What he saved on cosmetic surgery he spent on lawyers.

He became Action President a year before Bill Clinton became President and leaves at the same time, without, however, any china, furniture or scandal. But he might say as Clinton did, "I'm no longer President, but I'm still here." Hopefully, "As Herb's World Turns", he will continue to entertain and inspire us for many years to come.

At last month’s Action Meeting, Herb was presented with a commemorative plaque the text of which we are reproducing here as tribute to him:

In 1991, the outlook for Santa Monica apartment owners was grim and our needs were great. But great needs demand great deeds.
Great deeds are in fact the legacy of HERBERT IRWIN BALTER who stepped forward to take on the challenges we faced.

During his nine years as President, Herb personally oversaw:
Acquiring new offices
Publication of WESTSIDE APARTMENT MONTHLY (WAM)
Fundraising and sojourns to Sacramento in support of Costa/Hawkins vacancy decontrol Bill
Expansion of ACTION membership and renewed spirit of owners

A determined man with resolute will, motivated by a sense of outrage at the injustice visited on an undeserving people and backed by a loving and supportive family, Herb gave generously of his time, imagination, money and heart to improve the lot of housing providers.

The Santa Monica apartment industry owes to Herb a debt that will never be repaid. What we can offer is our heartfelt gratitude and enduring respect for the vision, accomplishments and sacrifices of this unique and talented man.