Our Inalienable Right to Make Fools of Ourselves
Freedom of speech is the inalienable right from which all other inalienable rights proceed. It is abused and misused every day, but any attempt to restrict or shut down the abusers and misusers would mortally wound this democracy, which remains a work-in-progress after more than two centuries. Some years ago, the City of Santa Monica’s employees began endorsing candidates... Read More
All Over but the Counting?
The list of candidates for local offices whose names will appear on the November ballot Is long, and includes familiar and unfamiliar names. But, according to a very savvy political activist, the City Council race is all over but the counting. Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) will maintain the majority that it’s had for 22 years, he said, as “uninformed... Read More
SM Democratic Club Makes First Cut
Having interviewed candidates for local offices in the November election, the 14-member executive committee of the Santa Monica Democratic Club voted on Sunday to determine which candidates the group would recommend that the full Club membership endorse at its September 15 meeting. Each of the nominees received at least 60 percent of the committee votes. The Committee nominated... Read More
Santa Monica Loses Its Balance
Given the gloriously idiosyncratic character of the town and the bureaucratic mindset that rules City Hall, it was inevitable. Santa Monica is one of those small, storied places that’s on a first-name basis with the world. Like the ocean, which is its primary reason for being, it’s constant, but never still, forever becoming. And that’s why we live here. As William... Read More
When Gifts Are Necesities
The campaign was called “Save Our Schools,” not “Save Some of Our Schools More Than Others.” It was an impressive community effort, raising slightly more than $1.5 million in 60 days. Last week’s Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board meeting was not impressive. There are 13 schools in the District. The PTAs at schools in affluent neighborhoods... Read More
Facts of Life in Santa Monica
FACT: Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights took a hard right turn two years ago when it joined developers to defeat Prop T, a residents’ ballot measure. Fact: The SMRR Council majority has “packed” the Planning Commission. Fact: It virtually abandoned public review in favor of development agreements on new projects. Read More SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:... Read More
Save Our Schools Saves Nearly 20 Teachers & Staff!
CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS COMMENDED BY BOARD OF EDUCATION The Santa Monica Malibu Board of Education commended The Save Our Schools campaign and the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation at Wednesday night’s School Board meeting, citing visionary fundraising that will n affect students throughout district schools for the 2010 – 2011 school year. The SOS campaign raised $1,517,201.68... Read More
Mayor Says No on Prop Y
Increasing the sales tax is wrong. Mayor Bobby Shriver, in opposing this tax said: “The City is rich…” and to say “the City is in some sort of financial extremis is just not borne out by the facts.” Residents’ objections to Y: 1. Revenues have been secured by a raise in taxes already. A 10% Utility Tax expansion to “preserve essential City services and school... Read More
Don’t Miss the Adventures in Santa Monica Tour – This Sunday!
How much fun can you handle in one afternoon? You won’t want to miss the Conservancy’s “Adventures in Santa Monica” tour this Sunday, August 15, from 11am-3pm. The tour will take you to out-of-the way, off-the-beaten track or behind-the-scenes at ten sites in and near Santa Monica. Docents will be stationed at each site to give you the scoop. Read More SHARETHIS.addEntry({... Read More
Questions Without Answers
QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS 1. The City recently bought a 52,000 square foot parcel at Fifth and Arizona for $45 million. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the parcel was described as the site of a new parking structure. Can you calculate the cost of each parking space (land +materials +labor), and how many cars will have to park in each space to pay off those costs?... Read More
