ACTION Apartment Association

Council Race Shatters Finance Record

10/31/2024 10:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Leading the fundraising and spending were the candidates and PACs running on a pro-law enforcement platform.

SB10 is Bad for Santa Monica

10/30/2024 11:19 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Marc L. Verville

The key driver of this legislation, along with all the other State housing legislation is the creation of high profit investor opportunities. As such, there is no requirement for SB 10 projects to include affordability of any kind.

Vote No on the School Bond and Demand Audit

10/29/2024 11:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Residents of Santa Monica are being asked to approve a fourth school bond since 2006, bringing us to a grand total of $2.2 BILLION in school construction bonds for SMMUSD. Proponents of the bond tell voters the money will be spent well and, not to worry, there is robust oversight. The reality is:

No legally binding project lists;
No effective oversight by the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC);
No meaningful bond audits by the outside certified public accountant (CPA);
No linkage of approved projects to actual academic objectives; and
No effective School Board oversight of facility projects.

Single Family Neighborhoods Could Face the Wrecking Ball

10/29/2024 11:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

History suggests that the entrenched powers want to destroy single-family neighborhoods in Santa Monica -- and this might be their best chance yet to do it.

SB10 seems incredibly unpopular in single family neighborhoods, to such a degree that the entrenched powers seem forced to deny and confuse us about their stated aims, and appear to blame single family homes for all sorts of evils. So, one must ask, why do they appear so intent on upzoning single family neighborhoods? Perhaps to support their friends -- developers and market rate landlords, who are likely salivating over this relatively cheap source of land.

If you own, or ever hope to own, an entry-level single-family home in Santa Monica, then you should vote for Brock, Roknian, De La Torre and Putnam, or those homes and neighborhoods will likely come under the wrecking ball.

Safety Slate Marches for Change

10/28/2024 1:40 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The march featured speeches from the slate’s candidates, including Mayor Phil Brock, councilmember Oscar de la Torre, business owner John Putnam, and dental implant surgeon Dr. Vivian Roknian. Each candidate voiced their concerns about the current state of public safety and their commitment to addressing these issues.

Vote ‘No’ on Proposition 33

10/28/2024 1:32 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Every Tenant and Owner of a single family home should universally reject Proposition 33.

Ballot Recommendations November 2024

10/28/2024 1:27 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Oscar de la Torre

Vivian A. Roknian

John Putnam

Phil Brock

Council Changes Zoning Rules to Enliven Downtown

10/28/2024 1:20 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The latest interim zoning ordinance will further simplify the review process for new businesses and eases restrictions in the sign code to help businesses recover from the coronavirus shutdown and a vastly changed retail landscape.

SM.a.r.t Column: “Help! I’ve Fallen, and I …!!”, Cries Santa Monica!

10/25/2024 12:49 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

One solution, if you want to help ‘fallen Santa Monica’ get back up, and to, at the very least, put some control back in the hands of the residents, is to support the re-election of two of the year 2020 ‘new guys’, Phil Brock & Oscar de la Torre, and along with Dr. Vivian Roknian and John Putnam, give the residents a voice to be heard. Let’s not go back!

Council Votes to Back Prop 36

10/25/2024 9:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The pro-law enforcement Council majority argued that Prop 36, which is leading in the polls by a large margin, would reverse polices that have for a decade created a revolving door for those who commit drug and retail related crimes.