ACTION Apartment Association

Meet the Candidates Event Sunday September 8

09/05/2024 10:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

When: Sunday, Sept. 8th, 3:00 - 5:00pm

Doors open at 2pm

Where: Lincoln Middle School Auditori

1501 California Ave., S.M. 90403

Stop Pretending Long-failed Remedies Will Work

09/04/2024 10:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rampant crime by an unhinged homeless population is devastating Santa Monica, yet lame local officials and an entire slate of City Council candidates continue to pretend long-failed remedies of the past will somehow work.

SM.a.r.t Column: Part II: The Affordability Crisis:

09/03/2024 11:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Let’s start with some basic economics. The conventional wisdom – championed by state legislators and enshrined in policies like SB 35 (which streamlines approval for infill developments) and the potential SB 7 (aimed at reinforcing the Builder’s Remedy), is that California’s housing affordability crisis is primarily a supply problem. The logic seems straightforward: increase housing supply, and prices will fall. It’s Econ 101, right?

Wrong. This simplistic view ignores the complexities of real-world housing markets and the fundamental nature of California’s affordability crisis.

Santa Monica Sees County's Steepest Yearly Rent Drop

09/03/2024 11:32 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After dipping during each of the past four months, rents in Santa Monica ticked up by 0.7 percent in August, according to listings posted on the popular rental site.

New Coalition Endorses Council Slate

08/30/2024 8:42 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monicans United (SMU), Hospitality Santa Monica and local small business owners will provide significant funding to boost the slate composed of two incumbents and two business owners in the race for four open seats.

Mayor Phil Brock, Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, Dr. Vivian Roknian and John Putnam will attempt to fend off a rival slate backed by Santa Monica's political establishment that is trying to regain control of the Council.

See Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjv8fnCrnTc

Democrats for a Safer Santa Monica Announces a City Council Slate

08/30/2024 8:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The four candidates are: 1) Dr. Vivian Roknian, a long-time resident, oral surgeon, small business owner, and parent; 2) John Putnam, a 30-year resident, a small business owner and parent; 3) Incumbent Mayor Phil Brock and 4) Incumbent Councilmember Oscar de la Torre.

SANTA MONICA, CA – In a powerful demonstration of unity and determination, the residents, business owners, and the hospitality community of Santa Monica have come together to address the city's most pressing challenges. Two key groups, Santa Monicans United and Hospitality Santa Monica, have embarked on a mission to bring about significant change to Santa Monica by identifying and supporting four candidates for the Santa Monica City Council who are committed to turning the city around.

Battle lines drawn for City Council race

08/29/2024 10:35 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Incumbents Phil Brock and Oscar de la Torre are running alongside newcomers Dr. Vivian Roknian and John Putnam under the Safer Santa Monica name. The group is a new iteration of the Change Slate that took three seats in 2020. The original group included Councilwoman Christine Parra but she chose not to run this year, setting the stage for a new alliance. The group will face off against Dan Hall, Natalya Zernitskaya, Ellis Raskin and Barry Snell for the four seats up for election this year.

Report sees city as ‘growth point’ for future construction

08/28/2024 12:01 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The outlook for 2024-2028 brings Santa Monica into the equation in a big way. Though Long Beach has the most units planned for that stretch of time (3,476), Santa Monica showed a 17.7% increase from its 2019-2023 unit construction (1,126) to its projected 2024-2028 number (1,325). Woodland Hills was seen as another growth point, while LA-area cities like Pasadena, Inglewood and Canoga Park were noted as significant downtowns in the outlook.

Public Safety Unions Deal Blow to Establishment Slate

08/28/2024 11:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Police Officers Association and Santa Monica Firefighters Local 1109 announced Wednesday morning that they will support Mayor Phil Brock, Councilmember Oscar de la Torre and candidates Ericka Lesley and Vivian Roknian in the November 5 race for four open Council seats.

November Ballot Order Set

08/27/2024 9:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rent Board Chair Erika Lesley, who entered the race after failing to win the backing of Santa Monica's political establishment, will top the ballot, followed by incumbent Oscar de la Torre, a member of the Change faction's slim Council majority.

On this year's ballot, Mayor Phil Brock, Vivian Roknian and John Putnam, two small business owners backed by Santa Monicans United (SMU) commend the middle of the ballot.