ACTION Apartment Association

SMa.r.t. Column: Santa Monica’s Divine Comedy

10/26/2020 10:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

[SMa.r.t. originally published this article four years ago. We believe it remains current, with slight alterations. The elections, in the next few days, make it especially relevant. We urge our readers to vote as if our city, and our home, depends on it].

SMa.r.t. and others in our city have identified many continuous problems with planning oversight in Santa Monica. It is appropriate to look at some of our civic problems in relation to the sins set out in the Divine Comedy. Gluttony has been suggested. There seems to be no other way to describe the “carpetbaggers” and “robber barons” intent on taking control of our city’s most precious resources. Our land, our proximity to the Pacific Ocean, our climate and our skyline all scream profit to those who want to exploit them.

California Supreme Court takes on CVRA case

10/23/2020 11:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The California Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to review the decision of the Court of Appeal on the voting rights lawsuit that ruled in favor of the City’s at-large election system.

Supreme Court Takes Up Voting Rights Lawsuit

10/22/2020 11:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The voting rights lawsuit against the City of Santa Monica is headed to the California Supreme Court after it granted the Latino plaintiffs' petition for review Wednesday.

Is Crime Really Down? Council Challengers Weigh In

10/22/2020 11:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Last year, Santa Monica experienced the steepest drop in serious crime in at least a decade ("Reports of Serious Crime Dropped in Santa Monica Last Year," October 20, 2020).

Yet, half of the local voters who responded to a recent poll said they felt less safe than they did two years ago ("Poll Shows Lack of Support for Council Incumbents," October 2, 2020).

The Lookout asked the four members of a slate of challengers to explain the reasons for this discrepancy.

City Council Candidate Pop Quiz

10/22/2020 11:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

For the 2020 City Council candidate questionnaire, The Lookout asked 22 "True or False," "Yes or No" and multiple choice questions.

Daily Press “Vote Local 2020” podcast series

10/20/2020 9:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Daily Press has released its Vote Local 2020 podcast series featuring interviews with 24 candidates for City Council, Rent Control, School Board, and College Board. The interviews are conducted by Matt Hall, SMDP Editor in Chief, and provide a deep dive into each candidate’s platform.

FPPC Rejects Claim Against Council Challengers' Slate

10/20/2020 9:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The State's political ethics watchdog on Friday rejected a complaint claiming that members of a slate of City Council candidates violated campaign law by receiving free advertising.

City provides update on tenants’ rights during COVID-19

10/19/2020 8:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Since Santa Monica issued its first eviction moratorium on March 14, tenants and landlords have been grappling with a constantly shifting legislative landscape of City, state and federal rental regulations. On Oct. 14, the City partnered with Bet Tzedek and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles to present on the current status of tenant protections.

School Board justifies $21 million office building purchase

10/19/2020 8:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Malibu School Board has voted six to one to approve the $21 million purchase of the DoubleTree office building on 1717 4th St. to become the new District headquarters.

SMa.r.t. Column: Which Santa Monica Do You Prefer to Live & Work In?

10/19/2020 7:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s Governance Last I heard, we are a country “by the people and for the people.” But Santa Monica operates on a different premise. Our City Council is under the influence of developers, not the residents. They treat our residential tax dollars like monopoly money – nearly bankrupting us while holding onto power. As a result, our beautiful beach town is quickly losing its special innate character. What the City Council and staff are implementing has little if any benefit to the residents! Is this the city you want to live in?