November 26, 2018 -- A map submitted by plaintiffs last week in a voting rights lawsuit against the City places three council members in one district, while leaving three districts without current representation.

The plaintiff's map carves the 8.3-square-mile City of some 92,000 into seven districts with approximately 13,000 residents each.

Under the proposed map Councilmembers Sue Himmelrich, Glean Davis and Kevin McKeown all reside in the North of Montana District (Number 3 on the map).

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/November-2018/11_26_2018_Proposed_Santa_Monica_Council_Map_Places_Three_Incumbents_in_One_District.html

The ordinance requires landlords to pay tenants from $2,900 to $4,500 for a no-cause eviction, a rent increase of 10% or more, a “substantial change” to the lease or a lease nonrenewal.

Now, landlord groups that have sued to overturn the law hope they will prevail when the Oregon Court of Appeals hears the case in January, even as tenant advocates nationwide study the ordinance as a tool to prevent renter displacement.

Read More: https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-portland-housing-20181124-story.html

In his latest Brock on Your Block, Phil Brock explores the voting rights trial the City of Santa Monica recently lost, speaking to Maria Loya, Oscar de la Torre and plaintiff attorney Kevin Shenkman.

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2018/11/brock-on-your-block-santa-monica-voting-rights-trial/

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the voting rights lawsuit against the City asked the judge on Monday to adopt seven council districts and hold a special election in April.

They also asked Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos to prohibit any further at-large elections and any council member not duly elected through district-based elections from serving.

Read More:  https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/November-2018/11_20_2018_Plaintiffs_In_Voting_Rights_Suit_Propose_District_Map_%20April_Election.html

If you're wondering how and when to start collecting your benefits, read on -- for a thorough review of just what Social Security is, how to get the most out of it, and how to apply for it.

Read More: https://www.fool.com/retirement/2018/11/20/how-to-apply-for-social-security-a-step-by-step-gu.aspx

AND

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/apply-for-benefits.html

The real problem — some people work to get people informed, to bring them to their side, while others simply exploit that human failing to not think. When you have a ton of money to spend, you can create some pretty convincing lies.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/really-make-your-voices-heard/171013

Attorneys representing the City of Santa Monica in the California Voting Rights Act lawsuit have filed a motion with the court requesting extensive explanation of the Judge’s tentative ruling.

Read More on pg. 1: http://backissues.smdp.com/111918.pdf

AND: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/November-2018/11_19_2018_City_Asks_Judge_to_Explain_Voting_Rights_Lawsuit_Decision%20.html

A multitude of important disaster recovery resources from government, non-profit, and private agencies are now available on www.lacounty.gov/woolseyfire to help support residents, business owners, and others impacted by the Woolsey Fire.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/la-county-recovery-webpage-and-damage-reporting-now-available-for-those-impacted-by-woolsey-fire/170938

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued a disaster declaration for Los Angeles County that will make low-interest federal disaster loans available to businesses and residents impacted by the Woolsey Fire announced SBA Administrator Linda McMahon. This SBA disaster declaration covers Los Angeles, Butte and Ventura counties as a result of the wildfires that began in California this month.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/u-s-small-business-administration-announces-disaster-declaration-for-los-angeles-county/170940

The much delayed and highly contentious sale of several Santa Monica apartment buildings continued recently with a judge officially handing control of the property to a new owner.

San Francisco based SPI Holdings is now in control of nine local properties that were once part of a joint venture between Neil Shekhter/NMS Capital Partners and a subsidiary hedge fund AEW. The dispute between Shekhter and AEW in the “Lincoln Studios” case had stalled the official transfer of ownership to SPI while the larger saga played out.

The properties involved in the litigation include the Lido at 1440 5th Street, Quonset at 829 Broadway, Lincoln Walk at 1447 Lincoln Blvd, San Marco at 1420 5th Street, Rapallo at 1430 5th Street, Luxe Broadway at 1502 Broadway and 1511 15th Street. One other property is in Los Angeles: 9901 Washington Blvd, and another is in West Hollywood: Luxe La Cienega at 375 N. La Cienega Boulevard.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/nms-formally-loses-control-of-disputed-properties/170931