ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica rent highest in LA metro area

09/24/2024 11:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

According to the latest Los Angeles Metro Report from apartment listing website Zumper, Santa Monica was ranked as the most-expensive spot in Los Angeles to rent a one-bedroom apartment, with a medium active listing of $3,000 over the past month. The website ranked 25 LA metro area cities, with Santa Monica coming out ahead of Irvine ($2,880), West Hollywood ($2,880), Redondo Beach ($2,710) and Costa Mesa ($2,680) in one-bedroom listings.

Huge donations kickstart the final month of campaigning for local office

09/24/2024 11:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A new and well funded Political Action Committee emerged last week. The long-titled group, Santa Monicans for a Real Positive Future Supporting Brock, de la Torre, Roknian and Putnam for Council 2024, is funded by a pair of mega donations.

Slow Growth Group Makes Key Endorsement

09/24/2024 11:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica's largest slow-growth group on Monday announced it is backing the pro-law enforcement slate vying to retain control of the City Council in November.

The Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) cited the need to fight "unrestrained" development as the major reason for endorsing the slate headed by Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre.

SM.a.r.t Column: Crime in Santa Monica: A Growing Concern

09/23/2024 11:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The candidates below for Santa Monica City Council, whom we wholeheartedly endorse, have prioritized safety. This is their main platform for immediate positive changes in our city!

Phil Brock, Mayor, and Council Member

Dr. Vivian A. Roknian

Oscar de la Torre, Council Member

John Putnam

Santa Monica Democratic Club, A Clueless Group Supporting a Clueless SMMR Slate

09/23/2024 11:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Have you visited our local Reed Park, infested with addicts, dealers, and unstable mental cases enabled by drug paraphernalia given by Barbara Ferrer et al? If you are so blinded by your ideology that you can no longer comprehend reality, I'm happy to take you for a tour and visit Reed (or the alleys of our neighborhood) at any time, day or night, to show you the danger and misery your myopic belief system enables.

Have you not seen the eight-story "stack and packs" being built on Lincoln...

Who Runs the City?

09/23/2024 11:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"SMRR has had a stranglehold for 40 years," said de la Torre, who broke with the group in his successful run four years ago. "That kind of makes them the establishment."

"They have been the historical establishment in the City since 1979," Brock said. "They have permeated all levels of City government, including the school Board, College Board of Trustees and Rent Control Board.

'Get Out of Jail Fast' Polices Drive Up Crime

09/23/2024 11:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Letter to the Editor: Peter DiChellis

What can be done?

First, demand more funding to hire police. Increased police visibility deters crime.

Second, demand an explanation from those politicians, judges and candidates who rationalize get-out-of-jail-fast, "restorative justice" policies for repeat offenders. Exactly what do they think is “restored” by putting dangerous repeat offenders back on the street to commit additional crimes?

Planning Head Who Helped Shape Santa Monica to Retire

09/20/2024 8:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

David Martin -- who for more than a decade helped steer the physical development of Santa Monica -- will retire as head of planning at the end of the year, City officials announced Thursday.

Mayor Phil Brock Endorses Nathan Hochman for LA County District Attorney

09/19/2024 10:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

This significant endorsement comes as Santa Monica, like most cities in the County, suffers from a troubling increase in violent and property crimes.

Dem Party, Labor Endorse Council Challengers

09/18/2024 8:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Brock and incumbent Councilmember Oscar de la Torre are leading a rival slate that includes two small business owners -- John Putnam and Vivian Roknian -- in the race for four Council seats. All four are Democrats.

The slate, which must win three seats to retain control of the seven-member Council, is backed by local businesses, including hotels and restaurants, and residents concerned that crime and homelessness are out of control.