renters rights has a strong hold on the city. They do whatever they want. If someone says we have representation now, we don’t, we really don’t.” ■ “Regarding the city council members … it’s sad and I think it’s very true that a lot of them have pockets that are very open, and are ready to fill their own personal pockets when money is presented to them. There are a lot of issues that this has happened with, and it probably will continue.” ■ “Hell no! The bigger question is, do I feel Veritas is going to equally spread the power about? Hell no! One reason, the mayor has veto power. The districts are unfairly gerrymandered so that there are five districts that are automatically going to go to renters. I am a renter. But, the mayor now has veto power! He can veto things up to 30 days after the city council makes the decision. This is a dictator’s seat. Right now our mayor is a dumb figurehead. I would sure like to elect our own dummy. I will not and cannot be part of allowing the dummy to have veto power and such control. This will only destroy the city and was only set forth as a device to generate money for a very few ignorant losers in this city that continue to lose. Veritas is a bad idea.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 17, 2002. Read the original PDF.