✆ I don’t know who said, “No good deed goes unpunished,” but that seems to be the official Santa Monica way of running things. People who make a contribution to the quality of life here, whether through making it convenient for dog owners to clean up after their pets, or by planting and maintaining beautiful healthy hedges, are targeted by City Hall, when they should be thanked and applauded for their efforts. This selective enforcement of the law points up the skewed priorities and values of our city government. Good deeds are punished, while much of the anti-social behavior which degrades our city is supported, ignored or encouraged.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 12, 2006. Read the original PDF.