By DAVID COLE:
As a former neighborhood group president of Mid-City Neighbors, I would like to say I have often been poorly treated even though I was a voice for 18,000 residents. I know from experience that the department heads are really only responsive to the whims of our City Council members. They all need their jobs and fear losing them.
This having been said, I would want to complement the city clerk’s office. They are the model of how this city should be serving its employers (the residents). In addition, the City TV staff is excellent and a true asset to our community. They recently won an Emmy for one of their programs. Way to go.
On the other hand, I am aware of problems in the planning department, traffic and parking departments and the absolute worst department of our city government, code enforcement.
Most residents have little need to contact City Hall. But, when they do it’s enviably related to noise, construction and parking permit zone violations.
One candidate for City Council is running because he felt he was not respected by the city’s staff after receiving a warning about his hedges. His response to seek a council seat is admittedly extreme but it does reflect that many who contact City Hall walk away disgusted, insulted and dismissed.
As a council member, I would turn to the City Manager and demand that residents are treated as valued customers and given the respect they deserve. The City Manager’s continued employment should be in part based on customer satisfaction. After all, the City Council currently speaks only for special interest groups and the leading candidates are all backed by groups that have little regard for residents.
That’s why I’m running. I want to give the residents back their City Hall.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 5, 2004. Read the original PDF.