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# Jonathan Mann on electronic democracy and free public Internet access
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/103106-story-20061031-5/
- Published: 2006-10-31T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:55:51.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Pier, #archive-import

Jonathan Mann AGE: 61 OCCUPATION: Flight attendant/substitute teacher MARITAL STATUS: Divorced and Widowed CHILDREN: 2 sons — ages 4 and 34 YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? PNA, Sunset Park and Ocean Park — 27 years YOUR RIDE? Car, bike and bus OWN OR RENT? Rent Your passion? Electronic democracy is the wave of the future and Santa Monica can create a new model for municipal government by restoring the Public Electronic Network (PEN). I have run for Santa Monica City Council eight times, advocating free Internet access and an electronic town hall on the city web site, so citizens can have a voice in policy decisions that affect our quality of life. By leveling the playing field for grass-roots participatory democracy, anyone can run for public office based on the power of their ideas, rather than seeking endorsements and raising money from special interests. Imagine if the people (rather than city staff) had authority to streamline their own city government, eliminate waste, expose conflict of interest, corruption and incompetence. What a concept! What are you reading? “Collapse and The Transparent Society.”

The water around the santa monica pier is some of the most polluted in the state and poses a significant health risk to swimmers. How do we clean up the beach?

Vigilantly trace source of toxic pollutants, aggressively track down violators, vigorously prosecute, impose prison sentences and collect damages.

WHAT’S A HIDDEN GEM IN THE CITY?

If I tell, everyone will know...

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 31, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/103106.pdf?ref=smdp.com)