> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Untitled
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/110104-story-20041101-10/
- Published: 2004-11-01T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:23:29.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Pico, #archive-import, Homeless

*By MARIA LOYA*

I want voters to reflect on three things before they decide on who they trust most to represent the needs of our community: 1\. There is a need for diversity on the Santa Monica City Council. The Council should represent the face of our City and demonstrate its diverse perspective on issues that affect us all. Fifty-two percent of the population in Santa Monica are women, yet there is only one woman elected serve on the City Council. 2\. The Pico Neighborhood has never had a resident elected to serve on the City Council. Twenty-nine homicides since 1989 is one sign that a voice is needed on the City Council to bring a different a community perspective on the real problems we need to address. 3\. The City is in the process of reviewing Santa Monica’s General Plan. We need a strong voice on the Council that will ensure that “true” public participation exists in this process. If elected, I will work to employ a community-centered approach to decision making. I have 12 years experience in fighting for social and economic justice. On the City Council I will work to protect our environment, strengthen our schools and represent the interests of all Santa Monicans.

I appreciate your vote on Nov. 2.

The last thing I would like to tell voters before the election is thank you. Thank you to those of you who encouraged and challenged me. Thank you for inviting me into your homes and being welcoming when I called you on the phone. Thank you for sharing with me your vision of Santa Monica and what you believe will make it a stronger, safer, healthier community.

Thanks to the many people who worked on my campaign; your enthusiasm, effort and hopefulness was just wonderful. Thanks to those who generously donated to help me succeed. Thanks to my wife and children for their patience, tolerance and sense of humor.

The final thing I would like to share with voters is something that was written about my candidacy by Frank Gruber, a journalist with surfsantamonica.com: Frank Gruber “What I Say” “What I immediately liked about Matt Dinolfo when I met him two years ago, aside from the fact that we met for lunch at a funky bar near his office, is that he had a different take on Santa Monica than any I had heard before.

“While politicians on one side in Santa Monica run based on how best they can scare tenants that they are going to lose their apartments, and politicians on the other side run on how best they can infuriate people about the homeless, Dinolfo has a bigger, more reality-based view.

“Of all the candidates running, Dinolfo is the one who most clearly sees Santa Monica for what it is, and who best understands its place in the megalopolis. Maybe it’s his medical background, but he’s more about science than nostalgia or fear.”

If you elect me, I will dedicate myself to helping our city fulfill our best expectations. Thank you for your support.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 1, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/110104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)