> ## 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. # Change seems scary - URL: https://www.smdp.com/change-seems-scary/ - Published: 2002-11-15T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T00:56:02.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless Last week, Q-line asked: “Do think Santa Monica’s demographics are changing? If so, is it good or bad?” Here are your responses: “Yes, Santa Monica’s demographic is changing. For good or bad? We’re not sure yet, the vote’s not in. Your question does not address the JJ Measure, which is living wage, because one could be a renter, a landowner or whatever and still see JJ as discrimination. And how that issue needs to be addressed, living wage, is at the state and national level. And if all these do-gooders and people want to do something, go the right route, go to their legislators. Do not try to legislate on a city level like this and being so discriminating.” “Thank you for your question. I think our little town has become the rich versus the poor and those of us in the middle are really dealing with all the new structures that have changed the look of our city. And I think that the new immigrants, so-called, or illegals, there’s too many of them and too soon. It’s happened far too quickly that we haven’t been able to absorb these people, and I think the rich go back to their big houses on the hill with a moat ‘round it and they don’t have to deal with the cry of the illegal aliens hanging ‘round our alleys in our buildings, sleeping in our doorways. And I’m sure a lot of people are very, very nice and law abiding, but we have too many of them and they shouldn’t be here and they’re using our resources health, schools, social services and I just think it’s really a shame. It’s not necessarily their fault but I think big business has taken over, and they’re just greedy and they use these people and I’ve been an immigrant myself, I know how it is. But I’ve been here 40 years in Santa Monica and it’s hurting my heart what’s happening here. Nobody is talking about it except your paper, which I think is very courageous and I’d like to thank you very, very much for your paper. I really enjoy it and look forward to it. Thank you so much.” “Last week on a KCRW radio program Santa Monica Mayor Michael Feinstein acknowledged that the city has undergone demographic changes. He explained that partly because of the state government changes in our rent control law, families have moved out and high-income professional singles have moved in. And that’s bad if you want to pass a living wage law. These folks are probably completely independent or conservative, which means they will not support such a proposal.” “The voting demographics in Santa Monica have not changed. The 9,000 conservative voters who showed up at the polls have a great monetary deal to gain. The conversion of every apartment building in Santa Monica would’ve made billionaires out of millionaires. Still, they lost on every issue except one. That issue aligned the hardest working people in Santa Monica to earn a fair living wage.” “If demographics has anything to do with voting results in Santa Monica, we are in trouble. If it’s that, that’s bad.” “People are sick and tired of being pushed around. It doesn’t surprise me that proposition JJ was defeated. This proposition was very discriminatory and only affected those people in certain areas. Also, the majority of the employees did not live in Santa Monica, and therefore probably didn’t spend money in Santa Monica. The elected officials need to wake up and pay attention to what goes on around them. Their allegiance seems to be towards the homeless, and the homeless have the attitude that the world owes them a living. As for Santa Monica for Renters Rights candidates not being elected, I only voted for one person, Bob Holbrook. The SMRR was trying to cram their candidates down the voters’ throats and it didn’t work. It’s this kind of bickering that turns voters off. Feinstein acts like a spoiled child. The fact that his supported candidate didn’t make it is water under the bridge. Feinstein should move on and spend his energies on more important issues like improving the smell and noise on the Promenade. Then maybe more residents will shop down there. I walk there every morning between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., and the stench coming form the Promenade is unbelievable. City council should sit up and listen to what the residents are telling them.” “Santa Monica’s demographics are definitely changing. The change in the rent control regulations in January 1999, which allowed landlords to increase newly vacant units to market rates, was the turning point. I am a good case, having moved into my apartment in November 1999\. Prior to the regulation change, it was difficult to get an apartment in Santa Monica. Undervalued rent control units were snapped up, usually by some inside connection and occasionally I’ve heard by a little ‘grease.’ With the regulation change, the playing field was leveled and finally a professional person working in Santa Monica or nearby West L.A. could find a place to live in the city by the sea. By the way, when I moved into my one-bedroom apartment and my rent was doubled out of my neighbors in the exact same units, a three-bedroom apartment in the complex was renting for just a few dollars more than mine. I yelled ‘injustice!’ at first, but then just settled in and enjoyed where I was living. Now after three years, many people who can actually afford to live near the beach have moved in. I for one would like to see a free market, and, while we’re at it, let’s hope for the ultimate demise of SMRR and the political parasites who cling to it. Okay. There you go, and thanks a lot.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 15, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/111502.pdf?ref=smdp.com)