By Nancy Cook Smith Santa Monica
Is it not passing strange that overseer of Santa Monica’s homeless services, Julie Rusk, is taking a year sabbatical just as a new “Homeless Czar” is to appear... just as her knowledge of the service community is most needed? In the Machiavellian world that is now City Hall, the social service industry and their supporters are just as keen on keeping their edge on the system as they are in helping their “clients.” The new czar has the potential to radically rearrange the furniture and that will no doubt tweak a few noses. Best this new czar find their own compass.
Many might remember Ms. Rusk’s sudden vacation two summers ago when it was exposed she was shepherding Ocean Park Community Center’s quest to establish a new homeless facility at 1751 Cloverfield Blvd. There are no coincidences. Ms. Rusk’s penchant for disappearing when the status quo is about to be questioned should make Santa Monicans question just what the hell is going on.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 13, 2005. Read the original PDF.