Candidates on the same page on environment, housing
CITY HALL — A temporary power outage here Tuesday night seemed to set the tone for the latest, locally-televised political forum, as candidates competing for three seats on the City Council failed to generate the level of intensity and energy one would expect with less than three weeks to go until the Nov. 7 election.
Whether it was the format, the questions posed or simply a lack of enthusiasm on behalf of the 10 council hopefuls, the forum seemed void of any real spark, with candidates failing to hold their opponents’ feet to the fire or present markable differences to separate themselves from the pack.
For the most part, candidates refrained from going on the offensive as they discussed issues such as homelessness, traffic congestion, youth violence, affordable housing and downtown development.
All claimed to be supportive of a safer, environmentally friendly city in which working families could afford to purchase a home and raise a family. They also pledged to devote more funding for youth programs and opportunities for seniors.
The roughly two-hour event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Santa Monica Education Fund and the Center for Governmental Studies, was set up so candidates in the same groups — or “pods” of three to four randomly seated hopefuls — could address one another if they so chose. Most did not.
Aside from challenger Jenna Linnekens’ critiques of the current council’s approach to homelessness and housing, plus a few random jabs from Terence Later and Jonathan Mann, the event was relatively tame, as far as political debates go.
The restrained ambiance allowed incumbents the opportunity to shine, using their institutional knowledge and experience to put forth credible arguments based on facts, and not conjecture. The lack of any direct questioning of the councilmembers’ voting records provided easy sailing, allowing them to tout their accomplishments without having to answer for their shortcomings.
Moving from right to left on the dais, the candidates each had 60 seconds to introduce themselves to CityTV viewers. They were then separated into the pod groupings, with each answering a variety of questions posed via video by residents and the local media.
The pod format, whereby candidates were given time to respond to the questions and then expand on their answers or those of others, allowed some to address several issues of concern while other candidates were forced to answer a similar question twice. Those fortunate enough to be placed in pods where no questions were repeated seemed to have a distinct advantage, giving viewers more to consider come election day.
BEHIND DOOR NUMBER ONE Pam O’Connor, who has served on the council since 1994, portrayed herself as a leader with the experience to keep Santa Monica “a city of neighborhoods, an environmentally sustainable city and a safe city.”
In addition to initiating a review of the City Hall’s land-use policies, O’Connor, 58, said as mayor she led the search for City Manager Lamont Ewell, who has been well received by virtually all segments of the city, from residents and business interests to city employees and officials at Santa Monica College.
O’Connor also voted for an unprecedented funding agreement between City Hall and the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District that includes a commitment by the city to issue a roughly $6 million grant to local schools each year.
As the first vice chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board, O’Connor said she has worked diligently to help relieve traffic congestion and pledged to extend the Exposition Light Rail line to Santa Monica.
“I ask for your vote so we can work together for a vibrant future,” said O’Connor, who has been endorsed by the Santa Monica Municipal Employees Association, police officers and Santa Monicans for Renters Rights.
Next up was Mann, a flight attendant and former teacher in the SMMUSD, who has vowed to not raise any money from the “special interest groups that have been ruling this city.”
Those special interests include city employees, the media, local businesses, developers and homeless service provides, who Mann, 60, said should be audited to see if they are truly “operating out of compassion (or) self-interest.”
If elected, Mann said he would create a “virtual village” where residents could interact with city officials over the Internet, exchange ideas and drive public policy decisions. With a background in protesting civil injustice and the war in Vietnam, Mann said would not compromise his beliefs at any cost.
“This is the eighth time I’ve ran for City Council,” Mann said. “And the reason I’m running is I want to represent the residents of this city... I won’t compromise. I’ll fight for you.”
Planning Commissioner Terry O’Day portrayed himself as a level-headed problem solver looking to build bridges. As the executive director of Environment Now Foundation and the co-creator of EV Rental, O’Day, 33, said he plans to combine his experience as an “environmentalist, business executive and father... to make our city a safety city and raise my daughters in a supportive community.”
O’Day highlighted his record on the Planning Commission, during which time he has dealt with complex land-use issues, traffic congestion and environmentally-sound building practices. If elected, O’Day said he would help residents who have lost their homes to condo conversions find housing, putting them at the front of the list when publicly-funded projects are completed.
The Pico Neighborhood resident also touted his endorsements, which include former Police Chief Jim Butts, three former mayors and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Bob Holbrook, also endorsed by the chamber, as well as the Santa Monica Police Officers Association, assumed the role of hometown hero who has spent his entire life in Santa Monica, graduating from Santa Monica High School and SMC. Before being elected to the council in 1990, Holbrook served on the school board for two terms.
“I really enjoy being a council member and I feel I’ve fairly represented everyone in Santa Monica and bring an even-handed approach,” Holbrook said. “There’s a lot of work that’s been started and... I’d like to be reelected to continue this work to make sure it gets done.”
Throughout the debate, Holbrook urged viewers to call City Hall if they had problems with graffiti or gang violence, going so far as to dole out numbers to various city departments and a local church looking to hook youth up with job opportunities.
Another life-long resident running for the council is Later, a consultant in the entertainment industry who is running to “put Santa Monica first.”
Like many of the challengers, Later said City Hall has forgotten who it works for — the residents. If elected, Later said he would make City Hall more accountable in meeting the needs of every segment of the community, from seniors on down to toddlers.
Later said City Hall needs to have a better relationship with local businesses and not “arbitrarily enforce” zoning codes and other laws. He criticized council members for not providing enough funding to increase the number of officers on foot patrols and blasted City Hall for placing social service providers in residential neighborhoods, “taking ownership out of the hands of residents.”
Running on a platform of improving public safety through stricter enforcement of “vagrancy” laws, event planner Linnekens said she would work to build a consensus and “bridge the political divide,” using her skills as a former journalist and business owner with connections to the hospitality industry. She also vowed to fight for more for-sale affordable housing to “bring back the middle class.”
“If you believe we are better off today than we were eight years ago, or even 16 years ago, than my candidacy is for naught,” said Linnekens, 32.“However, I don’t believe that, and it is not true. With my election, it will send a clear message that change isn’t coming, but change has arrived.”
Claiming to be a “passionate” candidate whose voice “will not be quieted,” Linnekens challenged, albeit indirectly, incumbents whose voting records clashed with her strong beliefs in enforcing laws against camping on the beach and in parks, as well as public feedings.
If elected, Linnekens said she would get officers out of their cars and on the streets walking the beat. She would also give preference to police officers and firefighters for affordable housing projects funded by City Hall.
Linnekens’ strong feelings about homelessness and its effect on residents, visitors and local businesses were palpable and struck a nerve with candidate Linda Armstrong, a data entry operator and homeless advocate who is running on the platform of “putting women and children first,” which includes housing all homeless women in Santa Monica.
“Will you please stop demonizing the homeless?” a visibly-perturbed Armstrong asked Linnekens.
If elected, Armstrong said she will ensure prompt responses by the police to 9-1-1 calls, guarantee access to afterschool programs for all students, and enact a comprehensive living wage that would cover all Santa Monica businesses making at least $5 million a year.
“I’d like to turn back the clock and have the New Deal and great societal programs revived,” Armstrong said. “We need to try and get employment back up and end homelessness once and for all.”
The third and final incumbent running for re-election is Kevin McKeown, a member of the council since 1998. McKeown, who provides technical support for the SMMUSD, presented himself as a man about town, using his bicycle to not only drop 130 pounds in the last year, but to also attend a countless number of community meetings “to listen, to learn and to bring your concerns and ideas back to City Hall... with a combination of experience and energy to get things done.
“I have been a leader on affordable housing, quality of life and education,” said McKeown, 58. “I’ve heard your concerns about traffic, development, and I fought successfully to limit that. I stopped 25-story office towers in downtown and monster mansions in our neighborhoods, and have made sure public schools get the funding they deserve.”
Linnekens criticized McKeown’s decision to vote against installing security cameras on the Santa Monica Pier, calling it a poor decision in the wake of serious concerns about safety in the wake of 9/11.
McKeown, who voted against the emergency installation of the cameras because he did not want to bypass the Landmarks Commission, could not respond because he was not in the same pod as Linnekens. However, in a move that surprised McKeown, O’Connor came to his defense, saying that McKeown’s vote had been distorted and that all members of the council were strong supporters of law enforcement.
McKeown is supporting candidate Gleam Davis, a 20-year-resident of Santa Monica who has made a name for herself as an advocate for education and public schools, having served on a number of district advisory committees and as a founding member of Committee for Excellent Public Schools, or CEPS. The attorney for AT&T said she will use her skills as a litigator and mediator to fight for the residents of Santa Monica and to foster greater relationships between all segments of the community.
“I have a history of community activism... fighting for working families, children and for our older citizens and I plan to take that fight to the City Council,” Davis, 50, said. “I believe Santa Monica is a wonderful city, but we need to protect all that is great about it.
We need to protect the scale of our neighborhoods, and maintain the diverse and wonderful character of this town.”
Last, but not least, was Mark McLellan, a real estate agent specializing in the sale of single-family homes in Santa Monica and surrounding areas. McLellan, 46, pledged to work for more affordable housing for families, giving special preference to those who work in the city.
“I’m running to help build a better Santa Monica for the people of Santa Monica,” McLellan said.“My goal is to give back to the city that has given me so much.”
McLellan said City Hall’s current approach to homelessness is not working, nor its housing policies and efforts to ease traffic congestion. McLellan called for more workforce housing to make it easier for residents to walk to work, as well as more bike lanes to foster alternative transportation.
“I want to help build middle class society... help people who work here afford to live here,” McLellan said. “If you are satisfied with what we have currently in local government, than by all means, vote accordingly. But if you’d like to see progressive change, vote Mark McLellan.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 19, 2006. Read the original PDF.