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# Democracy holds true here
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/democracy-holds-true-here-editor/
- Published: 2003-08-09T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:42:42.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Ocean Park, #archive-import

*By Richard Tuttle*

Viva Santa Monica! Democracy is alive and well in this city by the sea. Witnessing the public meeting of the Social Services Commission this week was an amazing and uplifting experience. Eight commissioners faced an overflow crowd of citizens concerned about a development which threatens a profoundly negative impact on a working class neighborhood, a thriving office complex, a growing retail area, a high school and a cutting-edge art community.

The commissioners invited the citizens to speak and to share their opinions. Those who wished to speak spoke from their hearts, expressing facts, feelings and thoughts about the project. The citizens in general expressed the need for social services in Santa Monica and expressed opposition to this particular project.

Then the commissioners discussed their points of view. Some were for it, some were against it, some were not sure. All were thoughtful and sincere.

A motion for a roll call vote was made by the commissioners. The commission voted to applaud the Ocean Park Community Corporation for their good work and say (4-2 with two abstentions) that they felt this particular project was ill-conceived.

We’re so lucky that we live in a city which cares and in which the government of the people, for the people and by the people is not just an empty Beltway slogan.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 9, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/080903.pdf?ref=smdp.com)