By Bob Hattoy Former Sierra Club Regional Director and Clinton Environmental Advisor
During the past several weeks of the local election campaign, I have observed the accusations and political propaganda surrounding the city council race with scrutiny. I feel that it is time that someone attempts to refresh the portrayal of the situation.
Why were the entrepreneurs in our community being attacked by Santa Monicans for Renters Rights and the Kevin McKeown campaign? The opportunity to pursue business ventures is what this country was founded on. Last time I checked, we don’t live in a socialist society. Why does Kevin McKeown continue to scare residents about building another “Miami Beach” when he knows full well, as a councilmember, that there is a prohibition on building future hotels on our beaches?
These individuals in “big business” are often the grease on the wheels for the functioning of our society. With their financial success, they contribute to the improvement of our community. For example, the hospitality industry in Santa Monica donated thousands and thousands of dollars to organizations such as the Committee for Excellence in Education to help our schools. Even their personal interest to maintain an environment conducive to tourism often translates into community-wide benefits, such as with beach and park maintenance. Furthermore, the countless taxes that their economic gains are subject to augment the city budget with millions of dollars per year which funds the improvement of our education system, city maintenance and the police and fire departments. When the economy thrives in a community, the quality of life rises in benefit of everyone.
It is my wish that McKeown would no longer ignore all that businesses do to better our community and acknowledge the benefits that they enjoy thanks to the commerce in Santa Monica. Our focus should be on the candidates’ stances on the issues themselves — these project the future of Santa Monica.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 9, 2006. Read the original PDF.