By Ken Waterson
I’m originally from the valley and have lived once in Hollywood. I was out of state for the last 10 years and have just moved to Santa Monica. And I have to tell you that I fully agree with Tony Street, Bill Bauer and others who have written of the bum (or homeless) problem here. What a shock it is. I always remember seeing a lot of bums in Palisades Park, but what an in your face shock it is to see it everywhere.
I’m a lifelong Democrat and really despise the Republican Party. I would never vote Republican on a national level for reasons from their being anti-abortion, anti-environment, pro-school (Christian prayer), etc. But I have to say, when it comes to local politics in Santa Monica, I’m voting Republican down the line. Sad to say, what this town needs is a mean, Republican mayor to give the town the enema it deserves. If you saw New York before Guliani arrived you will know what I am talking about. I have nothing against bums (homeless), but who the heck made Santa Monica the dumping ground for L.A.? The guilty limousine liberals who have made too much money acting? Do all the town’s homeless and mentally ill have to have a luxurious ocean view? What about Panorama City, or Sylmar? This is just my initial reaction after moving here. Maybe my views will soften, who knows.
PS. I really can’t stand to see my garbage examined by 15 different homeless people each week. It’s just garbage, but I kind of like to know that it’s still private until it hits the incinerator.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 15, 2002. Read the original PDF.