By Michael Snider Santa Monica
The proposed draconian smoking ban seems absolutely insane when it comes to the economy of Santa Monica. It will drive people away from restaurants and bars here to other nearby areas. Furthermore, enforcement will prove impossible, and could have racist implications, as enforcement could be used to target non-whites and the poor of all races. It would complete the transformation of our city into an enclave for the wealthy and the homeless, as well as the residents in the new low-income housing, with no one in between (and does anyone seriously believe the city would enforce it against the homeless?) Personally, I’m tired of Santa Monica’s need to prove itself “progressive” by endorsing wacky ideas while ignoring the basic problems of the city such as homelessness citywide and violence in and around Virginia Avenue Park. I wish the City Council would pay more attention to the unglamorous business of actually governing efficiently, like Culver City and even fellow “progressive” small westside city West Hollywood does. The City Council seems intent on sabotaging what good aspects Santa Monica has and putting forth new and nutty novelties.
I personally cannot wait to leave Santa Monica with what it is turning into. And the City Council deserves most of the blame.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 2, 2006. Read the original PDF.