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# ‘Hoping’ City Hall cleans up its act
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/hoping-city-hall-cleans-up-its-act-editor/
- Published: 2004-10-11T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:16:40.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Tom Larmore Santa Monica*

City official Judy Rambeau in her recent letter to the Daily Press (SMDP, Oct. 8, page 6) says she “hopes” people will continue patronizing Santa Monica businesses despite her acknowledgment that the city can’t even keep the alley between Fourth and Fifth streets clean for 30 minutes. Unfortunately “hope” is often one of the cru-elest words in the English language.

One can “hope” to make money in the stock market. However, without common sense continually applied, such a result is unlikely. One can also “hope” for good health while leading an unhealthy life. Hoping for something is virtually useless unless you actually take actions designed to accomplish the desired result.

It is clear from Ms. Rambeau’s letter that attempting to clean up messes regularly made by the homeless is hopeless despite her assertion that the city is doing its utmost to keep the area safe and sanitary. Whether they are doing their “utmost” may be questionable, what is certain, however, is that “hope” will never be sufficient and that current city policy offers little more.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 11, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/101104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)