“Do you think it’s fair that Santa Monica should absorb the costs in an effort to balance the county budget” by moving criminal cases out of the city and to the Airport Courthouse?
Here are your responses: ■ “I don't think it’s fair that Santa Monica has to absorb the entire cost in an effort to balance the county budget. I do not think Santa Monica should be alone in this.” ■ “I think everybody that lives in Santa Monica should use the courthouse in Santa Monica. People who live near the airport should use the courthouse by the airport. Why do we have to keep moving things around?” ■ “Santa Monica should pay its share. It is also interesting to note that Santa Monica city attorney lawyers will now have to practice real law in front of real judges, whose decisions will not be slanted toward Santa Monica’s city hall.” ■ “I support what their needs are, if they want to move to the airport, give it to them. I don’t think that the police department here has always been fair to women, but I will always support the local police.” ■ “It’s frustrating to learn that they are going to move the cases to LAX because county and all government spending for that matter is out of control. They don’t have enough money to try cases in criminal court but they have millions of dollars for new jury rooms and new courtrooms? Give me a break. The public is getting tired of this.” ■ “Los Angeles couldn’t manage its money when it had a surplus, let alone when they are in the red. This shouldn’t be Santa Monica’s problem. We have enough. And another $500,000 in costs to move prisoners to LAX will definitely impact Santa Monica.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.