By Ann Greenspun Santa Monica
Santa Monica has been my home for more than 27 years. I loved this town when I moved here and I love it today. While change is inevitable, it has not always changed for the better. Many who remember Santa Monica in the ’70s or earlier have despaired over the increase in the homeless population, traffic and crowding. Yet, despite these problems, the city continues to prosper. In many ways, this is a tribute to our active, caring community.
As we head into the upcoming election, the need for public participation is even more imperative. As a resident and member of the business community for many years, I have witnessed the impact of our city government — often positive, occasionally not. What makes Santa Monica so vibrant — its diversity — is also its greatest challenge. Bottom line, we need to work together as a community to see that the divergent interests are served. Whether renter, homeowner, business owner or day worker, everyone’s needs deserve to be considered.
That’s why it’s important to hear all the candidates, listen to all sides and make an informed decision. Too often elections are won on a single issue such as rent control or traffic. Yes, these are important, but so are the issues of homelessness, how we treat our open space and what we can do to balance the needs of business with the needs of residents. Nowhere is this more important than in a town that prides itself on its beautiful location, city services and tourism.
Our city’s resources aren’t endless. So it is true of the services it can provide. How the city budgets for its parks, senior services, educational institutions and future development should be prominent in the upcoming campaign for City Council. Let’s keep the leaders of our community accountable to the citizenry, focused on issues that reflect its core values, not the agendas of a limited few.
I, like most of you, care deeply about Santa Monica. Let’s make the best use of this election period to assure that our city maintains its unique and wonderful qualities. It is our home.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 8, 2004. Read the original PDF.