The healing begins of second-hand smoke, the City Council passed an extensive smoking ban that went into effect on Thanksgiving. The ban makes it almost impossible for tobacco lovers to light up, except in the privacy of their own home or in designated areas, such as those on the Santa Monica Pier.
The ban includes the Third Street Promenade, the farmers’ markets, all outdoor dining and services areas, bus stops, ATM lines, information kiosks, theater lines, and within 20 feet of any entrances or windows open to the public.
Smoking is also prohibited inside all public buildings, parks, the beach and portions of the pier.
Those who violate the law are subject to a $250 fine.
Many business owners and hotel operators fought its passage, claiming it would drive customers away, however, elected officials were not convinced and unanimously passed the ban.
The vote came on the heels of a report by the U.S. surgeon general that concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke, which is the smoke that individuals breathe when they are located in the same air space as someone puffing on a cigarette, cigar or pipe filled with tobacco.
The council’s preliminary approval of the ban was seen by advocates, including the American Cancer Society, as a major victory for public health in light of the fact that nearly half of all non-smoking Americans are still regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.
Environmentalists were also pleased with the council following a vote in December to ban all non-recyclable plastic food service containers, including Styrofoam.
Citing numerous studies documenting the prevalence of expanded polystyrene and other non-recyclables landing in storm drains and on beaches, causing residents to pay thousands in clean-up costs, the council, with a unanimous vote, directed staff in June to draft a law banning the products heavily used by restaurants, delis, grocery stores and non-profit and for profit groups serving prepared food.
The law also forces City Hall to serve food only in containers made from biodegradable materials.
By passing the ban, Santa Monica joined more than 100 other cities across that country that enacted a similar law.
When the ban on non-recyclable plastics was first proposed, restaurant owners, backed by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the California Restaurant Association (CRA), argued against it, claiming it would hurt them financially because of the added cost associated with more environmentally-friendly materials that they say have been found to not perform as well as Styrofoam and other plastics.
Elected officials and other supporters said YEAR IN REVIEW, from page 15 the environmental costs associated with non-recyclable plastics far outweigh costs business may incur considering Styrofoam,even when it is disposed of properly, can break into thousands of smaller pieces that are so light they float on water and are easily carried by the wind. Marine animals and birds have been found to consume the plastic foam which results in reduced appetite and nutrient absorption and possible starvation.
In December, the council also voted to ban genetically-engineered plants from community gardens out of fear that the mutant plants would damage soil and help the development of “super pests” that would be resistant to existing, environmentally friendly pest deterrents. 3) VIOLENCE CLAIMING INNOCENCE Gang members continued to wreak havoc on the Pico Neighborhood, taking the lives of two young men who were simply walking down the street when they were the targets of senseless violence.
The first fatality was Eduardo “Eddie”Lopez, a popular athlete and straight-A-student at Samohi who was shot and killed in February by a suspected gang member while he and two of his friends were hanging out near the corner of 26th Street and Pico Boulevard one Tuesday night. Lopez’death sparked outrage in the community as well as a march through the streets of the Pico Neighborhood in which youth called for an end to gang violence.The community rallied behind the Lopez family, hosting events in his honor, including a tree planting ceremony.
Police are still searching for Lopez’ killer. Following Lopez’ death, the shootings seemed to quell. But once the summer rolled around, Pico was once again the scene of several gang-related shootings that took place in broad daylight, signaling a change in tactics by gang members.
None proved fatal until earlier this week when Miguel Angel Martin was murdered by a suspected gang member,who most likely came from outside of the city.Police said Martin was walking on Pico Boulevard near 23rd Street with two friends when a car pulled up and a young Hispanic man began yelling the name of a street gang and opened fire.Martin was hit in the back as he tried to run for cover.He died a few hours later at a local hospital.
A car wash is scheduled for this weekend at St. Anne’s Church to help raise money for Martin’s family. 2) FINAL CHAPTER FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE The year brought closure to many families whose lives were forever altered by the Farmers’ Market tragedy in 2003. George Russell Weller, the 89-year-old charged with the deaths of 10 people when he plowed his Buick LeSabre through a crowded Farmers’ Market, was found guilty in October of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge sentenced Weller to house arrest and probation due to his failing health and the potential cost to taxpayers, who would be responsible for Weller’s medical care if sentenced to prison. Weller was facing an 18-year sentence. A civil trial remains.
Another high-profile case was concluded this year when an ex-con who pretended to be a producer working on a James Bond film so that he could lure young women and rape them was sentenced this summer to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of Kristi Johnson, a 21-year-old Santa Monica woman whose body was found three years ago at the bottom of a ravine in the Hollywood Hills.
Victor Paleologus made a plea after weeks of graphic testimony by several women who said they had been duped by the former restaurateur. Johnson’s family confronted Paleologus, who showed no emotion during sentencing.
The trial of a 19-year-old Santa Monica man charged with killing Jalonnie Carter came to a close this month when the jury returned a guilty verdict, bringing to an end three years of suffering for the Carter family.
It took a jury five days to find Mathew Felix Vargas, 19, responsible for Carter’s murder. Vargas, a suspected gang member who went by the name of “Lil Rooster,”will be sentenced Jan. 23. He faces life in prison if convicted.
Carter, who was known by friends and family as “Little Bear” and “Pooh Bear,” was shot in the back in the alley east of 20th Street with a.22-caliber bullet that pierced his heart on Sept. 2, 2003. He died a few hours later at a local hospital. 1) CHANGING OF THE GUARD The year was marked by several significant departures and arrivals in local government, as well as the school district and SMC, sparking optimism and hope for a new beginning and a new way of interacting with the public.
The most notable change came with the hiring of City Manager Lamont Ewell, who has enacted reforms in City Hall in efforts to make it more responsive to the public, most notably, new customer service standards. Ewell oversaw the completion of the largest budget in city history — nearly $458 million — and has designed a new organizational structure for City Hall that is intended to streamline operations. Ewell also had to hire a new finance director, police chief and fill a vacancy in resource management.
Following Ewell was Dr. Chui Tsang, who replaced Dr. Piedad F. Robertson as president of SMC. Robertson held the post for nearly a decade, leaving the job during a time of unprecedented growth and in the wake of controversy over cutting academic programs because of a faltering budget.
Tsang, an immigrant from China who worked his way up to become president of San Jose City College before committing to SMC, vowed to heal a rocky relationship between faculty and the administration. During his tenure, faculty ended contentious contract negotiations, the college opened a performing arts center and is well on its way to completing a new Liberal Arts facility on its main campus, as well as the Music and Performing Arts Center at the Madison Campus.
Many were shocked and disappointed when schools Superintendent John Deasy bolted for the East Coast in March, looking to take on greater challenges as the top education official in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Deasy, who joined the district in 2001, left Santa Monica-Malibu in good shape, as grades for all students continue to improve.
However, his absence created a feeling of uncertainty that was only compounded by the departures of Assistant Superintendent Mike Matthews and chief academic officer Donna Muncey.
Following an extensive, nationwide search, the school board in July chose Superintendent Dianne Talarico from Canton, Ohio, to lead the SMMUSD. After a brief honeymoon period, Talarico is now faced with a budget crisis and the departure of finance director Winston Braham, in addition to calls from African-American and Latino parents to close the achievement gap for students of color.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 30, 2006. Read the original PDF.