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# Listen up, council
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/listen-up-council-editor/
- Published: 2004-02-12T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T03:46:44.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Brian A. Gray, Sr.*

I could not believe my ears but it was true. City Councilman Kevin McKeown at Tuesday’s City Council meeting said that the reason that the council was working so hard on the noise ordinance was because the people had given the council a mandate to improve the “quality of life” in Santa Monica. Who do you think your kidding, Kevin? You have all the homeless running around Santa Monica that people want you to get rid of and you invite more in. Your council members burden business with all these stupid regulations that has them running and you say that is “quality of life.” You, more than anyone, always yelling about civil rights when your very own city is the most racist and civil right violating town to be found. Yet you talk about a mandate from the people? What people? Get real, Kevin. Average people have been telling you a different story if you were listening, but unless they have money for you or help you get reelected, you don’t listen. Of course, do any of the council members listen? But that’s another story.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 12, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021204.pdf?ref=smdp.com)