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# Matt Dinolfo on Santa Monica's traffic, health care and sense of community
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/matt-dinolfo/
- Published: 2004-10-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:19:56.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Pier, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

Age: 57 Profession: Physician/university teacher. Alternative career. What you do if you weren’t employed in your current profession? Architect. How long have you lived in Santa Monica? 24 years. What neighborhood do you live in? North of Montana Avenue. Why did you choose to live here? Because of the diversity of the city, its extraordinary health care facilities, the excellent schools, the beautiful coastline and sense of community. Rent or own? Own. Favorite place in Santa Monica? Palisades Park and the pier. Worst thing about living in Santa Monica? Traffic. How many cars do you own? What do you drive? Two. I drive a Nissan Z. If you could have dinner with three people from history, alive or dead, who would they be? Why? Abraham Lincoln: He was able to articulate in the simplest terms the agony of the Civil War. Leonardo da Vinci: He must have been the most amazing, visionary teacher. Mahatma Ghandi: His enduring humanity and compassion, and his sense of sacrifice for what he believed in. Favorite quote? “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” Pet peeves? Mean-spirited people. How do you take the edge off? How do you relieve stress?) I read. What’s your biggest accomplishment in life? My children and my marriage. What’s your biggest disappointment in life? That my father died before he could see me graduate from medical school. Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you. That I was voted “Best Dancer” in my high school graduating class. Fetishes? Actually, I collect Zuni Indian carvings that are called fetishes. Hobbies/interests. How do you spend your recreational time? Reading, movies, travel, going out with my family. What’s the last live performance you saw? Crosby, Stills & Nash Last book you read? “Guns, Germs and Steel, The Fates of Human Societies” by Jared Diamond Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what for? No. Family: Marital status: Married for 14 years to my wife Melissa. Number of children? Two, Philip, 12; Adrianna, 10\. Endorsed by: I am proud to be recognized as a “Reliable Supporter of Education” by the Community for Excellent Public Schools, and to have been endorsed by the Santa Monica Pier Lessees and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. In addition, I am honored to have received many personal endorsements from community leaders active in education, community advocacy, city government, and the medical and business communities.

In no particular order, and with apologies to the many more I do not have room to name, I would like to thank the following people for their endorsements: The Honorable Bob Holbrook, Abby Arnold, Chris Volaski, Nat Trives, Jean McNeil Wyner, George Rosenthal, Shane McLoud, Margaret Quinones, Carol Coote, Shari Davis, Harry Keilly, Annette Shamey, Piedad Robertson, Leslie Mintz, Pablo De La Rosa, Mary Anne La Guardia, Josefina Aranda, Babette Heimbuch, William Spurgin, Bob Gabriel, Lauri and Dennis Crane, Ellen Conrad, John and Sharon Lee, Joy Horowitz and Brock Walsh, Leslie Wizan, Richard Corlin, Charles Pietrafesa, Walid Ghurabi, Chris Harding and Tricia Crane. Public service/political experience? Candidate, Santa Monica City Council 2002, Campaigned for Measure EE, Member, 2002- 2003 Measure S Task Force, Campaigned for CEPS Charter Amendment, Member, Community for Excellent Public Schools, Member, For The Arts, SMMEF. I was instrumental in bringing affordable, high quality health care to Santa Monica through my leadership in physician organizations; active advocacy for the establishment of managed care networks; and my chairmanship of the UCLA Community Practice Network which oversees millions of dollars of health care resources for Santa Monica residents. Political affiliation: Democrat. Educational background: Doctor of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich., Master of Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich. Question #1: In 300 words or less, answer this: If you were elected into office, what would be the first policy change you would make? How would you ensure a majority vote on that policy? The first policy change I would make is to address homelessness. Among the many things I’d do to control the homelessness problem are: reconvene the Homeless Task Force; work regionally to increase transitional housing; enforce the local ordinances banning feedings in the parks, and transfer the feedings to shelters where they can be tied to receipt of social services. Simply feeding people is not effective, active intervention to discern and address the multiple causes of homelessness is necessary.

I’d also aggressively pursue available government funding, and focus social services on equipping people who are eligible for benefits to be able to go through the application processes needed to receive them. I’d take a substantive look at cities that have had more success with this issue, for example, Philadelphia. Any best practices that can be imported, should be. I’d also establish benchmarks to evaluate existing programs and close those who do not meet them. I’d like to work with Bring LA Home as it brings us closer to regional solutions.

To implement these policies I believe that I bring two qualities to the table. As a physician I am well qualified to evaluate programs and determine if they are successful, particularly those dealing with mental health and substance abuse. But in the end success depends upon character and leadership. I believe that I have the intensity, the integrity, and the drive to work this problem until solutions can be found. Question #2: In 300 words or less, convince the public on why they should vote for you. I believe that there is a crisis of leadership in Santa Monica. The current City Council focuses more on process than on outcomes. Their priorities are not our priorities. Homelessness and vagrancy are out of control, traffic is steadily worsening, and our quality of life is suffering. The city is divided by competition and ill will between special interest groups.

Through my work in the medical community I have been established as a proven leader and consensus-builder. I have the ability to engage disparate parties around a table and bring them to agreement. I am a practical, moderate, focused person who can reliably identify the critical issue at hand and drive the group to a solution. Every organization that I have joined, I have been elected to lead; and in every organization that I have led, there has been unity of purpose and accomplishment of goals.

In addition, to my contribution to the City Council in terms of leadership, I also bring a unique background and perspective. Being a physician will allow me to better prepare the city for the impact of opening two major medical centers. It will allow me to critically evaluate social programs and medical assistance programs for our elderly, indigent, and homeless populations. I have many years’ experience in all aspects of financial management, and a proven ability to design and execute long-range strategies. Through my commitment to the public schools, I will strengthen the relationship between the City Council and the School District. These skills will work to better the community for all of our residents.

Finally, electing me throws open a door for other people, of other backgrounds, who have had the same commitment to the city that I have but have been discouraged from seeking public office. Question #3: In 300 words or less, what will be your top three priorities the first year of holding office? Focusing on homelessness and vagrancy. Reconvening the Homeless Task Force. Working regionally to increase transitional housing. Enforcing local ordinances banning park feedings. Redirecting feedings to shelters with ties to social services.

Addressing critical issues affecting public safety including neighborhood violence, traffic, and Santa Monica Airport noise and air quality concerns.

Making certain that city funding supports public education, including early childhood development programs. Adding to city parks and green space.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 23, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/102304.pdf?ref=smdp.com)