HEDGES HIS BETS It all started around Thanksgiving 2002 when a City Hall inspector photographed Bobby Shriver’s hedges at 6 a.m. two days before the holiday. The 17-year resident then got a letter in his mailbox, threatening to fine him up to $25,000 a day until he trimmed his hedges to the allowable height of 42 inches.
Led by Shriver, other residents criminalized over their hedges quickly converged upon City Hall, which has decided to stop enforcing the 56-year-old hedge ordinance until it is rewritten.
It was that kind of method of operation that incensed Shriver enough to run for local office.
After mobilizing a group of homeowners and meeting with City Council members, as well as city planning officials, Shriver ran for City Council in an effort to change a government that he characterized as a bully.
During the campaign, it was realized that Shriver was just one of a group of local homeowners and residents who say the focus on illegal hedges was a symptom of a larger problem — that City Hall has grown increasingly out of touch with its citizens.
When Shriver hit the campaign trail, so did his high profile supporters, particularly his family. His uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy; his sister, California First Lady Maria Shriver; his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; and his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, all came to Santa Monica to canvass for Shriver.
But it wasn’t just America’s version of the royal family that showed up for Shriver. He was able to garner support from both sides of the political divide in Santa Monica. Members of the city’s ruling party for more than two decades — Santa Monicans for Renters Rights — campaigned for Shriver, and the local chamber of commerce endorsed him.
Shriver outspent his opponents nearly 2 to 1, raising more than $160,000. Several Hollywood luminaries were among those who donated to Shriver, who relied upon family and personal connections across the country to beef up his campaign war chest. Included as donors were actors Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Mel Brooks and Robert DeNiro. Singers Neil Diamond and Jon Bon Jovi also contributed, as did Motown legend Barry Gordy.
Money may have brought Shriver success in the election, but he also canvassed hard during the campaign — knocking on hundreds of doors, talking to thousands of residents and listening to their concerns. The expectations are high for Shriver, who got more votes than any candidate in 20 years in Santa Monica.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2004. Read the original PDF.