School bond measure proves divisive issue
CITYWIDE — There’s a saying that politics makes strange bedfellows.
That undoubtedly applies to the campaign to pass Proposition V — “The Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax” initiative on the Nov. 7 ballot that would raise an estimated $2.35 million to protect Santa Monica Bay from urban runoff and satisfy local, state and federal clean water standards.
Leading the campaign is Mark Gold, executive director of Heal The Bay, an environmental watchdog dedicated to enhancing water quality at local beaches.
It would seem logical that a group working to rid the coast of pollutants would be behind a measure intended to protect swimmers from becoming sick due to exposure to toxic levels of fecal bacteria.
Less logical perhaps, at least at first glance, is the partnership between Tim Dubois, who helps manage Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar, and Denny Zane, co-chair of Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, the city’s leading political party, which has often been at odds with the hospitality industry over development in the coastal zone and a living wage law that sparked a bitter battle four years ago; the effects of which still linger today.
The pairing of the two, while unusual, is seen by some as evidence that while Santa Monica politics can be divisive, the people who participate can put past differences behind them and work towards a common goal.
“You don’t see that happen every day,” Gold said of the cooperation between Dubois, who is helping to raise money from the hospitality industry, and Zane, who is devising a strategy to get out the vote.
“I think this is really symbolic of how important clean water is to Santa Monica,” Gold said. “What this basically tells you is that there are issues, which transcend any past history.”
The campaign in support of Measure V, which requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage, plans to raise and spend anywhere between $100,000 and $125,000. In order to succeed, both Dubois and Zane will have to work hand-in-hand, Gold said.
Such was evident on Friday, when Zane met with Dubois in his office to discuss their next steps.
“I have respect for Denny on this issue and he has respect for us. We have common goals on this one,” Dubois said. “That’s the great thing about Santa Monica. We can argue about certain things, but when something important for the community comes up, we can come together.”
Those opposed to Measure V, calling it wasteful spending that will only fatten the pockets of bureaucracy, said the Dubois- Zane partnership should raise red flags for voters.
“Basically, you have your politicos and your self-interest groups who are behind this measure,” said Peter Tigler, a local artist and co-chair of the No on Measure V campaign.
Tigler has joined forces with resident Don Gray of BaySmart.org and Citizens Against Unfair Taxes. They plan to raise less than $1,000 to avoid having to file campaign disclosure statements with the City Clerk’s Office.
“I know they are going to raise a lot more money than us, but money isn’t the issue, necessarily,” Tigler said. “The hotels have spent hundreds of thousands over the years to get candidates elected and to get certain measures passed or defeated... and they have a lousy batting average.”
THE EDUCATION GAP Perhaps the only other issue that unites people more than the environment is education. However, a $268-million bond measure to fund school safety and repair is generating some opposition, in particular from residents in Malibu who feel they should not have to pay for what ultimately will be the construction of new classrooms in Santa Monica to handle the influx of new residents sparked by condo development.
Mathew Millen, an attorney living in Santa Monica, has joined forces with Douglas O’Brien, a city of Malibu Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and former Malibu Mayor Joan House to mount an opposition campaign to the bond measure.
Millen said his group also plans to not raise more than $1,000 in order to avoid having to file campaign disclosure statements.
“We are going to be grass-roots,” Millen said. “We’re going to make some handmade lawn signs, write letters to the editor. We’re not going to raise $40,000 and send out slick mailers.”
Millen said he spent “a couple of hundred dollars” creating a web site, notaxhike2006.com, and will use that to help get the word out.
The No on Measure BB campaign will face some stiff competition from supporters off the measure — the Committee for School Safety & Repair 2006 — which has just over $35,000 to spend in the next three weeks.
The committee is comprised of members of Community For Excellent Public Schools and education advocates who supported Measure S — the six-year parcel tax of $225 per parcel that funds core curriculum at all Santa Monica-Malibu public schools.
“We’re phone banking, making phone calls and we have a walk scheduled for next Saturday, where we will go door to door,” said Ralph Mechur, a member of the district committee, which studied the feasibility of placing a bond on the ballot.
“We’ve done some absentee voter registration and we’ll do some regular mailings starting next week,” said Mechur. “We have members from the education community, business community and education activists, all working together and putting their differences aside for one common goal, to help public schools and their students.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 14, 2006. Read the original PDF.