Police, fire associations make their endorsements
PUBLIC SAFETY BLDG. — For the first time in a decade, the local police and fire unions don’t completely see eye to eye on who should run City Hall.
The politically powerful Police Officer’s Association and the city’s Firefighter’s Association have announced which candidates they will back for four open City Council seats this fall. The police prefer two incumbents and two challengers while the firefighters would rather have three incumbents and one challenger.
The POA will prop up incumbents Mayor Richard Bloom and City Councilman Ken Genser, as well as newcomers Bobby Shriver and Patricia Hoffman. However, the Firefighter’s Association has thrown its support behind City Councilman Herb Katz instead of Hoffman. The Firefighter’s Association also endorsed Bloom, Genser and Shriver.
The 200-member POA decided not to endorse Katz and Mike Feinstein — both incumbents who were backed by the association four years ago.
Katz said he was pleased by the Firefighter’s Association support and surprised by the POA’s abandonment. The POA has previously endorsed Katz in his council bids.
“I really thought I was going to get their endorsement,” he said. “I saw no reason why I shouldn’t have gotten it... I haven’t changed one iota since I ran last time.”
Police questioned Katz’s comments made in recent weeks about his frustration being in the minority on the City Council. Police took that to mean he’s not as passionate as he once was. They also frowned upon his idea to create a “tent city” of sorts at a beach parking lot where homeless people could sleep and use portable restrooms.
Katz said he is passionate about being a City Council member and hopes to get more satisfaction from it by making changes to improve the entire community. He just needs more than one other council member to sway the votes to change City Hall’s policies.
“It’s not fun being a minority 5-2,” Katz said. “But this is a time to change this. I will win with or without them. There is no doubt I will win.”
The last time the two associations differed on their candidate slates was in 1994. But the disparity is not surprising to many political observers who would agree that the upcoming election is unique in many ways — both in terms of the people running for local office and who is coming out to support them.
Bloom, Genser and Hoffman have been endorsed by Santa Monicans For Renters’ Rights (SMRR), which has influenced city politics for much of the past 26 years. Shriver and Katz have been endorsed by the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, which is seen by many in the community as butting heads with SMRR on a regular basis.
Chamber officials hope that will their interests be represented on the council with Shriver and Katz. And Shriver’s connections to the federal and state governments is a favorable point to all that have endorsed him. Shriver is a member of the Kennedy family and brother-in-law to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Bobby Shriver understands the importance of public safety and the service that firefighters provide to our community,” said Ken Polhill, the president of the 102-member Firefighter’s Association, adding that Shriver’s problem-solving experience will serve Santa Monica residents well. “Santa Monica needs Bobby Shriver’s problem-solving approach. Members of the Santa Monica Firefighter’s Association will work hard to elect Shriver to the Santa Monica City Council.”
The Firefighter’s Association seven-member political action committee held joint interviews with the POA last week. The POA has backed nine of the 10 most recent City Council winners, and will likely serve as a powerful campaign force in the coming weeks. The POA has more than $60,000 in its campaign war chest, according to City Hall documents. The Firefighter’s Association has less money but plenty of volunteers who will knock on doors and walk precincts.
Genser said he’ll rely heavily on those efforts.
“I’m honored by the results,” Genser said. “These are the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us. It’s personally meaningful to me.”
Shriver and Bloom last week also received the endorsement of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.
“I am proud that Santa Monica Democrats believe that I can create effective strategies for dealing with homelessness, traffic, parking, affordable housing and open space in Santa Monica,” said Shriver, who was appointed by former Governor Gray Davis to the California’s State Parks and Recreation Commission.
The last endorsement seen as key to local candidates is the Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees, an organization comprised of 1,400 city workers who have not been sworn into their positions. Members include all city employees ranging from park maintenance workers to clerical staff.
The coalition’s political action committee interviewed candidates during the same meeting as the POA and Firefighter’s Association. It’s unknown when the coalition will make its endorsements.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 22, 2004. Read the original PDF.