On 12 April 2016, 3,806 days ago, the Pico Neighborhood Association brought suit against the City of Santa Monica for unfair elections. They sought to change the election of the members of the City Council from "At-Large" to "Districts".
Why did they do this? Perhaps because in the seventy (70) years since Santa Monica adopted at-large voting in Dec 1946, of the 64 persons who had been elected prior to 2016, only 3 or 4.7% had been Hispanic or Persons of Color. Since then, of the 16 persons who have served, 5 or 31% have been Hispanic or Persons of Color. Do you think the Lawsuit influenced the City Council when ALL three of the persons first SELECTED - Jara, McCowan, Negrete - were Hispanic or Persons of Color?
Let's get real, do you really think the Uller Pedophile horror would have gone on for twenty years if it were NOT in the Pico Neighborhood? Even today, does it seem "fair and equitable" that the Homeless Intake Shelter will be moved into the Pico Neighborhood?
Let's put aside, if we can, the racist and ethnic history of discrimination in Santa Monica - similar to America's history. For me, after public safety, the ultimate logic is that the first priorities are for each NEIGHBORHOOD. People living in Ocean Park have different priorities than those in Wilmont; North of Montana residents - the 6th most expensive ZIP code in the US - have different priorities than people living in the Pico Neighborhood. That is not racist or ethnic, it's simple geography, and why the people live in the neighborhoods they want and can afford.
Let's get basic, we want someone to represent us and our neighborhood FIRST. It's why the US in 1842 made district representation the rule for states in Congress; it's why Los Angeles adopted district representation in 1925, and why the majority of cities in CA and the US elect their City Council Members by district. Our new City Manager spent four years at the City of Irvine, which elects its City Council by districts and its mayor at large.
Let's talk about cost. The most recent estimate is that as of 30 June 2025, the City had paid $14.4MM to its outside law firm to defend against the Pico Neighborhood Association. That works out to $4,278 per day over the 3,806 days ending 30 June 2025. The new City Council took office on 10 Dec 2024, and over its 642 days in office as of 12 Sep 2026, it has been responsible for $2,745,193 of these legal fees. By the time of the next court date, 22 Feb 2027, another 162 days or $694,379 in costs will have been incurred, making the new City Council responsible for $3,439,572 in legal fees over a lawsuit that could have been settled for ZERO ten years ago. They can stop the bleeding NOW!
Why have members of the City Council over the last decade and the last 21 months continued to fight district representation for OUR neighborhoods? "Cui Bono" - who benefits?
Four years ago, City Council members Zwick and Torosis each spent more than $50,000 of their own money to get elected over all seven districts. What if they or anyone else could afford just $7,000 of their own money on their own district? Doesn't that give a larger number of potential candidates? Don't we want "diversity" in our City Government, not just ethnic and racial?
Estimates for the current median household incomes for the City of Santa Monica are: $115,000 Zip Codes:
90401 - $110,400;
90402 - $159,000;
90403 - $121,900;
90404 - $95,100; and
90405 - 121, 200.
Last year the City of Santa Monica celebrated its 150th Birthday. I've lived here continuously since Oct 1996, after first living here briefly in 1967 and1987. I moved here permanently because my children were off to college; in SM it has No Snow, No Ice, 8 Blocks to the Beach, less than an hour to an International Airport, and a major metro area where I could find a job. I have enjoyed living here and until Memorial Day, 31 May 2020, had only minor "issues" with Santa Monica's government. That day was SM's wake-up call. It brought into the open the mistakes and failures that had been festering too long in our Public Safety, Homeless Solutions, Economic & Financial Vulnerability, Education, etc.
It has been more than six years and we are still struggling. It has been more than 80-years, and we still refuse to give Power to the Neighborhoods, Power to the People. The Neighborhoods are where people are most affected and can most quickly improve OUR city.
Finally, OUR City Council Members CAN STOP the Hemorrhaging of $1.6MM a year, $4,300 a day on a Lawsuit that Prevents Power to the Neighborhoods. WE, citizens of Santa Monica, can elect those who will vote to stop the Hemorrhaging.
Monday, 22 Feb 2027, LA Superior Court, Case # BC816804
Pico Neighborhood Association vs City of Santa Monica
162-Days!
POWER to the People!
POWER to the NEIGHBORHOODS!
John Medlin
Santa Monica 90403