> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Richard Bloom on living in Santa Monica's Sunset Park neighborhood - URL: https://www.smdp.com/richard-bloom/ - Published: 2004-10-23T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T05:19:52.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homelessness Philosophy on life? Every person should help to heal the world. What keeps you up at night? I don’t have a problem sleeping. I’m exhausted when I go to bed. Moved from: West Hollywood. Age: 51 Profession: Family law attorney and mediator. Alternative career. What you do if you weren’t employed in your current profession? Firefighter, musician or sculptor. How long have you lived in Santa Monica? 23 years. What neighborhood do you live in? Sunset Park. Why did you choose to live here? To be near the ocean in a livable neighborhood with clean air and mild weather. Rent or own? Own. Favorite place in Santa Monica? The top of the Pacific Park ferris wheel. Worst thing about living in Santa Monica? Being hemmed in by communities with deplorable land use policies. How many cars do you own? I jointly own two cars with my wife, which we share with our son, Zac and soon, Emmett. What do you drive? A Toyota Prius Hybrid when I can get it away from my wife and son, otherwise, our Toyota Sienna minivan. If you could have dinner with three people from history, alive or dead, who would they be? Why? Three of my four grandparents, who died while I was still a young child. I miss not having been able to get to know them better. Favorite quote? At the present time it is: “Never give up, never surrender.” From the movie “Galaxy Quest.” Pet peeves? Intolerance, bullies, “billboard vehicles” (trucks with no purpose other than toting billboards around, wasting gas and adding to congestion.) I intend to introduce an ordinance prohibiting them in Santa Monica. How do you take the edge off? (How do you relieve stress). I take a deep breath, take walks and take my wife’s advice. What’s your biggest accomplishment in life? My two children. What’s your biggest disappointment in life? I have deep regret over the difficulty of maintaining friendships, due to time constraints, since I was elected. Tell us one thing people would be surprised to know about you. I enjoy singing. Fetishes? Are you kidding? Hobbies/interests. How do you spend your recreational time? Reading, gardening, baking, traveling and sleeping. What’s the last live performance you saw? The Santa Monica Symphony; Van Morrison and Dianne Reeves; most of the Pier Concert Series. Last book you read? “The da Vinci Code.” Have you ever been arrested? If yes, what for? No. Family: Marital status. Number of children? Married, 24 years. Two children, Zac, 17, Emmett, 15. Endorsed by: Santa Monicans for Renters Rights Santa Monica Firefighters Association, Santa Monica Police Officers Association, Coalition of Santa Monica City Employees, United Transportation Union, SEIU–Local 660, Santa Monica Democratic Club, Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, Americans for Democratic Action, The Coalition to Protect the Living Wage, State Senator Sheila Kuehl, Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, Sherrif Leroy Baca Public service/political experience? I was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in April, 1999\. I served as Mayor Pro Tem (2000-2001) and, since December 2002, as Mayor. Among other duties, I have been the council’s liaison to the Commission for the Senior Community, Library Board, Recreation and Park Commission, Civic Center Task Force, Social Services Commission and Bayside District Board (which oversees Santa Monica’s downtown and Third Street Promenade). In 2003, I was appointed to serve on the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission and became a Blue Ribbon Panel member of “Bring L.A. Home” a coalition of leaders who are developing a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Los Angeles County. I now serve on the organization’s Executive Committee and as a member of its Resource Group. 6C6, I have served on numerous boards of directors over the years, including the Santa Monica Democratic Club, the American Red Cross of Santa Monica and the Friends of Sunset Park. I am a member of the State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Los Angeles County, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills Bar Associations, Temple Beth Shir Sholom, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, the Sierra Club, California League of Conservation Voters, National League of Cities, California League of Cities and Local Government Commission. Political affiliation: Democratic party Educational background: I received a degree in communications and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley (1974) and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, Calif. (1978). 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? I don’t have a “policy change” agenda. My approach to elected office is to listen to the constituents of our city, my fellow councilmembers and our city staff, and only legislate where necessary to improve our city. For example, when the recent controversy arose over hedge height enforcement, the issue was brought to us at the behest of numerous members of the community. We held two council meetings that encouraged and accepted considerable public comment. The council responded decisively by enacting a moratorium and directing staff to make changes to conform to community expectations. Contrary to others, I believe that this is an example of a government that is working and doing what local government does best: Being highly responsive to the community. DDA, My method for achieving majority votes is simple. I pay close attention to the positions of councilmembers and then find common ground. These are the same skills that I use in mediation in my professional life. There is much more to leadership then council meetings and votes. I have led with civility, compassion and rational dialogue, based on the belief that we do our best when we work collaboratively. Our best leaders are also our best listeners. One of my primary jobs is to make certain that public process is open and vibrant — lest the only people we listen to are ourselves. Those who pay close attention to our council meetings have seen that I am at my best when leading on difficult issues — for example on homelessness or in crafting the compromise on education funding when none seemed possible. If re-elected, I will continue to lead this way because I have only grown more passionate about our community and have never enjoyed (save having children) a more enriching experience. Question #2: In 300 words or less, convince the public on why they should vote for you. In my prior campaigns, I was fond of saying “I’ll do whatever it takes to preserve and improve Santa Monica’s unique heritage and quality of life.” Over these past few years in office, I have made good on my promise. As Santa Monica’s Mayor, I have: — Presided over unparalleled improvement and expansion of our parks. — Led the fight to preserve the quality of our neighborhoods. — Worked tirelessly to keep Santa Monica safe. — Negotiated the historic compromise that adds $3 million in new city funding for our public schools. — Used my skills as a mediator to bring opposing sides together. — Ensured that council meetings are respectful, conducted without rancor, allowing every person to be heard in an open process. — Enacted the toughest airport noise ordinance in the country and taken important other steps to deal with the terrible problems caused by jet traffic at our airport. — Insisted on fiscally responsible spending policies. We are a phenomenal, beautiful city that each of us should feel privileged to live in. But, we are not without our problems. So, there is a lot more work to do and I have much more to contribute. If re-elected, I will focus my energy on bringing regional solutions to bear on homelessness and transportation, ending gun and gang violence and vigilantly protecting our neighborhoods from irresponsible over development. I want to continue to lead our community on the important work of making Santa Monica a great place for all of us. Question #3: In 300 words or less, what will be your top three priorities the first year of holding office? The community has more than three priorities and there is no “magic number” of priorities. Some of the community’s priorities, and, therefore, mine are: 1\. Making certain that the regional approach to ending homelessness takes root. 2\. Ending gun and gang violence. 3\. Finding creative ways (Expo light rail, shuttle bus systems, etc.) to reduce traffic congestion. 4\. Reforming our development review process while still maintaining our tradition of public participation and protecting our residential neighborhoods. 5\. Maintaining our excellent public schools, programs for youth and seniors and increasing access to music and art. 6\. Sustaining our commitment to fiscal responsibility so that we can accomplish all of the above. OPTIONAL: Is there an afterlife? Believe in extraterrestrials? What’s the meaning of life? 0 2 E 3 21 4 4E 5 69 6 AB 5 B6 6 C7 7 CC 8 CF 7 DB 8 FD 7 150 8 174 7 19D 8 1A7 7 1C9 8 1D6 7 1F7 8 247 7 254 8 259 7 279 8 2A3 7 2CD 8 30F 7 329 8 383 7 396 8 3FF 7 45E 8 4E0 7 4F0 8 54C 7 558 8 62C 7 667 8 6A5 7 6D1 8 6E2 7 70E 8 77F 7 7BE 8 7CF 7 7D9 8 7EA 7 7FD 8 85A 7 884 8 8E0 7 8F5 8 909 7 937 8 93C 7 967 8 99E 7 9AA 8 B5A 7 B7F 8 10B2 7 10C9 8 117C 7 1188 8 1189 7 1238 8 1490 9 153D 8 1933 7 193F 8 1940 7 198B 8 1F63 7 1FCF 8 22AD 7 231C 7 *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)