By Lori Emerson Santa Monica
In response to “SM Takes Final Public Puffs” (SMDP, Oct. 12, Page 1) and City Councilman Herb Katz’s comment that “we always hear about these fears of losing tourism, So what?”: How typical of our council, not giving a rat’s ass about businesses or commerce, while pouring millions of taxpayer dollars into enabling rotting bums to ruin every inch of this city.
Mr. Katz talks about saving lives, and not caring about this city losing money. He must have forgotten that tourism dollars and tax revenue from businesses are what makes this city tick. He must have forgotten that tourists, residents, citizens and voters want to be safe from crime. He must have forgotten that it takes revenue to pay for police and emergency services. He must have forgotten that he was elected to put this community’s best interests and safety first.
I am sure that I am not alone in the conclusion that my tax dollars are better spent ridding this city of the law-breaking bums,rather than paying for some ticket-writing hall monitors looking for puffs of smoke.
As a former smoker, and one who despises it these days, I, like most non-smokers, don’t like to smell smoke while walking or dining anywhere — I do believe that secondhand smoke is a health hazard, but let’s get real here. The bum and urine stench that permeates this city is far worse.
Breathing ammonia, dodging jumping head lice and fending off overly aggressive freeloading beggars is what is hazardous in this city. If only our city leaders would create the same brouhaha, attention and audience over the vagrant problem.
Our city leaders still don’t have their priorities straight — no matter how much they hear,they just don’t get it. The fact that they would make such a big deal out of the smoking issue, endorse an ordinance and openly encourage a decrease of tax revenue, is beyond comprehension. Santa Monica is now Skid Row West and Herb Katz and his council partners refuse to acknowledge it. It’s unbelievable. It’s very frustrating. It’s inexcusable. It’s upsetting. It’s nerve racking.
There they go again, our useless council — doing absolutely nothing about the biggest problem we have here... I think I need a cigarette.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 20, 2006. Read the original PDF.