By Joanne Gamlin Santa Monica
The Daily Press was sternly lectured in the letters section on July 12 from City Council member Pam Connor and David Busch, editor of the homeless newspaper, “Making Changes...”
Although I take no position on either argument, I do want to underline that overall the Daily Press has had a positive influence on the city. For example, despite the transportation department’s contention that the downtown transit mall speeds up traffic, residents emphatically disagree as demonstrated in their Q-Line comments in the same July 12 issue.
Likewise, the SMDP also shines a light — perhaps too bright for some — on city council actions. Confronted by a sizable budget shortfall, the city, according to the newspaper, resolved to fund a park but not affordable housing. Without the newspaper, these decisions were likely to go unnoticed, and voters would go to the November polls clueless as to the city council’s decisions.
Similarly, without the SMDP, the uptick in street crime would go unreported. Consequently, I think the newspaper is entitled to take a bow for the positive impact it has had on resident awareness.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 19, 2002. Read the original PDF.