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# SMRR has limited concerns
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/smrr-has-limited-concerns-editor/
- Published: 2005-05-25T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:11:54.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Ken Karmiole Santa Monica*

On Friday, May 20, “letter to the editor” writer Ben Boothe (SMDP, May 20, page 4) offered some advice to our city fathers concerning the homeless population. In the end he states, “You know if they (the large homeless population) don’t leave, people and companies like mine will leave.”

Dear Ben: I’m sorry to tell you, but the SMRR leadership of our city could care less. You are a business owner and property owner. Your voice doesn’t really matter. In fact, you are the enemy, plain and simple. You threaten their political power base, which in our city is built on renters, who for decades have been fooled into maintaining the status quo of SMRR’s liberal agenda. Issues such as the “living wage,” low-income housing, the unionization of our beach hotels, renter’s rights, and homeless services are their main concerns. A healthy environment for businesses and fair property/development rights are prime concerns of most cities, but not Santa Monica. That’s the way it is.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 25, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052505.pdf?ref=smdp.com)