A funny thing happened on the way to the election. People started to get real. Last week, I attended an informal gathering of neighborhood group leaders and grass-roots community activists who get together from time to time to discuss politics.
I’d written in these pages eight weeks ago that changes were coming to Santa Monica’s Farmers’ Markets. It all started when local merchants — primarily Main Street restaurateurs — wanted in on the lucrative action at the Main Street Farmers’ Market.
Those of us among the teeming masses who live in multi-family residential neighborhoods are generally satisfied with city services. But there’s room for improvement.
The Santa Monica Democratic Club (the operative word here is “club”) Executive Committee last week picked its favorite candidates for local races in the November election.
Public benefits are a major aspect of City Hall’s General Plan update (known as the Land Use and Circulation Element, or LUCE) approved a couple months ago by the City Council.
The ruckus began after members of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights gathered for their annual convention to endorse candidates for local races this November.
In a few weeks, the 2010 election season will begin in earnest. Most serious candidates have been working on their campaigns for months and a lot of ducks are already in rows.
The Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights annual convention Aug. 1 was a hoot and a half. SMRR members voted to endorse candidates for City Council, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, Santa Monica College Board of Trustees and the Rent Control Board.
A few weeks ago, the City Council approved placing a half cent sales tax increase on the November ballot. If approved, the “proposed “transaction and use tax” would increase the current 9.
Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights political leaders have called the shots In Santa Monica for more than three decades. The organization’s core beliefs center around affordable housing, tenants rights, social services and sustainability to name a few.
“In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.” — Benjamin Franklin Last Tuesday, the City Council approved a ballot measure that will permanently add another half percent to the current 9.
Christopher Harding is one of Santa Monica’s most successful lawyers. His developer, auto dealer and real estate clients have made Chris a wealthy and powerful man in the community and his law firm the “go-to” place for land use issues.
