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# The inmates are going mad
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-inmates-are-going-mad-editor/
- Published: 2003-03-03T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:42:21.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Montana, #archive-import

*By Natalie C. Morris*

Par for the course for our City Council to create the NEED for “Proposition A.” It’s typical and true-to-form for Santa Monica’s “governing” group since about 1978, when Santa Monica stopped being a “community” and the inmates began running the asylum (sound a teeny bit like Berkeley?) I know whereof I speak. I’ve lived in this family home for 50 years and have watched the deterioration of leadership, culture, beauty, and total lack of regard or respect for property owner’s natural rights. Recent revolting example: Property owners receive no information, let alone VOTE, in regards to the Santa Monica incline (a rather “historic” area for those who know) being spoiled by an ugly, abominable “structure” looming up without warning (from hell or outerspace?) But I digress. A historic district does not have multitudes of houses that were built within the last 40 years let alone the MANY built since the ’80s. Even my area (Georgina, Marguerita, Alta, etc.) have lonely homes no older than 10 years. ALL home owners MUST be able to change appearances, improve, sell or demolish what THEY own, unless this is no longer America (hmmm-um-mm)??

My home, having been built in 1910 is some kind of natural landmark because of its age and history. However, it cannot be called a Historic Landmark unless the exterior is exactly the same as the original! We bought the house in 1952 and immediately changed the front, sides and back, improving and restoring the property, and to this day the work goes on to keep up and improve the house and property. In the ’90s I sought to exceedingly improve the entire back area but the city of Santa Monica (surprise) in its infinite wisdom and sense of community, blocked my project, causing so much interference, phony “laws” and silly, maddening “rules” (their Project 10 was unconstitutional, for one) that the entire improvement took three times as long, over three times more expensive and over three years of nervous frustration and headache, etc. So much disdain from a city to a property owner who clearly remembers Santa Monica applauding our initial efforts 50 years ago.

TO RENTER: Don’t believe the lie that this has anything to do with you. This is for private property owners, just like most of you will become. (Note: I would not advise buying in the Palisades Tract where I live, and maybe not anywhere North of Montana at this date.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that this condition should never have been. Think of the unnecessary time, money, effort, and energy that could have been spent on something that is more important and is the city’s business!

P.S. Just for kicks: At least in the ’90s the head of Landmarks Commission and probably others had lived near or in Santa Monica for all of two years. But who’s counting?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 3, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/030303.pdf?ref=smdp.com)