> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The man who would be mayor
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-man-who-would-be-mayor/
- Published: 2004-12-11T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:47:51.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Montana, #archive-import

This past week, Q-line asked: Who should be the next mayor of Santa Monica?

Here are your responses: TIMES BY LLOYD GARVER ✆ “I choose Mr. Ken Genser. Although Mr. Genser lives north of Montana, he understands the problems of those residents who live south of that affluent boundary. Also Mr. Genser enjoys the twilight dance series that takes place on the Santa Monica Pier. That makes him good enough for me.” ✆ “I think Bobby Shriver would be a vast improvement over the nincompoops we have now on the City Council of Santa Monica.” ✆ “Well as much as I hate to say it, I think Kevin McKeown should be the next mayor because he’s been waiting patiently and gracefully for the opportunity for some time now. Pam (O’Connor) has been the mayor. Bob Holbrook’s been the mayor. Herb’s been the mayor, so that brings us back to Kevin who’s been waiting for the chance and it’s largely ceremonial so let’s not politicize it — let’s give everyone a shot.” ✆ “The city’s elected representation, with or without Richard Bloom, is a losing proposition. My only consolation is that I did not vote for any of them. Those that did will rue the day. There is no one on the current scene that I would recommend for mayor. It’s a no-win situation anyhow.” ✆ “Bobby Shriver should be definitely be selected for the new mayor of Santa Monica. He’s the new guy on the block and the other guys have been around for a long time, and look at the mess we’re in with their leadership. So let’s take in somebody with the mindset to do things and he can take on anything else like this re-development idea.” ✆ “The next mayor should be Shriver since he got, by far, the most votes.” ✆ “Bobby Shriver should be appointed as the next mayor of Santa Monica. And the reasons are numerous. Number one, he’ll bring a fresh look to the council and the city with fresh ideas. Number two, people will listen to him on the council and not fall asleep, as half of them do now. Number three, he will get it done. Whatever Bobby Shriver puts his mind to it will get done. These are the reasons Bobby Shriver should be the next mayor.” ✆ “I think that the mayor should be Kevin McKeown because he’s reasonable, he’s respectful and he’s responsive. When I disagree with him politically, he listens to other people and the few times he’s run meetings, he’s done a really good job. So I think it should be Kevin Mckeown.” ✆ “Kevin McKeown should be elected mayor for at least four reasons. The first is he’s the hardest working council member, striving always to maintain close contact with the residents and other community stakeholders. Two, it’s his turn after serving as mayor pro tem for three years. Three, Richard Bloom should vote for Kevin McKeown since he (took) on a two-year term as mayor instead of a split-term, sharing a split-term with McKeown two years ago, so Richard Bloom should definitely support Kevin McKeown. Four, Pam O’Connor should vote for Kevin McKeown to show, for a change, she can be reasonable and personable.” ✆ “Our next Santa Monica mayor should be Kevin McKeown who’s the mayor pro tem. I think he should have been mayor to begin with, even though I do like Bloom. Bloom is all right. But Kevin McKeown goes to all the meetings, he’s paid his dues. Our next Santa Monica mayor should be Kevin McKeown.” ✆ “It should be none other than Kevin McKeown. He’s been serving as mayor pro tem and is representative of the people of the city, regardless of what area and where one resides. He’s always there when you need help. There’s no one more deserving than Kevin McKeown for mayor of Santa Monica.” ✆ “I think the answer to the question as to who should be the next mayor is, it should be me. I would be interested in the anointing procedure. Olive oil should do very well. I would serve with no salary. That would give the elected council people more time to do nothing.” ✆ “I would like to see Bobby Shriver the next mayor of Santa Monica.” ✆ “Bobby Shriver was the highest vote-getter in the Nov. 2 City Council race and even though he’s new, the new blood, and new thinking ideas would probably be more beneficial, and as a result, he should be the new mayor. We certainly couldn’t go wrong because there needs to be a lot of things changed and there’s no time like the present.” ✆ “Bobby Shriver or an infusion of new blood would help the city a little bit.” ✆ “I wholeheartedly support Ken Genser for mayor. He is the most savvy councilmember for many years. Additionally, with the new Macerich proposal, he will be able to help the city navigate its way through that process, and come out with a win for the residents of the city. And finally, the night that he was sworn in, he was very humble and thanked the coalition of people who support him, and I appreciate that very much.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 11, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/121104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)