> ## 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 Sammie Awards punctuate wild year - URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-sammie-awards-punctuate-wild-year/ - Published: 2007-12-31T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T04:39:38.000Z - Author: Bill Bauer - Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness Editors note: The “My Write” Sammie Awards are not to be confused with the Service to American Medals, Sam Adams Alliance & Foundation, or British Sandwich Association awards. IT’S NEW YEAR’S EVE. WHAT BETTER time to award 2007 Sammies for the good, bad and downright disgusting — starting with downright disgusting. C’mon, that’s what you all were waiting for, wasn’t it? The architects, developers, City Hall bureaucrats and politicians responsible for “The Village” truly deserve the “How Ugly Is It?” Sammy. This proposed development would put 325 units of housing in the Civic Center across from City Hall. Reminiscent of the “stacked shipping container” style of architecture, it’s disgusting on every level. The “Cry Baby” Sammy goes to those bicycle riders who ride around without helmets and safety gear, whose bikes lack lights and reflectors and who think they can violate the California Vehicle Code and other ordinances at will, then whine and cry when cited by the police. Transportation Management staff, whose mid-street islands, curb bumpouts, removal of traffic lanes and other “fixes” have created some of the worst traffic congestion in the Westside, is the only choice for the “We Love Gridlock” Sammy. Councilwoman Pam O’Connor earns the “Potty Mouth of the Year” Sammy for still muttering under-the-breath invectives and rude comments during council meetings. The “Prudes of the Year” Sammy goes to Big Blue Bus management who removed “America’s Top Model” bus ads featuring attractive, bikini-clad ladies after “one or two” people complained. “We’re sensitive to public taste” was the reason given for the censorship. Attractive women in bikinis? This over the top protection of public morals may play in Tupelo, Miss., but here it’s just silly and stupid. Moving on to the “Bad,” the “Free Lizzie Borden” Sammy goes to Santa Monica Treesavers who want to “save” 53 ficus trees on Second and Fourth streets in downtown. Twenty-three ficus are to be chopped down because they’re unsafe, the rest will be moved and replanted. This was and still is a non-issue but the egos involved will draw this out as long as you can say “publicity,” “run for office” and “can’t find a real issue.” The Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District Board of Education deserves the “Who’s In Charge?” Sammy — again. After a budget-busting pay raise to teachers, the resignation of the district’s chief financial officer and the revelation of “gag orders” imposed on special education parents and others, all school board members could do is duck for cover. An independent auditors report said the board acted irresponsibly in tentatively approving a classroom teachers raise without any strategy for covering its additional cost. The auditors advised the board to remedy its decade long pattern of deficit spending and criticized them for “their inability to understand how the use of one time only reserve funds for recurring salary and benefit increases contributes to ongoing debt.” The “There, I’ll Do It Again” Sammy goes to former SMMUSD Board Chair Kathy Wisnicki, who recently announced she’s running for Malibu City Council where the same questionable management skills she brought to the SMMUSD board will be put to use in Malibu City Hall — if elected. Now for “Good” Sammies. The city’s Farmers’ Markets are one of the best things about Santa Monica. Pico Farmers’ Market Manager Ted Galvan gets this year’s “Thumbs Up” Sammy for running a tight ship. The Saturday morning market with its great vendors, no-hassle neighborly atmosphere and easy parking is my favorite. The Old Town Baking Company’s mouthwatering breads, cakes and rolls and fresh nuts from Avila & Sons Farms are particularly enticing. For the second year in a row, the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City wins the “Best Civic Group” Sammy for being a voice for responsible development and traffic management. If only somebody in City Hall would take heed. The “Doing Something About Homelessness” Sammy goes to West Coast Care for relocating over 200 homeless individuals “back home” this year where they receive support from family, friends and local services. The program utilizes extensive outreach and has resulted in fewer vagrants on our streets while achieving a high level of success in improving the lives of the homeless. City Councilman, Kevin McKeown earns the “Year’s Biggest Loser” Sammy for dropping an amazing 125 pounds and maintaining his weight at a svelte 200 pounds. The Sammy for “Unsung Hero" goes to Darrell Goode, director of the Pico Partnership, a nonprofit collaboration between City Hall, Virginia Avenue Park and Santa Monica College. PP assists and motivates young residents of the Pico area by providing financial aid, counseling and support for deserving students pursuing either vocational or higher educational goals. To all the local politicians who unwittingly provide an endless amount of good material for this column, you’ve earned my personal “Make My Day” Sammy. Lastly, for all you readers who’ve stayed with me another year, give yourselves a “Gold Star” Sammy. Happy New Year! *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/123107.pdf?ref=smdp.com)