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# What’s that stench?
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/whats-that-stench-editor/
- Published: 2006-05-08T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:42:37.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Promenade, #archive-import

*By Lori Emerson Santa Monica*

Regarding the article titled “Food for thought” (SMDP, May 3, page 1). Somebody ought to take up a collection to buy Jerry Rubin some new glasses. Obviously he has-n’t noticed or is blinded to the fact that all of the “free” public seating he fears losing is full of mumbling, psycho, stinky and obnoxious bums and their belongings. Allowing restaurants to expand onto the areas taken up by the bums is a wonderful idea.

As for the expiring leases of the juice bar and the chocolate shop, Councilmen McKeown and Genser can donate their personal funds to help the proprietors try and pay what will probably be outrageous rent increases — if they can afford to renew. As for the concern about dramatically changing the face of the promenade by bringing more upscale visitors and commerce... duh... that’s what we need.

Wow, an outdoor seating area to sip wine and taste cheese, without the stench or threat of bums. Things are looking up.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 8, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)