By Marilyn Brennan
In a letter to the SMDP (“City leaders ignore constituents,” June 1), I decried the downward slide Santa Monica seems to be in and chided the City Council and city planners for not listening. I want to amend that somewhat. After my letter was printed, I received a letter from one Council member — Kevin McKeown, agreeing that the trees on Second and Fourth streets should not be cut down. I have since found out that his was the only dissenting vote.
For your edification, here is the breakdown of how the voting on cutting down the trees went: Motion by Council member McKeown to amend the motion to retain existing trees. The motion died for lack of a second.
Motion to amend by Council member Shriver, to direct staff to explore some alternatives for funding, including a possible assessment to the improvement district. The motion was accepted as friendly.
The main motion, as amended, was approved by the following vote: AYE — Council members Genser, Shriver, Bloom, Mayor Pro Katz, Mayor O’Connor; NO — Council member McKeown; ABSENT — Council member Holbrook Council member McKeown stated, for the record, that he voted in opposition because he prefers not to spend $700,000 to cut down healthy trees. And there you have it — $700,000 to cut down healthy trees. Shame on you. Those trees are beautiful, offer shade and are decorated at the holidays with lights.
Thank you SMDP for making it possible to be informed.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 13, 2007. Read the original PDF.