In the shadow the presidential election, there are 11 seats for the taking in Santa Monica’s upcoming municipal elections. The music runs out on November 4th. Two of three candidates will take a seat on the city’s Rent Control Board, and three of four will do the same for the Santa Monica College District Board. We’ve already got four winners in the unopposed race for four seats on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board. City Council seats will be the hot ticket this year with 13 candidates and only four seats. Among the contenders, a physical therapist, a writer, an actor and a speckled assortment of business and political leaders. Current mayor Herb Katz is on the ticket along with three current councilmen, Bobby Shriver, Ken Genser, and Richard Bloom. Do any of the other candidates have the gusto to unseat an incumbent?
Jerry Peace Activist Rubin is running on a pro-peace, pro-trees, pro-accountability platform. And no, that isn’t just a nickname. Rubin legally changed his name a few years back in case anyone’s confused about his ideals. On his election website, spotted with peace signs and tree-hugging photos, Rubin outlines his plan for ‘real change.’ Included are many idyllic social and environmental improvement programs for Santa Monica far beyond the reach of a city councilman.
Flight attendant Jon Mann is seeking a city council seat to turn the agenda from special interests back to public policy. Mann also has plans to bring free wifi to the entire city of Santa Monica and make all the workings of the city government public through a an online database and forum.
Business Advisor, Michale Kovac, is drawing in younger voters through social networking on Facebook.com and a blog and forum site. Kovac’s website, www.WhatSantaMonicaWants.com encourages voters to express their concerns and ideas for Santa Monica, stating that the only special interest he’ll work for are the people.
Santa Monica will also be voting on Measure T in November. This measure limits the size of commercial structures to 75, 000 square feet until 2023 or it is voted out. The proposal is aimed at limiting traffic density by limiting commercial property size. At issue is the actual affect limiting commercial real estate size has on traffic, and what impact the limits will place on tax revenues for the City.
Also on the ballot is Measure SM. This measure amends the utility taxes to 10% on all internet, wireless, and satellite services.
Measure AA authorizes the SM Community College District to issue general obligation bonds for $295,000,000 to implement the master plan, upgrading the facilities.
To read all candidates’ platform statements for city council, as well as rent control board and the school boards, visit The City of Santa Monica website at www.Smgov.net and click on City Hall. Elections take place nationwide and in Santa Monica on Tuesday, November 4th. The three propositions on the ballot are also there to review with analysis from both sides at www.SMVote.org
