ACTION Apartment Association

Please Vote No on SMRR, No on QS

11/04/2024 8:56 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Charles Andrews

The two most important things on the local ballot are City Council, and that horrible (in my opinion) half a billion dollar school bond. Maybe a couple more bear mentioning.

SM.a.r.t Column: Lack of Oversight and No Accountability

11/01/2024 7:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Vote No on QS.

Residents of Santa Monica are being asked to approve a fourth school bond since 2006, bringing us to a grand total of $2.2 BILLION in school construction bonds for SMMUSD. Proponents of the bond tell voters the money will be spent well and, not to worry, there is robust oversight. The reality is:

No legally binding project lists;
No effective oversight by the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC);
No meaningful bond audits by the outside certified public accountant (CPA);
No linkage of approved projects to actual academic objectives; and
No effective School Board oversight of facility projects.

Behind the Efforts to Unseat de la Torre

11/01/2024 7:35 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Tricia Crane, chair of Northeast Neighbors, sent an email to the group's members and friends Thursday accompanied by a copy of a CEPS flyer attacking de la Torre and a list of the group's finance disclosure statement.

"What is apparent is the institutional takeover of our city governance that has gone on for decades," Crane wrote. "Never before has it been so exposed.

"The CEPS flyer illustrates the level of coordination of groups in our city that have controlled our governance and want to maintain that control."

Council Race Shatters Finance Record

10/31/2024 10:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Leading the fundraising and spending were the candidates and PACs running on a pro-law enforcement platform.

SB10 is Bad for Santa Monica

10/30/2024 11:19 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Marc L. Verville

The key driver of this legislation, along with all the other State housing legislation is the creation of high profit investor opportunities. As such, there is no requirement for SB 10 projects to include affordability of any kind.

Vote No on the School Bond and Demand Audit

10/29/2024 11:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Residents of Santa Monica are being asked to approve a fourth school bond since 2006, bringing us to a grand total of $2.2 BILLION in school construction bonds for SMMUSD. Proponents of the bond tell voters the money will be spent well and, not to worry, there is robust oversight. The reality is:

No legally binding project lists;
No effective oversight by the Bond Oversight Committee (BOC);
No meaningful bond audits by the outside certified public accountant (CPA);
No linkage of approved projects to actual academic objectives; and
No effective School Board oversight of facility projects.

Single Family Neighborhoods Could Face the Wrecking Ball

10/29/2024 11:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

History suggests that the entrenched powers want to destroy single-family neighborhoods in Santa Monica -- and this might be their best chance yet to do it.

SB10 seems incredibly unpopular in single family neighborhoods, to such a degree that the entrenched powers seem forced to deny and confuse us about their stated aims, and appear to blame single family homes for all sorts of evils. So, one must ask, why do they appear so intent on upzoning single family neighborhoods? Perhaps to support their friends -- developers and market rate landlords, who are likely salivating over this relatively cheap source of land.

If you own, or ever hope to own, an entry-level single-family home in Santa Monica, then you should vote for Brock, Roknian, De La Torre and Putnam, or those homes and neighborhoods will likely come under the wrecking ball.

Safety Slate Marches for Change

10/28/2024 1:40 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The march featured speeches from the slate’s candidates, including Mayor Phil Brock, councilmember Oscar de la Torre, business owner John Putnam, and dental implant surgeon Dr. Vivian Roknian. Each candidate voiced their concerns about the current state of public safety and their commitment to addressing these issues.

Vote ‘No’ on Proposition 33

10/28/2024 1:32 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Every Tenant and Owner of a single family home should universally reject Proposition 33.

Ballot Recommendations November 2024

10/28/2024 1:27 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Oscar de la Torre

Vivian A. Roknian

John Putnam

Phil Brock