Yes, I’m back. You didn’t think I was going to bail out during election season, did you? Since my last column a month ago, a lot has happened to set the stage for the November 8 election and I’ve been watching from the wings. 

Read More on page 4: http://backissues.smdp.com/082216.pdf

By Marina Andalon
Daily Press Staff Writer

On Aug. 17, Downtown Santa Monica hosted its annual breakfast meeting at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel featuring speakers from the city and DTSM Inc.

Read More: http://smdp.com/mobility-homelessness-cited-as-downtown-santa-monica-challenges/156781

Both our country and city are at crossroads. Both are also facing similar challenges. Locally, our Santa Monica environment is changing rapidly before our eyes. As we approach elections, we are spending a considerable amount of time considering divergent points of view. During this time, I invariably come back to a basic thesis – allowing for growth without compromising quality of life.

Read More: http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/SMart-Reclaiming-Our-Civic--Architectural-Culture/45919

Phil meets with Gil Borboa, Santa Monica's Water Resources Manager, to learn more about Santa Monica's high quality water, our conservation efforts and a plan for the city to have a self-sufficient water supply by 2020.

See video: http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/BOYB-Phil-Meets-with-Gil-Borboa-Santa-Monicas-Water-Resources-Manager/45914

 Salary Schedule - Rent Control

Rent Control Administrator - Annual Rate - $198,876

See the Schedule:  https://www.smgov.net/uploadedFiles/Departments/Rent_Control/Home/Rent%20Control%20Salary%20Schedule.pdf

By Jonathan Friedman
Associate Editor

August 18, 2017 -- A field of up to four candidates will compete in the November election for three seats on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board. The deadline to enter the race was Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The confirmed candidates are elected incumbent Maria Leon-Vazquez, appointed incumbent Ralph Mechur and challenger Jon Kean. County officials have validated at least 100 signatures on their nomination papers.

Attorney Jason Feldman submitted his nomination papers on Friday, and they are under review.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/August-2016/08_18_%202016_Brock_Drops_from_Santa_Monica-Malibu_School_Board_Race.html

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL

SUBJECT: Consideration of proposed resolution to automatically adjust the Affordable Housing Unit Development Cost for new market-rate multifamily development pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.64.070(c) 

WHEN: Tuesday, August 23, 2016 6:30 P.M. 

WHERE: Santa Monica City Hall, Council Chambers

Read More on page 8 and 11: http://backissues.smdp.com/081816.pdf

By Matthew Hall on August 18, 2016 

Nominations for the City Council, Rent Control Board and Santa Monica College board ended last week but the deadline for the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District board was extended to 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 as at least one incumbent did not file. At the close of the day, four residents filed paperwork to compete for three seats.

Read More: http://smdp.com/candidate-fields-finalized-for-santa-monica-municipal-elections/156733

August 17, 2016 -- A pitched battle to stop demolition of a 1950s ocean-front apartment complex built for a then booming middle-class in Santa Monica quietly ended last month, clearing the path to the leasing soon of ultra-deluxe-apartments there instead.

After nearly a decade, 301 Ocean Avenue has been granted an occupancy permit for the one-acre site, a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/August-2016/08_17_%202016_Front_Apartments_in_Santa_Monica_Ends_Quietly.html

By Elizabeth Van Denburgh, a member of the Santa Monica Transparency Project. 

Election season is upon us and the piles of campaign literature will follow. While all campaign literature is paid advertising, there is a difference between literature issued by the candidate committee or the ballot measure committee and what is called a slate mailer or card.

Candidates, office holders and ballot measures pay varying fees to be placed on the slate mailers/cards.

Read More: http://smdp.com/show-me-the-asterisk/156668