10.31.09

Council Raises Concern Over Expo Yard

The maintenance and storage yard proposed before the city council that had concerns from the Pico community, now is raising them with the city council.

City officials are now worried about a proposed hybrid station that was put together after initial concerns brought up by the community. This hybrid site proposes to add extra space to its car lot and also a paint and body shop on location.

Showing concern for the residents of the community, City Councilman Kevin McKeown said that “if there is nothing in the Environmental Impact Report about a 50-odd car lot or a paint and metal shop, then the people have not had the opportunity to comment, have their comments heard and responded to.”

Steve Pelechronis, a consultant on the project, did say that of the over 3,000 letters, with over 9,000 comments, there were little if any regarding the hybrid site. Expo officials claim that the changes to the proposal will not need a new review and that the paint shop will be fully contained.

Westside Subway Update

In a meeting held on October 22^nd, the Metro Board of Directors approves a long-range transit plan that will guarantee funding for the future Wesside Subway that will connect Culver City with Santa Monica.

Planned locations for the Santa Monica stations are at Wilshire and Bundy, Wilshire and 15^th/16^th, and the last stop being at Wilshire and 4^th. the plans are currently in the Draft Environmental Impact stage.

Cops Nab Murder Suspect

Last Sunday, in a coordinated effort, the Santa Monica Police Department and the LAPD we able to apprehend Jason Eddie Coleman, 27, for the murder of Preston Brumfield.

Brumfield was found brutally beaten on may 11, 2008 and laying in a pool of his own blood. Brumfield was taken to UCLA Medical Center but died from his injuries four days later.

Coleman and three other have been arrested in connection to the murder. All suspect are believed to be members of the street gang, The Graveyard Crips. It is believed that Brumfield was beaten after insulting one of the suspects.

All suspects have pled not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted.

10.24.09

Pico Residents Speak Out

At a public meeting, held on October 14^th, heard the many concerns from residents regarding the propose plans for the future Metropolitan Transit Authorities Expo Line Light Rail. The new rail system will connect residents from Santa Monica to Culver City.

Many residents came to voice their concern over a proposed maintenance yard that will be located in the Pico neighborhood in Santa Monica. A group of student from the Pico Youth Council picketed outside the meeting held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

“Our neighborhood has become a target for this kind of pollution,” said Johnny Ramirez, a member of the youth council and Pico resident. Referring to already having the community being next to the 10 freeway and a recycling plant already in the neighborhood.

The location of the proposed site is at Stewart St. and Exposition. The site will be used mainly for storage but also for maintenance on the rail cars. Residents cite noise and pollution as their main concerns, but also claim that their neighborhood has become a “dumping ground” for the city’s less attractive facilities. The site will be adjacent to existing residents as well as Stewart Park, which has banned BBQ’s based on possible methane leakage.

Steve Pelechronis, Project Manager for Expo Light line, said that the city has studied 40 different locations in search of one that fits the necessary criteria. That criteria being that the location is of a specific size and shape, as well as being adjacent to the path of the rail system. Of the 40 locations, Stewart St. and Exposition fit the criteria best. Pelechronis also said that recent studies do not show methane leakage at Stewart Park, a park that once was a landfill.

Other question brought up by the community included bike accommodations, restroom at station, wi-fi capability on trains, and possible compensation for business on Colorado Avenue that would be affected by future construction.

Battle for Cleaner Water Continues

While organizations like Heal the Bay do their best to keep our oceans clean, big business is doing its best to contaminate them.

In a recent study by Environmental California, an estimated 232 million pounds of toxic chemical have been dumped into our nations various bodies of water.

Gina Goodhill, oceans advocate for Environmental California, in a press conference Thursday said, “despite the clear intent of the Clean Water Act, polluters continue to use our waterways as dumping grounds for toxic chemicals."

In 2007 the Environmental Protection Agency estimated that Chevron Co. in El Segundo had dumped 386,773 pounds into the Pacific Ocean. Those chemicals and toxins flow right into the Santa Monica Bay

Those numbers place the Santa Monica Bay at #3 in the country for such discharges. Toxins in the water include lead, mercury and dioxin. Which can lead to Cancer as well as developmental and reproductive disorders in humans.

Sesame Street Turns 40

On November 7^th, Sesame Street will celebrate its 40^th anniversary, and the Santa Monica Public Library will take part in the celebration.

From 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the library will welcome people of all ages to join them in the festivities.

Planned events for the day include a viewing of the Big Bird movie “Follow that Bird,” arts and crafts, snacks and activities hour, and a puppet show to end the day.

The event is free but space is limited and will be on a first come first serve basis. For more information you can call the Santa Monica Public Library at 310-458-8600.

10-17-09 Santa Monica

City Seeks Innovative Design Team

The City of Santa Monica is in search of an innovative and talented design team to design a new centrally located Civic Center parks. These new parks will be just a walk from local beaches and attractions.

Plans for the expansion of the city’s park system began in 1993 and were revised again in 2005. Current plans have seven acres just off the coast that is waiting to be developed into another beautiful city Recreation center. Six of those seven acres will be for the public park while the other acre will be for a new Town Square.

The new Civic Center parks will connect tourist, residents, and weekenders to the Santa Monica State Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, Palisades Park, as well as Third Street Promenade. Connecting everyone with the city’s major Cultural and economic assets.

Qualification statements will be accepted until 5:00PM on November 20^th of this year. The selection panel includes Architect Ken Smith, Qingyun Ma, Dean of the University of Southern California Architect, and Mac Fisher, Campus Architect for UC Santa Barbara.

For further information you can go to http://vendors.planetbids.com/SantaMonica/bidsearchform.cfm?StateID=52

Local Shop Owner Charged with Five Misdemeanors

The Santa Monica City Attorney has charged local storeowner, Arman Hazarian, and three of his managers with multiple charges including grand theft, false advertising, and doing business without a City Business License.

Arman and his store, Cozi Couch have been under investigation by the Consumer Protection Unit, long before his store closed n March of 2009.

CPU has had several dozen complaints from customers. Many Customers claim to have paid thousands of dollars for custom furniture, that was never delivered.

City Hall Puts matter of Public Safety before it’s Residents

Come October 29^th, residents from the City of Santa Monica will have a say in where the newest Public Safety Storage Facility will be built.

The City Council was able to go over 30 prospective properties and dwindle the number down to seven. Those seven properties will now be introduces in front a 6-8 different panels of local residents. These panels will have to then choose a site that fits the criteria laid before them. Included in the criteria, are a need for the new facility to have an arterial access road, as well as be complementing to existing building and landscape.

The need for a new storage facility stemmed from past vandalizing and thefts at an old facility that led to the equipment and vehicles being stored inside a larger garage. The new outdoor storage facility will allow for a quicker response time in the event of an emergency.

10.10.2009

Slow Economy Leads to a Head-start on Campaigning

With more than a year left until elections for the Santa Monica City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Pam O'Connor has already began her campaign for re-election to serve a fifth term on the City's council.

O'Connor admitted that finances were a major factor in deciding to get a jump on the campaign. "this is a global recession. Spreading it over time, you might be able to accumulate (more money)."

With the economy the way it is, it would not be surprising for more candidates to declare themselves earlier than usual. this allows extra time for fundraising and donor outreach in a time when budgets and wallets are tight.

Starting this ahead of schedule, gives O'Connor sole access to donors. just a few weeks ago, she was able to raise $5,000 at a breakfast fundraiser. Those funds, according to O'Connor, will be used for start up costs.

While O'Connor mentioned that the money available early on might not be there come Spring of 2010, she also cited other reasons for begining her campaign early. Not only is she serving on the City Council as Mayor Pro Temp, but she also works with the Metropolitan Transit Authority(MTA), as well as doing work as a historical preservation consultant. So the head-start is really more agenda setting. allowing her to focus on her job and the campaign at the same time.

There are three seats up for election. Pam O'connor's, as well as Kevin McKeown, and Bob Holbrook. When asked about early campaining, McKeown said that he has not began his, because the residents do not start thing about the elections this much in advance. Bob Holbrook, who is running for a possible sixth term, will wait until late Spring 2010 to declare if he will run or not.

Bomb Threat Shuts Down Wilshire

Friday morning, the Bomb Squad was called into action at Wilshire and Fifth Street in Downtown Santa Monica. The call was in response to a suspicious package located in front of Panera Bread on Wilshire.

Traffic was rerouted and 30 people were evacuated from surrounding buildings. A Bomb Squad Robot ripped the package open, revealing it was nothing more than a bag of Cement wrapped in brown tape.

The package was most likely used to weigh down a street sign. SMDP Lt. Dan Salerno said that "In situations like this, we have to take every precaution."

SMMOA to Host Halloween Gala

The Santa Monica Museum of Art will be hosting a Halloween Gala on Saturday October 31st. At the Halla Gala you will find an evening of fashion, fantasy, and fun.

The Halloween Gala will be crucial in raising funds for SMMOA's exhibitions and art programs. Special hosts for the evening will be Susan and Leonard Nemoy.

There are a variety of ticket packages ranging from $350 to $25,ooo. the benefits of the different packages vary, but include custom costumes made by a list of celebrity fashion designers, a chance to have your secret self immortilized by famed photographer/host Leonard Nemoy, and a luxurious night at the Viceroy at Santa Monica.

but the expensive ticket does not guarantee admittance into the Gala. Costumes of some form are required. either a costume, head dress, or mask will be mandatory upon arrival.

Grace 10.2.09

Lucas Grace

Beat Report

10/3/09

City Continues Its Efforts to Clean Up the Beach

In a continued effort, the city has been doing research and planning in order to keep the water and beaches clean. Recently, bird netting has come in to play in an effort to reduce bird population and fecal pollution around the pier.

Studies have often linked birds to the increase in fecal matter polluting local waters. In June 2009 RBF Consulting, Inc. completed a source study testing the waters of the Santa Monica Bay, and concluded that birds were a major contributor to fecal pollution in the area.

While storm drain upgrades have already been put in place, the netting efforts are just beginning. While the fecal pollution is harmful to us, possibly causing salmonella poisoning, the city is also making sure o protect the wildlife as well. Nest still with eggs and hatchlings will be protected until the hatchlings mature.

Day of Peace at the Pier

Friday, October 2, 2009 marked the third annual observation of the U.N.’s Day of Nonviolence. People gathered at the pier to watch activist on the beach that were gathered around a large peace sign.

U.N. Day of Nonviolence, began in 2007 as a way of remembering not only Gandhi, but what he stood for. Gandhi helped India gain its independence from Britain only to be assassinated in 1948.

In Honor of his efforts, the U.N. General Assembly passed a 2007 resolution declaring Gandhi’s birthday, October 2^nd, a day of observance, a day of peace.

St. John’s Gets $100 Million Donation

Billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, founder and owner of L.A. based Abraxis BioScience, donated $100 million to St. John’s Hospital.

The huge donation will go to expanding the facilities as well as more than half going to research. Mr. Soon-Shiong’s pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles focuses on cancer medication and research, so it is no surprise that $55million of the donation will go to funding research.