April 26, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Mayor McKeown To Ted Lieu: Thanks For Comments At FAA Meeting:

After arriving home in Santa Monica last week after a trip to Washington D.C. to discuss Santa Monica Airport with Federal Aviation Administration officials, Santa Monica Mayor McKeown wrote a letter of thanks on behalf of himself, Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Vazquez and Councilmember Sue Himmelrich to Congressman Ted Lieu (33rd District) and his staff.

The letter was written following a meeting Wednesday hosted by the Congressman with senior representatives of the FAA in Washington, DC to speak on the future of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO).

“The constituents,” wrote Mayor McKeown, “who attended yesterday’s meeting conveyed effectively their frustrations, fear and anger” about the jet usage of the Santa Monica City Airport.

“In 2023, at the outside, it is game over for jets,” said Congressman Lieu to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives. In the “fight for local control,” Mayor McKeown wrote to Congressman Lieu, “Your assistance is invaluable and deeply appreciated.”

Below, is the text of letter sent to Congressman Lieu.

Dear Congressman Lieu:

Mayor Pro Tem Tony Vazquez, Councilmember Sue Himmelrich and I all want to thank you and your staff for arranging yesterday’s meeting with FAA Associate Administrator Eduardo Angeles about the Santa Monica Airport.  

As you well know, and as testimony from multiple community members should have made clear to Mr. Angeles, the Airport’s adverse impacts have become intolerable to residents of both Santa Monica and Venice.  I thought the constituents who attended yesterday’s meeting conveyed effectively their frustrations, fears and anger about safety risks created by jet usage of a runway which does not meet current safety standards and ends within 300 feet of homes; about documented health risks arising from aircraft emissions; and about the destruction of their peaceful enjoyment of their homes by aircraft noise.  I know they valued the opportunity you made possible to personally express themselves to the FAA.

Those present seemed to me to be particularly heartened by your clear and direct remarks to the FAA, including your admonition to the FAA that “in 2023 at the outside, it is game over for jets.”  Your remarks, and those of your staff at a subsequent meeting yesterday, helped the community members understand the challenge posed by the fact that the FAA will not willingly release its claims on the City’s land.  Our fight for local control will therefore, inevitably, require a dedicated and persistent effort over the next few years.

My colleagues and I look forward to continuing to work with you during that time to reduce the Airport’s detrimental impacts, and ultimately regain local control of the City land so that it can be used to benefit our communities.  Your assistance is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

Very Truly Yours,

Kevin McKeown

Mayor of Santa Monica

cc: City Council

     Rick Cole, City Manager

     Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney

in News
<>Related Posts

CHP Arrests Man Accused of Stealing $5K of Copper on PCH

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and was booked at the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station A 22-year-old...

Topanga Beach Bus Resumes Service Between West Valley and Santa Monica

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

The route now operates once daily in each direction and is being escorted by Caltrans The Topanga Beach Bus resumed...

(Video) The Willows: 30 Years Going Strong

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Founded in 1994, The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade non-profit, co-educational...

ASTEME Camps Explore Science, Technology, Math and Engineering

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Many teachers and parents hear this question daily when it comes to schooling: “When am I ever going to use...

Q&A: No Age Limit on Home Care Management & Home Safety, Tips from a Care Manager

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In-home safety issues that go unnoticed — cracked sidewalks, broken railings or uneven flooring for example — are often the root...

Film Review: Sinners

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

FILM REVIEWSINNERSRated R137 MinutesReleased April 18th   This is one big Blues/Jazz/Vampire/Disco Dance Party. Wow! Sinners will pick you up and...

SMC to Host Free Children’s Concert in May

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

The event will feature collaborative performances with local artists, including a Taiko drumming group from Culver City’s El Marino Language...

LAX/Metro Station is One Step Closer to Transforming the Airport Commute

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

New Multi-Modal Metro Station Connects Angelenos to the Airport Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced...

THIS WEEKEND: Art and Music Festival Takes Over Third Street Promenade

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Admission is free and open to the public The Third Street Promenade will transform into a lively celebration of creativity...

Tony P’s Dockside Grill to Close After 28 Years in Marina del Rey

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

In a farewell letter to patrons, owners wrote, “We hope these final weeks are a celebration of all we have...

Four Proposals Compete for SMC Station’s Affordable Housing Future

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

The site sits in the Pico Neighborhood, where 83% of trips are by car and nearly half of residents struggle...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...