The Ocean Park Association (OPA), a one and half-year-old neighborhood organization “devoted to representing and furthering the interests of the residents of Ocean Park,” held its first annual meeting Saturday, October 1, in the community room at Joslyn Park.
Susan Cloke, a long time resident of Ocean Park and chair of the Recreation and Parks Commission, served as the MC of the meeting.
A former chair of the City’s Planning Commission, Cloke was involved in the last revision to the City’s Land Use Element, and she spoke about the successes of the 1984 update to the General Plan and the challenges the community faces in creating a new “blueprint” for growth in Santa Monica.
OPA President Joel Brand regaled the crowd, which included Mayor Pam O’Connor and Councilmember Kevin McKeown, with a history of OPA and fielded questions from members. Then, while members voted for a new board of directors, local historian Paula A. Scott, author of the recently published book, Santa Monica: A History on the Edge, gave a brief history of Ocean Park.
OPA member and Landmarks Commissioner Nina Fresco then announced the results of the board election and Ms. Cloke concluded the annual meeting.
The new OPA Board of Directors is composed of:Dennis Allard, Pauline Bohannon, Joel Brand, Kristina Deutsch, Dana Erlich, Arlene Hopkins, Mary Hubbell, Jeff Jarow, Susan Lewis, Jan Ludwinski, Lori Nafshun, Jacob Samuel, Bob Taylor, and Ted Winterer.
