Concerned Residents Against Airport Pollution (CRAAP) has endorsed incumbent Kevin McKeown and Planning Commissioners Richard McKinnon and Sue Himmelrich following CRAAP’s three-hour candidates forum on Sept. 22 that featured 13 of the 14 candidates for Santa Monica City Council.
CRAAP director Martin Rubin said of the 12 candidates that remained after one left early, all were in favor of Measure LC and opposed to Measure D. All were in favor of closing Santa Monica Airport.
Rubin said a two-part pledge was sent out to the six “outstanding candidates.”
The pledge asked if they would, 1) champion bringing to City Council an item to address posting CA Proposition 65 warning signs on the observation deck at the airport; and 2) bringing before City Council a recommendation by the Santa Monica Airport Commission to limit air pollution from aircraft operations at Santa Monica Airport.
Rubin said the pledge litmus test left five candidates.
“The choice of three became clear when we polled several members,” Rubin said. “Candidates’ views on development and traffic influenced the decision. There is an apparent nexus between the influx of private jet traffic back in the mid 1980’s at SMO with the commencement of over-development and the accompanying gridlock west side traffic.”
Rubin said incumbent Kevin McKeown and Planning Commissioners Richard McKinnon and Sue Himmelrich were the clear choices for endorsement to represent Santa Monica residents on the City Council — the Council that will provide direction with regard to the future of Santa Monica Airport as well as addressing over-development in Santa Monica.
CRAAP had already strongly endorsed CA Senator Ted Lieu for Congress, District 33.
CRAAP strongly endorses Santa Monica Measure LC and strongly opposes Measure D.
“Don’t be deceived by the fear mongering, lies and ‘D’eception of the big money national aviation interests,” Rubin said . “The aviation interests do not include the interests of Santa Monica residents.”
Rubin said candidate Whitney Scott Bain could not attend while Terence Later had to leave early due to other commitments.
