November 22, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

BREAKING: City Manager Rick Cole to Step Down

By Sam Catanzaro

Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole is stepping down, the city announced Friday.

According to an April 17 City blog post from Cole, a massive budget deficit brought on by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was one of the reasons behind the decision.

“On reflection, however, there comes a time to recognize one’s limits. The push to put in place a plan to pay down our massive pension obligations had already imposed unpopular fiscal constraints. The protracted struggle over pension reform has eroded the good will I previously enjoyed with our unions. The crushing demands of serving as Emergency Service Director over the past five weeks has put me squarely in the line of fire for anyone dissatisfied with any aspect of the City’s response to the emergency. Most importantly, the need to deal with a projected $300 million dollar shortfall over the next 26 months puts us all in a nearly impossible situation,” Cole wrote.

According to the city, a transition plan will be announced soon.

Cole’s announcement to step down comes in the wake of a Change.org petition circulating calling for the firing of Cole and Assistant City Manager Katie Lichtig.

The petition was started after reports of plans to fire over 500 employees and reduce services as part of “unprecedented” budgetary cuts began to emerge.

“City department directors had fewer than 3 days over the Passover, Good Friday, and Easter holidays to prepare their list of services, programs, and city staff that would need to be cut. Only 3 days to decide to decimate programs, services, facilities, and amenities that are so valuable to our community,” reads the petition, which collected 2,893 signatures.

in News
<>Related Posts

Advance Auto Parts to Shutter 500 Stores, L.A. Might Be Affected

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

The Automotive Industry Faces Challenges From Inflation and Increased Competition From Chinese Automakers Advance Auto Parts announced plans to shutter...

TV Review: The Lincoln Lawyer

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

TV SERIES REVIEWTHE LINCOLN LAWYERRated TV-MA60 Minute TV SeriesThe first episode was released on May 13, 2022Three complete seasons of...

Santa Monica College Presents “Romeo and Juliet” Through Dec. 8

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Directed by Perviz Sawoski With Music Direction by Gary Gray Santa Monica College’s Theatre Arts Department will stage William Shakespeare’s...

Video Shows Officer-Involved Shooting Outside SMPD Station

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Officials Have Issued a Viewer Advisory, Cautioning That the Material May Be Distressing The Santa Monica Police Department has released...

Everytable’s Holiday Meal Collaboration To Support LA’s Unhoused Youth

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Chef Created Thanksgiving Meal Benefits My Friend’s Place. Everytable, the mission-driven company committed to making scratch-cooked, nutritious meals accessible to...

Last Minute Additions to the Best Thanksgiving 2024 Feasts and Pies To Go

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

If Other Faves are Sold Out, Here’s All The Quality Places to Try Now Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary...

Santa Monica Place’s Value Falls by Nearly 60%: Report

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Retail Vacancies Have Compounded the Mall’s Struggles Santa Monica Place, a high-profile shopping destination in Santa Monica, continues to face...

Bicyclist Killed in Early Morning Collision on Lincoln Blvd

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Victim Struck by Two Vehicles; Drivers Cooperating with Investigation A 41-year-old bicyclist was fatally struck by two vehicles early Sunday,...

Annual Moby-Dick Reading Returning to Venice Beach

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Readers, Ranging From Students to Celebrities, Will Take Turns Performing Excerpts From Herman Melville’s 1851 Classic The Venice Oceanarium will...

Santa Monica Security Guard Charged with Murder Following September Stabbing

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Investigators Gathered Evidence, Interviewed Witnesses, and Reviewed Surveillance A 36-year-old security guard has been charged with murder in connection with...

Santa Monica High School Lockdown Triggered by False Alarm, Police Confirm

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

No Threat Found After Active Shooter Report Prompts Quick Response  Santa Monica High School (SaMoHi) went into lockdown Tuesday afternoon...

Film Review: Wicked

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Director John Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights) has crafted an effervescent take on the blockbuster...

Here’s Who The Lakers Will Honor Next With a Statue Outside Crypto.com Arena: Report

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

Before Coaching, He Was an NBA Player for a Decade, Spending Five Seasons With the Lakers and Winning a Championship...

SMPD Investigate Booby Trap Incident on Exposition Boulevard

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

The Incident Prompted a Response From the Los Angeles County Bomb Squad and Led to Felony Charges A 61-year-old man...

Traffic Safety Set to be Bolstered in Santa Monica With $300K Grant

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

The Grant Will Fund Initiatives to Address Causes of Traffic Collisions, Including DUI Checkpoints and Patrols The Santa Monica Police...