Position:
Seeking Santa Monica City Council Candidate(s)
Introduction:
Exciting opportunity for the right candidate(s) to work with like-minded Council members committed to preserving and protecting the history, culture, and integrity of our iconic beachside community.
Background:
Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and namesake mountains, Santa Monica is a world-class destination known for its temperate climate, broad beaches, historic pier, and a vibrant seaside community built on a vision of sustainable livability. Historically, development was focused on the needs of residents. Approved projects respected the height and scale of existing neighborhoods while preserving open, sunlit spaces. Architectural designs were vetted for visual appeal, creativity, and scale. Though designed with an eye toward the future, transportation initiatives were based on existing infrastructure and included the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Residents were central to the planning process and kept safe under thoughtful, mostly slow-growth policies that respected the natural beauty, history, and limited resources of our environment. Quality of life mattered. Residents mattered.
Due to new challenges brought on by the influence of both internal and external special interest groups, individual agendas and ideologies, misdirected state mandates, and persistent greed, Santa Monica has experienced a decade of unsustainable over-development, all in the face of a crushing global climate crisis. With much more over-development in the pipeline, Santa Monica is in need of local visionaries interested in creating a truly sustainable City and restoring the Council to its original design and purpose of serving its residents, both current and future.
The Position:
SM a.r.t is actively seeking and encouraging City Council candidate(s) interested in restoring the historic institution to the original blueprint specifications. The refurbishment will focus on issues of structural integrity, form, function, and curb appeal. Competitive candidates will be established residents (three-year minimum) with a history of local civic participation and a strong interest in resident issues. Preference will be given to those who surf, sunbathe, read, walk on the beach, or another sand-oriented activity that reminds you Santa Monica is a beach town. The successful candidate(s) will have innovative ideas for preserving historic mandates while fostering a sustainable future in a livable, fiscally sound, and responsibly developed city. Must be honest, tenacious, have a thick skin, and have the fortitude to endure late-night, contentious meetings. The successful candidate(s) will have the support and backing of SM a.r.t. City stipends include:
- City Salary -$19,704
- Medical insurance for you and your family
- All-expense paid travel for national and international junkets
- City-wide parking pass
- The adulation of your constituents for standing up for residents
With only 11 months to go before the election, it’s time to get SM.a.r.t. Interested resident-oriented candidates are encouraged to file the paperwork and begin campaigning now. Our future awaits.
By Marie Standing
S.M.a.r.t Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
Thane Roberts, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE. Marie Standing, Jack Hillbrand AIA
For previous articles, see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing
