July 9, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

So Now What?

The case was tried, the decision is in, and the City lost. The judge has ordered that all future City Council elections be district based in accordance with a seven-district map submitted by the Plaintiffs.

Now what?

Well, the city reiterated its intention to exhaust all appellate remedies to avoid having to give up the at large system found by the trial court to violate the California Voting Rights Act. It responded to the court’s invitation to submit its own draft map involving public process by stating it would undertake such a task only after all appellate rights have been exhausted. Meanwhile, based on that position, the voting rights violations the court found should continue on unchanged and unchallenged. No wonder the judge decided to make a specific order about elections and districts. I trust that she researched her authority to do so carefully before making it.

As a practical matter, this has been very costly litigation. In terms of dollars spent, estimates run from $6 to $12 million and the meter is still running. Plus, the City has now been labeled as a violator of voting rights. Ouch!

The initial decision to fight the suit may have been made in good faith, but the decision to continue the litigation should be evaluated. It is unlikely, however, that those who fought term limits (overwhelmingly favored by the electorate) are going to give up on something, which directly jeopardizes their chances of staying in power. Hence, the continuing challenge to the ruling coupled with the demand that even if they lose they still get to control the details of districting.

Why not come to the table now? Settle pending appeal. Better yet, settle before entry of judgment. Bring their gripes with the Plaintiff’s map to the table and/or propose a rapid public process to draw a new one both sides agree is acceptable Do the right thing.

Whether and how much public process is required if this case carries on is subject to legal interpretation and the subject of argument. That it will be time-consuming and result in further delay and cost is certain. Having faith in that process is difficult if it is going to be in the exclusive control of those who vehemently opposed district elections and scorched the earth trying to prevent them.

The court found violations and ordered a remedy. The City as of now intends to fight both. That is unfortunate for the Latinos in our community whose voting rights have been and continue to be violated and for the rest of us as well who support those rights.

I am a convert to the concept of district elections. I converted a few years ago for reasons other that those in the lawsuit. The two minute snippets of time grudgingly provided to members of the public to state their position is hardly meaningful in the face of a well prepared, directed and about to be if not already accepted by individual Council members staff report to the contrary. Resident voices were lost in a sea of development and lobbying and outside money interests when trying to get Council’s attention.

Districts aren’t independent city-states with autonomous control, so the Balkanization argument against them is ridiculous. All elected Council members will continue to work for the well being of the city as a whole. Including the Pico neighborhood, which really does seem to have been the dumping ground for things other neighborhoods were powerful enough to fight, we have far more common interests and issues than not. We are talking about districts having specific representatives responsible for bringing knowledge of how Council decisions affect their respective districts and what residents really want and need. How is that not the common good? Add in the reduction of cost to run for office and the lessening of outside influence in very local elections and you still have barely topped the list of benefits.

So now what? Do the right thing. Drop the appeal. Bring on district elections.

Guest Columnist Maryanne LaGuardia is a Santa Monica Recreation & Parks Commissioner, a longtime community activist and a member of the California Bar. We thank Maryanne for her contribution this week.

By Maryanne LaGuardia J.D. for SMart (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow)

Thane Roberts AIA, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Ron Goldman FAIA, Architect, Dan Jansenson, Architect, Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission, Samuel Tolkin Architect, Mario Fonda-Bonardi, AIA, Planning Commissioner, Phil Brock, Santa Monica Arts Commission. For previous articles see www.santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing

<>Related Posts

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...