November 28, 2025
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A Call to Stay Home

By Mayor Kevin McKeown and City Manager Rick Cole Both Governor Newsom and County public health officials have emphasized: This is the week to stay home! We know that the next few weeks are critical […]

SMa.r.t.: We Will Be Victorious!

We enter another weekend of “don’t.” Don’t use our parks, don’t go to the beach, don’t walk on a mountain trail, don’t congregate in groups, and most certainly, don’t cough or sneeze within six feet […]

Get Ready For Biggest Budget Crunch In 12 Years

As of the end of last year, California’s budgetary rainy day fund amounted to about $20 billion. That sounds like a lot, and the last two governors both put more cash than legally required into […]

Are We “Shovel Ready”?

Now that circumstances are forcing us to take a temporary break from life as usual, we have a chance to sit back and re-evaluate what the city is all about, what is truly important for […]

SMa.r.t. Column: We Must Act Now

Like many others in town, our group consists of folks who fall into a category that leaves us more vulnerable to the effects of the virus. Age and underlying medical conditions for several of us […]

SMa.r.t. Column: Spend, Baby, Spend!

Surprise, Surprise! Santa Monica is out of money and about to run a deficit. Crime and homelessness have led to a decline in parking revenue and hotel stay taxes. Who could have seen that coming? […]

A Dinner Invitation, Porn, and a City on Fire

Santa Monica is such a lively city. Valentine’s Day was last week, and many celebrated it with roses, cards, and dinner. A young lady and her anonymous director of photography celebrated with a sex act […]

SMa.r.t. Column: The City’s Hidden Thirst

City Council voted last month to increase water rates throughout the city by about 100% over a period of 5 years. The proposed increase led to disagreement and bitterness among many residents. Controversies over the […]

Rent Control Again: Is This Voted Needed?

It was a head-scratcher the other day when the AIDS Healthcare Foundation submitted more than 1 million voter signatures aiming to place comprehensive rent control before Californians next fall, just two years after they rejected […]